bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment of corn stover by combining ionic liquid dissolution with alkali extraction
Authors: Geng Xinglian , Henderson Wesley A.
Published: August 2011

Pretreatment plays an important role in the efficient enzymatic hydrolysis of biomass into fermentable sugars for biofuels. A highly effective pretreatment method is reported for corn stover which combines mild alkali‐extraction followed by ionic liquid (IL) dissolution of the polysaccharides and regeneration (recovery of the polysaccharides as solids). Air‐dried, knife‐milled corn stover was soaked in 1% NaOH at a moderate condition (90°C, 1 h) and then thoroughly washed with hot deionized (DI) water. The alkali extraction solublized 75% of the lignin and 37% of the hemicellulose. The corn stover fibers became softer and smoother after the alkali extraction. Unextracted and extracted corn stover samples were separately dissolved in an IL, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride (C4mimCl), at 130°C for 2 h and then regenerated with DI water. The IL dissolution process did not significantly change the chemical composition of the materials, but did alter their structural features. Untreated and treated corn stover samples were hydrolyzed with commercial enzyme preparations including cellulases and hemicellulases at 50°C. The glucose yield from the corn stover sample that was both alkali‐extracted and IL‐dissolved was 96% in 5 h of hydrolysis. This is a highly effective methodology for minimizing the enzymatic loading for biomass hydrolysis and/or maximizing the conversion of biomass polysaccharides into sugars. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 84–91. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Production of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) by Ralstonia eutropha in high cell density palm oil fermentations
Authors: Riedel Sebastian L. , Bader Johannes , Brigham Christopher J. , Budde Charles F. , Yusof Zainal Abidin Mohd , Rha ChoKyun , Sinskey Anthony J.
Published: August 2011

Improved production costs will accelerate commercialization of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymer and PHA‐based products. Plant oils are considered favorable feedstocks, due to their high carbon content and relatively low price compared to sugars and other refined carbon feedstocks. Different PHA production strategies were compared using a recombinant strain of Ralstonia eutropha that produces high amounts of P(HB‐co‐HHx) when grown on plant oils. This R. eutropha strain was grown to high cell densities using batch, extended batch, and fed batch fermentation strategies, in which PHA accumulation was triggered by nitrogen limitation. While extended batch culture produced more biomass and PHA than batch culture, fed batch cultivation was shown to produce the highest levels of biomass and PHA. The highest titer achieved was over 139 g/L cell dry weight (CDW) of biomass with 74% of CDW as PHA containing 19mol% HHx. Our data suggest that the fermentation process is scalable with a space time yield (STY) better than 1 g PHA/L/h. The achieved biomass concentration and PHA yield are among the highest reported for the fermentation of recombinant R. eutropha strains producing P(HB‐co‐HHx). Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 74–83. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cell transfer printing from patterned poly(ethylene glycol)‐oleyl surfaces to biological hydrogels for rapid and efficient cell micropatterning
Authors: Takano Toshiaki , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Matsunuma Erika , Komiya Senori , Shinkai Masashige , Takezawa Toshiaki , Nagamune Teruyuki
Published: August 2011

Cell transfer printing from patterned poly(ethylene glycol)‐oleyl surfaces onto biological hydrogel sheets is investigated herein, as a new cell stamping method for both cell microarray and tissue engineering. By overlaying a hydrogel sheet on the cells immobilized on the poly(ethylene glycol)‐oleyl surface and successively peeling it off, the immobilized cells were transferred onto a hydrogel sheet because the adhesive interaction between the cells and the hydrogel was stronger than that between the cells and the poly(ethylene glycol)‐oleyl surface. Four types of human cell could be efficiently transferred onto a rigid collagen sheet. The transfer printing ratios, for all cells, were above 80% and achieved within 90 min. A cell microarray was successfully prepared on a collagen gel sheet using the present stamping method. We have also demonstrated that the transferred pattern of endothelial cells is transformed to the patterned tube‐like structure on the reconstituted basement membrane matrix. Finally, the patterns of two types of endothelial cell are shown to be easily prepared on the matrix, and the desired tube‐like structures, including the orderly pattern of the two different cells, were formed spontaneously. Thus, the present poly(ethylene glycol)‐oleyl coated substrates are useful for rapid and efficient cell stamping, in the preparation of multi‐cellular pattern on extracellular matrices. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 244–251. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optically controlled contraction of photosensitive skeletal muscle cells
Authors: Asano Toshifumi , Ishizua Toru , Yawo Hiromu
Published: August 2011

As the skeletal muscle cell is an efficient force transducer, it has been incorporated in bio‐microdevices using electrical field stimulation for generating contractile patterns. To improve both the spatial and temporal resolutions, we made photosensitive skeletal muscle cells from murine C2C12 myoblasts, which express channelrhodopsin‐2 (ChR2), one of archaea‐type rhodopsins derived from green algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The cloned ChR2‐expressing C2C12 myoblasts were made and fused with untransfected C2C12 to form multinucleated myotubes. The maturation of myotubes was facilitated by electrical field stimulation. Blue LED light pulse depolarized the membrane potential of a ChR2‐expressing myotube and eventually evoked an action potential. It also induced a twitch‐like contraction in a concurrent manner. A contraction pattern was thus made with a given pattern of LED pulses. This technique would have many applications in the bioengineering field, such as wireless drive of muscle‐powered actuators/microdevices. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 199–204. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two Dimensions of Corporate Sustainability Assessment: Towards a Comprehensive Framework
Authors: Schneider Anselm , Meins Erika
Published: August 2011

