bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro age dependent response of macrophages to micro and nano titanium dioxide particles
Authors: Bruno Marcos E. , Sittner Maximiliano , Cabrini Rómulo L. , Guglielmotti María B. , Olmedo Daniel G. , Tasat Deborah R.
Published: April 2014

As a result of corrosion, microparticles (MP) and/or nanoparticles (NP) can be released from the metallic implants surface into the bioenvironment. The biological response to these particles depends not only on the physico‐chemical properties of the particles but also on host factors, such as age. Macrophages have attracted wide concern in biomedicine. The aim of this investigation was to study the age related biological response of macrophages to TiO2‐MP and NP in vitro. Alveolar macrophages (AM) obtained from young and senescent rats were cultured and exposed to TiO2‐MP and NP. Cell metabolism, superoxide anion (O2−) and nitric oxide (NO) generation, and cytokine release (IL‐6, TNFα, IL‐10) were measured. Cell metabolism was not affected by particle exposure. O2− and NO generation increased in a dose dependent manner. A marked increase on IL‐6 release was found in the young‐AM subpopulation exposed to TiO2‐MP. Conversely, both particle sizes induced a dose dependent release of TNFα in senescent‐AM. Only the highest concentration of TiO2‐particles caused a significant increase in IL‐10 release in AM‐cultures. These observations lend strong support to the suggestion that cellular response of macrophages to TiO2‐particles is age dependent. The biological effect of the particles would seem to be more deleterious in the senescent age‐group. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 471–478, 2015.
MicroRNA‐122 Overexpression Promotes Hepatic Differentiation of Human Adipose Tissue‐Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Davoodian Nahid , Lotfi Abbas S. , Soleimani Masoud , Mowla Seyed Javad
Published: April 2014

MicroRNAs are the regulatory molecules in post‐transcriptional regulation of gene expression, which affect diverse biological processes and have been found to play important roles in regulating stem cell character in plants and animals. The aim of this study was to identify the role of miR‐122 during hepatic differentiation of human adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (hADSCs), and also to investigate whether overexpression of miR‐122 could enhance differentiation of hADSCs toward functional hepatocyte‐like cells without any extrinsic factor. To investigate this, the level of miR‐122 was monitored by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) at specific time intervals following hepatic differentiation of hADSCs using growth factors. For the next step, lentiviral transduction was applied to overexpress miR‐122 in hADSCs for up to 21 days. Hepatic functionality was evaluated by analyzing specific hepatocyte genes and biochemical markers at different time points of differentiation induction. The qRT‐PCR results revealed that miR‐122 was upregulated during hepatic differentiation of hADSCs. Additionally, the stable miR‐122 overexpression in hADSCs resulted in increased expression of specific hepatocyte markers such as ALB, AFP, CK18, CK19, and HNF4a compared with the negative control cells. Moreover, urea and albumin production as well as glycogen deposits were observed in the treated cells. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that the hepatic differentiation process could be improved by the overexpression of miR‐122 in hADSCs, making it a potential therapeutic resource for liver disorders. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1582–1593, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
SN1‐SN2 and SN2‐SN3 mechanistic changes revealed by transition states of the hydrolyses of benzyl chlorides and benzenesulfonyl chlorides
Authors: Yamabe Shinichi , Zeng Guixiang , Guan Wei , Sakaki Shigeyoshi
Published: April 2014

Hydrolysis reactions of benzyl chlorides and benzenesulfonyl chlorides were theoretically investigated with the density functional theory method, where the water molecules are explicitly considered. For the hydrolysis of benzyl chlorides (para‐ZC6H4CH2Cl), the number of water molecules (n) slightly influences the transition‐state (TS) structure. However, the para‐substituent (Z) of the phenyl group significantly changes the reaction process from the stepwise (SN1) to the concerted (SN2) pathway when it changes from the typical electron‐donating group (EDG) to the typical electron‐withdrawing one (EWG). The EDG stabilizes the carbocation (MeOC6H4CH2+), which in turn makes the SN1 mechanism more favorable and vice versa. For the hydrolysis of benzenesulfonyl chlorides (para‐ZC6H4SO2Cl), both the Z group and n influence the TS structure. For the combination of the large n value (n > 9) and EDG, the SN2 mechanism was preferred. Conversely, for the combination of the small n value and EWG, the SN3 one was more favorable. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spinal and supraspinal processing of thermal stimuli: An fMRI study
Authors: Rempe Torge , Wolff Stephan , Riedel Christian , Baron Ralf , Stroman Patrick W. , Jansen Olav , Gierthmühlen Janne
Published: April 2014

Purpose

To assess and characterize responses to innocuous/noxious thermal stimuli and heat allodynia using functional spinal magnetic resonance imaging (spinal fMRI).

Materials and Methods

Spinal/supraspinal activation patterns of 16 healthy subjects were investigated by applying painful and nonpainful heat stimuli to dermatome C6 baseline and after sensitization with the heat/capsaicin model using fMRI (3T, single‐shot TSE, TR 9000 msec, TE 38 msec, FOV 288 × 144 × 20 mm, matrix 192 × 96, voxel size 1 × 1 × 2 mm).

