bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Associations of Autopsy-Confirmed Vascular Dementia Subtypes
Authors: Jones Emma L. , Kalaria Rajesh N. , Sharp Sally I. , O’Brien John T. , Francis Paul T. , Ballard Clive G.
Published: April 2011

Background/Aims: Genetic risk factors have not been clearly established for vascular dementias (VaD) related to stroke and cerebrovascular disease. Methods: Samples were genotyped for APOE, MTHFR and ICAM. Aβ levels and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities were assayed in controls and individuals with VaD. Results: Associations were found between the APOE-Ε4 allele and mixed dementia, infarct/stroke dementia and subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD), and higher Aβ1-42 levels and decreased ChAT activity. MTHFR was more associated with SIVD, mixed dementia, and lower ChAT activity. Conclusions: The study demonstrates important differences in the genetic associations of VaD and begins to clarify the genetic basis of key pathological substrates.
Long-term anticoagulation treatment for acute venous thromboembolism in patients with and without cancer
Authors: Spirk David , Ugi Jörg , Korte Wolfgang , Husmann Marc , Hayoz Daniel , Baldi Thomas , Frauchiger Beat , Banyai Martin , Aujesky Drahomir , Baumgartner Iris , Kucher Nils
Published: April 2011

In patients with acute cancer-associated thrombosis, current consensus guidelines recommend anticoagulation therapy for an indefinite duration or until the cancer is resolved. Among 1,247 patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) enrolled in the prospective Swiss Venous Thromboembolism Registry (SWIVTER) II from 18 hospitals, 315 (25%) had cancer of whom 179 (57%) had metastatic disease, 159 (50%) ongoing or recent chemotherapy, 83 (26%) prior cancer surgery, and 63 (20%) recurrent VTE. Long-term anticoagulation treatment for >12 months was more often planned in patients with versus without cancer (47% vs. 19%; p<0.001), with recurrent cancer-associated versus first cancer-associated VTE (70% vs. 41%; p<0.001), and with metastatic versus non-metastatic cancer (59% vs. 31%; p<0.001). In patients with cancer, recurrent VTE (OR 3.46; 95%CI 1.83–6.53), metastatic disease (OR 3.04; 95%CI 1.86–4.97), and the absence of an acute infection (OR 3.55; 95%CI 1.65–7.65) were independently associated with the intention to maintain anticoagulation for >12 months. In conclusion, long-term anticoagulation treatment for more than 12 months was planned in less than half of the cancer patients with acute VTE. The low rates of long-term anticoagulation in cancer patients with a first episode of VTE and in patients with non-metastatic cancer require particular attention.
Downstream Self-Destruction of Storm Tracks
Authors: Kaspi Yohai , Schneider Tapio
Published: April 2011

The Northern Hemisphere storm tracks have maximum intensity over the Pacific and Atlantic basins; their intensity is reduced over the continents downstream. Here, simulations with an idealized aquaplanet general circulation model are used to demonstrate that even without continents, storm tracks have a self-determined longitudinal length scale. Their length is controlled primarily by the planetary rotation rate and is similar to that of Earth’s storm tracks for Earth’s rotation rate. Downstream, storm tracks self-destruct: the downstream eddy kinetic energy is lower than it would be without the zonal asymmetries that cause localized storm tracks. Likely involved in the downstream self-destruction of storm tracks are the energy fluxes associated with them. The zonal asymmetries that cause localized storm tracks enhance the energy transport through the generation of stationary eddies, and this leads to a reduced baroclinicity that persists far downstream of the eddy kinetic energy maxima.
Characterizing the FY-3A Microwave Temperature Sounder Using the ECMWF Model
Authors: Lu Qifeng , Bell William , Bauer Peter , Bormann Niels , Peubey Carole
Published: April 2011

China’s Feng-Yun-3A (FY-3A), launched in May 2008, is the first in a series of seven polar-orbiting meteorological satellites planned for the next decade by China. The FY-3 series is set to become an important data source for numerical weather prediction (NWP), reanalysis, and climate science. FY-3A is equipped with a microwave temperature sounding instrument (MWTS). This study reports an assessment of the MWTS instrument using the ECMWF NWP model, radiative transfer modeling, and comparisons with equivalent observations from the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A). The study suggests the MWTS instrument is affected by biases related to large shifts, or errors, in the frequency of the channel passbands as well as radiometer nonlinearity. The passband shifts, relative to prelaunch measurements, are 55, 39, and 33 MHz for channels 2–4, respectively. Relative to the design specification the shifts are 60, 80, and 83 MHz, with uncertainties of ±2.5 MHz. The radiometer nonlinearity results in a positive bias in measured brightness temperatures and is manifested as a quadratic function of measured scene temperatures. By correcting for both of these effects the quality of the MWTS data is improved significantly, with the standard deviations of the (observed minus simulated) differences based on short-range forecast fields reduced by 30%–50% relative to simulations using prelaunch measurements of the passband, to values close to those observed for AMSU-A-equivalent channels. The new methodology could be applied to other microwave temperature sounding instruments and illustrates the value of NWP fields for the on-orbit characterization of satellite sensors.
A Land and Ocean Microwave Cloud Classification Algorithm Derived from AMSU-A and -B, Trained Using MSG-SEVIRI Infrared and Visible Observations
Authors: Aires Filipe , Marquisseau Francis , Prigent Catherine , Sèze Geneviève
Published: April 2011