Over the last years, many approaches have emerged that attempt to measure the contribution of firms to sustainable development, i.e. corporate sustainability. Our review of existing methodologies for the assessment of corporate sustainability reveals two major shortcomings. First, value creation as a core condition for sustainability as well as for further contributions to economic sustainability is often ignored in these assessments, suggesting that financial and non‐financial organizational processes are separable. Second, existing approaches fail to differentiate between the actual contribution of a firm to sustainability on the one hand, and governance‐related features aimed at attaining this contribution on the other. We argue that the implementation of sustainability‐oriented organizational structures and managerial instruments alone does not necessarily guarantee sustainability performance. Therefore, besides the dimension of current sustainability performance, we introduce the notion of sustainability governance as a second distinct dimension of corporate sustainability assessment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Attitudes and Decisions about Sexual Offenders: A Comparison of Laypersons and Professionals
Authors: Jung Sandy , Jamieson Lisa , Buro Karen , DeCesare John
Published: August 2011

The current study examines the inherent biases about sexual offending held by 123 laypersons and 120 professionals (i.e. probation officers and therapists). In order to determine the extent of these biases, a series of brief newspaper articles were constructed to depict cases of sexual offenders. Each article comprised several combinations of key variables, including offender type, level of admission, and the presence of alcohol. Participants read a series of three fabricated articles and then completed a questionnaire regarding attitudes about the various offenders. The results indicate important differences between the lay and professional samples. Laypersons deemed sex offenders more favourably in terms of character, accountability, and risk for sexual recidivism. However, both groups showed some similar perceptions about sexual offending. Specifically, both groups evaluated child molesters more negatively than exhibitionists and in some cases, rapists. These findings highlight the need for continuing education for professionals in order to attenuate the effects of prejudicial attitudes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
About weak‐strong uniqueness for the 3D incompressible Navier‐Stokes system
Authors: Chemin J.‐Y.
Published: August 2011

This article studies the problem of L2 stability and weak‐strong uniqueness of solutions of the incompressible Navier‐Stokes on the whole space
\input amssym ${\Bbb S}^3$
constructed by Kato's approach in spaces coming from Littlewood‐Paley theory and using the L1 smoothing effect for the heat flow. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design strategy for optimizing power consumption of sensor node with Min(N,T) policy M/G/1 queuing models
Authors: Jiang Fuu‐Cheng , Huang Der‐Chen , Yang Chao‐Tung , Lin Chu‐Hsing , Wang Kuo‐Hsiung
Published: August 2011

Energy saving is an important issue in wireless sensor networks for majority of sensor nodes equipped with non‐rechargeable batteries. To prolong the lifetime of sensor nodes, most research works have focused on how to tune the duty cycling schemes among nodes to save the communication cost using multifarious wake‐up strategies. To this aim, we propose a novel design strategy for mitigating the average power consumption of sensor node using the Min(N,T) policy M/G/1 queuing theory. The basic point of our approach is that Min(N,T) dyadic policy would mitigate the total average times of medium contention by having both a counter (N) and a timer (T) for the control of triggering on a radio server to transmit queued packets, and then the power consumption of communication can be alleviated. A comprehensive mathematical analysis on the optimal control parameters had been made. Much data analysis and simulations had been conducted to validate the proposed model. In this article, we show how the improvement level on power consumption can be achieved through analytical and simulation results. With little or no extra management cost, the proposed add‐on power‐saving technique can provide a design strategy to optimize relevant system parameters including power consumption and latency delay. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dominant activation of the hedgehog signaling pathway alters development of the female reproductive tract
Authors: Migone Fernando F. , Ren Yi , Cowan Robert G. , Harman Rebecca M. , Nikitin Alexander Yu. , Quirk Susan M.
Published: August 2011

