bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic Diagnosis and Laparoscopic Hyperthermic Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Detected by CT Examination
Authors: Hirano Masamitsu , Yonemura Yutaka , Canbay Emel , Ichinose Masumi , Togawa Tuyoshi , Matsuda Takayuki , Takao Nobuyuki , Mizumoto Akiyoshi
Published: August 2012

Background. Patients with early stage of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) are sometimes difficult to diagnose the primary sites and intraperitoneal spread of tumor and to perform a cytological study.Methods. Patients without a definitive diagnosis and with unknown extent of peritoneal spread of tumor underwent laparoscopy. Hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was administered as part of the same intervention. The results of treatment were evaluated at the time of second-look laparotomy (SLL) as a subsequent intervention.Results. Eleven patients were managed by diagnostic laparoscopy followed by laparoscopic HIPEC (LHIPEC). The operation time of laparoscopic examination and LHIPEC was 177 ± 26 min (range 124–261 min). No intraoperative complication was experienced. The peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) score by laparoscopic observation was 16.5 ± 6.4 (range 0–30). One patient with localized pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) mucocele did not received LHIPEC; the other 10 patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) were treated with LHIPEC. After LHIPEC, ascites disappeared in 2 cases and decreased in the amount in the other 8 cases. Nine patients underwent SLL and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with HIPEC. The duration between LHIPEC and SLL ranged from 40 to 207 days (97 ± 40 days). The PCI at the SLL ranged from 4 to 27 (12.9 ± 7.1). The PCI at the time of SLL decreased as compared to PCI at the time of diagnostic laparotomy in 7 of 9 patients. Median follow-up period is 22 months (range 7–35). All 11 patients are alive.Conclusion. The early results suggest that laparoscopic diagnosis combined with LHIPEC is useful to determine the surgical treatment plan and reduce the tumor burden before definitive CRS at SLL.
A New Nonestrogenic Steroidal Inhibitor of 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type I Blocks the Estrogen-Dependent Breast Cancer Tumor Growth Induced by Estrone
Authors: Ayan Diana , Maltais René , Roy Jenny , Poirier Donald
Published: August 2012

17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17β-HSD1) converts estrone (E1) into estradiol (E2) and is expressed in many steroidogenic tissues and breast cancer cell lines. Because the potent estrogen E2 stimulates the growth and development of hormone-dependent diseases, inhibition of the final step of E2 synthesis is considered a promising strategy for the treatment of breast cancer. On the basis of our previous study identifying 16β-(m-carbamoylbenzyl)-E2 (CC-156) as a lead compound for the inhibition of 17β-HSD1, we conducted a number of structural modifications to reduce its undesired residual estrogenic activity. The steroid derivative PBRM [3-(2-bromoethyl)-16β-(m-carbamoylbenzyl)-17β-hydroxy-1,3,5(10)-estratriene] emerged as a potent inhibitor of 17β-HSD1 with an IC50 value of 68 nmol/L for the transformation of E1 into E2. When tested in the estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cell line T-47D and in mice, PBRM showed no estrogenic activity in the range of concentrations tested. Furthermore, with the purpose of evaluating the bioavailability of PBRM and CC-156 injected subcutaneously (2.3 mg/kg), we measured their plasmatic concentrations as a function of time, calculated the area under the curve (AUC0–12h) and showed a significant improvement for PBRM (772 ng*h/mL) compared with CC-156 (445 ng*h/mL). We next tested the in vivo efficiency of PBRM on the T-47D xenograft tumor model in female ovariectomized athymic nude mice. After a treatment with PBRM, tumor sizes in mice stimulated with exogenous E1 were completely reduced at the control group level (without E1 treatment). As a conclusion, PBRM is a promising nonestrogenic inhibitor of 17β-HSD1 for the treatment of estrogen-dependent diseases such as breast cancer. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(10); 2096–104. ©2012 AACR.
How Does the Eye Warm? Part I: A Potential Temperature Budget Analysis of an Idealized Tropical Cyclone
Authors: Stern Daniel P. , Zhang Fuqing
Published: August 2012

In this first part of a two-part study, the mechanisms that accomplish the warming in the eye of tropical cyclones are investigated through a potential temperature budget analysis of an idealized simulation. The spatial structure of warming varies substantially with time. During rapid intensification (RI), the warming is maximized at midlevels, and as a consequence, the perturbation temperature is always maximized in this region.

At the start of RI, total advection of potential temperature is the only significant term contributing to warming the eye. However, for a substantial portion of RI, the region of most rapid warming actually undergoes mean ascent. The net advective warming is shown to be a result of eddy radial advection of potential temperature, dominated by a wavenumber-1 feature that is likely due to a dynamic instability. At a sufficient intensity, mean vertical advective warming becomes concentrated in a narrow zone just inward of the eyewall. In agreement with prior studies, this advective tendency is largely canceled by diabatic cooling. Subgrid-scale horizontal diffusion of potential temperature plays a surprisingly large role in the maintenance of the warm-core structure, and when the storm is intense, yields a negative tendency that can be of the same magnitude as advective warming.
The Cessation of Continuous Turbulence as Precursor of the Very Stable Nocturnal Boundary Layer
Authors: Van de Wiel B. J. H. , Moene A. F. , Jonker H. J. J.
Published: August 2012