Results

Increased activity was observed in ipsi‐ and contralateral ventral and dorsal spinal horn during noxious heat and heat allodynia. During noxious heat, but not during heat allodynia, activations were visible in the periaqueductal gray, ipsilateral cuneiform nucleus, and ipsilateral dorsolateral pontine tegmentum (DLPT). However, during heat allodynia activations were observed in bilateral ruber nuclei, contralateral DLPT, and rostral ventromedial medulla oblongata (RVM). Activations in contralateral subnucleus reticularis dorsalis (SRD) were visible during both noxious heat and heat allodynia (T >2.5, P < 0.01 for all of the above). After sensitization, activations in RVM and SRD correlated with activations in the ipsilateral dorsal horn of the spinal cord (R = 0.52–0.98, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Spinal fMRI successfully demonstrates increased spinal activity and secondary changes in activation of supraspinal centers involved in pain modulation caused by peripheral nociceptor sensitization. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1046–1055. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensitivity of summer precipitation over the Korean Peninsula to temperature gradients
Authors: Jeong Min‐Soo , Kim Jong‐Suk , Oh Sang Myeong , Moon Young‐Il
Published: April 2014

The warm‐season hydroclimatology stemming primarily from the monsoon and typhoons in East Asia is an important determinant of sustainable water supplies for coupled human and natural systems. Therefore, in this study, we develop an empirical approach to the separation of summer rainfall into typhoon and monsoon types. In addition, exploratory analysis is conducted for regional patterns of summer precipitation across the Korean Peninsula (KP) to determine changes in the various types of temperature gradient. The results show that atmospheric thermal transitions lead significant and consistent changes in rainfall during the boreal summer season (June–September) in South Korea. For positive land–ocean contrast years, statistically significant positive anomalies of summer precipitation were exhibited in the interior and eastern river basins. In contrast, for negative years, suppression of seasonal precipitation patterns was detected. Moreover, during years of positive meridional temperature gradient, summers tended to be wetter relative to the long‐term average. Although the time window of typhoon impacts may vary for different episodic typhoon events, the obtained positive anomalies of seasonal precipitation were more significant after removing the effects of tropical cyclones over the KP.
Analyzing ultrafast multiplex coherent anti‐Stokes Raman spectra with picosecond probing
Authors: Lütgens Matthias , Chatzipapadopoulos Susana , Friedriszik Frank , Lochbrunner Stefan
Published: April 2014

This article reports an efficient method to simulate time and frequency resolved coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering spectra measured with picosecond pump and probe fields and ultrashort Stokes pulses. A systematic comparison of measured and simulated time and frequency dependent data is presented for carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, cyclohexane, octane, and poly(methyl methacrylate). While the first compound exhibits no Raman active modes in the considered spectral region of the CH‐stretch vibrations, the other ones show Raman spectra of increasing complexity. Vibrational frequencies and homogeneous dephasing rates are extracted by fitting explicit analytical formulas to the recorded data. Interference between nonresonant and resonant contributions to the nonlinear polarization is taken fully into account. The ability to measure the influence of inhomogeneous broadening is discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrical field analysis of metal‐surface plasmon resonance using a biaxially strained Si substrate
Authors: Kosemura Daisuke , Che Mohd Yusoff Siti Norhidayah binti , Ogura Atsushi
Published: April 2014

Electrical field components of metal‐surface plasmon resonance were analyzed in detail. Both longitudinal optical (LO) and transverse optical (TO) phonon modes of a biaxially strained Si layer can be excited by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The z to y polarization ratio in SERS measurements was calculated to be 0.78 using the intensity ratio of TO to LO phonon modes. The electrical field components of SERS were also calculated by the finite‐difference time‐domain method. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Graphene oxide as a micro‐solid‐phase extraction sorbent for the enrichment of parabens from water and vinegar samples
Authors: Wang Lu , Zang Xiaohuan , Wang Chun , Wang Zhi
Published: April 2014

A simple hydrophilic polyamide organic membrane protected micro‐solid‐phase extraction method with graphene oxide as the sorbent was developed for the enrichment of some parabens from water and vinegar samples prior to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry detection. The main experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiencies, such as the type and amount of the sorbent, extraction time, stirring rate, salt addition, sample solution pH and desorption conditions, were investigated. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the method showed a good linearity in the range of 0.1–100.0 ng/mL for water samples and 0.5–100.0 ng/mL for vinegar samples, with the correlation coefficients varying from 0.9978 to 0.9997. The limits of detection (S/N = 3) of the method were in the range of 0.005–0.010 ng/mL for water samples and 0.01–0.05 ng/mL for vinegar samples, respectively. The recoveries of the method for the analytes at spiking levels of 5.0 and 70.0 ng/mL were between 84.6 and 106.4% with the relative standard deviations varying from 4.2 to 9.5%. The results indicated that the developed method could be a practical approach for the determination of paraben residues in water and vinegar samples.
Facile synthesis of poly(ionic liquid)‐bonded magnetic nanospheres as a high‐performance sorbent for the pretreatment and determination of phenolic compounds in water samples
Authors: Bi Wentao , Wang Man , Yang Xiaodi , Row Kyung Ho
Published: April 2014

