bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High antiphospholipid antibody levels are associated with statin use and may reflect chronic endothelial damage in non-autoimmune thrombosis: cross-sectional study
Authors: Broder Anna , Tobin Jonathan N , Putterman Chaim
Published: March 2012

Objective

Persistently elevated antiphospholipid antibodies and positive lupus anticoagulant (LAC) are associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. The objective of this study was to explore whether antiphospholipid antibody and/or LAC positivity were associated with the traditional risk factors for thrombosis or with medication use in patients without autoimmune diseases hospitalised with arterial or venous thrombosis.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Montefiore Medical Center, a large urban tertiary care centre.

Patients

270 patients (93 with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), and 177 with non-haemorrhagic stroke (cerebrovascular accident (CVA)) admitted between January 2006 and December 2010 with a discharge diagnosis of either DVT, PE or CVA, who had LAC and antiphospholipid antibodies measured within 6 months from their index admission. Patients with lupus or antiphospholipid syndrome were excluded.

Main Outcome Measures

The main dependent variable was antiphospholipid antibodies of 40 units or greater (antiphospholipid antibody positivity) and/or LAC positivity. Independent variables were traditional thrombosis risk factors, statin use, aspirin use and warfarin use.

Results

31 (11%) patients were LAC positive and/or antiphospholipid antibody positive. None of the traditional risk factors at the time of DVT/PE/CVA was associated with antiphospholipid antibody positivity. Current statin use was associated with an OR of 3.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 7.9, p=0.01) of antiphospholipid antibody positivity, adjusted for age, ethnicity and gender. Aspirin or warfarin use was not associated with antiphospholipid antibody levels.

Conclusion

If statin therapy reflects the history of previous hyperlipidaemia, high levels of antiphospholipid antibodies may be a marker for earlier endothelial damage caused by hyperlipidaemia.
Predictors of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 fluorescence in-situ hybridisation amplification in immunohistochemistry score 2+ infiltrating breast cancer: a single institution analysis
Authors: Dieci Maria Vittoria , Barbieri Elena , Bettelli Stefania , Piacentini Federico , Omarini Claudia , Ficarra Guido , Balduzzi Sara , Dominici Massimo , Conte Pierfranco , Guarneri Valentina
Published: March 2012

Aims

Eligibility for anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) treatments in breast cancer requires a correct HER2 status assessment. Testing guidelines recommend fluorescence in-situ hybridisation (FISH) for samples scored as 2+ by immunohistochemistry. This study investigates the correlation between pathological features and FISH amplification in HER2 2+ breast cancer cases.

Methods

480 HER2 2+ breast cancer samples were included. The association between tumour grade, hormone receptor status, proliferation index (Ki67) and FISH amplification, using both US Food and Drug Administration (ratio ≥2) and American Society of Clinical Oncologists/College of American Pathologists cut-offs (ratio >2.2) was evaluated.

Results

90.2% of the samples were hormone receptor positive. The median Ki67 value was 23.5%; 311 (64.8%) samples showed a Ki67 value of 15% or greater. Tumour grade was evaluable in 421 cases (87.7%), 268 (55.8%) being grade 3. FISH amplification rates were 27.5% (ratio ≥2.0) and 20.8% (ratio >2.2). Grade 3 tumours were more frequently amplified than grades 1–2 tumours: 34% versus 18% (ratio ≥2.0, p<0.001) and 27% versus 9% (ratio >2.2, p<0.001). Samples with Ki67 of 15% or greater showed higher amplification rates than low Ki67 samples: 31% versus 21% (ratio ≥2.0, p=0.022) and 25% versus 12% (ratio >2.2, p=0.003). The OR for FISH amplification was significant in the case of grade 3 and high Ki67 with both cut-offs.

Conclusions

In this study, high tumour grade and high Ki67 significantly predicted FISH amplification in 480 HER2 2+ breast cancer samples.
Surgical access on the superior ophthalmic vein to the cavernous sinus dural fistula for embolization
Authors: Jiang Chuhan , Lv Xianli , Li Youxiang , Wu Zhongxue , Shi Jitong
Published: March 2012

Background

Direct surgical exposure and cannulation (DSEC) of the superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) can be used as an alternative approach for the endovascular treatment of cavernous sinus dural fistulas (CSDF) that fail conventional endovascular access. The aim of this study was to report the techniques, effectiveness and safety of DSEC of the SOV in these cases.

Methods

Between June 2007 and June 2011, nine CSDF in nine patients who presented with ocular signs and symptoms were embolized using DSEC of the SOV when the CSDF could not be treated via the transarterial or transfemoral venous route.

Results

All nine patients were successfully treated by introduction of Onyx in conjunction with detachable coils through the catheterized SOV to the affected cavernous sinus. No exposure or catheterization of the SOV proved difficult. Symptoms and signs resolved completely in all patients after successful occlusion of the CSDF. There were no intraoperative complications. All patients underwent follow-up cerebral angiography at least 3 months after treatment, and none showed recurrence of the fistula.