The role of hedgehog (HH) signaling in reproductive tract development was studied in mice in which a dominant active allele of the signal transducer smoothened (SmoM2) was conditionally expressed in the Müllerian duct and ovary. Mutant females are infertile, primarily because they fail to ovulate. Levels of mRNA for targets of HH signaling, Gli1, Ptch1, and Hhip, were elevated in reproductive tracts of 24‐day‐old mutant mice, confirming overactivation of HH signaling. The tracts of mutant mice developed abnormally. The uterine luminal epithelium had a simple columnar morphology in control mice, but in mutants contained stratified squamous cells typical of the cervix and vagina. In mutant mice, the number of uterine glands were reduced and the oviducts were not coiled. Expression of genes within the Hox and Wnt families that regulate patterning of the reproductive tract were altered. Hoxa13, which is normally expressed primarily in the vagina and cervix, was expressed at 12‐fold higher levels in the uterus of mutant mice compared with controls. Wnt5a, which is required for development of the cervix and vagina and postnatal differentiation of the uterus, was expressed at higher levels in the oviduct and uterus of mutant mice compared with controls. Mating mutant females with fertile or vasectomized males induced a severe inflammatory response in the tract. In summary, overactivation of HH signaling causes aberrant development of the reproductive tract. The phenotype observed could be mediated by ectopic expression of Hoxa13 in the uterus and elevated levels of Wnt5a in the oviducts and uterus. genesis 50:28–40, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale: Psychometric Features Within a Clinical Population and a Cut‐off Point to Differentiate Clinical Patients from Healthy Controls
Authors: Krabbenborg Manon A. M. , Danner Unna N. , Larsen Junilla K. , van der Veer Nienke , van Elburg Annemarie A. , de Ridder Denise T. D. , Evers Catharine , Stice Eric , Engels Rutger C. M. E.
Published: August 2011

The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS) is a brief self‐report measure for diagnosing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Research has provided evidence of the reliability and validity of this scale in non‐clinical populations. Our study is the first to examine the psychometric features of the EDDS in a clinical population of eating disordered patients. We identified a cut‐off point that differentiates clinical patients from healthy controls. A clinical group of 59 Dutch female eating disordered patients and a control group of 45 Dutch students completed the EDDS, the Eating Disorder Examination Interview, the Body Attitude Test and the Beck Depression Inventory—II. The EDDS showed good test–retest reliability, internal consistency, criterion validity and convergent validity with other scales assessing eating and general pathology. An overall symptom composite cut‐off score of 16.5 accurately distinguished clinical patients from healthy controls. The EDDS may be a useful instrument in clinical settings and in aetiologic, prevention and treatment research. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Oportunidades to reduce overweight and obesity in Mexico?
Authors: Andalón Mabel
Published: August 2011

This paper investigates the causal effect of Oportunidades, a conditional cash‐transfer program in Mexico, on overweight and obesity of adolescents living in poor rural areas. Affecting youth weight was not a goal of this program. However, health economics research suggests that the provision of schooling, health information sessions and sizable cash transfers to Oportunidades participants could have substantially changed their overweight and obesity rates. Exploiting an exogenous jump in program participation by means of a fuzzy Regression Discontinuity (RD) design, the evidence of this paper suggests that Oportunidades decreased obesity among participant women. The identified local average treatment effect (LATE) at the threshold for program eligibility suggests that female obesity would decrease if the program was expanded to cover slightly better‐off households. The design of the program does not allow disentangling the causal pathways that contributed to the lower prevalence of obesity among women, but the effect likely resulted from increased access to information and schooling, improved dietary quality, increased monitoring of health outcomes and (possibly) increased physical activity. Suggestive evidence shows that teen pregnancy rates were higher among non‐participants. Therefore, weight gain after childbirth might also explain higher obesity rates among non‐participant females. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radiofrequency ablation of high-grade dysplastic nodules
Authors: Cho Yun Ku , Chung Jin Wook , Kim Yoonjung , Cho Hyun Je , Yang Soo Hyun
Published: August 2011

High-grade dysplastic nodules (HGDNs) are known to be premalignant lesions of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We devised a model to estimate the long-term survival benefit of treating HGDNs by radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (Group I), as compared with regular follow-up and timely treatment by resection (Group II). A hypothetical 60-year-old compensated patient with cirrhosis was assumed. The system being modeled was assumed to be a simple Markov process, and state transition probabilities were given as parameters. Data used for simulation were obtained by a systematic review of the literature. The reported overall malignant transformation rates of HGDNs ranged from 12.5% to 80.8%, and were assumed to be 20%, 50%, and 80% using the best, moderate, and worst scenarios for Group II, respectively. The 5-year overall survival benefit of Group I compared with Group II was calculated by summing the detrimental effect of overtreatment and the beneficial effects of avoiding operative mortality. When the overall malignant transformation rate was set at 20%, 50%, or 80% the expected additional 5-year overall survival benefits of Group I compared with Group II were −0.05%, 0.20%, and 0.47%, respectively, and the corresponding additional 10-year overall survival benefits were 0.03%, 0.33%, and 0.55%, respectively. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that Group I was preferable to Group II in terms of 5-year overall survival when the 5-year overall malignant transformation rate was greater than 25.9%.

Conclusion:

No definite evidence indicates that the treatment of HGDNs by RFA provides additional long-term overall survival benefit as compared with regular follow-up and timely treatment. The findings of the present study concur with the present American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases guidelines. (Hepatology 2011 )
Arecoline‐induced death of human leukemia K562 cells is associated with surface up‐modulation of TNFR2
Authors: Chen Ying‐Jung , Chang Long‐Sen
Published: August 2011

The goal of the present study is to explore the contribution of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα)‐related pathway to the cytotoxicity of arecoline on human leukemia K562 cells. Arecoline treatment induced death of K562 cells and increased surface expression of TNFα, TNFR1, and TNFR2. Unlike that of TNFR1 mRNA, transcriptional levels of TNFα and TNFR2 mRNA increased in arecoline‐treated cells. Moreover, arecoline‐induced down‐regulation of ADAM17 maturation was involved in surface up‐modulation of TNFR1, TNFR2, and TNFα. Arecoline‐elicited increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration was responsible for JNK/c‐Jun pathway activation and ERK inactivation. Abolition of JNK/c‐Jun pathway suppressed arecoline‐induced increase in transcriptional level of TNFα and TNFR2 mRNA. TNFα and TNFR2 promoter luciferase activity and chromatin immunoprecipitating analyses revealed that c‐Jun increasingly bound with TNFα and TNFR2 promoter upon arecoline treatment. Over‐expression of constitutively active MEK1 abolished the effect of arecoline on suppressing ADAM17 maturation. Pretreatment with TNFR2 antibody abrogated arecoline‐induced increased susceptibility of K562 cells for the cytotoxicity of TNFα and arecoline‐induced cell death. Taken together, our data suggest that up‐modulation of TNFR2 surface expression is associated with arecoline‐induced death of K562 cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2240–2251, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Runx2 controls a feed‐forward loop between androgen and prolactin‐induced protein (PIP) in stimulating T47D cell proliferation
Authors: Baniwal Sanjeev K. , Little Gillian H. , Chimge Nyam‐Osor , Frenkel Baruch
Published: August 2011

Prolactin‐Induced Protein (PIP) is a small polypeptide expressed by breast and prostate cancer (BCa, PCa) cells. However, both the regulation of PIP expression and its function in cancer cells are poorly understood. Using BCa and PCa cells, we found that Runx2, a pro‐metastatic transcription factor, functionally interacts with the Androgen Receptor (AR) to regulate PIP expression. Runx2 expression in C4‐2B PCa cells synergized with AR to promote PIP expression, whereas its knockdown in T47D BCa cells abrogated basal as well as hormone stimulated PIP expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed that Runx2 and AR co‐occupied an enhancer element located ∼11 kb upstream of the PIP open reading frame, and that Runx2 facilitated AR recruitment to the enhancer. PIP knockdown in T47D cells compromised DHT‐stimulated expression of multiple AR target genes including PSA, FKBP5, FASN, and SGK1. The inhibition of AR activity due to loss of PIP was attributable at least in part to abrogation of its nuclear translocation. PIP knockdown also suppressed T47D cell proliferation driven by either serum growth factors or dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Our data suggest that Runx2 controls a positive feedback loop between androgen signaling and PIP, and pharmacological inhibition of PIP may be useful to treat PIP positive tumors. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2276–2282, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of dentin pretreatment with potassium oxalate: Analysis of microtensile bond strengths and morphologic aspects
Authors: De Moraes Porto Isabel Cristina Celerino , De Andrade Ana Karina Maciel , Alves Luiz Carlos , Braz Rodivan
Published: August 2011

An effective and stable bond is the most desirable characteristic of contemporary adhesive systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of potassium oxalate on dentin/resin bond strength. Dentin on the occlusal surface of human premolars was exposed and etched with 35% phosphoric acid, to receive 3% monohydrated potassium oxalate and the following adhesive systems: Scotchbond Multipurpose (SMO; 3M/ESPE) and Prime & Bond NT (PBO; Dentsply), followed by the application of resin composite (Z250; 3M/ESPE). The control groups (SM and PB) did not receive potassium oxalate application. The prepared teeth were kept in distilled water at 37°C for 24 h and 12 months. They were then cut longitudinally into sticks with a bond area of ∼0.8 mm2 for submission to the microtensile bond strength test. The data were analyzed by two‐factor ANOVA, Tamhane's paired comparisons, and the Student t‐test (α = 0.05). The hybrid layer formed was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analysis of the surfaces treated with PB revealed shorter resin tags associated with the application of potassium oxalate, whereas SM showed tags similar to those without potassium oxalate. A significant difference was shown between the two storage times for each of the protocols. There was a significant difference among SMO, SM, and PBO (24 h), as well as among SM, SMO, and PBO, and between PB and PBO (12 months). The application of potassium oxalate before conventional adhesive systems may result in alteration of the bond strength between dentin and resin composite, depending on the material. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Downregulation in the human and mice cerebella after ketamine versus ketamine plus ethanol treatment
Authors: Chan W.M. , Xu Jie , Fan Ming , Jiang Yanling , Tsui Therese Y.M. , Wai Maria S.M. , Lam W.P. , Yew D.T.
Published: August 2011