A statistical cloud classification and cloud mask algorithm is developed based on Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU-A and -B) microwave (MW) observations. The visible and infrared data from the Meteosat Third Generation-Spinning Enhanced Visible and Infrared Imager (MSG-SEVIRI) are used to train the microwave classifier. The goal of the MW algorithms is not to fully reproduce this MSG-SEVIRI cloud classification, as the MW observations do not have enough information on clouds to reach this level of precision. The objective is instead to obtain a stand-alone MW cloud mask and classification algorithm that can be used efficiently in forthcoming retrieval schemes of surface or atmospheric parameters from microwave satellite observations. This is an important tool over both ocean and land since the assimilation of the MW observations in the operational centers is independent from the other satellite observations.

Clear sky and low, medium, and opaque–high clouds can be retrieved over ocean and land at a confidence level of more than 80%. An information content analysis shows that AMSU-B provides significant information over both land and ocean, especially for the classification of medium and high clouds, whereas AMSU-A is more efficient over ocean when discriminating clear situations and low clouds.
Impact of Interactive Aerosol on the African Easterly Jet in the NASA GEOS-5 Global Forecasting System
Authors: Reale Oreste , Lau K. M. , da Silva Arlindo
Published: April 2011

The real-time treatment of interactive, realistically varying aerosols in a global operational forecasting system, as opposed to prescribed (fixed or climatologically varying) aerosols, is a very difficult challenge that has only recently begun to be addressed. Experiment results from a recent version of the NASA’s Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS-5) forecasting system, inclusive of interactive-aerosol direct effects, are presented in this work. Five sets of 30 five-day forecasts are initialized from a high quality set of analyses previously produced and documented, to cover the period from 15 August to 16 September 2006, which corresponds to the NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (NAMMA) observing campaign. Four forecast sets are at two different horizontal resolutions, with and without interactive-aerosol treatment. A fifth forecast set is performed with climatologically varying aerosols. The net impact of the interactive aerosol, associated with a strong Saharan dust outbreak, is a temperature increase at the dust level, and a decrease in the near-surface levels, in agreement with previous observational and modeling studies. Moreover, forecasts in which interactive aerosols are included depict an African easterly jet (AEJ) at slightly higher elevation, and slightly displaced northward, with respect to the forecasts in which aerosols are not included. The shift in the AEJ position goes in the direction of the observations and agrees with previous results.
Spatial Forecast Verification: Baddeley’s Delta Metric Applied to the ICP Test Cases
Authors: Gilleland Eric
Published: April 2011

A mathematical displacement metric, Baddeley’s Δ, is examined for verifying gridded forecasts against gridded observations using the Spatial Forecast Verification Methods Intercomparison Project test cases. Results are compared with several other new approaches. The metric performs similarly to other displacement methods, complementing neighborhood techniques.
Verification of Ensemble-Based Uncertainty Circles around Tropical Cyclone Track Forecasts
Authors: Dupont Thierry , Plu Matthieu , Caroff Philippe , Faure Ghislain
Published: April 2011

Several tropical cyclone forecasting centers issue uncertainty information with regard to their official track forecasts, generally using the climatological distribution of position error. However, such methods are not able to convey information that depends on the situation. The purpose of the present study is to assess the skill of the Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) at measuring the uncertainty of up to 3-day track forecasts issued by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) La Réunion in the southwestern Indian Ocean. The dispersion of cyclone positions in the EPS is extracted and translated at the RSMC forecast position. The verification relies on existing methods for probabilistic forecasts that are presently adapted to a cyclone-position metric. First, the probability distribution of forecast positions is compared to the climatological distribution using Brier scores. The probabilistic forecasts have better scores than the climatology, particularly after applying a simple calibration scheme. Second, uncertainty circles are built by fixing the probability at 75%. Their skill at detecting small and large error values is assessed. The circles have some skill for large errors up to the 3-day forecast (and maybe after); but the detection of small radii is skillful only up to 2-day forecasts. The applied methodology may be used to assess and to compare the skill of different probabilistic forecasting systems of cyclone position.
Supervised Exercise Training Reduces Plasma Levels of the Endothelial Inflammatory Markers E-Selectin and ICAM-1 in Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease
Authors: Saetre T. , Enoksen E. , Lyberg T. , Stranden E. , Jørgensen J.J. , Sundhagen J.O. , Hisdal J.
Published: April 2011

Elevated plasma levels of vascular inflammatory markers have been reported in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). We assessed the effect of supervised exercise training (ET) on vascular inflammation, hypothesizing that ET reduces plasma levels of the endothelial adhesion molecules E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Twenty-nine patients with PAD underwent a supervised ET program for 8 weeks. Before and after ET, walking distances (pain-free, PWD; maximal, MWD) were determined by a standard treadmill test. Plasma levels of E-selectin and ICAM-1 were significantly reduced (E-selectin: 45.5-40.4 ng/mL, P = .013); ICAM-1: 342.0-298.0 ng/mL, P = .016). VCAM-1 levels were unchanged. Walking distances increased significantly (PWD: median 77-150 m, P < .001; MWD: median 306-535 m, P < .001). In conclusion, 8 weeks of ET in patients with PAD reduces plasma levels of the specific endothelium-derived inflammatory markers E-selectin and ICAM-1.
Western Allied Intelligence and the German Military Document Section, 1945-6
Authors: Mallett Derek R.
Published: April 2011