Conclusion

DSEC of the SOV for embolization of a CSDF is a good alternative treatment when conventional venous routes are inaccessible. Surgical access to the SOV is direct and can be performed safely. The use of Onyx in conjunction with detachable coils is safe and effective for symptomatic CSDF.
STATISTICAL COMPARISON OF QUARK MASS MATRICES IN THE PHYSICAL BASIS
Authors: CHATURVEDI S. , GUPTA V. , SÁNCHEZ-COLÓN G. , RAJPOOT S.
Published: March 2012

Using the four best measured moduli of the flavor mixing matrix (|V ud |, |V us |, |V cd |, |V cs |), the Jarlskog invariant J(V), and the quark masses at MZ energy scale as experimental constraints, a statistical comparison of three different types of quark mass matrices in the physical basis is performed. The mass matrices in question are the Chaturvedi–Gupta–Sánchez-Colón (CGS), the Fritzsch and the Gupta–Rajpoot types. With nine parameters the best fits are obtained using a Gupta–Rajpoot-type matrix while with seven parameters the best fits are obtained using the CGS-type matrix. The stability of our analysis with respect to evolution of the quark masses is also presented.
QUASIRECOGNITION BY PRIME GRAPH OF SOME ORTHOGONAL GROUPS OVER THE BINARY FIELD
Authors: KHOSRAVI BEHROOZ , MORADI HOSSEIN
Published: March 2012

Let G be a finite group. The prime graph Γ(G) of G is defined as follows. The vertices of Γ(G) are the primes dividing the order of G and two distinct vertices p, p′ are joined by an edge if G has an element of order pp′. Let D = Dn(2), where n ≥ 3 or2Dn(2), where n ≥ 15. In this paper we prove that D is quasirecognizable by prime graph, i.e. every finite group G with Γ(G) = Γ(D), has a unique nonabelian composition factor which is isomorphic to D. Finally, we consider the quasirecognition by spectrum for these groups. Specially we prove that if p = 2n+ 1 ≥ 17 is a prime number, then Dp(2) is recognizable by spectrum.
ON NILPOTENT LEIBNIZ n-ALGEBRAS
Authors: CAMACHO L. M. , CASAS J. M. , GÓMEZ J. R. , LADRA M. , OMIROV B. A.
Published: March 2012

We study the nilpotency of Leibniz n-algebras related with the adapted version of Engel's theorem to Leibniz n-algebras. We also deal with the characterization of finite-dimensional nilpotent complex Leibniz n-algebras.
NEWTON POLYGONS AND p-INTEGRAL BASES OF QUARTIC NUMBER FIELDS
Authors: EL FADIL LHOUSSAIN , MONTES JESÚS , NART ENRIC
Published: March 2012

Let p be a prime number. In this paper we use an old technique of Ø. Ore, based on Newton polygons, to construct in an efficient way p-integral bases of number fields defined by p-regular equations. To illustrate the potential applications of this construction, we derive from this result an explicit description of a p-integral basis of an arbitrary quartic field in terms of a defining equation.
ON THE TOTAL GRAPH OF A COMMUTATIVE RING WITHOUT THE ZERO ELEMENT
Authors: ANDERSON DAVID F. , BADAWI AYMAN
Published: March 2012

Let R be a commutative ring with nonzero identity, and let Z(R) be its set of zero-divisors. The total graph of R is the (undirected) graph T(Γ(R)) with vertices all elements of R, and two distinct vertices x and y are adjacent if and only if x + y ∈ Z(R). In this paper, we study the two (induced) subgraphs Z0(Γ(R)) and T0(Γ(R)) of T(Γ(R)), with vertices Z(R)\{0} and R\{0}, respectively. We determine when Z0(Γ(R)) and T0(Γ(R)) are connected and compute their diameter and girth. We also investigate zero-divisor paths and regular paths in T0(Γ(R)).
Quantum readout of Physical Unclonable Functions
Authors: ŠKORIĆ BORIS
Published: March 2012

Physical unclonable functions (PUFs) are physical structures that are hard to clone and have a unique challenge-response behavior. The term PUF was coined by Pappu et al. in 2001. That work triggered a lot of interest, and since then a substantial number of papers has been written about the use of a wide variety of physical structures for different security purposes such as identification, authentication, read-proof key storage, key distribution, tamper evidence, anti-counterfeiting, software-to-hardware binding and trusted computing. In this paper we propose a new security primitive: the quantum-readout PUF (QR-PUF). This is a classical PUF, without internal quantum degrees of freedom, which is challenged using a quantum state, e.g. a single-photon state, and whose response is also a quantum state. By the no-cloning property of unknown quantum states, attackers cannot intercept challenges or responses without noticeably disturbing the readout process. Thus, a verifier who sends quantum states as challenges and receives the correct quantum states back can be certain that he is probing a specific QR-PUF without disturbances, even if the QR-PUF is far away "in the field" and under hostile control. For PUFs whose information content is not exceedingly large, all currently known PUF-based authentication and anti-counterfeiting schemes require trusted readout devices in the field. Our quantum readout scheme has no such requirement. Furthermore, we show how the QR-PUF authentication scheme can be interwoven with quantum key exchange (QKE), leading to an authenticated QKE protocol between two parties. This protocol has the special property that it requires no a priori secret shared by the two parties, and that the quantum channel is the authenticated channel, allowing for an unauthenticated classical channel. We provide security proofs for a limited class of attacks. The proofs depend on the physical unclonability of PUFs and on the practical infeasibility of building a quantum computer.
NEW THREE-MODE COHERENT-ENTANGLED STATE DERIVED BY VIRTUE OF DECOMPOSING NORMALLY ORDERED GAUSSIAN OPERATOR INTEGRAND
Authors: REN GANG , FAN HONG-YI
Published: March 2012