The mechanism behind the collapse of turbulence in the evening as a precursor to the onset of the very stable boundary layer is investigated. To this end a cooled, pressure-driven flow is investigated by means of a local similarity model. Simulations reveal a temporary collapse of turbulence whenever the surface heat extraction, expressed in its nondimensional form h/L, exceeds a critical value. As any temporary reduction of turbulent friction is followed by flow acceleration, the long-term state is unconditionally turbulent. In contrast, the temporary cessation of turbulence, which may actually last for several hours in the nocturnal boundary layer, can be understood from the fact that the time scale for boundary layer diffusion is much smaller than the time scale for flow acceleration. This limits the available momentum that can be used for downward heat transport. In case the surface heat extraction exceeds the so-called maximum sustainable heat flux (MSHF), the near-surface inversion rapidly increases. Finally, turbulent activity is largely suppressed by the intense density stratification that supports the emergence of a different, calmer boundary layer regime.
Improving Reliability of Coupled Model Forecasts of Australian Seasonal Rainfall
Authors: Langford Sally , Hendon Harry H.
Published: August 2012

Seasonal rainfall predictions for Australia from the Predictive Ocean Atmosphere Model for Australia (POAMA), version P15b, coupled model seasonal forecast system, which has been run operationally at the Australian Bureau of Meteorology since 2002, are overconfident (too low spread) and only moderately reliable even when forecast accuracy is highest in the austral spring season. The lack of reliability is a major impediment to operational uptake of the coupled model forecasts. Considerable progress has been made to reduce reliability errors with the new version of POAMA2, which makes use of a larger ensemble from three different versions of the model. Although POAMA2 can be considered to be multimodel, its individual models and forecasts are similar as a result of using the same perturbed initial conditions and the same model lineage. Reliability of the POAMA2 forecasts, although improved, remains relatively low. Hence, the authors explore the additional benefit that can be attained using more independent models available in the European Union Ensemble-Based Predictions of Climate Changes and their Impacts (ENSEMBLES) project.

Although forecast skill and reliability of seasonal predictions of Australian rainfall are similar for POAMA2 and the ENSEMBLES models, forming a multimodel ensemble using POAMA2 and the ENSEMBLES models is shown to markedly improve reliability of Australian seasonal rainfall forecasts. The benefit of including POAMA2 into this multimodel ensemble is due to the additional information and skill of the independent model, and not just due to an increase in the number of ensemble members. The increased reliability, as well as improved accuracy, of regional rainfall forecasts from this multimodel ensemble system suggests it could be a useful operational prediction system.
Evaluation of TiB2 coatings in cold forming of aluminium
Authors: Heinrichs J , Jacobson S
Published: August 2012

Aluminium alloy parts are often formed using cold forming. The transfer of aluminium to the tool is a major problem in these operations. TiB2 has low reactivity with aluminium and has shown promising results in other forming tests. Here, cold forming is simulated in equipment comprising a TiB2 coated tool cylinder and an aluminium cylinder in sliding contact. The coated surfaces are prepared to two surface finishes, and the aluminium cylinders were prelubricated or unlubricated respectively. The test is focused on friction level and number of contacts to reach a threshold friction level. The aluminium surface pretreatment was found to be the most important factor; lubrication lowers the friction significantly. The tool surface finish is also important; polishing lowers and stabilises the friction. The TiB2 coating offered 20–30% better galling performance than the uncoated steel. However, this improvement was far from that of the best available diamond-like carbon coatings.
A murine model to characterize the antithrombotic effect of molecules targeting human von Willebrand factor
Authors: Navarrete Ana-Maria , Casari Caterina , Legendre Paulette , Marx Isabelle , Hu Jiun-Ruey , Lenting Peter J. , Christophe Olivier D. , Denis Cécile V.
Published: August 2012

von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a promising target for developing antithrombotic drugs. The absence of accessible animal models impedes the study of specific human VWF (huVWF) targeting molecules in thrombosis. huVWF is not functional in the mouse because of a lack of interaction between huVWF and murine glycoprotein Ib. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we have replaced single or multiple amino acids in huVWF with their murine counterparts to eliminate species incompatibility. Using hydrodynamic injection, we have expressed the different chimeric VWF constructs into VWF−/− mice. Only huVWF with a complete murine A1 domain insertion was able to correct bleeding in vivo and form occlusive thrombi in mesenteric vessels after FeCl3 treatment. Using this model, we tested the antithrombotic effect of monoclonal antibodies against huVWF, blocking its interaction with collagens (mAbs 203 and 505) or with glycoprotein IIbIIIa (mAb 9). The 3 mAbs inhibited the thrombotic process in arterioles of VWF−/− mice expressing huVWFmuA1. Inhibiting VWF-interaction with collagens was more potent, emphasizing the potential of such a target as an antithrombotic tool. Our results validate our murine model as a simple in vivo tool to evaluate anti-huVWF agents.
A support vector machine based test for incongruence between sets of trees in tree space
Authors: Haws David C , Huggins Peter , O’Neill Eric M , Weisrock David W , Yoshida Ruriko
Published: August 2012

Background

The increased use of multi-locus data sets for phylogenetic reconstruction has increased the need to determine whether a set of gene trees significantly deviate from the phylogenetic patterns of other genes. Such unusual gene trees may have been influenced by other evolutionary processes such as selection, gene duplication, or horizontal gene transfer.