In the year following the end of the second world war in Europe, various high-ranking Wehrmacht officers agreed to work for a co-ordinated US, British, and Canadian military intelligence operation called the ‘Hill Project’. This endeavor, which eventually expanded to almost 200 German prisoners of war, conducted research and analysis of the German Military Document Section at Camp Ritchie, Maryland, and produced over 3600 pages of reports for the Western Allied governments. The Hill Project constitutes a little-known aspect of the interesting postwar relationship between the West and their former enemies.

This article examines the main goals of this program and the kind of information these research projects provided to Western Allied military intelligence. It contends that during its operation at Camp Ritchie, the main body of work completed by the Hill Project studied Wehrmacht methods as a means to potentially improve the structure and procedures of the Western Allied armies. Moreover, a select group of the Hill Project prisoners later transferred to Fort Hunt, Virginia, and assisted in preparing a defense of Western Europe against a potential invasion by the Soviet Army.
The Racist Critics of Atatürk and Kemalism, from the 1930s to the 1960s
Authors: Aytürk İlker
Published: April 2011

This article examines racist attitudes toward Atatürk and Kemalism from the 1930s to the 1960s. Liberal, leftist and conservative-Islamist critics of republican Turkey’s founder and his policies have contributed to a widely shared image that, even if Kemalism was not essentially racist, the Kemalist approach to religious and ethnic minorities could hardly be described as egalitarian. Thus one is taken by surprise to uncover a parallel layer of virulent racist criticism, hidden under the deposit of decades of anti-Kemalist discourse. The most important ideologue of racism in Turkey, Nihâl Atsız, and his circle attacked Atatürk’s leadership, condemned Turkey’s foreign policy, and particularly the appeasement policy vis-à-vis the Soviet Union, and, most importantly, ridiculed Kemalist attempts at building a civic nation model in the early republican era. Turkish racists never considered Atatürk and the Kemalists as fellow nationalists; on the contrary, the research for this article shows that racists questioned their nationalist credentials and accused Kemalists of being cosmopolitans. The acrimonious relationship between the racists and the Kemalist establishment can be taken as an example of how the latter oscillated between a western, democratic orientation and an inward-looking, xenophobic worldview, providing us, therefore, with a more complicated and multi-faceted picture of Kemalism.
The flexibility of flexicurity: The Danish model reconsidered
Authors: Jensen Carsten Strøby
Published: April 2011

During the last five to ten years, much attention internationally has been focused on the concept of flexicurity, and especially on the Danish model of flexicurity. Some have even talked about the Danish ‘magic formula’ of flexicurity. The Danish flexicurity model has been characterized by a special relation between flexibility, social security and active labour market policy, where a high level of social security is seen as a precondition for a labour market characterized by flexibility. In this article it is argued that the Danish labour market is characterized by having not just one model of flexicurity, but two. These two models cover different parts of the labour market and different segments of employees. The first model (the blue-collar flexicurity model) – the one that is often focused on in the literature – covers primarily skilled and unskilled workers on the labour market. The second model (the white-collar flexicurity model) – one seldom mentioned in the literature – covers primarily employees with middle-range or high-range education and qualifications.
Income Distribution, Irrational Exuberance, and Growth
Authors: Rohit
Published: April 2011

The current economic crisis facing the U.S. economy, and thereby the entire world, has its origins in not just the subprime markets but is more of a systemic crisis. Its roots can be found in certain significant economic developments in the United States since the late 1970s: dramatic growth in inequality of income; restricted government sector, especially in the 1990s; growing trade deficit; and declining business investment. Given that the three main sources of demand, and thereby of growth, were declining in importance, the only way that the U.S. economy could have grown was through injection of consumption demand. Here again, an increase in income inequality had the potential of dampening consumption through the route of underconsumption. Therefore, for even the consumption demand to increase there was a need for some external impetus. I present a theoretical model arguing that the growth process in such a situation perforce becomes dependent on speculative asset price markets which have the potential of influencing consumption of households through the wealth effect. It is precisely for this reason that such a trajectory of growth becomes a “bubble in the whirlpool of speculation.”

JEL classification: E2, O1, O4
Pluralism, Academic Freedom, and Heterodox Economics
Authors: Garnett Robert F.
Published: April 2011

Frederic Lee’s laudable attempt to expand heterodox economists’ academic rights is vitiated by his narrow conception of pluralism as tolerance. The author proposes an alternative view of academic pluralism that is more consistent with the epistemological assumptions and ethical requirements of academic freedom, and more conducive to the flourishing of heterodox economics—and economics at large—as a scholarly community.