Poly(ionic liquid)‐bonded magnetic nanospheres were easily synthesized and applied to the pretreatment and determination of phenolic compounds in water samples, which have detrimental effects on water quality and the health of living beings. The high affinity of poly(ionic liquid)s toward the target compounds as well as the magnetic behavior of Fe3O4 were combined in this material to provide an efficient and simple magnetic solid‐phase extraction approach. The adsorption behavior of the poly(ionic liquid)‐bonded magnetic nanospheres was examined to optimize the synthesis. Different parameters affecting the magnetic solid‐phase extraction of phenolic compounds were assessed in terms of adsorption and recovery. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed method showed excellent detection sensitivity with limits of detection in the range of 0.3–0.8 ng/mL and precision in the range of 1.2–3.3%. This method was also applied successfully to the analysis of real water samples; good spiked recoveries over the range of 82.5–99.2% were obtained.
Rapid analysis of phthalic acid esters in environmental water using fast elution gas chromatography with mass spectrometry and adaptive library spectra
Authors: Li Pao , Mei Zhen , Cai Wensheng , Shao Xueguang
Published: April 2014

A method for the fast determination of the components in a complex sample by using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was developed and used for the quantitative analysis of phthalic acid esters in environmental water. In the method, the adaptively corrected mass spectra were used to compensate for the differences between the library spectra and the measured ones in the experiment. The correction was obtained by the iterative transformation of the library spectra using iterative target transformation factor analysis, and the resolution was performed by non‐negative immune algorithm using the corrected spectra. Rapid analysis of 16 phthalic acid esters in water samples was achieved using fast elution gas chromatography with mass spectrometry measurements. The results show that the mass spectra and chromatographic profiles of the phthalic acid esters can be obtained from the overlapping signal of 13 min elution, and accurate quantitative analysis can be obtained. The recoveries of the phthalic acid esters obtained by standard addition are between 90.3 and 107.4%, and the relative standard deviations obtained in repeated measurements are less than 9%.
Trends in cardiovascular disease risk factors by obesity level in adults in the United States, NHANES 1999‐2010
Authors: Saydah Sharon , Bullard Kai McKeever , Cheng Yiling , Ali Mohammed K. , Gregg Edward W. , Geiss Linda , Imperatore Giuseppina
Published: April 2014

Objective

To assess whether trends in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors by among overweight and obese US adults have improved.

Methods

The study included 10,568 adults 18 years and older who participated in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999‐2010. CVD risk factors included diabetes (self‐reported diagnosis, glycated hemoglobin ≥6.5%, or fasting plasma glucose ≥126mg/dl), hypertension (treatment or blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg), dyslipidemia (treatment or non‐HDL cholesterol ≥160 mg/dl), and smoking (self‐report or cotinine levels ≥10 ng/ml). The prevalence and temporal trends of CVD risk factors for each BMI group were estimated.

Results

In 2007‐2010, the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia was highest among obese (18.5%, 35.7%, 49.7%, respectively) followed by overweight (8.2%, 26.4%, 44.2%, respectively) and normal weight adults (5.4%, 19.8%, 28.6%, respectively). Smoking exposure was highest among normal weight (29.8%) followed by overweight (24.8%) and obese adults (24.6%). From 1999‐2002 to 2007‐2010, untreated hypertension decreased among obese and overweight adults and untreated dyslipidemia decreased for all weight groups. There were no significant temporal changes in smoking across BMI groups.

Conclusions

Despite decreases in untreated risk factors, it is important to improve the CVD risk profile of overweight and obese US adults.
Did Age Discrimination Protections Help Older Workers Weather the Great Recession?
Authors: Neumark David , Button Patrick
Published: April 2014

We examine whether stronger age discrimination laws at the state level moderated the impact of the Great Recession on older workers. We use a difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences strategy to compare older and younger workers, in states with stronger and weaker laws, before, during, and after the Great Recession. We find very little evidence that stronger age discrimination protections helped older workers weather the Great Recession, relative to younger workers. The evidence sometimes points in the opposite direction, with stronger state age discrimination protections associated with more adverse effects of the Great Recession on older workers. We suggest that during an experience such as the Great Recession, severe labor market disruptions make it difficult to discern discrimination, weakening the effects of stronger state age discrimination protections. Alternatively, higher termination costs associated with stronger age discrimination protections may do more to deter hiring when future product and labor demand is highly uncertain.
Shame and diabetes self‐management
Authors: Archer Alan
Published: April 2014

The central theme of this article is that a person with diabetes who thinks they are ‘not good enough’ at diabetes self‐management is manifesting a sense of shame. This fundamental human attribute is often the most significant, underlying issue that people face in psychotherapy and yet neither the ICD‐10 nor the DSM‐V recognises shame as a discrete diagnosis.

In our diabetes consultations we have all experienced the person who speaks in self‐deprecating tones about their high HbA1c level, how they are a ‘bad diabetic’; we sense, from their body language, that they think and feel ‘not good enough’ and expect to be criticised for poor glucose control. These are clues that tell us shame is present and, unless it is actively addressed, self‐management is unlikely to deliver the healthy outcomes that the person with diabetes desires.