Results

Motivated by this problem we propose a nonparametric goodness-of-fit test for two empirical distributions of gene trees, and we developed the software to estimate a p-value for the test. Our approach maps trees into a multi-dimensional vector space and then applies support vector machines (SVMs) to measure the separation between two sets of pre-defined trees. We use a permutation test to assess the significance of the SVM separation. To demonstrate the performance of , we applied it to the comparison of gene trees simulated within different species trees across a range of species tree depths. Applied directly to sets of simulated gene trees with large sample sizes, was able to detect very small differences between two set of gene trees generated under different species trees. Our statistical test can also include tree reconstruction into its test framework through a variety of phylogenetic optimality criteria. When applied to DNA sequence data simulated from different sets of gene trees, results in the form of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicated that performed well in the detection of differences between sets of trees with different distributions in a multi-dimensional space. Furthermore, it controlled false positive and false negative rates very well, indicating a high degree of accuracy.

Conclusions

The non-parametric nature of our statistical test provides fast and efficient analyses, and makes it an applicable test for any scenario where evolutionary or other factors can lead to trees with different multi-dimensional distributions. The software is freely available under the GNU public license.
A prospective study of health care resource utilisation and selected costs of schizophrenia in France
Authors: Sarlon Emmanuelle , Heider Dirk , Millier Aurélie , Azorin Jean-Michel , König Hans-Helmut , Hansen Karina , Angermeyer Matthias C , Aballéa Samuel , Toumi Mondher
Published: August 2012

Background

Schizophrenia is among the most burdensome and costly illnesses worldwide. To estimate the cost of schizophrenia in France, a longitudinal study was carried out between 1998 and 2002. The main objective of this study was to describe and update the cost of schizophrenia in a longitudinal, representative sample of French patients. The second objective was to identify cost drivers in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Methods

Based on a cohort of 288 French schizophrenic patients during 2 years of prospective follow-up, this study collected clinical, patient reported outcomes, quality of life, functioning, patient management, care giver involvement and resource utilisation data every 6 months. For each service, information was collected on the type of service, the frequency of attendance and type of intervention provided to the patient. Unit costs were based on available French databases. Mean service use and costs over the five time points were estimated using between-effects regression models.

Results

In the total sample of 288 patients aged 18-64 years, the mean total cost (€ 3 534) was mainly accounted for by the cost of inpatient treatment (€ 1 390) and day care (€ 1 331). The estimate of the annual cost for direct medical health care for all French schizophrenic patients was € 1 581 million, including € 621 million for inpatient treatment and € 595 million for day care (77%). The costs for medication accounted for 16.1% of total annual costs. The remaining costs (6.9%) included visits to psychiatrists, general practitioners, other physicians and psychologists. The direct resource allocation showed inpatient treatment as the main direct cost. Unemployment was identified as a major indirect cost of schizophrenia treatment. Positive and depressive schizophrenia symptoms at baseline and relapse occurrence during the follow-up period were associated with a higher cost of treatment. Health satisfaction or negative symptoms of schizophrenia at baseline were associated with lower costs.

Conclusion

Several cost drivers were identified. Based on the results obtained in France, we suggest further analysis of mechanisms that influence the service-specific costs for schizophrenia in other areas of the world.
The baseline distribution of malaria in the initial phase of elimination in Sabang Municipality, Aceh Province, Indonesia
Authors: Asih Puji BS , Rozi Ismail E , Herdiana  , Pratama Nandha R , Hidayati Anggi PN , Marantina Sylvia S , Kosasih Sully , Chand Krisin , Wangsamuda Suradi , Rusdjy Faisal A , Sumiwi Maria E , Imran Ali , Yuniarti Titik , Sianturi Tahi , Nur Jamilah , Asnita  , Bukhari  , Barussanah Cut , Yani Muhammad , Ainun Cut , Jamil Kurnia , Mariam Cut , Sengkerij Simon P , Laihad Ferdinand J , Hawley William , Syafruddin Din
Published: August 2012

Background

Sabang Municipality, in Aceh Province, Indonesia, plans to initiate a malaria elimination programme in 2013. A baseline survey of the distribution of malaria in the municipality was conducted to lay the foundations for an evidence-based programme and to assess the island’s readiness to begin the elimination process.

Methods

The entire population of the municipality was screened for malaria infection and G6PD deficiency. Specimens collected included blood slides, blots and tubes for selected households.