To study the deleterious effects of ketamine and the potential interaction effects between ethanol and ketamine on the cerebellum, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) tests were performed on the habitual ketamine users (n = 3) when they flexed and extended their upper limbs. Another fMRI test was performed on the same participants in which they consumed alcohol (12%, 200 mL) 1 h before the test. Downregulation on the activity of cerebellum was observed and the level of activation in the cerebellum decreased dramatically in habitual ketamine users with alcohol consumption before the test. Further studies were performed by using male ICR mice receiving treatment of ketamine only [30 mg kg−1 intraperitoneally (i.p.)] or ethanol only everyday (0.5 mL 12% orally) and those with coadministration of the above dosages of ketamine and ethanol for 3 months. Fewer Purkinje cells were observed in the cerebellar sections of ketamine treated mice under silver staining. For TUNEL test, a significant increase in the apoptotic cells were observed in the cerebella of the ketamine treated mice (P = 0.016) and of those with co‐administration of ketamine and ethanol (P < 0.001), when compared with the control. A statistical significance (P < 0.001) in two‐way ANOVA test indicated that there might be an interactive mechanism between ethanol and ketamine acting on the cerebellum. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2011. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The real exchange rate, sectoral allocation and development in China and East Asia: A simple exposition
Authors: Rajan Ramkishen S. , Beverinotti Javier
Published: August 2011

Global macroeconomic imbalances are among the key issues facing policymakers, especially in the USA and China. Although there has been a great deal of debate about this important issue, there appears to have been a general failure to adequately pay attention to the role of the exchange rate in allocating resources internally between tradables and non‐tradables. These sectoral changes can have both real and macroeconomic consequences. This paper offers a simple analytical exposition of some of the issues relating to China's and East Asia's development and their impact on global imbalances using a two‐sector tradable and non‐tradables model. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MARKETS AWASH: THE PRIVATIZATION OF CHILEAN WATER MARKETS
Authors: Borzutzky Silvia , Madden Elisabeth F.
Published: August 2011

This article discusses the Pinochet regime's market‐oriented water code and argues that in some areas, the law allowed the creation of an active water rights' market, but that in other areas, it failed to promote a market because it disregarded the variability of water throughout Chile and failed to provide for adequate mechanisms for water storage and distribution. Reforms implemented during the Concertaciόn governments have improved the functioning of water markets by establishing fees and incentives to avoid speculation, improve regulation and protect the environment. This article concludes by proposing a set of policy recommendations to improve water distribution and protect the environment. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interleukin‐1α, ‐6, and ‐8 decrease Cdc42 activity resulting in loss of articular chondrocyte phenotype
Authors: Novakofski Kira D. , Torre Christopher J. , Fortier Lisa A.
Published: August 2011

Small GTPase proteins mediate changes in cellular morphology and other cellular functions. The aim of this study was to examine signaling of the small GTPase Cdc42 by stimulating chondrocytes grown in monolayer with long‐ (96 h) or short‐ (2 and 30 min) term exposure to interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α), IL‐6, or IL‐8. Quantitative PCR was used to determine changes in collagen type IIB (COL2A1), aggrecan (AGG), and matrix metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13) gene expression after prolonged cytokine exposure. Effects of short‐term treatment with IL‐α, IL‐6, or IL‐8 on endogenous GTP‐bound Cdc42 levels were assessed using an affinity assay, and on actin filament organization using confocal microscopy. Cytokine treatments significantly decreased COL2A1 and AGG expression and increased MMP‐13 expression. Short exposure to IL‐1α, IL‐6, or IL‐8 decreased endogenous GTP‐Cdc42 and increased stress fibers, which were reversed with cytochalasin D treatment. These results show that IL‐mediated Cdc42 signaling modifies chondrocyte phenotype and morphology. This may lend insight into the altered chondrocyte phenotype in catabolic conditions such as osteoarthritis. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:246–251, 2012
Hypoxia promotes proliferation and osteogenic differentiation potentials of human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Hung Shun‐Pei , Ho Jennifer H. , Shih Yu‐Ru V. , Lo Ting , Lee Oscar K.
Published: August 2011

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which can be isolated from bone marrow and other somatic tissues, are residing in an environment with relative low oxygen tension. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of hypoxia on MSCs, and we hypothesize that oxygen concentration regulates the intricate balance between cellular proliferation and commitment towards differentiation. In this study, human bone marrow‐derived MSCs were cultured under hypoxia with 1% O2. The proliferation ability of MSCs was increased after a 7‐day hypoxic culture period. Migration assay showed that hypoxia enhanced the migration capabilities of MSCs. Moreover, expression of stemness genes Oct4, Nanog, Sall4 and Klf4 was increased under hypoxia. Furthermore, the differentiation ability of MSCs under hypoxia favored osteogenesis while adipogenesis was inhibited during a 4‐week induction period. Cytokine antibody array analysis showed that a number of growth factors were up‐regulated after a 7‐day hypoxic incubation and the differential expression of growth factors may account for the increased proliferation and osteogenic potentials of MSCs under hypoxic condition. Taken together, hypoxia provides a favorable culture condition to promote proliferation as well as osteogenesis of MSCs through differential growth factor production. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:260–266, 2012
Destination Appraisal for European Cultural Tourism to Iran
Authors: Butler Richard , O'Gorman Kevin D. , Prentice Richard
Published: August 2011

Local input into identifying and selecting the unique selling points of a destination is an important element in the development of appropriate and culturally sensitive tourism to developing international tourist destinations. Here, a destination appraisal matrix was created and, then, was tested by a group of Iranian tourist industry representatives. The destination appraisal matrix technique can easily be used by tourism marketers in such developing countries, and the matrix proved to be a successful method of initiating discussions on the problem of positioning a destination when normal expertise, structures and resources are lacking and conventional approaches to positioning are difficult or inappropriate. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using multilevel models to quantify heterogeneity in resource selection
Authors: Wagner Tyler , Diefenbach Duane R. , Christensen Sonja A. , Norton Andrew S.
Published: August 2011

Models of resource selection are being used increasingly to predict or model the effects of management actions rather than simply quantifying habitat selection. Multilevel, or hierarchical, models are an increasingly popular method to analyze animal resource selection because they impose a relatively weak stochastic constraint to model heterogeneity in habitat use and also account for unequal sample sizes among individuals. However, few studies have used multilevel models to model coefficients as a function of predictors that may influence habitat use at different scales or quantify differences in resource selection among groups. We used an example with white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) to illustrate how to model resource use as a function of distance to road that varies among deer by road density at the home range scale. We found that deer avoidance of roads decreased as road density increased. Also, we used multilevel models with sika deer (Cervus nippon) and white‐tailed deer to examine whether resource selection differed between species. We failed to detect differences in resource use between these two species and showed how information‐theoretic and graphical measures can be used to assess how resource use may have differed. Multilevel models can improve our understanding of how resource selection varies among individuals and provides an objective, quantifiable approach to assess differences or changes in resource selection. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.
On the genesis and evolution of Integrated Quantum Optics
Authors: Tanzilli S. , Martin A. , Kaiser F. , De Micheli M.P. , Alibart O. , Ostrowsky D.B.
Published: August 2011

Applications of Integrated Optics to quantum sources, detectors, interfaces, memories and linear optical quantum computing are described in this review. By their inherent compactness, efficiencies, and interconnectability, many of the demonstrated individual devices can clearly serve as building blocks for more complex quantum systems, that could also profit from the incorporation of other guided wave technologies.
Silicon photonics: from a microresonator perspective
Authors: Feng S. , Lei T. , Chen H. , Cai H. , Luo X. , Poon A.W.
Published: August 2011

Silicon photonics leverages the optical, electrical and material properties of silicon and the mature complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) nanofabrication technique to develop on‐chip photonic integration, which has been making significant impacts in various frontiers including next‐generation optical communications networks, on‐chip optical interconnects for high‐speed energy‐efficient computing and biosensing. Among many optical structures fabricated on silicon chips, microresonators due to their high‐Q resonances and small footprints play important roles in various devices including lasers, filters, modulators, switches, routers, delays, detectors and sensors. This paper reviews from a microresonator perspective some of the latest progress in the field, summarizes design considerations in various applications and points out key challenges and potentials.
Study of Reaction Between a Low Molecular Weight, Highly Functionalized Polyethylene and Hexamethylenediamine
Authors: Hameed Tayyab , Quinlan Patrick J. , Potter David K. , Takacs Elizabeth
Published: August 2011

Reactions were carried out between a low molecular weight, highly functionalized maleic anhydride‐grafted polyethylene and hexamethylenediamine in a melt blender at 150 °C for various stoichiometric ratios of functional groups. For all compositions, two peaks were observed in the mixing torque data. The appearance of the first peak, observed soon after the introduction of the reactive mixture to the melt blender, was independent of composition. The second peak was composition‐dependent. Gel content and FTIR analyses suggest that the first peak is a result of melting functionalized polyethylene and a reaction of the anhydride and amine functionalities, while the second was mainly a result of crosslinking. The time between the first and second peak defines a processing window, in which the reaction mixture is thermoplastic. Higher temperature melt processing of the thermoplastic reaction products converted these materials to thermosets. During this conversion, the progress of the anhydride–amine reaction was studied using FTIR, as well as by measuring the generation of the insoluble crosslinked material. The FTIR results reveal that the reaction between anhydride and amine moieties results in the formation of an amide intermediate, which then converts to cyclic imide at higher temperatures. The analysis suggests that the use of the FTIR anhydride absorption to assess the degree of reaction is misleading in these reactions.

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Interleukin‐9 receptor gene is transcriptionally regulated by nucleolin in T‐Cell lymphoma cells
Authors: Shang Yi , Kakinuma Shizuko , Nishimura Mayumi , Kobayashi Yoshiro , Nagata Kisaburo , Shimada Yoshiya
Published: August 2011

Interleukin‐9 (IL‐9) is a multifunctional cytokine that not only has roles in immune and inflammatory responses but also is involved in growth‐promoting and anti‐apoptotic activities in multiple transformed cell lines, which suggests a potential role in tumorigenesis. Over‐expression of the receptor of IL‐9 (IL‐9R) occurs in several types of human leukemias and in radiation‐induced mouse T‐cell lymphoma (TL). The molecular mechanism that regulates transcription of the IL‐9R gene (Il9r) during leukemogenesis is, however, not well understood. Using a mouse TL cell line that has high expression of Il9r, we sought to dissect its promoter structure. Here we show that the active promoter for Il9r is located in the 5′‐flanking AT‐rich region. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed the opening of chromatin structure of the promoter region coupled with nucleolin binding in vivo. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the increased localization of nucleolin in the nuclei of TL cells. These data indicate that increased expression of Il9r is associated with an increased binding of nucleolin, coupled with chromatin opening, to an AT‐rich region in the 5′‐flanking region of Il9r in TL cells. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alterations of RASSF1A in premalignant cervical lesions: Clinical and prognostic significance
Authors: Mitra Sraboni , Mazumder (Indra) Dipanjana , Basu Partha S. , Mondal Ranajit K. , Roy Anup , Roychoudhury Susanta , Panda Chinmay K.
Published: August 2011