This article addresses what shame is, its purpose, how it develops, our response to it and how it may best be dealt with.

The language of psychotherapy is unlikely to be familiar to most diabetes health carers; I have therefore employed everyday language to present Humanistic psychotherapy shame concepts in as clear a way as possible.

The manner in which people with diabetes tackle, minute by minute, hour by hour and day in day out, their self‐management is frequently shaped not only by their sense of personal shame but by how their diabetes carer's own shame issues affect their consultation skills. Shame plays a major role in the eventual consequences of diabetes self‐management. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons.
Pupylated proteins in Corynebacterium glutamicum revealed by MudPIT analysis
Authors: Küberl Andreas , Fränzel Benjamin , Eggeling Lothar , Polen Tino , Wolters Dirk Andreas , Bott Michael
Published: April 2014

In a manner similar to ubiquitin, the prokaryotic ubiquitin‐like protein (Pup) has been shown to target proteins for degradation via the proteasome in mycobacteria. However, not all actinobacteria possessing the Pup protein also contain a proteasome. In this study, we set out to study pupylation in the proteasome‐lacking non‐pathogenic model organism Corynebacterium glutamicum. A defined pup deletion mutant of C. glutamicum ATCC 13032 grew aerobically as the parent strain in standard glucose minimal medium, indicating that pupylation is dispensable under these conditions. After expression of a Pup derivative carrying an aminoterminal polyhistidine tag in the Δpup mutant and Ni2+‐chelate affinity chromatography, pupylated proteins were isolated. Multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT) and MALDI‐TOF‐MS/MS of the elution fraction unraveled 55 proteins being pupylated in C. glutamicum and 66 pupylation sites. Similar to mycobacteria, the majority of pupylated proteins are involved in metabolism or translation. Our results define the first pupylome of an actinobacterial species lacking a proteasome, confirming that other fates besides proteasomal degradation are possible for pupylated proteins.
Exchange coupling and magnetic anisotropy for different concentration of iron based nanoparticles in aligned carbon nanotube arrays
Authors: Prischepa Serghej L. , Danilyuk Alexander L. , Prudnikava Alena L. , Komissarov Ivan V. , Labunov Vladimir A. , Le Normand Francois
Published: April 2014

We present results of study of magnetic properties of nanocomposite formed in situ during the synthesis of aligned carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays. CNTs were grown by the atmospheric pressure floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition method. High temperature pyrolysis of ferrocene/xylene solution injected into the quartz tube at high temperature was carried out. By varying the ferrocene content (CF) in the ferrocene/xylene solution we tuned the concentration, location, size, shape and chemical state of iron based catalytic ferromagnetic nanoparticles.

The variation of these parameters was reflected in the magnetic properties of the CNT based nanocomposite. In particular, it is shown, that the main interaction mechanism between ferromagnetic nanoparticles for high CF contents is the exchange coupling, while the magnetic anisotropy dominates at low ferrocene concentration. The role of the orientation of the nanotubes is decisive for the observation of magnetic anisotropy. When the alignment is destroyed, the exchange coupling mechanism starts to dominate also for low CF samples. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
In Vitro and In Silico Evaluation of NF‐κB Targeted Costunolide Action on Estrogen Receptor‐Negative Breast Cancer Cells—A Comparison with Normal Breast Cells
Authors: Pitchai Daisy , Roy Anita , Banu Sakhila
Published: April 2014

Costunolide, a sesquiterpene lactone is a plant‐derived secondary metabolite found to be present in most of the pharmacologically active herbs, being the cause for their medicinal values. The present study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of costunolide isolated from Costus speciosus rhizome extract on MDA‐MB‐231 cells and explore its targeted action in comparison with its action on the normal breast cells (MCF 10A). The effect of costunolide on cell viability of the cells was assessed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide viability assay. The targeted action of the compound was analyzed comparing the effectiveness of the compound to alter the protein expression levels of NF‐κB subunits in the normal and the cancer cells using western blotting analysis. In silico studies were performed to predict the targeted interaction of costunolide with the NF‐κB subunit proteins. Costunolide inhibited the cell viability of MDA‐MB‐231 cells in a dose‐dependent manner leaving no significant change in the viability of the normal breast cells. The over expressed NF‐κB subunits – p65, 52 and 100 in the cancer cells were found to be downregulated when treated with costunolide at an effective dose of 20 and 40 μM costunolide. In silico results provided stable interactions between costunolide and the target proteins, supporting the in vitro results in addition. Thus, costunolide derived from C. speciosus plant source elevates a fresh conviction for its use in breast cancer therapy for its cytotoxic efficacy and non‐toxic nature. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Farmers, bandits and soldiers: a generic system for addressing peace agendas
Authors: Saeed Khalid , Pavlov Oleg V. , Skorinko Jeanine , Smith Alexander
Published: April 2014