JEL classification: A20, B40, B50
Development of a Novel fMRI Compatible Visual Perception Prototype Battery to Test Older People With and Without Dementia
Authors: Wood Joshua S. , Firbank Michael J. , Mosimann Urs P. , Taylor John-Paul , O'Brien John T.
Published: April 2011

Background: Visuoperceptual deficits in dementia are common and can reduce quality of life. Testing of visuoperceptual function is often confounded by impairments in other cognitive domains and motor dysfunction. We aimed to develop, pilot, and test a novel visuocognitive prototype test battery which addressed these issues, suitable for both clinical and functional imaging use. Methods: We recruited 23 participants (14 with dementia, 6 of whom had extrapyramidal motor features, and 9 age-matched controls). The novel Newcastle visual perception prototype battery (NEVIP-B-Prototype) included angle, color, face, motion and form perception tasks, and an adapted response system. It allows for individualized task difficulties. Participants were tested outside and inside the 3T functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanner. Functional magnetic resonance imaging data were analyzed using SPM8. Results: All participants successfully completed the task inside and outside the scanner. Functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis showed activation regions corresponding well to the regional specializations of the visual association cortex. In both groups, there was significant activity in the ventral occipital-temporal region in the face and color tasks, whereas the motion task activated the V5 region. In the control group, the angle task activated the occipitoparietal cortex. Patients and controls showed similar levels of activation, except on the angle task for which occipitoparietal activation was lower in patients than controls. Conclusion: Distinct visuoperceptual functions can be tested in patients with dementia and extrapyramidal motor features when tests use individualized thresholds, adapted tasks, and specialized response systems.
CD34, CD117, and Ki-67 Expression in Phyllodes Tumor of the Breast: An Immunohistochemical Study of 33 Cases
Authors: Noronha Yvonne , Raza Anwar , Hutchins Brian , Chase Donald , Garberoglio Carlos , Peiguo Chu  , Weiss Lawrence , Jun Wang
Published: April 2011

Phyllodes tumors (PTs) of the breast are biphasic lesions, comprising an epithelial component set within a neoplastic spindle-celled stroma. These tumors have been classified as benign, borderline, and malignant based on a combination of histological criteria, including stromal cellularity, nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic rate, stromal overgrowth, and margin appearance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of CD34, CD117 (c-kit), and Ki-67 in PT of the breast and attempt to correlate the staining pattern with tumor grade by morphology. Immunohistochemical expression of CD117, CD34, and Ki-67 was studied on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissue material from 33 cases of PT. Histologically, there were 21 benign, 6 borderline, and 6 malignant (high-grade) tumors. All 6 histologically malignant PTs were positive for CD117 (100%), but only 1 marked with CD34 (16.7%). Borderline PTs frequently coexpressed CD34 and CD117 (66.7%). The benign PTs, on the other hand, most commonly (52.4%) showed a CD34(+)/CD117(-) immunoprofile with 33.3% cases coexpressing the markers: that is, CD34(+)/CD117(+). Although most benign PTs (80.6%) showed a Ki-67 of <2%, a few cases showed slightly higher proliferation indices. This study indicates that CD34 and CD117 are differentially expressed in benign and malignant PTs. These markers, therefore, in combination, may be used as an adjunct to morphology in the subclassification of PTs.
Tumor-in-Tumor of the Thyroid With Basaloid Differentiation: A Lesion With a Solid Cell Nest Neoplastic Component?
Authors: Eloy Catarina , Vinagre João , Cameselle-Teijeiro José , Paiva Maria Emília , Soares Paula , Sobrinho-Simões Manuel
Published: April 2011

This study describes an encapsulated thyroid tumor having 3 different concentric appearances in a 70-year-old man. The most peripheral neoplasm showed features of a microfollicular adenoma; the intermediate lesion displayed typical features of the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC); and the main, central neoplasm, showed a basaloid configuration. At variance with the other neoplasms, the latter component exhibited high mitotic activity. Necrosis, angio-invasion, or capsular invasions were not observed. The centrally located neoplasm was immunoreactive for several cytokeratins, p63, carcinoembryonic antigen, and galectin-3, and negative for thyroid transcription factor 1, thyroglobulin, calcitonin, CD5, and CK20, featuring a phenotype similar to that of thyroid solid cell nests. A N-RAS mutation was found both in the basaloid and in the FVPTC components. The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical data ruled out the alternative possibilities of intrathyroidal metastasis and tumor from ectopic (thymic, parathyroid, or salivary gland) tissues.
Known Knowns, Known Unknowns, Unknown Unknowns
Authors: Pawson Ray , Wong Geoff , Owen Lesley
Published: April 2011

The authors present a case study examining the potential for policies to be “evidence-based.” To what extent is it possible to say that a decision to implement a complex social intervention is warranted on the basis of available empirical data? The case chosen is whether there is sufficient evidence to justify banning smoking in cars carrying children. The numerous assumptions underpinning such legislation are elicited, the weight and validity of evidence for each is appraised, and a mixed picture emerges. Certain propositions seem well supported; others are not yet proven and possibly unknowable. The authors argue that this is the standard predicament of evidence-based policy. Evidence does not come in finite chunks offering certainty and security to policy decisions. Rather, evidence-based policy is an accumulative process in which the data pursue but never quite capture unfolding policy problems. The whole point is the steady conversion of “unknowns” to “knowns.”
Process Evaluation of Recruitment for a Cancer Screening Trial in Primary Care
Authors: James Aimee S. , Daley Christine M. , Engelman Kimberly , Greiner K. Allen , Ellerbeck Edward
Published: April 2011