This study aimed to understand the importance of RASSF1A and CACNA2D2, located in chromosomal 3p21.31 region, in the development of uterine cervical carcinoma (CACX). To this end, firstly the expression (RNA) profiles of RASSF1A and CACNA2D2 were screened in primary cervical carcinoma (CACX) samples which indicated highly reduced expression for both genes. Thereafter alterations (deletion/methylation) of these genes were analyzed in 23 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and 110 CACX samples. In CIN, deletion was observed only for RASSF1A (26%), whereas methylation was in the following order: RASSF1A (35%) > CACNA2D2 (9%). However, in CACX their deletion frequencies were the same (50%) and methylation frequencies were comparable RASSF1A (33%), CACNA2D2 (27%). The reduced expression and molecular alterations of these genes were concordant. Overall alterations of RASSF1A showed association with CIN lesions and CACNA2D2 with disease progression from CIN → stage I/II. Interestingly, alterations of these genes showed significant association in CACX suggesting possible functional synergism during tumor progression. Alterations of RASSF1A and CACNA2D2 predicted poor prognosis for the patients. Moreover, RASSF1A alterations along with multiparity (≥5 yr) and early sexual debut (<19 yr) were determinants of worse prognosis. Our data suggests the association of RASSF1A and CACNA2D2 in cervical carcinogenesis and its importance in early diagnosis and prognosis of the tumor. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interaction of dietary polyphenols with bovine milk proteins: Molecular structure–affinity relationship and influencing bioactivity aspects
Authors: Xiao Jianbo , Mao Fangfang , Yang Fan , Zhao Yalu , Zhang Chao , Yamamoto Koichiro
Published: August 2011

Scope: Dietary flavonoids and stilbenes are important polyphenols in foods, such as, e.g. fruits, vegetables, nuts, and tea as they are of great interest for their bioactivities, which are related to the anti‐oxidative property.

Methods and results: The relationship between the structural properties of dietary polyphenols and their affinities for milk proteins (MP) was investigated. Methylation and methoxylation of flavonoids decreased (or hardly affected) the affinities for MP. Hydroxylation on the rings A and B of flavones and flavonols enhanced the interaction slightly. The hydroxylation on the ring A of flavanones significantly improved the affinities. Glycosylation of flavonoids weakened the affinities by 1–2 orders of magnitude. The hydrogenation of the C2C3 double bond of flavonoids decreased the binding affinities by 7.24–75.86‐fold. Galloylation of catechins significantly improved the binding affinities by about 100–1000‐fold. Glycosylation of resveratrol decreased its affinity for MP. Esterification of gallic acid increased its binding affinity. MP significantly weakened the DPPH radical scavenging activity of polyphenols. The decreasing DPPH scavenging percentages of polyphenols increased with increasing affinities of MP–polyphenol complexes.

Conclusion: The binding affinities with MP were strongly influenced by the structural differences of dietary polyphenols. The MP–polyphenol interaction weakened with the DPPH free radical scavenging potential of polyphenols.
Computing approximate Nash equilibria in network congestion games
Authors: Feldmann Andreas Emil , Röglin Heiko , Vöcking Berthold
Published: August 2011

We consider the problem of computing ε ‐approximate Nash equilibria in network congestion games. The general problem is known to be PLS‐complete for every ε > 0, but the reductions are based on artificial and steep delay functions with the property that already two players using the same resource cause a delay that is significantly larger than the delay for a single player. We consider network congestion games with delay functions such as polynomials, exponential functions, and functions from queuing theory. We analyse which approximation guarantees can be achieved for such congestion games by the method of randomized rounding. Our results show that the success of this method depends on different criteria depending on the class of functions considered. For example, queuing theoretical functions admit good approximations if the equilibrium load of every resource is bounded away appropriately from its capacity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 2011
Models and heuristics for the k ‐degree constrained minimum spanning tree problem with node‐degree costs
Authors: Duhamel Christophe , Gouveia Luís , Moura Pedro , de Souza Maurício
Published: August 2011

The k ‐Degree constrained Minimum Spanning Tree Problem (k ‐DMSTP) consists in finding a minimal cost spanning tree satisfying the condition that every node has a degree no greater than a fixed value k. Here we consider an extension where besides the edge costs, a concave cost function is associated to the degree of each node. Several integer linear programming formulations based on reformulation techniques are presented and their linear programming relaxations are compared. A GRASP heuristic to obtain feasible solutions for the problem together with a Path Relinking strategy is also described. We include computational results using instances with up to 200 nodes that give an empirical assessment of the linear programming bounds of the different models as well as the ability of using these models to solve the problems by using an Integer Linear Programming package. The results also show that the proposed GRASP heuristic appears to perform rather well for this type of problems. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2012
Distinctive patterns in the human antibody response to Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in carriers and non‐carriers
Authors: Kolata Julia , Bode Lonneke G. M. , Holtfreter Silva , Steil Leif , Kusch Harald , Holtfreter Birte , Albrecht Dirk , Hecker Michael , Engelmann Susanne , van Belkum Alex , Völker Uwe , Bröker Barbara M.
Published: August 2011