We propose a generic model that explains why political systems tend toward certain outcomes. The model identifies possible economic and psychological paths toward change in a metaphorical political economy consisting of farmers, bandits and soldiers. In addition to economic factors, we also consider how two psychological factors, broadly categorized as group identity and exposure to violence, affect the behavior of metaphorical agents. We find that though outcomes tend to be similar with and without the psychological influences, the psychological influences accelerate the adjustment process and create additional policy space for interventions. A methodological contribution of the paper also is the use of summary performance measures represented as phase plots that have the potential to be used with advantage in system dynamics analyses. Copyright © 2014 System Dynamics Society
Engineering the surface chemistry of porous polymers by click chemistry and evaluating the interface properties by Raman spectroscopy and electrochromatography
Authors: Guerrouache Mohamed , Mahouche‐Chergui Samia , Mekhalif Tahar , Dao Thi Thu Hien , Chehimi Mohamed M. , Carbonnier Benjamin
Published: April 2014

This manuscript is intended to summarize strategies developed to chemically functionalize the surface of porous polymeric materials using the so‐called click reactions with the general aim of developing chromatographic stationary phases with well‐defined interfacial characteristics. The preparation pathway starts with the synthesis of polymeric materials with micrometre‐sized channel‐like pores providing enhanced permeability and fast mass transfer. Such monolithic structure is obtained by solvent‐induced phase separation occurring in the course of the free radical polymerization of functional monomers and crosslinkers mixture. The presence of functional groups on the monolith surface allows its further functionalization through click chemistry. Herein, implementation of Huisgen, thiol‐ene, thiol‐yne and diels–alder click‐type reactions is discussed for the grafting of molecular and oligomeric selectors. This work undoubtedly highlights click‐surface chemistry as a powerful surface modification strategy for tuning, at the molecular level, the chemical nature of pores surface. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wildlife management aims and ecological processes: A case study of kangaroos
Authors: Boyle Maria , Hone Jim
Published: April 2014

Wildlife management can be for conservation, sustainable utilization, and pest control. This study describes broad‐scale patterns in the annual population growth rate (r) in 2 large mammals that are the focus of wildlife management, namely the western gray (Macropus fuliginosus) and the red kangaroo (M. rufus). The study also aims to determine the processes that generate the patterns, in particular weather and harvesting. The mean annual population growth rates were not different from zero (r ∼ 0) consistent with no long‐term trends and the stated kangaroo management aims of conservation and sustainable utilization. The frequency distributions of r were broadly consistent with the published data for several other small and large mammals. Western gray kangaroo population dynamics were weakly related to prior rainfall (and the prior Southern Oscillation Index, SOI) and harvesting. Population dynamics of red kangaroos were most related (ω1 = 0.53, R2 = 0.16) to the prior SOI, and to a lesser extent to prior rainfall and harvesting however the relationships were weak. Hence, the management aims were achieved but the ecological processes behind them describing the effects of weather and harvesting are unclear at the large landscape scale. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Ethical Issues in Surgical Innovation
Authors: Miller Megan E. , Siegler Mark , Angelos Peter
Published: April 2014

Innovation is responsible for most advances in the field of surgery. Innovative approaches to solving clinical problems have significantly decreased morbidity and mortality for many surgical procedures, and have led to improved patient outcomes. While innovation is motivated by the surgeon’s expectation that the new approach will be beneficial to patients, not all innovations are successful or result in improved patient care. The ethical dilemma of surgical innovation lies in the uncertainty of whether a particular innovation will prove to be a “good thing.” This uncertainty creates challenges for surgeons, patients, and the healthcare system. By its very nature, innovation introduces a potential risk to patient safety, a risk that may not be fully known, and it simultaneously fosters an optimism bias. These factors increase the complexity of informed consent and shared decision making for the surgeon and the patient. Innovative procedures and their associated technology raise issues of cost and resource distribution in the contemporary, financially conscious, healthcare environment. Surgeons and institutions must identify and address conflicts of interest created by the development and application of an innovation, always preserving the best interest of the patient above the academic or financial rewards of success. Potential strategies to address the challenges inherent in surgical innovation include collecting and reporting objective outcomes data, enhancing the informed consent process, and adhering to the principles of disclosure and professionalism. As surgeons, we must encourage creativity and innovation while maintaining our ethical awareness and responsibility to patients.
Unfolding of in planta activity of anti‐rep ribozyme in presence of a RNA silencing suppressor
Authors: Mishra Sumona Karjee , Chilakamarthi Ushasri , Deb J.K. , Mukherjee Sunil Kumar
Published: April 2014

Antisense RNA ribozymes have intrinsic endonucleolytic activity to effect cleavage of the target RNA. However, this activity in vivo is often controlled by the dominance of antisense or other double‐stranded RNA mechanism. In this work, we demonstrate the in planta activity of a hammerhead ribozyme designed to target rep‐mRNA of a phytopathogen Mungbean Yellow Mosaic India virus (MYMIV) as an antiviral agent. We also found RNA‐silencing is induced on introduction of catalytically active as well as inactive ribozymes. Using RNA‐silencing suppressors (RSS), we demonstrate that the endonucleolytic activity of ribozymes is a true phenomenon, even while a mutated version may demonstrate a similar down‐regulation of the target RNA. This helps to ease the confusion over the action mechanism of ribozymes in vivo.
Anorectal melanoma – histopathological and immunohistochemical features and treatment
Authors: Cruz Geraldo Magela Gomes da , Filho José de Souza Andrade , Patrus Gil , Leite Sinara Mônica de Oliveira , da Silva Ilson Geraldo , Teixeira Ricardo Guimarães , Braga Áurea Cassia Gualberto , Ferreira Renata Magali Ribeiro Silluzio
Published: April 2014