Results and Discussion

Samples were collected from 16,229 residents. Microscopic examination of the blood smears revealed 12 malaria infections; 10 with Plasmodium falciparum and 2 with Plasmodium vivax. To confirm the parasite prevalence, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis was performed on the entire positive cases by microscopy and randomized 10% of the microscopically negative blood samples. PCR revealed an additional 11 subjects with malaria; one P. falciparum infection from the village of Paya Keunekai, and nine P. vivax infections and one mixed P. falciparum/P. vivax infection from the village of Batee Shok. The overall slide positivity rate was 0.074% (CI 95%: 0.070 – 0.078) and PCR corrected prevalence 0,590% (CI 95%: 0.582 – 0.597). Analysis of 937 blood samples for G6PD deficiency revealed two subjects (0.2%) of deficient G6PD. Analysis of several genes of the parasite, such as Pfdhfr, Pfdhps, Pfmdr1, Pfcrt, Pfmsp1, Pfmsp2, Pvdhfr, Pvdhps, Pvmdr1 and host gene, such as G6PD gene revealed that both P. falciparum and P. vivax carried the mutation associated with chloroquine resistance.

Conclusion

Malariometric and host genetic analysis indicated that there is a low prevalence of both malaria and G6PD deficiency in the population of Sabang Municipality. Nevertheless, malaria cases were clustered in three rural villages and efforts for malaria elimination in Sabang should be particularly focused on those three villages.
Human amniotic fluid stem cell injection therapy for urethral sphincter regeneration in an animal model
Authors: Kim Bum Soo , Chun So Young , Lee Jong Kil , Lim Hyun Ju , Bae Jae-sung , Chung Ho-Yun , Atala Anthony , Soker Shay , Yoo James J , Kwon Tae Gyun
Published: August 2012

Background

Stem cell injection therapies have been proposed to overcome the limited efficacy and adverse reactions of bulking agents. However, most have significant limitations, including painful procurement, requirement for anesthesia, donor site infection and a frequently low cell yield. Recently, human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) have been proposed as an ideal cell therapy source. In this study, we investigated whether periurethral injection of hAFSCs can restore urethral sphincter competency in a mouse model.

Methods

Amniotic fluids were collected and harvested cells were analyzed for stem cell characteristics and in vitro myogenic differentiation potency. Mice underwent bilateral pudendal nerve transection to generate a stress urinary incontinence (SUI) model and received either periurethral injection of hAFSCs, periurethral injection of Plasma-Lyte (control group), or underwent a sham (normal control group).

For in vivo cell tracking, cells were labeled with silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles containing rhodamine B isothiocyanate (MNPs@SiO2 (RITC)) and were injected into the urethral sphincter region (n = 9). Signals were detected by optical imaging. Leak point pressure and closing pressure were recorded serially after injection.

Tumorigenicity of hAFSCs was evaluated by implanting hAFSCs into the subcapsular space of the kidney, followed two weeks later by retrieval and histologic analysis.

Results

Flow activated cell sorting showed that hAFSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers, but no hematopoietic stem cell markers. Induction of myogenic differentiation in the hAFSCs resulted in expression of PAX7 and MYOD at Day 3, and DYSTROPHIN at Day 7. The nanoparticle-labeled hAFSCs could be tracked in vivo with optical imaging for up to 10 days after injection. Four weeks after injection, the mean LPP and CP were significantly increased in the hAFSC-injected group compared with the control group. Nerve regeneration and neuromuscular junction formation of injected hAFSCs in vivo was confirmed with expression of neuronal markers and acetylcholine receptor. Injection of hAFSCs caused no in vivo host CD8 lymphocyte aggregation or tumor formation.

Conclusions

hAFSCs displayed MSC characteristics and could differentiate into cells of myogenic lineage. Periurethral injection of hAFSCs into an SUI animal model restored the urethral sphincter to apparently normal histology and function, in absence of immunogenicity and tumorigenicity.
IL-1β reactivity and the development of severe fatigue after military deployment: a longitudinal study
Authors: van Zuiden Mirjam , Kavelaars Annemieke , Amarouchi Karima , Maas Mirjam , Vermetten Eric , Geuze Elbert , Heijnen Cobi J
Published: August 2012

Background

It has been suggested that pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling to the brain may contribute to severe fatigue. We propose that not only the level of circulating cytokines, but also increased reactivity of target cells to cytokines contributes to the effect of cytokines on behavior. Based on this concept, we assessed the reactivity of peripheral blood cells to IL-1β in vitro as a novel approach to investigate whether severe fatigue is associated with increased pro-inflammatory signaling.

Methods

We included 504 soldiers before deployment to a combat-zone. We examined fatigue severity and the response to in vitro stimulation with IL-1β prior to deployment (T0), and 1 (T1) and 6 months (T2) after deployment. IL-8 production was used as read-out. As a control we determined LPS-induced IL-8 production. The presence of severe fatigue was assessed with the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS-20R). Differences in dose–response and the longitudinal course of IL-1β and LPS-induced IL-8 production and fatigue severity were investigated using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

At T2, the group who had developed severe fatigue (n = 65) had significantly higher IL-1β-induced IL-8 production than the non-fatigued group (n = 439). This group difference was not present at T0, but developed over time. Longitudinal analysis revealed that in the non-fatigued group, IL-1β-induced IL-8 production decreased over time, while IL-1β-induced IL-8 production in the fatigued group had not decreased. To determine whether the observed group difference was specific for IL-1β reactivity, we also analyzed longitudinal LPS-induced IL-8 production. We did not observe a group difference in LPS-induced IL-8 production.

Conclusions

Collectively, our findings indicate that severe fatigue is associated with a higher reactivity to IL-1β. We propose that assessment of the reactivity of the immune system to IL-1β may represent a promising novel method to investigate the association between behavioral abnormalities and pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling.
Direct vs 2-stage approaches to structured motif finding
Authors: Federico Maria , Leoncini Mauro , Montangero Manuela , Valente Paolo
Published: August 2012

Background

The notion of DNA motif is a mathematical abstraction used to model regions of the DNA (known as Transcription Factor Binding Sites, or TFBSs) that are bound by a given Transcription Factor to regulate gene expression or repression. In turn, DNA structured motifs are a mathematical counterpart that models sets of TFBSs that work in concert in the gene regulations processes of higher eukaryotic organisms. Typically, a structured motif is composed of an ordered set of isolated (or simple) motifs, separated by a variable, but somewhat constrained number of “irrelevant” base-pairs. Discovering structured motifs in a set of DNA sequences is a computationally hard problem that has been addressed by a number of authors using either a direct approach, or via the preliminary identification and successive combination of simple motifs.

Results

We describe a computational tool, named SISMA, for the de-novo discovery of structured motifs in a set of DNA sequences. SISMA is an exact, enumerative algorithm, meaning that it finds all the motifs conforming to the specifications. It does so in two stages: first it discovers all the possible component simple motifs, then combines them in a way that respects the given constraints. We developed SISMA mainly with the aim of understanding the potential benefits of such a 2-stage approach w.r.t. direct methods. In fact, no 2-stage software was available for the general problem of structured motif discovery, but only a few tools that solved restricted versions of the problem. We evaluated SISMA against other published tools on a comprehensive benchmark made of both synthetic and real biological datasets. In a significant number of cases, SISMA outperformed the competitors, exhibiting a good performance also in most of the cases in which it was inferior.

Conclusions

A reflection on the results obtained lead us to conclude that a 2-stage approach can be implemented with many advantages over direct approaches. Some of these have to do with greater modularity, ease of parallelization, and the possibility to perform adaptive searches of structured motifs. As another consideration, we noted that most hard instances for SISMA were easy to detect in advance. In these cases one may initially opt for a direct method; or, as a viable alternative in most laboratories, one could run both direct and 2-stage tools in parallel, halting the computations when the first halts.
The labial gene is required to terminate proliferation of identified neuroblasts in postembryonic development of the Drosophila brain
Authors: Kuert Philipp A. , Bello Bruno C. , Reichert Heinrich
Published: August 2012

The developing brain of Drosophila has become a useful model for studying the molecular genetic mechanisms that give rise to the complex neuronal arrays that characterize higher brains in other animals including mammals. Brain development in Drosophila begins during embryogenesis and continues during a subsequent postembryonic phase. During embryogenesis, the Hox gene labial is expressed in the developing tritocerebrum, and labial loss-of-function has been shown to be associated with a loss of regional neuronal identity and severe patterning defects in this part of the brain. However, nothing is known about the expression and function of labial, or any other Hox gene, during the postembryonic phase of brain development, when the majority of the neurons in the adult brain are generated. Here we report the first analysis of Hox gene action during postembryonic brain development in Drosophila. We show that labial is expressed initially in six larval brain neuroblasts, of which only four give rise to the labial expressing neuroblast lineages present in the late larval brain. Although MARCM-based clonal mutation of labial in these four neuroblast lineages does not result in an obvious phenotype, a striking and unexpected effect of clonal labial loss-of-function does occur during postembryonic brain development, namely the formation of two ectopic neuroblast lineages that are not present in wildtype brains. The same two ectopic neuroblast lineages are also observed following cell death blockage and, significantly, in this case the resulting ectopic lineages are Labial-positive. These findings imply that labial is required in two specific neuroblast lineages of the wildtype brain for the appropriate termination of proliferation through programmed cell death. Our analysis of labial function reveals a novel cell autonomous role of this Hox gene in shaping the lineage architecture of the brain during postembryonic development.
Left-right patterning: conserved and divergent mechanisms
Authors: Nakamura Tetsuya , Hamada Hiroshi
Published: August 2012

The left-right (LR) asymmetry of visceral organs is fundamental to their function and position within the body. Over the past decade or so, the molecular mechanisms underlying the establishment of such LR asymmetry have been revealed in many vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms. These studies have identified a gene network that contributes to this process and is highly conserved from sea urchin to mouse. By contrast, some specific steps of the process, such as the symmetry-breaking event and situs-specific organogenesis, appear to have diverged during evolution. Here, we summarize the common and divergent mechanisms by which LR asymmetry is established in vertebrates.
Optimal Paths for a Light-Driven Engine with [A]=[B] Reacting System and Generalized Radiative Heat Transfer Law
Authors: Chen Lingen , Ma Kang , Sun Fengrui
Published: August 2012

A generalized radiative heat transfer law is introduced into an irreversible light-driven engine with a working fluid composed of the bimolecular reacting system [A]=[B], and the effects of heat transfer laws on the optimal paths of the engine are investigated in this paper. Piston paths for maximizing work output and minimizing entropy generation are determined for such an engine with rate-dependent loss mechanisms of friction and heat leakage by applying the optimal control theory. Numerical examples for the optimal configurations with three special heat transfer laws ( n=-1, n=1 and n=4 ) are provided, and the obtained results are compared with each other. The research on the optimal paths of a light-driven engine from Newton’s heat transfer law to the generalized radiative heat transfer law enriches the finite time thermodynamics. The results presented herein can provide some guidelines for optimal design and operation of real light-driven engines.
Effect of Chitosan Addition on NiMo/Al2O3 Catalysts for Dibenzothiophene Hydrodesulfurization
Authors: Ríos-Caloch Guillermina , Santes Víctor , Escobar José , Valle-Orta Maiby , Barrera María C. , Hernández-Barrera Melissa
Published: August 2012

A series of supported NiMo catalysts were prepared by impregnating ammonium heptamolybdate and nickel nitrate (at 12 and 3 wt% of Mo and Ni, respectively) over chitosan (Chi) modified Al2O3 carrier. Alumina substrate was first impregnated with the organic additive (in acidic aqueous HNO3 solution, given the insolubility of chitosan at neutral pH) at concentrations corresponding to Chi/Ni mol ratios of 0.5, 1 and 2. Lower Mo dispersion in materials prepared over Chi-modified alumina was observed by Raman spectroscopy. Also, in those samples formation of hardly reducible aluminum molybdates (due to acidic conditions used during chitosan deposition) was evidenced by thermal analysis. Sulfided (under H2S/H2 flow, at 400 °C) catalysts were tested in dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization (HDS, at 72.4 kg/cm2, 320 °C, batch reactor, n-hexadecane as solvent) where no improved activity (in pseudo first order kinetic constant basis) was registered for chitosan-modified samples. However, increased selectivity to the product from direct desulfurization route (biphenyl) suggested enhanced promotion of MoS2 phase (by Ni) in catalysts prepared with organic additive. CO adsorption at -173 °C (followed by infrared spectroscopy) showed lower concentration of NiMoS active sites over catalysts prepared over chitosan-impregnated alumina carrier pointing out to the existence of highly efficient sites, in spite of their lower surface concentration. The present investigation opens the possibility of using chitosan, a sub-product from seafood industry, as efficient HDS catalyst additive.
Role of extracellular matrix in regulating embryonic epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Zito Francesca
Published: August 2012

Embryogenesis and morphogenesis are characterized by complex cell rearrangements and movements which require appropriate interactions of cells with the surrounding extracellular matrix (ECM) by means of specific membrane receptors. Interest in the identification and purification of ECM components, as well as in conducting functional studies of them, including their ligands and other molecules involved in cell-matrix adhesion, has intensified in recent years, increasing our knowledge of developmental machinery. Cellular movements play an important role during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) events, which are key processes in normal embryogenesis as well as in pathological conditions, such as fibrotic diseases and cancer. Thus, to more fully understand mechanisms underlying the EMT process, and for better knowledge of the embryonic defects related to this process, it would be useful to study the substrates on which EMT cells move during embryo development. This review focuses on a few different embryonic systems, taking into account the cell migration that occurs during EMT and highlighting, in particular, studies describing the direct involvement of ECM molecules.
Floristic macroalgal diversity in selected submarine caves located within two marine protected areas off Lampedusa Island and Sicily (Italy)
Authors: Alongi Giuseppina , Cormaci Mario , Furnari Giovanni , Catra Marcello
Published: August 2012

We investigated phytobenthos in submerged marine caves. Underwater caves have rarely been examined for floristic composition. The study was carried out in two Mediterranean marine protected areas (MPAs) [Plemmirio (Maddalena Peninsula, Syracuse, Ionian Sea) and Pelagean Islands (Straits of Sicily)] and the caves were chosen on the basis of their geomorphology, exposure, and bathymetry. From our comparative study of cave floras, we demonstrated that the macroalgal flora of each cave is influenced by the floristic composition of the adjacent area that is a natural source of recruits and by the light environment. Caves that are “visited” (i.e., those situated on one of the underwater routes for scuba divers visiting the MPAs) had floristic richnesses higher than those of “scarcely” or “not visited” ones (i.e., not on tourist routed). This is likely because the visited caves, due to their large entrance and shallow location, have good lighting that favors high macroalgal biodiversity.
Molecular systematic reassessment of Sargassum (Fucales, Phaeophyceae) in Korea using four gene regions
Authors: Cho Sung Mi , Lee Sang Mook , Ko Yong Deok , Mattio Lydiane , Boo Sung Min
Published: August 2012

Sargassum is an ecologically and economically important brown alga in East Asia. A total of 28 species are listed in the available literature for South Korea. To identify the species and evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Korean Sargassum, we analyzed ITS2, rbcL, psaA, and cox3 sequences from a subset of 50 specimens assigned to 22 Sargassum species; sequences of Korean-collected Myagropsis myagroides and Coccophora langsdorfii were also included. We reconstructed the phylogeny of Sargassum using the concatenated dataset. The Korean Sargassum species fell into two subgenera: 19 species were assigned to S. subgen. Bactrophycus and three species to S. subgen. Sargassum. The species in the S. subgen. Bactrophycus represented the sections Halochloa, Hizikia, Spongocarpus, and Teretia, whereas those of S. subgen. Sargassum represented the sections Binderiana and Sargassum. All Korean Sargassum species identified in the present study are part of the East Asiatic complex of species co-occurring in Japan and surrounding areas. Our four-gene dataset was highly resolved at the sectional level and confirmed recently proposed revisions within the genus. The present study is the first comprehensive phylogenetic analysis of Sargassum using four molecular markers.
Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A: spotlight on kidney diseases
Authors: Kalousová Marta , Tesaíř Vladimír , Muravská Alexandra , Zima Tomáš
Published: August 2012

Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) is a biomarker routinely used in screening for Down syndrome in the first trimester of pregnancy. It is also present in very small amounts in men and non-pregnant women. PAPP-A is a key regulator of local insulin-like growth factor (IGF) bioavailability – IGFs are essential for normal body size during fetal development, but they are associated with aging and age-related diseases. Measurement of circulating PAPP-A can provide valuable information not only in pregnant women (chromosomal anomalies and adverse pregnancy outcomes) but also in patients with coronary artery disease (contribution to diagnosis, prognostic value) and in patients with kidney diseases. PAPP-A is associated with renal function and proteinuria, is increased mainly in dialysis patients and decreases after kidney transplantation. It is an independent mortality predictor of hemodialysis patients and indicator of adverse outcome of transplanted patients. PAPP-A levels can be influenced by various chemicals and drugs, among them mainly heparin. Various assays for PAPP-A exist and the type of assay used in a study should be considered. This article reviews the data summarizing basic information about PAPP-A with a particular focus on the significance of PAPP-A in renal diseases.
Update on multiple sclerosis, its diagnosis and treatments
Authors: Cross Anne H. , Cross Kevin A. , Piccio Laura
Published: August 2012

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disorder, characterized by mononuclear cell inflammation, demyelination and often with extensive axonal injury. It was first described neuropathologically in the late 1800s. MS has an interesting geographical epidemiology, with a higher rate at latitudes further from the equator in both directions. Women outnumber males by about 2:1; this ratio has been increasing in recent years. Genome wide association studies have thus far identified over 50 genetic susceptibility loci, and these are rapidly expanding. Several environmental risk factors have been identified, including low serum vitamin D levels, exposure to Epstein-Barr virus and cigarette smoking. MS displays a heterogeneous disease course; most patients with the disease begin with a relapsing-remitting course, but often eventually develop steady disability progression. A small percentage of MS patients have a progressive course without clinical relapses. Several treatments are now available to decrease relapse rate and slow the accumulation of disability in patients with relapsing MS, but there is currently no effective treatment to slow the progressive forms of MS.
Contribution of procoagulant phospholipids, thrombomodulin activity and thrombin generation assays as prognostic factors in intensive care patients with septic and non-septic organ failure
Authors: Van Dreden Patrick , Woodhams Barry , Rousseau Aurélie , Dreyfus Jean-François , Vasse Marc
Published: August 2012

Background:Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) observed in patients with sepsis and in non-septic patients organ failure (OF) is associated with a high mortality rate. We investigated whether new coagulation assays [quantification of procoagulant phospholipids (PPL) activity, functional assays measuring the activity of thrombomodulin (TMa) or tissue factor (TFa) and thrombin generation using calibrated automated thrombography (CAT)] could constitute new tools to better understand the physiopathology of MODS and have any prognostic value.

Methods:We measured TMa, TFa, PPL and CAT in 32 healthy controls, 24 patients with sepsis and 26 patients with non-septic OF. We compared these parameters with usual coagulation assays [prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, protein C (PC), protein S, D-Dimers (D-Di), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM)] and markers of inflammation (IL-6, CRP). Samples were collected within 24 h of the diagnosis.

Results:TMa, TFa, PPL, the lag time and time to thrombin peak levels were increased in both groups of patients. For both groups D-Di, IL-6, CRP and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) were higher in non-survivors than in survivors, while PC and PPL were lower in non-survivors than in survivors. TMa increase was more marked in non-survivors patients with OF, while the ratio TMa/sTM was low in non-survivors with sepsis. Received operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that thrombin peak and ETP were the more powerful discriminating factors in patients with sepsis or non-septic OF, respectively.

Conclusions:PPL, TMa and CAT assays could represent promising tools to identify patients with increased risk of mortality in MODS and could procure insights into pathogenesis of MODS.
Implementation of new recommendations for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes: a 5-month audit
Authors: Szoke Dominika , Valente Cristina , Dolci Alberto , Panteghini Mauro
Published: August 2012

Background: Recent international recommendations for the diagnosis of gestational diabetes (GD) were implemented in a university hospital. The aim was to audit the appropriateness of use of the new diagnostic approach.

Methods: The same 5-month period, one before [2009, traditional two-step oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) approach, S1] and one after the implementation of new criteria (2010, S2) were compared.