Many cancer screening studies are conducted in primary care settings, yet few systematically analyze recruitment challenges found at these sites. During a randomized trial promoting colorectal cancer screening, we implemented a process evaluation of recruitment. Recruiters maintained logs that registered the numbers of patients entering the clinic, approached by recruiters, declining to participate, and reasons for nonapproach and nonparticipation. One half of age-eligible patients were approached ( n = 1,489), and half of those who met basic eligibility requirements agreed to engage further ( n = 527). A small proportion of patients ( n = 98) completed the 15-min assessment before their appointment. Major reasons for nonapproach included previous approach, patients called to the exam room, and appearing ill. The major reason for nonparticipation was “not interested”; a few patients did not want to share contact information. Some participants exited the assessment midway because of further ineligibility or time limitations. Best-practice recommendations for recruitment in primary care are discussed.
The zebrafish heart regenerates after cryoinjury-induced myocardial infarction
Authors: Chablais Fabian , Veit Julia , Rainer Gregor , Jaźwińska Anna
Published: April 2011

Background

In humans, myocardial infarction is characterized by irreversible loss of heart tissue, which becomes replaced with a fibrous scar. By contrast, teleost fish and urodele amphibians are capable of heart regeneration after a partial amputation. However, due to the lack of a suitable infarct model, it is not known how these animals respond to myocardial infarction.

Results

Here, we have established a heart infarct model in zebrafish using cryoinjury. In contrast to the common method of partial resection, cryoinjury results in massive cell death within 20% of the ventricular wall, similar to that observed in mammalian infarcts. As in mammals, the initial stages of the injury response include thrombosis, accumulation of fibroblasts and collagen deposition. However, at later stages, cardiac cells can enter the cell cycle and invade the infarct area in zebrafish. In the subsequent two months, fibrotic scar tissue is progressively eliminated by cell apoptosis and becomes replaced with a new myocardium, resulting in scarless regeneration. We show that tissue remodeling at the myocardial-infarct border zone is associated with accumulation of Vimentin-positive fibroblasts and with expression of an extracellular matrix protein Tenascin-C. Electrocardiogram analysis demonstrated that the reconstitution of the cardiac muscle leads to the restoration of the heart function.

Conclusions

We developed a new cryoinjury model to induce myocardial infarction in zebrafish. Although the initial stages following cryoinjury resemble typical healing in mammals, the zebrafish heart is capable of structural and functional regeneration. Understanding the key healing processes after myocardial infarction in zebrafish may result in identification of the barriers to efficient cardiac regeneration in mammals.
Genome-wide identification and expression profiling of auxin response factor (ARF) gene family in maize
Authors: Xing Hongyan , Pudake Ramesh N , Guo Ganggang , Xing Guofang , Hu Zhaorong , Zhang Yirong , Sun Qixin , Ni Zhongfu
Published: April 2011

Background

Auxin signaling is vital for plant growth and development, and plays important role in apical dominance, tropic response, lateral root formation, vascular differentiation, embryo patterning and shoot elongation. Auxin Response Factors (ARFs) are the transcription factors that regulate the expression of auxin responsive genes. The ARF genes are represented by a large multigene family in plants. The first draft of full maize genome assembly has recently been released, however, to our knowledge, the ARF gene family from maize (ZmARF genes) has not been characterized in detail.

Results

In this study, 31 maize (Zea mays L.) genes that encode ARF proteins were identified in maize genome. It was shown that maize ARF genes fall into related sister pairs and chromosomal mapping revealed that duplication of ZmARFs was associated with the chromosomal block duplications. As expected, duplication of some ZmARFs showed a conserved intron/exon structure, whereas some others were more divergent, suggesting the possibility of functional diversification for these genes. Out of these 31 ZmARF genes, 14 possess auxin-responsive element in their promoter region, among which 7 appear to show small or negligible response to exogenous auxin. The 18 ZmARF genes were predicted to be the potential targets of small RNAs. Transgenic analysis revealed that increased miR167 level could cause degradation of transcripts of six potential targets (ZmARF3, 9, 16, 18, 22 and 30). The expressions of maize ARF genes are responsive to exogenous auxin treatment. Dynamic expression patterns of ZmARF genes were observed in different stages of embryo development.