Anorectal melanomas should be characterized by location (anal, rectal and anorectal), color, size, shape and mobility and microscopically, by melanocyte subtypes, grade of melanin pigmentation, junctional changes in the squamous epithelium, atypical mitotic index, cellular atypia, inflammatory infiltrate, vascular and perineural invasion, sentinel lymph node, and anorectal parietal penetration. Anorectal melanomas must be staged by American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and/or TNM Classification of Malignant Tumours (TNM) criteria. As melanocytes can present with several shapes, sometimes the differential diagnosis with other tumors in this region may be difficult. Because of this, immunohistochemistry is mandatory to attain a precise diagnosis. This study is a report of 14 patients with anorectal melanoma, in whom histological examinations were remade and immunohistochemistry was performed with several markers for melanocytes and for other tumor cells of the anorectal region, properly establishing the diagnosis. The most rational surgery is the extended local resection, when the disease is restricted to the area or the abdominoperineal resection to advanced lesions. Regardless of the technique used, the results are always poor. The authors deny any efficacy of current radio and/or chemotherapy as part of treatment of anorectal melanoma. Target-therapy for metastatic disease has been considered a good strategy, but the results are still inconclusive.
Perianal tuberculosis: A rare disease of late diagnosis
Authors: Corrêa Neto Isaac José Felippe , Siá Otávio Nunes , Lopes Eduardo Augusto , Macacari Rodrigo Luiz , Watté Hugo Henriques , Souza Rogério Freitas Lino , Rolim Alexander Sá , Robles Laércio
Published: April 2014

Tuberculosis remains a public health problem and its rare extrapulmonary forms persist with late diagnosis, which delays the diagnosis and favors the dissemination of the disease. The perianal manifestation occurs in approximately 0.7% of tuberculosis cases and usually manifests as fistulizing disease, but may also present with ulcerated lesions, with necrotic and quite painful clinical picture. Initial treatment should be carried out aimed at controlling perineal and perianal sepsis, with subsequent establishment of specific drug therapy provided by the Health Ministry.
Closure of leak at the tip of the “J” after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis using a novel over-the-scope clipping system
Authors: Lian Lei , Shen Bo
Published: April 2014

Objective leaks from the body or the tip of the J-pouch can occur after restorative proctocolecotmy. Although it may follow an indolent clinical course, it often requires surgical repair or pouch revision. Here we describe a novel endoscopic approach to close the leak at the tip of the J pouch.

Design pouchoscopy was performed under sedation and endoscopic over-the-scope clipping system was used for the management of a leak from the tip of a J-pouch.

Results under sedation, a pouchoscopy was performed and the deep tip of “J” leak was detected with a guidewire, along with water-contrasted pouchogram. The contained cavity from the leak was cleaned with hydrogen peroxide and 50% dextrose. Debridement of the epithelialized mouth of the leak was performed with an endoscopic cytology brush. Then endoscopic over-the-scope clipping system was used and the leak defect was completely closed. There was no bleeding or perforation. The entire procedure took 25 min. The patient continued to do well and reported resolution of the low back pain symptom.

Conclusion we reported the first case in the literature that a leak from the tip of a J-pouch was endoscopically occluded using a novel over-the-scope clipping system.
Clinicopathological aspects and prevalence of human papillomavirus in anal cancer
Authors: Aguiar Marina Tayla Mesquita , Bosso Natália Carelli de Castro , Leal Caio Bruno Quinta de Souza , de Lira Clerlhan Ferreira , Cabral Lázara Alyne Oliveira , Silva Antonio Márcio Teodoro Cordeiro , Saddi Vera Aparecida
Published: April 2014

Anal cancer is relatively rare; however, its incidence has increased in recent years. Several risk factors are associated with the development of anal cancer, including age older than 50 years, low-fiber diet, chronic anal fistulas, smoking, multiple partners, anal intercourse practice, Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection and immunosuppression. However, the presence of human papillomavirus represents the main risk factor for the development of anal cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological aspects of a series of patients with anal carcinomas diagnosed in Hospital Araújo Jorge, Goiânia-Goiás, as well as the prevalence of human papillomavirus genome in these tumors. Clinical, pathological and socio-demographic data were collected from the respective medical files and paraffin blocks containing anal carcinomas specimens were used for DNA extraction and detection of human papillomavirus, by means of polymerase chain reaction, using short PCR fragment primers. Forty-three cases were selected and had the data analyzed, while 38 cases were tested for human papillomavirus genome detection. Among the evaluated patients, 62.8% were women; 53.4% of tumors were squamous cell carcinoma and 46.5% of the patients were aged between 60 and 75 years. Risk factors, such as smoking (39.5%) and alcoholism (20.9%) were recorded in the studied group. Lymph node metastases were detected in 30.2% of cases and 7.0% had distant metastasis. The detection of human papillomavirus DNA was positive in 76% of cases assessed and this was significantly associated with squamous cell carcinomas. Aggressive behavior and advanced stage of anal cancer described in this study highlight the need for preventive measures that contemplate these tumors, including vaccination against human papillomavirus.
Yes, we have no bananas: Consumer responses to restoration of freedom
Authors: Moore Sarah G. , Fitzsimons Gavan J.
Published: April 2014