We introduce a new kind of three-mode coherent-entangled state (CES) |x,β1,β2〉, which has both properties of the coherent state and the entangled state. We derive it by virtue of decomposing normally ordered Gaussian operator integrand. An experiment setup to produce the ideal coherent-entangled state is presented. The corresponding Wigner operator and squeezing operator in terms of CES are also given.
RETRACTION: "INVESTIGATION OF HIGH-COERCIVITY FePt-C NANOGRANULAR FILMS FOR PERPENDICULAR MAGNETIC RECORDING (PMR) MEDIA"
Authors: PENG JIEGANG , XUE S. , YAN Z. , WU X. , ZHAN L.
Published: March 2012

This article has been retracted at the request of the Editors. It contains data (TEM Images in Figure 4) obtained from other group's unpublished results. It is inappropriate and violates the scientific rule of anti-plagiarism. We regret that this was not detected before the article was accepted for publication in the journal.
Heart angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy suppresses coronary angiogenesis and progresses diabetic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Masuda Takahiro , Muto Shigeaki , Fujisawa Genro , Iwazu Yoshitaka , Kimura Mariko , Kobayashi Takahisa , Nonaka-Sarukawa Mutsuko , Sasaki Nobuhiro , Watanabe Yuko , Shinohara Masami , Murakami Takashi , Shimada Kazuyuki , Kobayashi Eiji , Kusano Eiji
Published: March 2012

To examine whether and how heart ANG II influences the coordination between cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and coronary angiogenesis and contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy, we used Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rats treated without and with olmesartan medoxomil (an ANG II receptor blocker). In SDT rats, left ventricular (LV) ANG II, but not circulating ANG II, increased at 8 and 16 wk after diabetes onset. SDT rats developed LV hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction at 8 wk, followed by LV systolic dysfunction at 16 wk, without hypertension. The SDT rat LV exhibited cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and increased hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression at 8 wk and to a greater degree at 16 wk and interstitial fibrosis at 16 wk only. In SDT rats, coronary angiogenesis increased with enhanced capillary proliferation and upregulation of the angiogenic factor VEGF at 8 wk but decreased VEGF with enhanced capillary apoptosis and suppressed capillary proliferation despite the upregulation of VEGF at 16 wk. In SDT rats, the phosphorylation of VEGF receptor-2 increased at 8 wk alone, whereas the expression of the antiangiogenic factor thrombospondin-1 increased at 16 wk alone. All these events, except for hyperglycemia or blood pressure, were reversed by olmesartan medoxomil. These results suggest that LV ANG II in SDT rats at 8 and 16 wk induces cardiomyocyte hypertrophy without affecting hyperglycemia or blood pressure, which promotes and suppresses coronary angiogenesis, respectively, via VEGF and thrombospondin-1 produced from hypertrophied cardiomyocytes under chronic hypoxia. Thrombospondin-1 may play an important role in the progression of diabetic cardiomyopathy in this model.
HDAC4 mediates development of hypertension via vascular inflammation in spontaneous hypertensive rats
Authors: Usui Tatsuya , Okada Muneyoshi , Mizuno Wataru , Oda Mayuko , Ide Natsuki , Morita Tomoka , Hara Yukio , Yamawaki Hideyuki
Published: March 2012

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are transcriptional corepressors. Our recent study demonstrated that HDAC4 protein specifically increases in mesenteric artery from spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR) compared with Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Vascular inflammation is important for pathogenesis of hypertension. We examined whether HDAC4 affects vascular inflammatory responses and promotes hypertension. In vivo, blood pressure, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and VCAM-1 expression in isolated mesenteric artery were elevated in young SHR (7 wk old) compared with age-matched WKY, which were prevented by long-term treatment of SHR with an HDACs inhibitor, trichostatin A (TSA; 500 μg·kg−1·day−1for 3 wk). In isolated mesenteric artery, the increased angiotensin II-induced contraction in SHR was reversed by TSA. The endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by ACh in SHR was augmented by TSA. In cultured rat mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs), expression of HDAC4 mRNA and protein was increased by TNF-α (10 ng/ml). TSA (10 μM, pretreatment for 30 min) inhibited VCAM-1 expression and NF-κB phosphorylation induced by TNF (10 ng/ml, 24 h or 20 min) in SMCs. HDAC4 small interfering RNA inhibited TNF-induced monocyte adhesion, VCAM-1 expression, transcriptional activity of NF-κB, and ROS production in SMCs. The present results demonstrated that proinflammatory effects of HDACs may mediate the further development of hypertension in SHR. It is also suggested in cultured vascular SMCs that TNF-induced HDAC4 mediates vascular inflammation likely via VCAM-1 induction through ROS-dependent NF-κB activation.
Kinase-dependent activation of voltage-gated Ca2+channels by ET-1 in pulmonary arterial myocytes during chronic hypoxia
Authors: Luke Trevor , Maylor Julie , Undem Clark , Sylvester J. T. , Shimoda Larissa A.
Published: March 2012

Exposure to chronic hypoxia (CH) causes pulmonary hypertension. The vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) is thought to play a role in the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. In pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from chronically hypoxic rats, ET-1 signaling is altered, with the ET-1-induced change in intracellular calcium concentration (Δ[Ca2+]i) occurring through activation of voltage-dependent Ca2+channels (VDCC) even though ET-1-induced depolarization via inhibition of K+channels is lost. The mechanism underlying this response is unclear. We hypothesized that activation of VDCCs by ET-1 following CH might be mediated by protein kinase C (PKC) and/or Rho kinase, both of which have been shown to phosphorylate and activate VDCCs. To test this hypothesis, we examined the effects of PKC and Rho kinase inhibitors on the ET-1-induced Δ[Ca2+]iin PASMCs from rats exposed to CH (10% O2, 3 wk) using the Ca2+-sensitive dye fura 2-AM and fluorescent microscopy techniques. We found that staurosporine and GF109203X, inhibitors of PKC, and Y-27632 and HA 1077, Rho kinase inhibitors, reduced the ET-1-induced Δ[Ca2+]iby >70%. Inhibition of tyrosine kinases (TKs) with genistein or tyrphostin A23, or combined inhibition of PKC, TKs, and Rho kinase, reduced the Δ[Ca2+]ito a similar extent as inhibition of either PKC or Rho kinase alone. The ability of PKC or Rho kinase to activate VDCCs in our cells was verified using phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and GTP-γ-S. These results suggest that following CH, the ET-1-induced Δ[Ca2+]iin PASMCs occurs via Ca2+influx through VDCCs mediated primarily by PKC, TKs, and Rho kinase.
Zerumbone Attenuates the Severity of Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis and Pancreatitis-Induced Hepatic Injury
Authors: Wenhong Deng , Jia Yu , Weixing Wang , Xiaoyan Chen , Chen Chen , Sheng Xu , Hao Jin
Published: March 2012

This paper investigated the potential effects of zerumbone pretreatment on an acute necrotizing pancreatitis rat model induced by sodium taurocholate. The pancreatitis injury was evaluated by serum AMY, sPLA2, and pancreatic pathological score. Pancreatitis-induced hepatic injury was measured by ALT, AST, and hepatic histopathology. The expression of I-κBαand NF-κB protein was evaluated by western blot and immunohistochemistry assay while ICAM-1 and IL-1βmRNA were examined by RT-PCR. The results showed that AMY, sPLA2, ALT, and AST levels and histopathological assay of pancreatic and hepatic tissues were significantly reduced following administration of zerumbone. Applying zerumbone also has been shown to inhibit NF-κB protein and downregulation of ICAM-1 and IL-1βmRNA. The present paper suggests that treatment of zerumbone on rat attenuates the severity of acute necrotizing pancreatitis and pancreatitis-induced hepatic injury, via inhibiting NF-κB activation and downregulating the expression of ICAM-1 and IL-1β.
A Comparative Characterization of the HPA‐MCM‐48 Type Catalysts Produced by the Direct Hydrothermal and Room Temperature Synthesis Methods
Authors: Gucbilmez Y. , Yargic A. S. , Calis I.
Published: March 2012

MCM‐48 type support materials synthesized by the direct hydrothermal synthesis (HTS) and room temperature synthesis (RTS) methods were incorporated with tungstophosphoric acid (TPA) in the range of 10–40 wt% by using a wet impregnation technique in methanol solutions. Resulting HPA‐MCM‐48 catalysts were characterized by the XRD, Nitrogen Physisorption, SEM, TEM, EDS, and FT‐IR methods in order to determine the effects of different initial synthesis conditions on the catalyst properties. RTS samples were found to have better crystalline structures, higher BET surface areas, and higher BJH pore volumes than HTS samples. They also had slightly higher TPA incorporation, except for the 40 wt% samples, as evidenced by the EDS results. Keggin ion structure was preserved, for both methods, even at the highest acid loading of 40 wt%. It was concluded that the simpler and more economical RTS method was more successful than the HTS method for heteropoly acid incorporation into MCM‐48 type materials.
Design of a Turbulence Generator of Medium Consistency Pulp Pumps
Authors: Li Hong , Zhuang Haifei , Geng Weihao
Published: March 2012

The turbulence generator is a key component of medium consistency centrifugal pulp pumps, with functions to fluidize the medium consistency pulp and to separate gas from the liquid. Structure sizes of the generator affect the hydraulic performance. The radius and the blade laying angle are two important structural sizes of a turbulence generator. Starting with the research on the flow inside and shearing characteristics of the MC pulp, a simple mathematical model at the flow section of the shearing chamber is built, and the formula and procedure to calculate the radius of the turbulence generator are established. The blade laying angle is referenced from the turbine agitator which has the similar shape with the turbulence generator, and the CFD simulation is applied to study the different flow fields with different blade laying angles. Then the recommended blade laying angle of the turbulence generator is formed to be between 60° and 75°.
A Literature Review on Care at the End-of-Life in the Emergency Department
Authors: Forero Roberto , McDonnell Geoff , Gallego Blanca , McCarthy Sally , Mohsin Mohammed , Shanley Chris , Formby Frank , Hillman Ken
Published: March 2012

The hospitalisation and management of patients at the end-of-life by emergency medical services is presenting a challenge to our society as the majority of people approaching death explicitly state that they want to die at home and the transition from acute care to palliation is difficult. In addition, the escalating costs of providing care at the end-of-life in acute hospitals are unsustainable. Hospitals in general and emergency departments in particular cannot always provide the best care for patients approaching end-of-life. The main objectives of this paper are to review the existing literature in order to assess the evidence for managing patients dying in the emergency department, and to identify areas of improvement such as supporting different models of care and evaluating those models with health services research. The paper identified six main areas where there is lack of research and/or suboptimal policy implementation. These include uncertainty of treatment in the emergency department; quality of life issues, costs, ethical and social issues, interaction between ED and other health services, and strategies for out of hospital care. The paper concludes with some areas for policy development and future research.
Influence of Angiotensin II Subtype 2 Receptor (AT2R) Antagonist, PD123319, on Cardiovascular Remodelling of Aged Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats during Chronic Angiotensin II Subtype 1 Receptor (AT1R) Blockade
Authors: Jones Emma S. , Black M. Jane , Widdop Robert E.
Published: March 2012

Cardiac AT2R expression is upregulated in the normal process of aging. In this study we determined the contribution of AT2R to chronic antihypertensive and remodelling effects of AT1R blockade in aged hypertensive rats. Adult (20 weeks) and senescent (20 months) spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were treated with either the AT1R antagonist, candesartan cilexetil (2 mg/kg/day), the AT2R antagonist, PD123319 (10 mg/kg/day), or a combination of the 2 compounds. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and left ventricular volume were markedly decreased by candesartan cilexetil, however, simultaneous treatment with PD123319 had no additional effect on either parameter. Perivascular fibrosis was significantly reduced by candesartan cilexetil in aged animals only, and this effect was reversed by concomitant PD123319 administration. Vascular hypertrophy was reduced by candesartan cilexetil, and these effects were reversed by simultaneous PD123319. These results suggest that AT2R stimulation does not significantly influence the antihypertensive effect of chronic AT1R blockade, but plays a role in the regulation of vascular structure. The severe degree of cardiac perivascular fibrosis in senescent animals was regressed by AT1R blockade and this effect was reversed by simultaneous AT2R inhibition, demonstrating an antifibrotic role of AT2R stimulation in the aging hypertensive heart.
Coincidence of HPV11-Positive Urethral Condyloma Acuminatum and HPV-Negative Multiple Bladder Papillomas in a Female
Authors: Nakazaki Natsuko , Zaitsu Masayoshi , Mikami Koji , Yui Shunsuke , Kanatani Ayumi , Nakatani Takushi , Ito Akiko , Takeshima Yuta , Tonooka Akiko , Oka Hideaki , Miki Tomoko , Takeuchi Takumi
Published: March 2012

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are associated with proliferative lesions in a variety of human epithelial types. A 38-year-old female presented with a diagnosis of urethral condyloma acuminatum. She underwent transurethral resection of the urethral condyloma. At that time, multiple (five) bladder tumors were simultaneously found and also removed by transurethral resection. Four of the bladder tumors were diagnosed as squamous papilloma, and the other was urothelial inverted papilloma. Postoperative course was uneventful. Genomic DNA was extracted from 10 μm thick sections of each bladder tumor as well as urethral condyloma. Then, 16 types of HPV DNA sequences were assessed with the PapiPlex method using genomic DNA samples extracted from each bladder tumor as well as urethral condyloma. HPV-11 was detected in DNA extracted from the urethral condyloma, while no HPV DNA sequences were positive in any of the genomic DNA samples extracted from the bladder tumors.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization and Homing after Transplantation: The Role of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MT1-MMP
Authors: Shirvaikar Neeta , Marquez-Curtis Leah A. , Janowska-Wieczorek Anna
Published: March 2012

Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) are used in clinical transplantation to restore hematopoietic function. Here we review the role of the soluble matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2 and MMP-9, and membrane type (MT)1-MMP in modulating processes critical to successful transplantation of HSPC, such as mobilization and homing. Growth factors and cytokines which are employed as mobilizing agents upregulate MMP-2 and MMP-9. Recently we demonstrated that MT1-MMP enhances HSPC migration across reconstituted basement membrane, activates proMMP-2, and contributes to a highly proteolytic bone marrow microenvironment that facilitates egress of HSPC. On the other hand, we reported that molecules secreted during HSPC mobilization and collection, such as hyaluronic acid and thrombin, increase MT1-MMP expression in cord blood HSPC and enhance (prime) their homing-related responses. We suggest that modulation of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MT1-MMP expression has potential for development of new therapies for more efficient mobilization, homing, and engraftment of HSPC, which could lead to improved transplantation outcomes.
Silicea Gastrointestinal Gel Improves Gastrointestinal Disorders: A Non-Controlled, Pilot Clinical Study
Authors: Uehleke B. , Ortiz M. , Stange R.
Published: March 2012

Aim. To investigate efficacy and tolerability of Silicea Gastrointestinal Gel in patients with gastrointestinal disorders.Methods. Open, prospective pivotal phase IV study with oral Silicea Gastrointestinal Gel over 6 weeks. Symptom score was part 1 of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index: 15 questions addressing intensity, frequency and impact of upper abdominal symptoms. 10 lower abdominal symptoms were asked analogously. A responder showed reduction of score of >50%.Results. 62 of 90 patients were evaluated per protocol. Upper and lower abdomen sum scores decreased already in the first three weeks (P<0.001), which continued the following three weeks (P<0.01). Mean symptom score for upper abdomen decreased from52.2±31.0to33.7±28.7(or by 35.4%; responder rate 37%); for lower from39.6±24.7to22.6±21.7(by 42.9%; responder rate 46%). Subgroups with diarrhea, IBS and GERD presented highest responder rates. 6% of patients reported adverse reactions with probable or possible relationship to the test product.Conclusions. Silicea Gastrointestinal Gel seems suitable beyond infectious acute gastrointestinal disorders. Responses are relevant for chronic functional disorders, but it remains unclear, how much of that might be placebo-effect. Controlled studies are recommended in gastrointestinal syndromes like IBS or GERD.
Differential Expression of Matrix Metalloproteases in Human Fibroblasts with Different Origins
Authors: Lindner Diana , Zietsch Christin , Becher P. Moritz , Schulze Karsten , Schultheiss Heinz-Peter , Tschöpe Carsten , Westermann Dirk
Published: March 2012

Fibroblasts are widely distributed cells and are responsible for the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components but also secrete ECM-degrading matrix metalloproteases. A finely balanced equilibrium between deposition and degradation of ECM is essential for structural integrity of tissues. In the past, fibroblasts have typically been understood as a uniform cell population with comparable functions regardless of their origin. Here, we determined growth curves of fibroblasts derived from heart, skin, and lung and clearly show the lowest proliferation rate for cardiac fibroblasts. Furthermore, we examined basal expression levels of collagen and different MMPs in these three types of fibroblasts and compared these concerning their site of origin. Interestingly, we found major differences in basal mRNA expression especially for MMP1 and MMP3. Moreover, we treated fibroblasts with TNF-α and observed different alterations under these proinflammatory conditions. In conclusion, fibroblasts show different properties in proliferation and MMP expression regarding their originated tissue.
Intratracheal Administration of a Nanoparticle-Based Therapy with the Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Gene Attenuates Lung Cancer Growth
Authors: Kawabata Atsushi , Baoum Abdulgader , Ohta Naomi , Jacquez Stephanie , Seo Gwi-Moon , Berkland Cory , Tamura Masaaki
Published: March 2012

Targeted gene delivery, transfection efficiency, and toxicity concerns remain a challenge for effective gene therapy. In this study, we dimerized the HIV-1 TAT peptide and formulated a nanoparticle vector (dTAT NP) to leverage the efficiency of this cell-penetrating strategy for tumor-targeted gene delivery in the setting of intratracheal administration. Expression efficiency for dTAT NP–encapsulated luciferase or angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) plasmid DNA (pDNA) was evaluated in Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells cultured in vitro or in vivo in orthotopic tumor grafts in syngeneic mice. In cell culture, dTAT NP was an effective pDNA transfection vector with negligible cytotoxicity. Transfection efficiency was further increased by addition of calcium and glucose to dTAT/pDNA NP. In orthotopic tumor grafts, immunohistochemical analysis confirmed that dTAT NP successfully delivered pDNA to the tumor, where it was expressed primarily in tumor cells along with the bronchial epithelium. Notably, gene expression in tumor tissues persisted at least 14 days after intratracheal administration. Moreover, bolus administration of dTAT NP–encapsulated AT2R or TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) pDNA markedly attenuated tumor growth. Taken together, our findings offer a preclinical proof-of-concept for a novel gene delivery system that offers an effective intratracheal strategy for administering lung cancer gene therapy. Cancer Res; 72(8); 2057–67. ©2012 AACR.
Triggering Fbw7-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation of c-Myc by Oridonin Induces Cell Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis
Authors: Huang Hui-Lin , Weng Heng-You , Wang Lu-Qin , Yu Chun-Hong , Huang Qiao-Juan , Zhao Pan-Pan , Wen Jun-Zhi , Zhou Hui , Qu Liang-Hu
Published: March 2012

The transcription factor c-Myc is important in cell fate decisions and is frequently overexpressed in cancer cells, making it an attractive therapeutic target. Natural compounds are among the current strategies aimed at targeting c-Myc, but their modes of action still need to be characterized. To explore the mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of a natural diterpenoid, oridonin, we conducted miRNA expression profiling and statistical analyses that strongly suggested that c-Myc was a potential molecular target of oridonin. Furthermore, experimental data showed that oridonin significantly reduced c-Myc protein levels in vitro and in vivo and that this reduction was mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Fbw7, a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and an E3 ubiquitin ligase of c-Myc, was upregulated rapidly in K562 cells and other leukemia and lymphoma cells, resulting in the rapid turnover of c-Myc. In cell lines harboring mutations in the WD domain of Fbw7, the degradation of c-Myc induced by oridonin was attenuated during short-term treatment. GSK-3, an Fbw7 priming kinase, was also activated by oridonin, along with an increase in T58-phosphorylated c-Myc. Furthermore, the knockdown of Fbw7 or the forced expression of stable c-Myc resulted in reduced sensitization to oridonin-induced apoptosis. Our observations help to clarify the anticancer mechanisms of oridonin and shed light on the application of this natural compound as an Fbw7-c-Myc pathway targeting agent in cancer treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(5); 1155–65. ©2012 AACR.
Charles de Gaulle and Europe: The New Revisionism
Authors: Moravcsik Andrew
Published: March 2012

Four distinguished analysts of French foreign policy under Charles de Gaulle provide in-depth assessments of the new book edited by Christian Nuenlist, Anna Locher, and Garret Martin, Globalizing de Gaulle: International Perspectives on French Foreign Policies, 1958–1969, published by Lexington Books. The commentators praise the book's wide scope and many of its essays and broad themes, but they raise questions about Garret Martin's contention (shared by a few, though not all, of the other contributors to the volume) that de Gaulle had a coherent if ultimately unsuccessful strategy to overcome the Cold War and move toward the unification of Germany and Europe. In article-length commentaries, both Andrew Moravcsik and Marc Trachtenberg take issue with Martin's view, arguing that de Gaulle's foreign policy involved more bluff and bluster than any genuine attempt to bring about the reunification of Germany or to end the Cold War. Moravcsik also provides a spirited defense of the “revisionist” conception of de Gaulle's policy toward Europe, which sees the general as having been guided mostly by his domestic economic and political interests—a conception that Trachtenberg has also come to accept. The forum ends with a reply by Nuenlist, Locher, and Martin to the four commentaries.
The Arab Spring: A View from Israel
Authors: Bresheeth Haim
Published: March 2012

The Arab Spring is one of the most complex and surprising political developments of the new century, especially after a decade of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab western propaganda. While is too early to properly evaluate the process and its various national apparitions, it is important to see it in a historical context. This article places the Arab Spring firmly within the history of pan Arabism, and the threat it posed to the west and Israel in its earlier, Nasserist phase. The work of Amin, Marfleet and others, is used to frame the current developments, and present the limited view offered from an Israeli perspective, where any democratisation of the Arab world is seen as a threat. This is so despite the obvious influence the Arab Spring had on protest in Israel in Summer 1011, a protest which has now seemingly spent itself; it is fascinating to note that the only protest movement in the Middle East not involving violent clashes with the regime it criticised, is also the one which has not achieved any of its aims.
The Influence of Local Feedbacks and Northward Heat Transport on the Equilibrium Arctic Climate Response to Increased Greenhouse Gas Forcing
Authors: Kay Jennifer E. , Holland Marika M. , Bitz Cecilia M. , Blanchard-Wrigglesworth Edward , Gettelman Andrew , Conley Andrew , Bailey David
Published: March 2012

This study uses coupled climate model experiments to identify the influence of atmospheric physics [Community Atmosphere Model, versions 4 and 5 (CAM4; CAM5)] and ocean model complexity (slab ocean, full-depth ocean) on the equilibrium Arctic climate response to an instantaneous CO2 doubling. In slab ocean model (SOM) experiments using CAM4 and CAM5, local radiative feedbacks, not atmospheric heat flux convergence, are the dominant control on the Arctic surface response to increased greenhouse gas forcing. Equilibrium Arctic surface air temperature warming and amplification are greater in the CAM5 SOM experiment than in the equivalent CAM4 SOM experiment. Larger 2 × CO2 radiative forcing, more positive Arctic surface albedo feedbacks, and less negative Arctic shortwave cloud feedbacks all contribute to greater Arctic surface warming and sea ice loss in CAM5 as compared to CAM4. When CAM4 is coupled to an active full-depth ocean model, Arctic Ocean horizontal heat flux convergence increases in response to the instantaneous CO2 doubling. Though this increased ocean northward heat transport slightly enhances Arctic sea ice extent loss, the representation of atmospheric processes (CAM4 versus CAM5) has a larger influence on the equilibrium Arctic surface climate response than the degree of ocean coupling (slab ocean versus full-depth ocean). These findings underscore that local feedbacks can be more important than northward heat transport for explaining the equilibrium Arctic surface climate response and response differences in coupled climate models. That said, the processes explaining the equilibrium climate response differences here may be different than the processes explaining intermodel spread in transient climate projections.
Illusory Power Transference
Authors: Goldstein Noah J. , Hays Nicholas A.
Published: March 2012

We use two experiments to investigate “illusory power transference,” in which individuals minimally associated with powerful others act as if they themselves are powerful outside the boundaries of the association. The experiments elicit this phenomenon through social comparison processes that result in individuals’ perceptions of their own power assimilating toward the power of the powerful other, which is driven by the motivation to characterize oneself as powerful. We demonstrate that men who have a tenuous association with a powerful other (versus a powerless or equal-power other) felt more powerful and were more optimistic, confident, and risk seeking, even though they could not leverage the associate’s power. Consistent with research suggesting that women are less motivated to characterize themselves as powerful, however, this effect did not emerge among women. A third experiment suggests that, besides underlying motivations, whether the association is cooperative or competitive determines if one’s sense of power is likely to assimilate to, or contrast away from, the associate’s level of power.
Can Passengers’ Active Head Tilt Decrease the Severity of Carsickness?
Authors: Wada Takahiro , Konno Hiroyuki , Fujisawa Satoru , Doi Shun’ichi
Published: March 2012

Objective: We investigated the effect of the passenger head-tilt strategy on the severity of carsickness in lateral acceleration situations in automobiles.

Background: It is well known that the driver is generally less susceptible to carsickness than are the passengers. However, it is also known that the driver tilts his or her head toward the curve center when negotiating a curve, whereas the passenger’s head moves in the opposite direction. Therefore, we hypothesized that the head-tilt strategy has the effect of reducing the severity of carsickness.

Method: A passenger car was driven on a quasi-oval track with a pylon slalom while the participant sat in the navigator seat. The experiment was terminated when either the participant felt the initial symptoms of motion sickness or the car finished 20 laps. In the natural head-tilt condition, the participants were instructed to sit naturally, to relax, and not to oppose the lateral acceleration intentionally. In the active head-tilt condition, the participants were asked to tilt their heads against the centrifugal acceleration, thus imitating the driver’s head tilt.

Results: The number of laps achieved in the active condition was significantly greater than that in the natural condition. In addition, the subjective ratings of motion sickness and symptoms in the active condition were significantly lower than those in the natural condition.

Conclusion: We suggest that an active head tilt against centrifugal acceleration reduces the severity of motion sickness.

Application: Potential applications of this study include development of a methodology to reduce carsickness.
Cultural Differences in “Thank You”
Authors: Park Hee Sun , Lee Hye Eun
Published: March 2012

This research investigated cultural differences in the use of, and responses to, gratitude statements in unsolicited email advertising messages. Study 1 found that Americans, compared with Koreans, were more positive about a message that included a gratitude statement (i.e., “Thank You”). Study 2 showed no cultural differences in responses to an email message that included a gratitude statement and one that omitted a gratitude statement. When participants in Study 3 were instructed to pay attention to the gratitude statement itself, Americans, compared with Koreans, viewed the gratitude statement more positively and considered the advertiser of the gratitude statement–included message as more credible. Americans had a greater intention to include a gratitude statement in their own advertising messages than did Koreans. In fact, Study 4 showed that when participants saw a gratitude statement–included example, a greater number of Americans, compared with Koreans included a gratitude statement in their own message.
Factors Influencing Attitudes Toward Sexual Activity Among Early Adolescents in Japan
Authors: Nagamatsu Miyuki , Yamawaki Niwako , Sato Takeshi , Nakagawa Aki , Saito Hisako
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine factors influencing attitudes toward sexual activity among early adolescents in Japan. A total of 1,551 students aged 12 to 14 years at 4 junior high schools were divided into either a conservative or liberal group. Results of chi-square tests showed that the liberal group had higher percentages of students with drinking, smoking, and sexual activity than the conservative group. The liberal group also had more dating partners and friends with sexual experiences than the conservative group. Unpaired t test indicated that the liberal group rated lower than the conservative group in talking to their parents about life and AIDS and teachers listening to their opinions. Furthermore, a multiple regression analysis showed that smoking, experience with sex, talking to parents about AIDS, teachers listening to participants’ opinion, older dating partners, and friends with sexual experiences were all significant predictors of attitude toward sexual activity.
Parenting and Early Adolescent Internalizing
Authors: Johnson Lesley E. , Greenberg Mark T.
Published: March 2012

This community-based study examined differences in parenting quality and parent symptoms for youth in four categories: anxious (elevated anxiety symptoms), depressed (elevated depressive symptoms), comorbid (elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms), and nonelevated (elevations of neither type). Respondents were 976 young adolescents (mean age = 11.3) and their parents (912 mothers, 647 fathers) randomly selected from 28 rural/small town communities. Results indicated that depressed and comorbid groups were associated with significantly lower parenting quality and higher parent psychopathology compared to the nonelevated and anxious groups. This pattern was generally consistent across reporters (youth, mother, and father) and four domains of or related to parenting (support/warmth, conflict/anger, general child management (GCM), and parent psychopathology). Results highlight the importance of accounting for comorbidity when examining relationships between psychopathology symptoms and related variables such as parenting. Implications include the need to address relationships with parents when intervening with youth at risk for or experiencing elevated depressive symptoms.
Psychometric Properties of Within-Person Across-Session Variability in Accuracy of Cognitive Performance
Authors: Salthouse Timothy A.
Published: March 2012

Although most psychological assessments are based on measures related to an individual’s average level of performance, it has been proposed that measures of variability around one’s average may provide unique individual difference information and have clinical significance. The current study investigated properties of within-person variability in measures of performance accuracy in a sample of more than 1,700 healthy adults. Contrary to what has been reported with measures of within-person variability in reaction time, measures of within-person variability in performance accuracy from different cognitive tests had weak correlations with one another, very low stability across time, and near-zero correlations with longitudinal change in cognitive abilities.
Vascular Effects of Nebivolol Added to Hydrochlorothiazide in African Americans With Hypertension and Echocardiographic Evidence of Diastolic Dysfunction
Authors: Khan Bobby V. , Rahman Syed T. , Haque Tahir , Merchant Nadya , Bhaheetharan Sujan , Harris Junior , Umar Kanwal , Wahi Jessica , Ferdinand Keith C.
Published: March 2012

Background:

African Americans have greater risk of cardiovascular events than comparator populations of white European origin. A potential reason for this is reduced nitric oxide bioavailability in African Americans, resulting in increased prevalence of factors that contribute to ventricular dysfunction. We investigated the effects of nebivolol with the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in hypertensive African Americans with echocardiographic evidence of diastolic dysfunction.

Methods:

A total of 42 African American patients were assigned to nebivolol and HCTZ in an open-label fashion for a 24-week period. Changes in blood pressure (BP), echocardiographic parameters, and success in attaining target BP were determined. As an indirect determinant of endothelial function, serum total nitric oxide (NOx) levels and asymmetric dimethyl arginine (ADMA) levels were performed at baseline and after the treatment period.

Results:

The systolic BP decreased from 150 ± 13 to 136 ± 16 mm Hg ( P < .005). Diastolic BP decreased from 94 ± 13 to 84 ± 9 mm Hg ( P = .008). Of the patients that completed the study, 77% achieved a combined target BP of systolic BP <140 mm Hg and a diastolic BP <90 mm Hg. Serum NOx increased by 41% and 39% in patients that were treated with 10 mg and 20 mg daily nebivolol, respectively. The ADMA levels decreased by 44% following treatment. The change in systolic BP was strongly correlated to the change in ADMA ( r = .54; P = .024). Furthermore, in comparison to a group of age-matched patients controlled with diuretic therapy only, the ADMA levels were significantly lower in the nebivolol posttreatment group (controlled BP with diuretic: 0.32 ± 0.07μmol/L; nebivolol posttreatment: 0.24 ± 0.06 μmol/L; P < .05).

Conclusion:

Reduced BP with nebivolol in hypertensive African Americans and echocardiographic evidence of diastolic dysfunction correlates with improved endothelial function. Furthermore, improvement in endothelial function and increased nitric oxide bioavailability suggests a potential mechanism of efficacy of nebivolol in these patients.