Conclusions

Maize ARF gene family is expanded (31 genes) as compared to Arabidopsis (23 genes) and rice (25 genes). The expression of these genes in maize is regulated by auxin and small RNAs. Dynamic expression patterns of ZmARF genes in embryo at different stages were detected which suggest that maize ARF genes may be involved in seed development and germination.
Identification and characterization of wheat long non-protein coding RNAs responsive to powdery mildew infection and heat stress by using microarray analysis and SBS sequencing
Authors: Xin Mingming , Wang Yu , Yao Yingyin , Song Na , Hu Zhaorong , Qin Dandan , Xie Chaojie , Peng Huiru , Ni Zhongfu , Sun Qixin
Published: April 2011

Background

Biotic and abiotic stresses, such as powdery mildew infection and high temperature, are important limiting factors for yield and grain quality in wheat production. Emerging evidences suggest that long non-protein coding RNAs (npcRNAs) are developmentally regulated and play roles in development and stress responses of plants. However, identification of long npcRNAs is limited to a few plant species, such as Arabidopsis, rice and maize, no systematic identification of long npcRNAs and their responses to abiotic and biotic stresses is reported in wheat.

Results

In this study, by using computational analysis and experimental approach we identified 125 putative wheat stress responsive long npcRNAs, which are not conserved among plant species. Among them, some were precursors of small RNAs such as microRNAs and siRNAs, two long npcRNAs were identified as signal recognition particle (SRP) 7S RNA variants, and three were characterized as U3 snoRNAs. We found that wheat long npcRNAs showed tissue dependent expression patterns and were responsive to powdery mildew infection and heat stress.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that diverse sets of wheat long npcRNAs were responsive to powdery mildew infection and heat stress, and could function in wheat responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses, which provided a starting point to understand their functions and regulatory mechanisms in the future.
Latexin expression is downregulated in human gastric carcinomas and exhibits tumor suppressor potential
Authors: Li Yong , Basang Zhuoma , Ding Huirong , Lu Zheming , Ning Tao , Wei Haoran , Cai Hong , Ke Yang
Published: April 2011

Background

Latexin, also known as endogenous carboxypeptidase inhibitor (CPI), has been found to inhibit mouse stem cell populations and lymphoma cell proliferation, demonstrating its potential role as a tumor suppressor. Our previous study also suggested a correlation between latexin expression and malignant transformation of immortalized human gastric epithelial cells. Here, we examined latexin expression in human gastric carcinomas and investigated the effect of differential latexin expression on proliferation of gastric cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Monoclonal antibody against human latexin was prepared and immunohistochemical analysis was performed to detect latexin expression in 41 paired gastric carcinomas and adjacent normal control tissues. Human gastric cancer cells MGC803 (latexin negative) stably transfected with LXN gene and BGC823 cells (latexin positive) stably transfected with antisense LXN gene were established for anchorage-dependent colony formation assay and tumorigenesis assay in nude mice. Differentially expressed genes in response to exogeneous latexin expression were screened using microarray analysis and identified by RT-PCR. Bisulfite sequencing was performed to analyze the correlation of the methylation status of LXN promoter with latexin expression in cell lines.

Results

Immunohistochemical analysis showed significantly reduced latexin expression in gastric carcinomas (6/41, 14.6%) compared to control tissues (31/41, 75.6%) (P < 0.05). Overexpression of LXN gene in MGC803 cells inhibited colony formation and tumor growth in nude mice. Conversely, BGC823 cells transfected with antisense LXN gene exhibited enhanced tumor growth and colony formation. Additionally, several tumor related genes, including Maspin, WFDC1, SLPI, S100P, and PDGFRB, were shown to be differentially expressed in MGC803 cells in response to latexin expression. Differential expression of Maspin and S100P was also identified in BGC823 cells while latexin expression was downregulated. Further bisulfite sequencing of the LXN gene promoter indicated CpG hypermethylation was correlated with silencing of latexin expression in human cells.

Conclusions

Latexin expression was reduced in human gastric cancers compared with their normal control tissues. The cellular and molecular evidences demonstrated the inhibitory effect of latexin in human gastric cancer cell growth and tumorigenicity. These results strongly suggest the possible involvement of latexin expression in tumor suppression.
A Sleeping Beauty DNA transposon-based genetic sensor for functional screening of vitamin D3 analogues
Authors: Staunstrup Nicklas H , Sharma Nynne , Bak Rasmus O , Svensson Lars , Petersen Thomas K , Aarenstrup Lene , Kristiansen Karsten , Bolund Lars , Mikkelsen Jacob Giehm
Published: April 2011

Background

Analogues of vitamin D3 are extensively used in the treatment of various illnesses, such as osteoporosis, inflammatory skin diseases, and cancer. Functional testing of new vitamin D3 analogues and formulations for improved systemic and topical administration is supported by sensitive screening methods that allow a comparative evaluation of drug properties. As a new tool in functional screening of vitamin D3 analogues, we describe a genomically integratable sensor for sensitive drug detection. This system facilitates assessment of the pharmacokinetic and pharmadynamic properties of vitamin D3 analogues. The tri-cistronic genetic sensor encodes a drug-sensoring protein, a reporter protein expressed from an activated sensor-responsive promoter, and a resistance marker.