Staphylococcus aureus is both a prominent cause of nosocomial infections with significant morbidity and mortality and a commensal with nasal carriage in around 30% of the population. The rapid spread of multi‐resistant strains necessitates novel therapeutic strategies, a challenging task because the species S. aureus and the host response against it are highly variable. In a prospective study among 2023 surgical and non‐surgical patients, 12 patients developed S. aureus bacteremia. They were analysed in detail using a personalized approach. For each patient, the extracellular proteins of the infecting S. aureus strain were identified and the developing antibody response was assessed on 2‐D immunoblots. S. aureus carriers showed clear evidence of strain‐specific pre‐immunization. In all immune‐competent bacteremia patients, antibody binding increased strongly, in most cases already at diagnosis. In endogenous infections, the pattern of antibody binding was similar to the pre‐infection pattern. In exogenous infections, in contrast, the pre‐infection pattern was radically altered with the acquisition of new specificities. These were characteristic for individual patients. Nevertheless, a common signature of 11 conserved S. aureus proteins, recognized in at least half of the bacteremic patients, was identified. All patients mounted a dynamic antibody response to a subset of these proteins.
Innate immunity proteins and a new truncated form of SPLUNC1 in nasopharyngeal aspirates from infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection
Authors: Fornander Louise , Ghafouri Bijar , Kihlström Erik , Åkerlind Britt , Schön Thomas , Tagesson Christer , Lindahl Mats
Published: August 2011

Purpose: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of severe respiratory tract infection in infants. The aim was to identify host defence components in nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) from infants with RSV infection and to study the expression of the novel 25 kDa innate immunity protein SPLUNC1.

Experimental design: NPAs from infants were analyzed with 2‐DE and MS in a pilot study. The levels of SPLUNC1 were analyzed with immunoblotting in 47 NPAs, admitted for RSV diagnosis.

Results: Totally, 35 proteins were identified in NPA, including several innate immunity proteins such as group X phospholipase A2, different S100 proteins and SPLUNC1. In addition, a new truncated 15 kDa form of SPLUNC1 was identified that was detected in about 50% of the aspirates admitted for RSV diagnosis. RSV‐positive boys had significantly less 25 kDa SPLUNC1 than RSV‐negative boys while there were no significant differences among girls.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Several important innate immunity proteins were identified in NPA. Notably, a new truncated form of the newly suggested anti‐bacterial protein SPLUNC1 was found. It is possible that a decrease in SPLUNC1 in the upper airways may increase the risk for severe pneumonia in boys.
Identification of phosphorylated proteins involved in the oncogenesis of prostate cancer via Pin1‐proteomic analysis
Authors: Endoh Kanji , Nishi Mayuko , Ishiguro Hitoshi , Uemura Hiroji , Miyagi Yohei , Aoki Ichiro , Hirano Hisashi , Kubota Yoshinobu , Ryo Akihide
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND

The peptidyl‐prolyl isomerase Pin1 regulates a subset of phosphorylated proteins by catalyzing the cis‐trans isomerization of their specific phosphorylated Ser/Thr‐Pro motifs. Although Pin1 has been shown to be involved in cell transformation and the maintenance of the malignant phenotype in prostate cancer, its specific substrates during these processes have not yet been determined.

METHODS

Cancer‐specific phosphorylated proteins were isolated from two human prostate cancer cell lines (PC‐3, LNCaP) and the Dunning rat prostate cancer cell lines by GST‐pull down analysis with recombinant GST‐Pin1 protein. These proteins were then identified by the LC‐MS/MS analysis using a Q‐Tof micro mass spectrometer and processed for further functional analysis.

RESULTS

We newly identified five prostate cancer‐specific Pin1 binding proteins (PINBPs) in this screen. Among these, TRK‐fused gene (TFG) was found to be preferentially up‐regulated in prostate cancer cell lines and tissues. The targeted inhibition of TFG by specific siRNA resulted in the reduced cell proliferation and the induction of premature senescence in PC3 prostate cancer cells. We further found that TFG can facilitate the cell signaling mediated by NF‐kappaB and androgen receptor (AR). Tissue micro‐dissection based quantitative RT‐PCR analysis of prostate cancer tissues following radical prostatectomy further revealed that TFG expression is closely associated with both a higher probability and shorter period of tumor recurrence following surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Pin1‐based proteomics analysis is a useful tool for the identification of prostate cancer‐specific phosphorylated proteins. TFG could be a potential diagnostic and/or prognostic marker and therapeutic target in prostate cancer. Prostate 72:626–637, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.