bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ameliorative potential of resveratrol on proinflammatory cytokines, hyperglycemia mediated oxidative stress, and pancreatic β‐cell dysfunction in streptozotocin‐nicotinamide‐induced diabetic rats
Authors: Palsamy P. , Subramanian S.
Published: March 2010

Chronic exposure of pancreatic β‐cells to supraphysiologic glucose causes adverse β‐cell dysfunction. Thus, the present study was aimed to investigate the hypothesis that oral administration of resveratrol attenuates hyperglycemia, proinflammatory cytokines and antioxidant competence and protects β‐cell ultrastructure in streptozotocin‐nicotinamide‐induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of resveratrol (5 mg/kg body weight) to diabetic rats for 30 days showed a significant decline in the levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, NF‐κB p65 unit and nitric oxide (NO) with concomitant elevation in plasma insulin. Further, resveratrol treated diabetic rats elicited a notable attenuation in the levels of lipid peroxides, hydroperoxides and protein carbonyls in both plasma and pancreatic tissues. The diminished activities of pancreatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) as well as the decreased levels of plasma ceruloplasmin, vitamin C, vitamin E and reduced glutathione (GSH) in diabetic rats were reverted to near normalcy by resveratrol administration. Based on histological and ultrastructural observations, it is first‐time reported that the oral administration of resveratrol may effectively rescue β‐cells from oxidative damage without affecting their function and structural integrity. The results of the present investigation demonstrated that resveratrol exhibits significant antidiabetic potential by attenuating hyperglycemia, enhancing insulin secretion and antioxidant competence in pancreatic β‐cells of diabetic rats. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 423–432, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A composite statistical method for the detection of multiple undocumented abrupt changes in the mean value within a time series
Authors: Rienzner M. , Gandolfi C.
Published: March 2010

The time series of measurements of hydro‐meteorological variables often suffer from imperfections such as missing data, outliers and discontinuities in the mean values. The discontinuity in the mean can be the effect of: instrumental offsets and of their corrections, of changes in the monitoring station or in the surrounding environment. If the discontinuities can be identified with a reasonable precision, a correction of the erroneous data can be made. Several authors have put their great effort into developing techniques to identify non‐climatic inhomogeneities; the resulting statistical methods are especially effective when the series contains a single change point, while their performances decline when the series contains multiple change points or inhomogeneous segments (a portion of the series bounded by two complementary shifts). These limitations also affect the standard normal homogeneity test (SNHT), one of the most effective and widely applied tests. We present a composite method of homogeneity testing, standard normal homogenization composite method (SNHCM), including the SNHT as one component, which improves the SNHT performances with multiple change points and inhomogeneous segments. A number of comparisons among the new method, the SNHT and a powerful optimal segmentation method (OSM‐CM), are illustrated in the paper. SNHCM demonstrates their performances in change‐point detection similar to, or better than, the SNHT and very close to the OSM‐CM. The SNHCM is effective in recognizing complex patterns of discontinuities, especially inhomogeneous segments, which represent a severe problem for SNHT; on the contrary, SNHT performs slightly better only when the series contains a single change point, but the difference between the two methods is negligible. Compared to the OSM‐CM, SNHCM provides very similar performances, with some favourable features deriving from the fact that it is computationally lighter, simpler to implement, can easily handle very long series and is based on statistical hypothesis tests with a well‐defined and adjustable significance level. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Large‐scale circulations and Tibetan Plateau summer drought and wetness in a high‐resolution climate model
Authors: Bothe Oliver , Fraedrich Klaus , Zhu Xiuhua
Published: March 2010

Extratropical and tropical influences on Tibetan Plateau severe and extreme dry and wet summer months are investigated focussing on the large‐scale circulation and using results of the coupled climate model ECHAM5/MPI‐OM. A pre‐industrial control run and scenario runs for the 4th Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are considered. Tibetan Plateau precipitation in months of wetness and drought is related to atmospheric circulation anomalies in the North‐Atlantic/European sector and to sea surface temperature anomalies in the Tropics. Drought on the Tibetan Plateau is associated with a pronounced wave train bridging Eurasia from the North Atlantic to Asia. Increased transient eddy activity in the North Atlantic storm track has a more south‐west to north‐east orientation. This supports a high pressure anomaly over the eastern North Atlantic and Scandinavia which excites a cross Eurasian wave train reducing the moisture inflow to the Tibetan Plateau from the Arabian Sea. A concurrent warming in the tropical Indian Ocean increases the low level monsoonal westerlies deviating the moisture transport from the Bay of Bengal towards the Indochinese Peninsula and the Philippines. Wetness on the Tibetan Plateau is dominated by a cooling in the tropical oceans, whereas atmospheric flow is predominantly zonal in the extratropics of North America and Europe. Thus, moisture inflow can reach the Tibetan Plateau via the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the mid‐latitude westerlies. Future scenarios show little change of atmospheric flow composites for wetness and dryness; the Tibetan Plateau droughts increase by 10% for an A1B‐scenario, while extreme wet summer months are reduced by approximately 1%. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Graphical displays for meta‐analysis: An overview with suggestions for practice
Authors: Anzures‐Cabrera Judith , Higgins Julian P. T.
Published: March 2010