Results: In the two periods, 256 (S1) and 245 (S2) pregnant women were examined and 298 (50 g, n=195; 100 g, n=103) and 252 (75 g) OGTTs were, respectively, executed. In S1, 54 (27.7%) 50 g OGTTs resulted positive and 36 (66.7%) of those performed the 100 g OGTT. In addition, three (1.5% of total) 50 g OGTT negative women were submitted to 100 g OGTT. Sixty-three women did 100 g OGTT only. In total, 14 (13.6%) 100 g OGTTs were positive. In S2, 38 (15.1%) 75 g OGTTs were positive. In women who did the complete protocol in the hospital, 98.3% in S1 and 77.0% in S2 performed the correct protocol (p<0.0001).

Conclusions: In this hospital new recommendations for GD diagnosis are not correctly applied in 23% of cases. The main issue seems to be the lack of consideration of the new threshold for fasting glycemia (5.1 mmol/L) as a main decisional driver for performing OGTT.
Free products and wild nearfields
à la B. H. Neumann and Hans Zassenhaus
Authors: Grundhöfer Theo
Published: August 2012

The modular group PSL
2
ℤ contains many subgroups that
are sharply transitive on the rational projective line ℚ ∪ ∞. If the field E is a purely transcendental extension
of transcendency degree |E|, then PSL
2

E contains free
subgroups that are sharply transitive on the projective line
E ∪ ∞. This yields wild infinite
nearfields and sharply two-transitive permutation groups.
Effects of systematic variation of wood adherend bending stiffness on fracture properties. Part 2. Revisiting traditional DCB analysis methods
Authors: Nicoli Edoardo , Dillard David A. , Frazier Charles E.
Published: August 2012

Part 1 of the paper evaluated how the orientation and stiffness of the layers in layered beams of constant cross section used in double cantilever beams (DCB) specimens influence the stiffness variation of individual adherends along their length. The behavior of bonded DCB specimens made with such materials, of which wood is a common example, are analyzed in this part 2 of the paper to determine errors associated with common data analysis methods for mode I fracture testing: simple beam theory (SBT), corrected beam theory (CBT), experimental compliance method (ECM or Berry method), and area method (AM). In particular, the first three methods are described in British Standards (BS) 7991 (1991) or the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D 3433 (1999/2005), while the AM is not suggested by the mentioned standards. SBT, CBT, and ECM, although initially developed for characterizing bonds between uniform and isotropic adherends, have also been commonly applied to other materials including wood. Nevertheless, these three standardized methods may lack precision for determining the critical strain energy release rate, , when applied to bonded wood adherends, due to the elastic stiffness variability that can occur along the length of the bonded beams. The AM yields more coherent results in the developed analytical procedure, although practical issues can limit its reliability with experimental results. Another physical problem that arises with the adherend stiffness variation is the onset of a slight mode II loading component that is not anticipated, nor accounted for, in the traditional data analysis methods.
Properties of molding plates made with albizia wood particles impregnated with alcohol-soluble PF resins prepared from phenol-liquefied lignins
Authors: Lee Wen-Jau , Chang Kuo-Chun , Hsu Ling-Ying , Tseng I-Min
Published: August 2012

Alkaline lignin and de-alkaline lignin were liquefied in phenol with H2SO4 or HCl as catalysts. Liquefied lignins were reacted with formalin under weakly alkaline condition, and in this manner, alcohol-soluble resol-type phenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins (PFlignin) were prepared. Small particles of albizia [Albizia falcataria (L.) Fosberg] passing 100-mesh sieve were impregnated with these resins, and the resulting molded test plates (MTPlignin) with the dimensions of 10×10×0.4 cm3 were analyzed. Differential scanning calorimeter revealed that the PFlignin resins need higher temperatures for curing than those of industrial PF resin (control). MTPlignin has higher internal bonding and bending strengths than those of the MTPcontrol. Thermogravimetric analysis of MTPs shows three distinct degradation rates, and the following heat resistance was found: MTPcontrol>MTPAL>MTPDAL. MTPs have, after carbonization at 800°C, a uniform internal structure as revealed by dimension shrinkage analysis.
Chaperones for proper androgen action – a plethora of assistance to androgen receptor function
Authors: Hessenkemper Wiebke , Baniahmad Aria
Published: August 2012

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a major role for normal prostate growth and also promotes the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). PCa, an important age-related disease, is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and the second leading cause of cancer mortality for men in Western countries. AR function and activity are regulated by molecular chaperones. The AR belongs to the steroid hormone receptor (SHR) family and can be activated by androgens such as dihydrotestosterone. SHRs are ligand-dependent transcription factors that are predominantly localized in the cytoplasm in the absence of their appropriate ligand. Upon hormone binding, translocation to the nucleus occurs as shown for glucocorticoid receptors, mineralocorticoid receptors, or the AR, while others, such as estrogen and progesterone receptors, are mainly nuclear. Importantly, the newly synthesized and unliganded receptors bind stepwise with chaperones then being associated in a dynamic chaperone heterocomplex, including heat shock proteins. It emerges that chaperones are very important, not only in the proper folding of the AR but they are also involved in receptor stability, intracellular localization and androgen-controlled transcription. Accordingly, chaperones may be interesting future targets for PCa treatment. In this review we will summarize the involvement of chaperones controlling AR activity.