When stockouts restrict consumers' freedoms, two independent responses can occur: product desirability, or a reactance‐based increase in the desire for the unavailable option, and source negativity, or general frustration with the source of the restriction. In four studies, we provide a novel investigation of consumer responses to stockout‐restoration and examine how these two forces combine to affect consumer responses after freedoms are restored. To do so, we investigate two moderators that influence the activation and strength of product desirability and source negativity, respectively: trait reactance and attributions. While all consumers experience source negativity in response to stockouts, only consumers high in reactance experience product desirability, leading to differential responses to stockout‐restoration. Compared to an in‐stock condition, high reactance consumers respond positively to stockout‐restoration, while low reactance consumers respond negatively to stockout‐restoration, in terms of store and product evaluations and store choice. However, when high reactants attribute a stockout to the store, thereby increasing source negativity relative to product desirability, they respond negatively to stockout‐restoration.
Osteoblast‐derived sphingosine 1‐phosphate to induce proliferation and confer resistance to therapeutics to bone metastasis‐derived prostate cancer cells
Authors: Brizuela Leyre , Martin Claire , Jeannot Pauline , Ader Isabelle , Gstalder Cécile , Andrieu Guillaume , Bocquet Magalie , Laffosse Jean-Michel , Gomez-Brouchet Anne , Malavaud Bernard , Sabbadini Roger A. , Cuvillier Olivier
Published: April 2014

Sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) plays important roles in cell proliferation, differentiation or survival mainly through its surface G‐protein‐coupled receptors S1P1−5. Bone represents the major site of metastasis for prostate cancer (CaP) cells, which rely on bone‐derived factors to support their proliferation and resistance to therapeutics.

In the present work we have found that conditioned medium (CM) from the MC3T3 osteoblastic cell line or primary murine and human osteoblast‐like cells, as well as co‐culture with MC3T3 stimulate proliferation of CaP lines in S1P‐dependent manner. In addition, osteoblastic‐derived S1P induces resistance of CaP cells to therapeutics including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. When S1P release from osteoblastic cells is decreased (inhibition of SphK1, knock‐down of SphK1 or the S1P transporter, Spns2 by siRNA) or secreted S1P neutralized with anti‐S1P antibody, the proliferative and survival effects of osteoblasts on CaP cells are abolished. Because of the paracrine nature of the signaling, we studied the role of the S1P receptors expressed on CaP cells in the communication with S1P secreted by osteoblasts. Strategies aimed at down‐regulating S1P1, S1P2 or S1P3 (siRNA, antagonists), established the exclusive role of the S1P/S1P1 signaling between osteoblasts and CaP cells.

Bone metastases from CaP are associated with osteoblastic differentiation resulting in abnormal bone formation. We show that the autocrine S1P/S1P3 signaling is central during differentiation to mature osteoblasts by regulating Runx2 level, a key transcription factor involved in osteoblastic maturation. Importantly, differentiated osteoblasts exhibited enhanced secretion of S1P and further stimulated CaP cell proliferation in a S1P‐dependent manner.

By establishing the dual role of osteoblast‐borne S1P on both osteoblastic differentiation and CaP cell proliferation and survival, we uncover the importance of S1P in the bone metastatic microenvironment, which may open a novel area of study for the treatment of CaP bone metastasis by targeting S1P.
Spinal cord stimulation: Background and clinical application
Authors: Meier Kaare
Published: April 2014

Background

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a surgical treatment for chronic neuropathic pain refractory to conventional treatment. SCS treatment consists of one or more leads implanted in the epidural space of the spinal canal, connected to an implantable pulse generator (IPG). Each lead carries a number of contacts capable of delivering a weak electrical current to the spinal cord, evoking a feeling of peripheral paresthesia. With correct indication and if implanted by an experienced implanter, success rates generally are in the range of about 50–75%.

Common indications include complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS I), angina pectoris, and radicular pain after failed back surgery syndrome, and the treatment is also used to treat stump pain after amputation, and pain due to peripheral nerve injury, peripheral vascular disease, and diabetic neuropathy.

Recommended contraindications for the treatment include pregnancy, coagulopathy, severe addiction to psychoactive substances, and lack of ability to cooperate (e.g. due to active psychosis or cognitive impairment). Most common complications to the treatment include lead migration, lead breakage, infection, pain over the implant, and dural puncture.

Despite extensive research in the area, the mechanisms of action are still only partially understood.