Meta‐analyses are fundamental tools for collating and synthesizing large amounts of information, and graphical displays have become the principal tool for presenting the results of multiple studies of the same research question. We review standard and proposed graphical displays for presentation of meta‐analytic data, and offer our recommendations on how they might be presented to provide the most useful and user‐friendly illustrations. We concentrate on graphs that specifically aim to present similar sorts of univariate results from multiple studies. We start with forest plots and funnel plots, and proceed to Galbraith (or radial) plots, L'Abbé (and related) plots, further plots useful for investigating heterogeneity, plots useful for model diagnostics and plots for illustrating likelihoods and Bayesian meta‐analyses. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanistic studies on the oxidation of glyoxylic and pyruvic acids by a {Mn3O4}4+ core in aqueous media
Authors: Mandal Pulak Chandra , Das Suranjana , Mukhopadhyay Subrata
Published: March 2010

In aqueous media, the MnIV trimer [MnIV3(μ‐O)4(phen)4(H2O)2]4+ (1, phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline) equilibrates with its deprotonated from [Mn3(μ‐O)4(phen)4(H2O)(OH)]3+ (2). Among the several synthetic multinuclear oxo‐ and/or carboxylato‐bridged manganese complexes known to date containing metal‐bound water, to the best of our knowledge, 1 is one of the rare examples that deprotonates (1⇌2 + H+; pKa = 4.00 (±0.15) at 25.0°C, I = 1.0 mol dm−3, maintained with NaNO3) at physiological pH. In aqueous media (pH 2–4), 1 oxidizes both glyoxylic and pyruvic acids to formic and acetic acid, respectively, along with the formation of CO2, the end manganese state being MnII. Kinetic studies suggest that the species 1, its deprotonated form 2, the reducing acids (HA), and their conjugate bases (A−) all take part in the reaction. The oxidant 1 is found to be more reactive than its conjugate base 2, and HA reacts faster than A− in reducing 1 or 2. The gem‐diol form of the α‐oxo acids (especially for glyoxylic acid) is the possible reducing species. The MnIV3 to MnII transition in the present observation proceeds through the intermediate generation of the spectrally characterized mixed‐valent MnIIIMnIV dimer that quickly collapses to MnII. The observed rates of glyoxylic or pyruvic acid oxidation do not depend on the variation of 1,10‐phenanthroline content of the solution, indicating the absence of any phen‐releasing preequilibrium of the title complex in solution. The reactions rates were found to be lowered in media enriched with D2O in comparison to that in H2O and a rate‐limiting one electron one proton (1e, 1H+) electroprotic mechanism is proposed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 42: 323–335, 2010
Diode laser hair removal does not interfere with botulinum toxin A treatment against axillary hyperhidrosis
Authors: Paul Anna , Kranz Gottfried , Schindl Andreas , Kranz Georg S. , Auff Eduard , Sycha Thomas
Published: March 2010

Background and Objective

The possible interference of combined laser hair removal and Botulinum toxin A (BoNT/A) injections in the treatment of axillary hyperhidrosis has not previously been explored. In order to examine this potential interference, we assessed the effect of BoNT/A on axillary hyperhidrosis with and without concomitant diode laser axillary hair removal.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

In a prospective, double blind, randomized cross over trial, nine patients suffering from primary axillary hyperhidrosis were laser‐treated on one randomly assigned axilla. One week later, both axillas were injected intradermally with BoNT/A (100 MU per axilla). During the same session, the previously untreated axilla was lasered. Axillary sweat rates (in g/5 minutes.) were determined by gravimetry and compared at rest, during mental exercise, and during physical exercise. Additionally, subjective outcome measures were assessed by a visual analogue scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and Global Clinical Impression score.

Results

No differences were found regarding the effect of BoNT/A on previously laser‐treated and laser co‐treated sides over time course for any of the outcome parameters. Sweat production was reduced 3 weeks after BoNT/A treatment by 93.5% at rest, 96.5% during mental exercise, and 67% during physical exercise.

Conclusions

Concomitant laser hair removal does not interfere with BoNT/A treatment on axillary hyperhidrosis. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:211–214, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of photobleaching during endoscopic autofluorescence imaging of the lower GI tract
Authors: Douplik Alexandre , Chen Dean , Akens Margarete K. , Zanati Simon , Cirocco Maria , Bassett Nancy , Marcon Norman E. , Fengler John , Wilson Brian C.
Published: March 2010

Background and Objectives

In autofluorescence endoscopy, the difference in the fluorescence of intrinsic fluorophores is imaged to help visualize pre‐malignant lesions, as in the system evaluated here. In this, blue light is used for excitation and the green autofluorescence is normalized by the red diffuse reflectance and presented using a false color scale. The present study was designed to quantify the degree of fluorescence photobleaching induced by the excitation light during use in the colon, since significant photobleaching could lead to false interpretation of the images, particularly false‐positive lesions.

Study Design

Measurements were made ex vivo and in vivo, both using the endoscopic imaging system and a separate fiberoptic spectroscopy probe in externalized rat jejunum and in patients undergoing routine colonoscopy, using exposures typical of autofluorescence endoscopic examination.

Results

Photobleaching could be potentially caused at blue light exposure. However, at light intensities and exposure times that are typically used in clinical practice, the average photobleaching (% loss of peak fluorescence intensity) was <1% and <6% in the rat and human tissues, respectively. Nevertheless, the range was large: from −17% to +18% in rats and −33% to +43% in patients, where negative values denote an apparent increase in fluorescence. Both the large positive and negative deviations are believed in part to be due to a measurement artifact caused by uncontrollable tissue motility.

Summary and Conclusions

It is concluded that, using exposures typically encountered in clinical practice, there is minimal photobleaching during fluorescence endoscopy at exposure such as are used in the Onco‐LIFE and comparable systems. The small changes in fluorescence intensity and spectral shift that do occur are not likely to be detectable by eye, and so should not impact significantly on the diagnostic accuracy of the technique. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:224–231, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Holmium:YAG (λ = 2,120 nm) versus thulium fiber (λ = 1,908 nm) laser lithotripsy
Authors: Blackmon Richard L. , Irby Pierce B. , Fried Nathaniel M.
Published: March 2010

Introduction

The holmium:YAG laser is currently the most common laser lithotripter. However, recent experimental studies have demonstrated that the thulium fiber laser is also capable of vaporizing urinary stones. The high‐temperature water absorption coefficient for the thulium wavelength (µa = 160 cm−1 at λ = 1,908 nm) is significantly higher than for the holmium wavelength (µa = 28 cm−1 at λ = 2,120 nm). We hypothesize that this should translate into more efficient laser lithotripsy using the thulium fiber laser. This study directly compares stone vaporization rates for holmium and thulium fiber lasers.

Methods

Holmium laser radiation pulsed at 3 Hz with 70 mJ pulse energy and 220 microseconds pulse duration was delivered through a 100‐µm‐core silica fiber to human uric acid (UA) and calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones, ex vivo (n = 10 each). Thulium fiber laser radiation pulsed at 10 Hz with 70 mJ pulse energy and 1‐millisecond pulse duration was also delivered through a 100‐µm fiber for the same sets of 10 stones each.

Results

For the same number of pulses and total energy (126 J) delivered to each stone, the mass loss averaged 2.4±0.6 mg (UA) and 0.7±0.2 mg (COM) for the holmium laser and 12.6±2.5 mg (UA) and 6.8±1.7 (COM) for the thulium fiber laser.

Conclusions

UA and COM stone vaporization rates for the thulium fiber laser averaged 5–10 times higher than for the holmium laser at 70 mJ pulse energies. With further development, the thulium fiber laser may represent an alternative to the conventional holmium laser for more efficient laser lithotripsy. Lasers Surg. Med. 42:232–236, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
T-Tube or no T-tube in the reconstruction of the biliary tract during orthotopic liver transplantation: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Riediger Carina , Müller Michael W. , Michalski Christoph W. , Hüser Norbert , Schuster Tibor , Kleeff Jörg , Friess Helmut
Published: March 2010

The routine use of a T-tube in reconstruction of the biliary tree during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is controversial. A systematic review of the literature on the use of a T-tube in reconstruction of the biliary tree was performed. Retrospective studies were only reviewed, whereas prospective randomized studies were included in the meta-analysis. An analysis of 196 studies revealed that 91 studies investigated the use of a T-tube in OLT. Fifteen retrospective studies compared different groups and were thus considered relevant; 6 prospective studies were identified, of which 5 were randomized controlled trials with a total of 639 patients. The results of the randomized controlled trials were meta-analyzed. The odds ratio (OR) for biliary complications was 1.15 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.28-4.72], and this revealed that there were no differences in the rate of overall biliary complications whether or not a T-tube was used (Z = 0.19, P = 0.85). A detailed analysis of the biliary complications revealed that biliary leaks developed in 24 patients in the T-tube group versus 22 patients in the no–T-tube group (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.4-3.47, Z = 0.29, P = 0.77). Biliary strictures were significantly more common in the group of patients who underwent reconstruction without a T-tube (14 versus 31 events; OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.23-0.9, Z = 2.26, P = 0.02). In conclusion, although reconstruction of the biliary tree with a T-tube prevents the occurrence of biliary strictures and may have the potential to reduce long-term morbidity with respect to late strictures, there is no clear evidence in favor of using a T-tube during OLT. Liver Transpl 16:705-717, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Timing of hepatitis C antiviral therapy in patients with advanced liver disease: A decision analysis model
Authors: Saab Sammy , Hunt Douglas R. , Stone Michael A. , McClune Amy , Tong Myron J.
Published: March 2010

Antiviral therapy for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is used before and after liver transplantation. The objective of this study was to determine the most cost-effective timing for pegylated interferon/ribavirin therapy in patients with advanced liver disease infected with genotype 1 HCV. A Markov model was constructed to compare treatment strategies: (1) no treatment, (2) antiviral therapy in patients with compensated cirrhosis, (3) antiviral therapy in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, and (4) antiviral therapy in patients with progressive fibrosis due to recurrent HCV post-transplantation. Outcomes of interest included the total cost per patient, number of quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) saved, cost per QALY saved, number of deaths and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), and number of transplants required. Compared to the no–antiviral treatment strategy, treatment during compensated cirrhosis increased QALYs by 0.950 and saved $55,314. Treatment during decompensated cirrhosis increased QALYs by 0.044 and saved $5511. Treatment during posttransplant advanced recurrence increased QALYs by 0.061 and saved $3223. Treatment of patients with compensated cirrhosis resulted in 119 fewer deaths, 54 fewer HCCs, and 66 fewer transplants with respect to the no-treatment strategy. The model was sensitive to the rate of graft failure in patients with and without sustained virological response. The model was otherwise robust to all variables tested in sensitivity analysis. In conclusion, the treatment of patients with compensated cirrhosis was found to be the most cost-effective strategy and resulted in improved survival and decreased cost in comparison with all other strategies. This study provides pharmacoeconomic evidence in support of treating HCV in patients with compensated cirrhosis before progression to more advanced liver disease. Liver Transpl 16:748-759, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Molecular signaling operated by a diet‐compatible mixture of oxysterols in up‐regulating CD36 receptor in CD68 positive cells
Authors: Leonarduzzi Gabriella , Gargiulo Simona , Gamba Paola , Perrelli Maria‐Giulia , Castellano Isabella , Sapino Anna , Sottero Barbara , Poli Giuseppe
Published: March 2010

Oxidation of dietary cholesterol during food storage and processing, and/or that of endogenous cholesterol in the presence of increased steady‐state levels of reactive oxygen species, leads to the production of derivatives, termed oxysterols. Among the biochemical effects exerted by an oxysterol mixture, it has recently been observed that marked up‐regulation of CD36 scavenger receptor on macrophage cells plays a primary role in foam cell formation. This article reports evidence of a significant co‐localization of CD36 receptor with cells of the macrophage lineage, i.e. CD68 positive cells, LDL apoprotein B100 and lipids in human advanced atherosclerotic lesions. In addition, it provides a comprehensive analysis of the molecular signaling operated by a nutritionally relevant mixture of oxysterols in overexpressing CD36 receptor in cells of the macrophage lineage. The involvement of a G protein, Src, phospholipase C cascade and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ in oxysterol‐mediated signaling was demonstrated by using selective inhibitors, while the central role of the downstream protein kinase Cδ and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase pathways in oxysterol‐induced enhancement of CD36 was conclusively proved by means of small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology.
Large static problem in numerical limit analysis: A decomposition approach
Authors: Kammoun Zied , Pastor Franck , Smaoui Hichem , Pastor Joseph
Published: March 2010

A general decomposition approach for the static method of limit analysis is proposed. It is based on piecewise linear stress fields, on a partition into finite element sub‐problems and on a specific coordination of the subproblem stress fields through auxiliary interface problems. The final convex optimization problems are solved using nonlinear interior point programming methods. As validated for the compressed bar with Tresca/von Mises materials in plane strain, this method appears rapidly convergent, so that very large problems with millions of constraints and variables can be solved. Then the method is applied to the classical problem of the stability of a Tresca vertical cut: the static bound to the stability factor is improved to 3.7752, a value to be compared with the recent best upper bound 3.7776. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smoothed nodal forces for improved dynamic crack propagation modeling in XFEM
Authors: Menouillard Thomas , Belytschko Ted
Published: March 2010

Improvements in numerical aspects of dynamic crack propagation procedures by the extended finite element method are described and studied. Using only the discontinuous enrichment function in XFEM gives a binary description of the crack tip element: it is either cut or not. We describe a correction force to modify the forces to smoothly release the tip element while the crack tip travels through the element. This avoids creating spurious stress waves and improves the accuracy of the stress intensity factors during propagation by decreasing the oscillations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust extended Kalman filtering for nonlinear systems with multiplicative noises
Authors: Kai Xiong , Liangdong Liu , Yiwu Liu
Published: March 2010

In this paper, we investigate the robust filter design problem for nonlinear systems with multiplicative noises. The aim of the problem is to design a state estimator with a predictor–corrector structure, such that the upper bound on the state estimation error variance is minimized. A robust extended Kalman filter (REKF) is proposed based on a novel method to obtain the upper bound on the variances of the multiplicative noises. Further analysis shows that the proposed filter guarantees a bounded energy gain from the multiplicative noises to the estimation error. The REKF is implemented on the satellite attitude determination system that consists of the gyroscopes and the star sensors. Its performance is illustrated by using the real data obtained from a gyroscope. Simulation results show that the REKF outperforms another robust algorithm. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IGF2 over‐expression in solitary fibrous tumours is independent of anatomical location and is related to loss of imprinting
Authors: Hajdu Mihai , Singer Samuel , Maki Robert G , Schwartz Gary K , Keohan Mary Lou , Antonescu Cristina R
Published: March 2010

Solitary fibrous tumour (SFT) is a mesenchymal neoplasm composed of CD34‐positive fibroblastic cells. The pathogenesis driving this neoplasm remains unclear, with no recurrent genetic aberrations described to date. Previous reports suggest a role for IGF2 over‐expression in the pathogenesis of these tumours, implicated in triggering hypoglycaemia in some patients. The expression profiling of 23 SFTs was investigated using an Affymetrix U133A platform. The transcriptional signature was compared to a set of 34 soft tissue sarcomas spanning seven subtypes. Potential candidate genes were then further investigated for activating mutations or loss of imprinting (LOI). SFT had a distinct expression signature and clustered in a tight genomic cluster, separate from all other sarcoma subtypes. A number of over‐expressed receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) genes were identified in SFT, including DDR1, ERBB2 and FGFR1; however, no mutations were identified by cDNA sequencing. Over‐expression of IGF2 was uniformly detected in SFT, regardless of anatomical location, and was related to LOI. In contrast, IGF1 and JUN over‐expression was seen in pleural, but not meningeal, locations. SFT shows a distinctive expression signature, with over‐expression of DDR1, ERBB2 and FGFR1. Despite of lack of activating mutations in these RTKs, therapy with specific inhibitors targeting these kinases might be considered in advanced/metastatic cases. Our results confirm LOI in several tumours expressing high levels of IGF2, which may explain the observed paraneoplastic hypoglycaemia. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implication of adenylyl cyclase 8 in pathological smooth muscle cell migration occurring in rat and human vascular remodelling
Authors: Gueguen Marie , Keuylian Zela , Mateo Véronique , Mougenot Nathalie , Lompré Anne‐Marie , Michel Jean‐Baptiste , Meilhac Olivier , Lipskaia Larissa , Limon Isabelle
Published: March 2010

Recently, we discovered on primary cell cultures that adenylyl cyclase type 8 (AC8) was involved in the transition of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to an inflammatory phenotype. Here we demonstrate, in human vessels displaying early or advanced atherosclerotic lesions, that: (a) only intimal VSMCs strongly express AC8; and (b) very few AC8‐positive VSMCs were detected in the medial layer, either in atherosclerotic or healthy arteries. Furthermore, over‐expressing AC8 in primary rat VSMC cultures triggered the recolonization of a wounded zone and similar results were obtained in the presence of mitomycin, a potent inhibitor of proliferation. This phenomenon was prevented by silencing AC8. Indeed, in IL‐1β‐treated cells, AC8 silencing halted migration and decreased the matrix‐metalloproteinases 2/9 secretion, known to be involved in VSMC migration. In vivo, we showed: (a) a pronounced up‐regulation of AC8 expression in highly migrating VSMCs of the injured rat carotid artery; (b) an undetectable AC8 labelling in re‐endothelized vessels where neo‐intimal thickening had stopped. From our data, we conclude that AC8 expression appears closely linked to the properties developed by VSMCs in atherosclerosis and post‐angioplasty neo‐intima formation leading to restenosis. In addition, it reinforces the idea that VSMC responses to their cell environment greatly depend on the AC isoforms expressed and attributes a new role for AC8 in these pathological vascular processes. Copyright © 2010 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A validated liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry method for quantification of spilanthol in Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murr.
Authors: Bae Stacy S. , Ehrmann Brandie M. , Ettefagh Keivan A. , Cech Nadja B.
Published: March 2010

Introduction – The medicinal plant Spilanthes acmella (L.) Murr. has demonstrated an array of biological activities that are generally attributed to the presence of spilanthol and other alkylamides. Recently this plant has been of interest due to its potential for the treatment and prevention of malaria.

Objective – The aim of this study was to develop a liquid chromatography–electrospray ionisation–mass spectrometry (HPLC‐esiMS) method for rapid identification and quantification of the alkylamide spilanthol from S. acmella.

Methodology – Hydroethanolic extracts were prepared from fresh S. acmella using different percentages of ethanol and were stored at −80, −20 and 25°C. Spilanthol was isolated and used as a standard for quantitative analysis.

Results – Validation parameters for the HPLC‐esiMS analysis of spilanthol were as follows: repeatability, ≤6%; intermediate precision, ≤2%; range, 0.45–450 µm; limit of detection, 0.27 µm; and limit of quantification, 0.45 µm. Eight alkylamides in the S. acmella extract were identified based on MS‐MS fragmentation patterns, and NMR analysis confirmed the identity of the most abundant of these as spilanthol. Spilanthol was extracted most efficiently in solvents containing >75% ethanol, and was stable in ethanolic extracts stored at all three temperatures.

Conclusion – These results demonstrate the effectiveness of HPLC‐esiMS for quantitative and qualitative analysis of spilanthol. We show that spilanthol is effectively extracted in ethanol, and is stable in ethanol extracts for over 6 months, even at room temperature. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physiotherapy‐provided operant conditioning in the management of low back pain disability: A systematic review
Authors: Bunzli Samantha , Gillham David , Esterman Adrian
Published: March 2010

Background and Purpose. Non‐specific low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability in developed countries. Behavioural interventions have been found efficacious in reducing disability in LBP. Operant conditioning is one type of behavioural intervention being employed by physiotherapists; however, the effectiveness of physiotherapist‐provided operant conditioning (POC) in the management of LBP disability is unknown. This review aims to answer the question: is POC more effective than comparison interventions in reducing LBP disability? Method. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was conducted using a qualitative analysis of effect. Participants were adults ≥18 years with non‐specific LBP. The intervention was defined as a time contingent, graduated increase in activity including goal setting and the education and reinforcement of positive pain behaviours with the aim of decreasing disability. The primary outcome measure was back pain specific disability. Secondary outcomes included generic functional status, pain intensity, sick leave, fear avoidance beliefs or behaviour and adverse effects. Results. Fifteen trials involving 3737 people were included. Eight studies reported a clinically significant difference. The POC intervention was not found to be inferior to any of the comparison interventions in reducing disability. Moderate evidence was found that POC is more effective than other behavioural interventions in reducing long term disability in chronic LBP. Moderate evidence showed POC may be more effective than other treatments in reducing post‐treatment fear avoidance beliefs in a sub‐acute population but less effective in reducing short term fear avoidance beliefs in a population with mixed LBP. Moderate evidence showed POC is more effective than a placebo intervention in reducing short term pain in sub‐acute LBP. Conclusion. POC may be considered efficacious in the treatment of LBP. Physiotherapists may also consider POC for its additional effect of reducing long term disability in chronic LBP. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genome‐wide linkage analysis of 1,233 prostate cancer pedigrees from the International Consortium for prostate cancer Genetics using novel sumLINK and sumLOD analyses
Authors: Christensen G. Bryce , Baffoe‐Bonnie Agnes B. , George Asha , Powell Isaac , Bailey‐Wilson Joan E. , Carpten John D. , Giles Graham G. , Hopper John L. , Severi Gianluca , English Dallas R. , Foulkes William D. , Maehle Lovise , Moller Pal , Eeles Ros , Easton Douglas , Badzioch Michael D. , Whittemore Alice S. , Oakley‐Girvan Ingrid , Hsieh Chih‐Lin , Dimitrov Latchezar , Xu Jianfeng , Stanford Janet L. , Johanneson Bo , Deutsch Kerry , McIntosh Laura , Ostrander Elaine A. , Wiley Kathleen E. , Isaacs Sarah D. , Walsh Patrick C. , Isaacs William B. , Thibodeau Stephen N. , McDonnell Shannon K. , Hebbring Scott , Schaid Daniel J. , Lange Ethan M. , Cooney Kathleen A. , Tammela Teuvo L.J. , Schleutker Johanna , Paiss Thomas , Maier Christiane , Grönberg Henrik , Wiklund Fredrik , Emanuelsson Monica , Farnham James M. , Cannon‐Albright Lisa A. , Camp Nicola J.
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND

Prostate cancer (PC) is generally believed to have a strong inherited component, but the search for susceptibility genes has been hindered by the effects of genetic heterogeneity. The recently developed sumLINK and sumLOD statistics are powerful tools for linkage analysis in the presence of heterogeneity.

METHODS

We performed a secondary analysis of 1,233 PC pedigrees from the International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ICPCG) using two novel statistics, the sumLINK and sumLOD. For both statistics, dominant and recessive genetic models were considered. False discovery rate (FDR) analysis was conducted to assess the effects of multiple testing.

RESULTS

Our analysis identified significant linkage evidence at chromosome 22q12, confirming previous findings by the initial conventional analyses of the same ICPCG data. Twelve other regions were identified with genome‐wide suggestive evidence for linkage. Seven regions (1q23, 5q11, 5q35, 6p21, 8q12, 11q13, 20p11–q11) are near loci previously identified in the initial ICPCG pooled data analysis or the subset of aggressive PC pedigrees. Three other regions (1p12, 8p23, 19q13) confirm loci reported by others, and two (2p24, 6q27) are novel susceptibility loci. FDR testing indicates that over 70% of these results are likely true positive findings. Statistical recombinant mapping narrowed regions to an average of 9 cM.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results represent genomic regions with the greatest consistency of positive linkage evidence across a very large collection of high‐risk PC pedigrees using new statistical tests that deal powerfully with heterogeneity. These regions are excellent candidates for further study to identify PC predisposition genes. Prostate 70: 735–744, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phorbol ester phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate induces epithelial to mesenchymal transition in human prostate cancer ARCaPE cells
Authors: He Hui , Davidson Alec J. , Wu Daqing , Marshall Fray F. , Chung Leland W.K. , Zhau Haiyen E. , He Dalin , Wang Ruoxiang
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND

We have reported that human prostate cancer ARCaPE cells undertake epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) when stimulated by certain soluble factors, and that EMT is regulated by surface receptor‐elicited signaling pathways through protein phosphorylation. It is known that phorbol ester phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA), a potent antagonist to both conventional and novel protein kinase C (PKC) isoenzymes, induces cancer cell scattering.

METHODS

To assess the effect of PMA on EMT, ARCaPE cells were treated with PMA and were assayed for EMT‐related morphologic and behavioral changes. Specific inhibitors were used to investigate the PMA‐induced EMT.

RESULTS

PMA at 100 nM induced EMT in a time‐dependent manner, resulting in a complete change from epithelial to mesenchymal stromal morphology. Concurrently, PMA inhibited expression of epithelial marker E‐cadherin and increased the level of stromal marker protein vimentin, while the treated cells showed increased migratory and invasive capacities. Using specific inhibitors, we confirmed that the effect of PMA was mediated by PKC, while isoenzymes of the novel PKC subfamily were implicated as the main mediator. Finally, we determined that the EMT was dependent on newly synthesized proteins, because inhibitors for gene transcription and protein translation could both inhibit the initiation of EMT.

CONCLUSIONS

Although PMA is well known for its effects on cell migration and tumor formation, this work is the first to define PMA as an EMT inducer in prostate cancer cells. Further investigation in this experimental model may reveal important regulatory mechanisms and additional molecular changes underlying EMT. Prostate 70: 1119–1126, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
5‐azacitidine restores and amplifies the bicalutamide response on preclinical models of androgen receptor expressing or deficient prostate tumors
Authors: Gravina Giovanni Luca , Marampon Francesco , Di Staso Mario , Bonfili Pierluigi , Vitturini Alessandro , Jannini Emmanuele A. , Pestell Richard G. , Tombolini Vincenzo , Festuccia Claudio
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND

Epigenetic modifications play a key role in the in prostate cancer (Pca) progression to a hormone refractory state (HRPC) and the current use of agents targeting epigenetic changes has become a topic of intense interest in cancer research. In this regard, 5‐Azacitine (5‐Aza) represents a promising epigenetic modulator. This study tested the hypothesis that 5‐Aza may restore and enhance the responsiveness of HRPC cells to anti‐hormonal therapy on Androgen receptor (AR) expressing (22rv1) and AR‐deficient (PC3) cells.

METHODS

The effects were studied in vitro and in vivo models. This sequential treatment induced in vitro cell cycle arrest and apoptosis both in 22rv1 and PC3 tumor cell lines.

RESULTS

This combined treatment up‐regulated the expression of FasL, phospho‐FADD, p16INKA, Bax, Bak, and p21WAF1, and inhibited FLIP, Bcl‐2, and Bcl‐XL expression. The re‐activation of hormonal response of AR‐negative PC3 cell line was partially due to the AR re‐expression mediated by 5‐Aza treatment. In contrast, the increase in the response to anti‐androgenic therapy in 22rv1 did not correlate with AR expression levels. Furthermore, xenograft studies revealed that the combined treatment of 5‐Aza with AR‐antagonist Bicalutamide had additive/synergistic effects in repressing tumor growth in vivo and the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects seem to be in part mediated by induction of apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

So, this study strongly suggests a therapeutic potential of 5‐Aza in combination with anti‐androgen therapy in patients with in AR expressing and AR‐deficient HRPC. Prostate 70: 1166–1178, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
FoldGPCR: Structure prediction protocol for the transmembrane domain of G protein‐coupled receptors from class A
Authors: Michino Mayako , Chen Jianhan , Stevens Raymond C. , Brooks Charles L.
Published: March 2010

Building reliable structural models of G protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) is a difficult task because of the paucity of suitable templates, low sequence identity, and the wide variety of ligand specificities within the superfamily. Template‐based modeling is known to be the most successful method for protein structure prediction. However, refinement of homology models within 1–3 Å Cα RMSD of the native structure remains a major challenge. Here, we address this problem by developing a novel protocol (foldGPCR) for modeling the transmembrane (TM) region of GPCRs in complex with a ligand, aimed to accurately model the structural divergence between the template and target in the TM helices. The protocol is based on predicted conserved inter‐residue contacts between the template and target, and exploits an all‐atom implicit membrane force field. The placement of the ligand in the binding pocket is guided by biochemical data. The foldGPCR protocol is implemented by a stepwise hierarchical approach, in which the TM helical bundle and the ligand are assembled by simulated annealing trials in the first step, and the receptor‐ligand complex is refined with replica exchange sampling in the second step. The protocol is applied to model the human β2‐adrenergic receptor (β2AR) bound to carazolol, using contacts derived from the template structure of bovine rhodopsin. Comparison with the X‐ray crystal structure of the β2AR shows that our protocol is particularly successful in accurately capturing helix backbone irregularities and helix‐helix packing interactions that distinguish rhodopsin from β2AR. Proteins 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro effects of flutriafol and azoxystrobin on Beauvaria bassiana and its efficacy against Tetranychus urticae
Authors: Gatarayiha Mutimura C , Laing Mark D , Miller Ray M
Published: March 2010

BACKGROUND: Testing the compatibility of chemical pesticides and fungal biocontrol agents is necessary if these two agents are to be applied together in the integrated management of plant pests and diseases. In this study, the fungicides azoxystrobin (a strobilurin) and flutriafol (a triazole) were tested in vitro for their effects on germination of conidia and mycelial growth of Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. and in bioassay for their effect on fungal activity against Tetranychus urticae Koch. The fungicides were tested at three different concentrations [recommended rate for field use (1 × X) and the dilutions 10−1× X and 10−2× X].

RESULTS: Flutriafol inhibited growth of mycelia and germination of the fungal conidia at all concentrations tested in vitro, and also reduced the efficacy of B. bassiana in bioassays against mites. The inhibitive effect of azoxystrobin in vitro varied with the concentration applied. A significant effect was observed at 1 × X and 10−1× X concentrations on both the germination of conidia and mycelia growth. At 10−2× X concentration, azoxystrobin showed little effect on B. bassiana. However, when this fungicide was tested in bioassays, none of the concentrations reduced B. bassiana activity against mites.

CONCLUSION: Azoxystrobin was most compatible with B. bassiana, while flutriafol was the most harmful. Further studies are required to confirm the negative effect of flutriafol on B. bassiana activity. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Arsenic incorporation in MBE‐grown HgCdTe studied with the use of ion milling
Authors: Izhnin I. I. , Dvoretsky S. A. , Mynbaev K.D. , Mikhailov N. N. , Sidorov Yu. G. , Varavin V. S. , Jakiela R. , Pociask M. , Savitsky G.
Published: March 2010

Ion milling was employed for the study of arsenic incorporation in molecular beam epitaxy‐grown Hg0.8Cd0.2Te films doped in situ. The behaviour of specific defects, which formed after injection of mercury interstitials provided by the milling, allowed for estimating density of electrically active arsenic atoms. It is confirmed that the most efficient incorporation of As occurs when arsenic flux cracking is used, at the cracking zone temperature Tcr > 700 °C. Growth with doping without cracking was found to be accompanied by formation of Te‐related defects, which ion milling activated electrically. Films doped from the cracker cell with Tcr > 700 °C appear to be almost free of these defects. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Modifying growth conditions of ZnO nanorods for solar cell applications
Authors: Sartor Janos , Maier‐Flaig F. , Conradt J. , Fallert J. , Kalt H. , Weissenberger D. , Gerthsen D
Published: March 2010

We show that the size of nanorods grown by a vapour phase transport method on different substrates can be easily changed by an order of magnitude. This allows producing customized nanorod arrays that can improve the efficiency of Grätzel‐type solar cells as well as polymer hybrid solar cells. Luminescence measurements show that doping is possible simply by the choice of the substrate. The crystalline quality is examined by high resolution TEM measurements (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High sensitive ultraviolet organic‐inorganic hybrid photodetectors on ZnSSe grown on p‐GaAs with transparent conducting polymer window‐layer
Authors: Abe Tomoki , Katada Daisuke , Miki Kohei , Tanaka Ken , Nomura Mari , Inagaki Yusuke , Tani Tatsuya , Ohtsuki Masashi , Kasada Hirofumi , Ando Koshi
Published: March 2010

We have developed organic‐inorganic hybrid Schottky‐type photodetectors with conducting polymer as a window layer on ZnSSe/p‐GaAs wafers. Photodetector wafers used in this study were grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). We used poly (3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene): poly (styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as conducting polymer window layers formed by spin coating technique on the semiconductor ZnSSe layers. We have succeeded in fabrication of new polymer/ZnSSe structure photodiodes on p‐GaAs substrates. The present device has exhibited very high blue‐ultraviolet external quantum efficiency ηex = 68 ∼ 87% without anti‐reflection coating. The external quantum efficiency in the UV region is ηex = 81% (wavelength: 300 nm), which is higher than that of commercial Si UV‐photodiode of ηex = 54%. Furthermore, the device exhibits deep UV quantum efficiency ηex = 71% (wavelength: 250 nm). A dark current density is as low as 10 pA/mm2 at a reverse bias voltage of 10 V by using Pt guard‐ring structure. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Multiphonon scattering and non‐radiative decay in ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Senthilkumar K. , Tokunaga M. , Okamoto H. , Senthilkumar O. , Lin J. , Urban B. , Neogi A. , Fujita Y.
Published: March 2010

ZnO nanoparticles were prepared using a simple evaporation technique at pressures of 75 and 760 torr. A wide visible emission was recorded from both samples using photoluminescence spectroscopy. The presence of green emission at 530 nm is due to deep level defects of vacant zinc VZn, and/or their complexes in the ZnO band gap. The fundamental optical phonon modes were identified in addition to multiphonon combination of optical and acoustical overtones and nitrogen related local vibrational modes using Raman backscattering. The existence of multiphonons induces the non‐radiative processes. The life time of both the radiative and non‐radiative processes is discussed using time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopic results (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
HgCdTe monolithic infrared detector
Authors: Yakushev Maxim V. , Dvoretsky Sergei A. , Kozlov Alexander I. , Sabinina Irina V. , Sidorov Yuri G. , Sorochkin Alexander V. , Fomin Boris I. , Aseev Alexander L.
Published: March 2010

We report the processes of fabricating monolithic 32×32 infrared detector based on (310) HgCdTe/CdTe/ZnTe/ Si photosensitive heterostructure which was grown by a molecular‐beam epitaxy technique in the free surface of ROIC cells. Optimum parameters of the technological processes were determined. The minimum temperature of preepitaxial thermal annealing in vacuum of ROIC was determined as 450 °C. The dark and photo current–voltage characteristics were measured and analyzed. A good sensitivity of diodes was observed. The product R0×A ∼ 105 Ohm×cm2. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Optical studies on paramagnetic/superparamagnetic ZnO:Co films grown by magnetron sputtering
Authors: Chen Limei , Ye Shuangli , Ney Andreas , Klar Peter J. , Hofmann Detlev M. , Jankowsky Stephanie , Heimbrodt Wolfram
Published: March 2010

A series of Zn0.9Co0.1O thin films was grown by UHV‐magnetron reactive sputtering at different Ar:O2 flow rates. Decreasing the oxygen flow rates towards oxygen deficient growth lowers the structural quality of the films. Furthermore, it alters the magnetic properties of the films measured by SQUID magnetometry. Paramagnetic behaviour was observed for samples of high structural quality grown under optimized conditions whereas superparamagnetism was observed for oxygen deficient samples due to the emergence of magnetic clustering. Optical spectroscopic methods such as Raman spectroscopy, transmission and photoluminescence reveal that the altered growth conditions even affect the optical spectra of the films, and indicate that the magnetic properties are strongly associated with the structural quality of the ZnO:Co films. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)