Results

The three expression cassettes, inserted in a head-to-tail orientation in a Sleeping Beauty DNA transposon vector, are efficiently inserted as a single genetic entity into the genome of cells of interest in a reaction catalyzed by the hyperactive SB100X transposase. The applicability of the sensor for screening purposes is demonstrated by the functional comparison of potent synthetic analogues of vitamin D3 designed for the treatment of psoriasis and cancer. In clones of human keratinocytes carrying from a single to numerous insertions of the vitamin D3 sensor, a sensitive sensor read-out is detected upon exposure to even low concentrations of vitamin D3 analogues. In comparative studies, the sensor unveils superior potency of new candidate drugs in comparison with analogues that are currently in clinical use.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the use of the genetic sensor as a tool in first-line evaluation of new vitamin D3 analogues and pave the way for new types of drug delivery studies in sensor-transgenic animals.
Plasmodium falciparum msp1, msp2 and glurp allele frequency and diversity in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Mwingira Felista , Nkwengulila Gamba , Schoepflin Sonja , Sumari Deborah , Beck Hans-Peter , Snounou Georges , Felger Ingrid , Olliaro Piero , Mugittu Kefas
Published: April 2011

Background

The efficacy of anti-malarial drugs is assessed over a period of 28-63 days (depending on the drugs' residence time) following initiation of treatment in order to capture late failures. However, prolonged follow-up increases the likelihood of new infections depending on transmission intensity. Therefore, molecular genotyping of highly polymorphic regions of Plasmodium falciparum msp1, msp2 and glurp loci is usually carried out to distinguish recrudescence (true failures) from new infections. This tool has now been adopted as an integral part of anti-malarial efficacy studies and clinical trials. However, there are concerns over its utility and reliability because conclusions drawn from molecular typing depend on the genetic profile of the respective parasite populations, but this profile is not systematically documented in most endemic areas. This study presents the genetic diversity of P. falciparum msp1, msp2 and glurp markers in selected sub-Saharan Africa countries with varying levels of endemicity namely Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Burkina Faso and São Tomé.

Methods

A total 780 baseline (Day 0) blood samples from children less than seven years, recruited in a randomized controlled clinical trials done between 1996 and 2000 were genotyped. DNA was extracted; allelic frequency and diversity were investigated by PCR followed by capillary electrophoresis for msp2 and fragment sizing by a digitalized gel imager for msp1 and glurp.

Results and Conclusion

Plasmodium falciparum msp1, msp2 and glurp markers were highly polymorphic with low allele frequencies. A total of 17 msp1 genotypes [eight MAD20-, one RO33- and eight K1-types]; 116 msp2 genotypes [83 3D7 and 33 FC27- types] and 14 glurp genotypes were recorded. All five sites recorded very high expected heterozygosity (HE) values (0.68 - 0.99). HE was highest in msp2 locus (HE = 0.99), and lowest for msp1 (HE = 0.68) (P < 0.0001). The genetic diversity and allelic frequency recorded were independent of transmission intensity (P = 0.84, P = 0.25 respectively. A few genotypes had particularly high frequencies; however the most abundant showed only a 4% probability that a new infection would share the same genotype as the baseline infection. This is unlikely to confound the distinction of recrudescence from new infection, particularly if more than one marker is used for genotyping. Hence, this study supports the use of msp1, msp2 and glurp in malaria clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa to discriminate new from recrudescent infections.
Effect of household and village characteristics on financial catastrophe and impoverishment due to health care spending in Western and Central Rural China: A multilevel analysis
Authors: Shi Wuxiang , Chongsuvivatwong Virasakdi , Geater Alan , Zhang Junhua , Zhang Hong , Brombal Daniele
Published: April 2011

Objective

The study aimed to examine the effect of household and community characteristics on financial catastrophe and impoverishment due to health payment in Western and Central Rural China.

Methods

A household survey was conducted in 2008 in Hebei and Shaanxi provinces and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region using a multi-stage sampling technique. Independent variables included village characteristics, household income, chronic illness status, health care use and health spending. A composite contextual variable, named village deprivation, was derived from socio-economic status and availability of health care facilities in each village using factor analysis. Dependent variables were whether household health payment was more than 40% of household's capacity to pay (catastrophic health payment) and whether household per capita income was put under Chinese national poverty line (1067 Yuan income per year) after health spending (impoverishment). Mixed effects logistic regression was used to assess the effect of the independent variables on the two outcomes.

Results

Households with low per capita income, having elderly, hospitalized or chronically ill members, and whose head was unemployed were more likely to incur financial catastrophe and impoverishment due to health expenditure. Both catastrophic and impoverishing health payments increased with increased village deprivation. However, the presence of a village health clinic had no effect on the two outcomes, nor did household enrollment in the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme (national health insurance).

Conclusions

Village deprivation independently increases the risk for financial hardship due to health payment after adjusting for known household-level factors. This suggests that policy makers need to view the individual, household and village as separate units for policy targeting.
Mechanical tuning of molecular machines for nucleotide recognition at the air-water interface
Authors: Mori Taizo , Okamoto Ken , Endo Hiroshi , Sakakibara Keita , Hill Jonathan P , Shinoda Satoshi , Matsukura Miki , Tsukube Hiroshi , Suzuki Yasumasa , Kanekiyo Yasumasa , Ariga Katsuhiko
Published: April 2011

Molecular machines embedded in a Langmuir monolayer at the air-water interface can be operated by application of lateral pressure. As part of the challenge associated with versatile sensing of biologically important substances, we here demonstrate discrimination of nucleotides by applying a cholesterol-armed-triazacyclononane host molecule. This molecular machine can discriminate ribonucleotides based on a twofold to tenfold difference in binding constants under optimized conditions including accompanying ions in the subphase and lateral surface pressures of its Langmuir monolayer. The concept of mechanical tuning of the host structure for optimization of molecular recognition should become a novel methodology in bio-related nanotechnology as an alternative to traditional strategies based on increasingly complex and inconvenient molecular design strategies.
Pt-decorated nanoporous gold for glucose electrooxidation in neutral and alkaline solutions
Authors: Yan Xiuling , Ge Xingbo , Cui Songzhi
Published: April 2011

Exploiting electrocatalysts with high activity for glucose oxidation is of central importance for practical applications such as glucose fuel cell. Pt-decorated nanoporous gold (NPG-Pt), created by depositing a thin layer of Pt on NPG surface, was proposed as an active electrode for glucose electrooxidation in neutral and alkaline solutions. The structure and surface properties of NPG-Pt were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The electrocatalytic activity toward glucose oxidation in neutral and alkaline solutions was evaluated, which was found to depend strongly on the surface structure of NPG-Pt. A direct glucose fuel cell (DGFC) was performed based on the novel membrane electrode materials. With a low precious metal load of less than 0.3 mg cm-2 Au and 60 μg cm-2 Pt in anode and commercial Pt/C in cathode, the performance of DGFC in alkaline is much better than that in neutral condition.
Application of silver nanofluid containing oleic acid surfactant in a thermosyphon economizer
Authors: Parametthanuwat Thanya , Rittidech Sampan , Pattiya Adisak , Ding Yulong , Witharana Sanjeeva
Published: April 2011

This article reports a recent study on the application of a two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT) in a thermosyphon for economizer (TPEC). The TPEC had three sections of equal size; the evaporator, the adiabatic section, and the condenser, of 250 mm × 250 mm × 250 mm (W × L × H). The TPCT was a steel tube of 12.7-mm ID. The filling ratios chosen to study were 30, 50, and 80% with respect to the evaporator length. The volumetric flow rates for the coolant (in the condenser) were 1, 2.5, and 5 l/min. Five working fluids investigated were: water, water-based silver nanofluid with silver concentration 0.5 w/v%, and the nanofluid (NF) mixed with 0.5, 1, and 1.5 w/v% of oleic acid (OA). The operating temperatures were 60, 70, and 80°C. Experimental data showed that the TPEC gave the highest heat flux of about 25 kW/m2 and the highest effectiveness of about 0.3 at a filling ratio of 50%, with the nanofluid containing 1 w/v% of OA. It was further found that the effectiveness of nanofluid and the OA containing nanofluids were superior in effectiveness over water in all experimental conditions came under this study. Moreover, the presence of OA had clearly contributed to raise the effectiveness of the nanofluid.
Identification of a spliced gene from duck enteritis virus encoding a protein homologous to UL15 of herpes simplex virus 1
Authors: Zhu Hongwei , Li Huixin , Han Zongxi , Shao Yuhao , Wang Yu , Kong Xiangang
Published: April 2011

Background

In herpesviruses, UL15 homologue is a subunit of terminase complex responsible for cleavage and packaging of the viral genome into pre-assembled capsids. However, for duck enteritis virus (DEV), the causative agent of duck viral enteritis (DVE), the genomic sequence was not completely determined until most recently. There is limited information of this putative spliced gene and its encoding protein.

Results

DEV UL15 consists of two exons with a 3.5 kilobases (kb) inron and transcribes into two transcripts: the full-length UL15 and an N-terminally truncated UL15.5. The 2.9 kb UL15 transcript encodes a protein of 739 amino acids with an approximate molecular mass of 82 kiloDaltons (kDa), whereas the UL15.5 transcript is 1.3 kb in length, containing a putative 888 base pairs (bp) ORF that encodes a 32 kDa product. We also demonstrated that UL15 gene belonged to the late kinetic class as its expression was sensitive to cycloheximide and phosphonoacetic acid. UL15 is highly conserved within the Herpesviridae, and contains Walker A and B motifs homologous to the catalytic subunit of the bacteriophage terminase as revealed by sequence analysis. Phylogenetic tree constructed with the amino acid sequences of 23 herpesvirus UL15 homologues suggests a close relationship of DEV to the Mardivirus genus within the Alphaherpesvirinae. Further, the UL15 and UL15.5 proteins can be detected in the infected cell lysate but not in the sucrose density gradient-purified virion when reacting with the antiserum against UL15. Within the CEF cells, the UL15 and/or UL15.5 localize(s) in the cytoplasm at 6 h post infection (h p. i.) and mainly in the nucleus at 12 h p. i. and at 24 h p. i., while accumulate(s) in the cytoplasm in the absence of any other viral protein.

Conclusions

DEV UL15 is a spliced gene that encodes two products encoded by 2.9 and 1.3 kb transcripts respectively. The UL15 is expressed late during infection. The coding sequences of DEV UL15 are very similar to those of alphaherpesviruses and most similar to the genus Mardivirus. The UL15 and/or UL15.5 accumulate(s) in the cytoplasm during early times post-infection and then are translocated to the nucleus at late times.