Methods

In this topical review the historical background behind the treatment is described and the current theories on the mechanism of action are presented. The implantation procedure is described in detail and illustrated with a series of intraoperative pictures. Finally, indications for SCS are discussed along with some of the controversies surrounding the therapy.

Implications

The reader is presented with a broad overview of spinal cord stimulation, including the historical and theoretical background, practical implantation technique, and clinical application.
Holocene storminess inferred from sediments of two lakes on Adak Island, Alaska
Authors: Krawiec Anne C.L. , Kaufman Darrell S.
Published: April 2014

The abundance of sedimentary organic material from two lakes was used to infer past Holocene storminess on Adak Island where frequent storms generate abundant rainfall and extensive cloud cover. Andrew and Heart Lakes are located 10 km apart; their contrasting physical characteristics cause the sedimentary organic matter to respond differently to storms. Their records were synchronized using correlated tephra beds. Sedimentation rates increased between 4.0 and 3.5 ka in both lakes. Over the instrumental period, Andrew Lake biogenic-silica content (BSi) is most strongly correlated with winter sunlight availability, which influences photosynthetic production, and river input, which influences the dilution of BSi by mineral matter. Heart Lake BSi is likely affected by wind-driven remobilization of sediment, as suggested by correlations among BSi, the North Pacific Index, and winter storminess. The results indicate relatively stormy conditions from 9.6 to 4.0 ka, followed by drying between 4.0 and 2.7 ka, with the driest conditions from 2.7 to 1.5 ka. The stormiest period was between AD 500 and 1200, then drying from 1150 to 1500 and more variable until 1850. This record of Holocene storminess fills a major gap at the center of action for North Pacific wintertime climate.
Reimagining the Buddhist Universe: Pilgrimage and Cosmography in the Court of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama (1876–1933)
Authors: Chou Wen-shing
Published: April 2014

During his exiles from Lhasa in the 1910s, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama visited the holy places of Wutai Shan in China and Bodh Gaya in India. After his return, he commissioned paintings of these two places in cosmological mural programs of his palaces. While conforming to earlier iconographic traditions, these paintings employed empirical modes of representation unprecedented in Tibetan Buddhist paintings, revealing a close connection to the Dalai Lama's prior travels. This essay traces how these “modernized” renditions were incorporated into an existing pictorial template, and examines the deft rearticulation of a Buddhist cosmology in light of the Dalai Lama's own encounter with the shifting geopolitical terrains of the early twentieth century. I show that painting served as a powerful medium through which the Dalai Lama asserted his spiritual sovereignty and temporal authority over modernity's work of boundary making. The study elucidates a sphere of agency and creativity in the court of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama that has evaded historical inquiries to date.
Protective effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity
Authors: Cho S I , Lee J H , Park J H , Do N Y
Published: April 2014

Objective:

Ototoxicity due to cisplatin therapy interferes with treatment and often forces a reduction in the dosage, duration and frequency of the cisplatin therapy. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate is known to have the highest antioxidant potency among all tea catechins. This study aimed to investigate the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate on cisplatin ototoxicity in an auditory cell line: House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 cells.

Methods:

Cultured House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 cells were exposed to cisplatin with or without pre-treatment with (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Cell viability was evaluated using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Hoechst 33258 staining was used to identify cells undergoing apoptosis. Western blot analysis was conducted to determine whether (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibited cisplatin-induced caspase activation. Intracellular reactive oxygen species production was examined to investigate whether (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate was capable of scavenging cisplatin-induced reactive oxygen species accumulation.

Results:

Cell viability significantly increased in cells pre-treated with (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate compared with cells exposed to cisplatin alone. Cisplatin increased cleaved caspase-3 on Western blot analysis; however, pre-treatment with (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibited the expression of caspase-3. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate attenuated reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis in House Ear Institute-Organ of Corti 1 cells.

Conclusion:

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate protected against cisplatin cytotoxicity through anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative effects. Therefore, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate could play a preventive role in cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.
Pre-operative overnight pulse oximetry to predict high dependency unit intervention in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea
Authors: Lightbody K A , Kinshuck A J , Donne A J
Published: April 2014

Background:

Post-operative high dependency unit beds are often requested for patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea. This study evaluated the utilisation of high dependency unit beds for such cases at our institution, a paediatric tertiary referral centre.

Method:

A retrospective case note review of patients admitted to the high dependency unit following adenotonsillar surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea, over a two-year period, was performed.

Results:

Sixty-six cases were identified. Thirty-nine patients underwent pre-operative overnight pulse oximetry; of these, 30 patients had desaturations noted. Seventeen patients had significant post-operative desaturations. These were predicted in all 11 patients who had undergone pre-operative pulse oximetry. The remaining six had not undergone pre-operative pulse oximetry. Nineteen patients required high dependency unit care; eight had experienced post-operative desaturations.

Conclusion:

High dependency unit care may be required following adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea. In this study, pre-operative overnight pulse oximetry had 100 per cent sensitivity in predicting post-operative desaturations, and may therefore aid the appropriate utilisation of high dependency unit beds for patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnoea.