bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association and Correlation between Temporomandibular Disorders and Psychological Factors in a Group of Dental Undergraduate Students
Authors: Sood Divya , Subramaniam Arun V , Subramaniam Tulsi
Published: January 2015

Aims/Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and presence of psychological factors (i.e.,anxiety and depression levels) in dental undergraduate students. Second purpose was to assess the association and correlation between TMD degree and psychological factors viz. anxiety and depression.Materials and methods: The sample comprised of 400 Dental undergraduatestudents aged 18- 25 years, including both the genders. TMD degree was evaluated using an anamnestic questionnaire (modified version of Helkimo’s anamnestic index). Morphologic occlusion was evaluated according to Angle classification. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess of levels of anxiety (HADSa) and depression (HADSd) in the dental undergraduate students.Results: Onbasisof the TMD anamnestic index, 74% of students were TMD free. 24.5% of subjects presented with mild degree of TMD and only 1.5% of subjects presented with moderate degree of TMD. According to the results obtained from HADSa, 35.3% of subjects presented with mild anxiety level, 13.8% with moderate anxiety level, and only 1.3% with severe anxiety level. According to the results obtained from HADSd, 10.3% of subjects presented with mild depression level and only 2.3% with moderate depression level. A definite association between TMD degree and Anxiety level (HADSa) was found. A definite association between TMD degree and Depression level (HADSd) was found. Therewas significant association between TMD degree and occlusion.Conclusions: On the basis of anamnestic index, this study revealed a 26% TMD prevalence in the dental undergraduate students included in the study; majority of cases being of mild degree. Both anxiety and depression were found to be associated with TMD degree/severity. Both anxiety and depression are weakly correlated with TMD in the present study.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.11204 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(4): 426-431
Spectrophotometric Screening of Potent Bactericidal Property of Thevetia Peruviana Schum. Leaf and Fruit Rind Extracts on Clinical and Plant Pathogens
Authors: Rahman Nazneen , Mahmood Riaz , Rahman Haseebur , Haris Mir
Published: January 2015

The development of multi drug resistance in human and plant pathogens, reconsidering the traditional medicines as antibacterial source and presence of promising phytochemicals in leaf and fruit rind of T. peruviana (S) (Nazneen et al., 2014) prompted the authors to take up the antibacterial evaluation of different extracts. Antibacterial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of various extracts of T. peruviana (S) were measured using methods of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS).The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) spectrophotometric determination of active extracts has found that the MICs of all the active extracts lies between the range of 250 μg to 1250 μg and bactericidal concentration in a range of 500 to 1250 μg. The percentage of inhibition was analysed, where in among all the extracts tested against B. subtilis and E. coli, fruit upper liquid (FUL) exhibited highest inhibition percentage of 33.75% and 30.31 % at 500 μg/ml respectively. Similarly, fruit hexane (FH) extract has the highest inhibition of 15.60% against B. cereus at 750 μg/ml. The Xanthomonas sp. was susceptible to leaf chloroform (LC) with 32.29% of inhibition at 1000 μg/ ml. The activity index and total antimicrobial activity indicates the antibacterial action of extracts.The present investigations have revealed that among the extracts, the fruit rind extracts have most prominent inhibition abilities against tested bacteria, which are validating the use of this plant in traditional system of medicine and this is the first report of exploration of above extracts for their antibacterial activities against B. subtilis, B. cereus, E. coli and Xanthomonas sp. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.11206Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(4): 451-459
In Vivo Assessment of Antioxidants and Antihyperglycemic Effect of Barleria cristata leaves in Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Rajasekaran Narmadha , Duraisamy Gomathi , Manokaran Kalaiselvi , Kanakasapathi Devaki
Published: January 2015

Objective: Many new bioactive drugs isolated from plants having hypoglycaemic effects showed anti diabetic activity equal and sometimes even more potent than known oral hypoglycaemic agents. In this present study, designed to evaluate antihyperglycermic and antioxidants effect on ethanolic leaf extracts Barleria cristata (EtBc) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at dose level 400mg/kg body weight for the treatment of 45 days. Method and materials: The experimental rats were randomly divided into five groups as a control, streptozotocin induced with diabetes (45mg/kg bw) without any treatment, treated with standard drug glibenclamide (1.25 mg/kg bw), EtBc (400 mg/kg bw) in diabetic induced rats and treated with EtBc alone without diabetic rats. At the end of 45th day animals were sacrificed, collect the serum, liver, kidney and pancreas for estimate the glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glycosylated hemoglobin, hemoglobin in serum, protein, enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants and lipid peroxidation in tissues. Results: After the administration of EtBc, blood glucose levels were showed significantly reduction (P<0.05) in diabetic rats and it has been observed alternation occured in body and organ weight and it was also normalized the serum level of glycemic profile like insulin, C-peptide, total hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin levels similar to that of control rats. Antioxidants enzymes were return to back their levels as control in different tissues when compared to diabetic rats and also observed no significance difference between control and EtBc alone group rats at the end of 45th day. Therefore it was suggested that Barleria cristata may act by potentiation of pancreatic secretion of insulin or increasing glucose uptake by muscle cells. Conclusion: In this study, suggested the efficacy of Barleria cristata proved the maintenance of glucose homeostasis and may be used as a therapeutic agent in the management of diabetes mellitus.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.11219 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(4): 437-445
Extraction of Jute Genomic DNA: Difficulties and Solutions
Authors: Hossain A. K. M. Shahadat , Latif Md. Abdul , Biswas Bipul Kumar , Saclain Saidin , Salahuddin Md , Sayed M. Abu , Hussain Md. Mahboob , Moniruzzaman Sheik Md , Islam Md. Shahidul
Published: January 2015

The plant parts of jute are composed of highly viscous substances and phenolic compounds which make nuisance to extract good quality genomic DNA (gDNA). Here different methods viz., phenol chloroform isoamylalcohol extraction and ethanol precipitation method; potassium acetate method and Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method were applied for isolating the jute gDNA from leaves of 14 and 40 day’s plants. All of these methods were unable to extract good quality gDNA from jute leaves. That is why, in this experiment, the concentration and chemical compositions of CTAB method were modified for obtaining good quality jute gDNA. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added in the CTAB extraction buffer and β mercaptoethanol was used while grinding the leaf tissues with CTAB extraction buffer. It was found that good quality gDNA was obtained using modified CTAB method from 14 day’s plant’s leaves but low quality gDNA was obtained from 40 day’s plant’s leaves. These were confirmed by 0.8% agarose gel electrophoresis. Considering the visual quality of the banding patterns and their reproducibly MHR24 (5/-TTCCCTCCCA-3/) and MHR21 (5-/CCCGAAGCGA-3/) primers were selected out of 8 Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers for PCR. A total number of 11 loci were identified by these RAPD primers. Popgen32 software was used for analyzing the RAPD data. The number of polymorphic loci was one and the percentage was 9.09 which stated that a low level of genetic variations was existed among the jute accessions. In the dendrogram, jute accession CC875 (C. capsularis) was grouped in one cluster while CC894 (C. capsularis) and CC896 (C. capsularis) accessions were grouped in another cluster. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.11320Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(4): 516-520
Molecular Cloning, Expression and FPLC Purification of Lectin A from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ghoraishizadeh Peyman , Raikar Shraddha , Takhtechian Mahsa
Published: January 2015

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) as an opportunistic pathogen infects the pulmonary tract, bladder, cystic fibrosis patients and burn victims. PA infections treatment is challenging because of its ability to rapidly develop resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. Lectin is protein that isexpressed in cell of PA and cause of infection by attaching to the host cells. Lectin A gene coding lectin protein so we cloned and expressedthis gene then purified of related protein, that can be used in preparation of vaccine to treat PA infections.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.11559 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(4): 529-536
Effect of Different Diets on Biology of Corcyra Cephalonica (Stainton) under Laboratory Condition in Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Bhandari Gopal , Regmi Rajendra , Shrestha Jiban
Published: January 2015

The experiments were conducted from 10th October, 2013 to 10th January, 2014 in Entomology Laboratory of National Maize Research Program, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal at 26±2ºC and 70±5% RH in order to assess diet performance on the biological parameters of Corcyra cephalonica (Stainton). Four cereals namely corn, rice, millet and wheat were tested solely and mixed with groundnut. Among the eight treatments, corn + groundnut was superior diet in almost biological parameters of C. cephalonica followed by millet + groundnut. The experiment showed that the corn + groundnut are biologically better option for production of robust eggs of C. cephalonica. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.11587Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(4): 585-588
Horizontal Clearance Offsets to Objects Higher than Sight Lines
Authors: Mauga Timur
Published: January 2015

Sight distance is an important design element of curved highway sections. To ensure that design sight distance is provided on curved sections, AASHTO guidelines require that the insides of horizontal curves be cleared of sight obstructions. However, the guidelines’ analytical method for determining the extent of clearance is suitable only for the middle sections of horizontal curves that are longer than sight distance. The guidelines suggest the use of computational or graphical methods for determining the clearance offsets for cases in which the AASHTO model is inapplicable. The computational method is useful only for curves that are longer than sight distance but have unknown analytical aspects. The graphical method works for all lengths of horizontal curves but is tedious, time-consuming, and outdated. An analytical model for the determination of horizontal clearance offsets for sections that are not covered by the AASHTO model was developed and verified. The offsets were derived as ordinates from driver path to a roadside curve that acts as a boundary for the area that accommodates sight lines. Main factors in the equations were driver location, sight distance, curve radius, and curve length. With the use of the analytical model, a new design chart was developed for use by practitioners on both short and long simple curves. These results have dual applications: for controlling the proximity of high objects to highways and for input into research on the acceptable heights of roadside objects (e.g., safety barriers) so that they do not block sight distance.
Effects of Geometric and Traffic Variables on Double Left-Turn Lane Operations
Authors: Fitzpatrick Kay , Park Eun Sug , Kuo Pei-Fen , Robertson James , Brewer Marcus A.
Published: January 2015

The goal of this research was to determine the effects of geometric characteristics on double left-turn lane (DLTL) operations, as measured with saturation flow rate (SFR) in units of passenger cars per hour of green per lane (pcphgpl). Data from 26 sites located in three states (Arizona, California, and Texas) were used in the analyses. The average DLTL SFR was 1,775 pcphgpl. The inside–outside lane variable was found to be not significant, which means that the SFRs of the inside and outside lanes are similar. For each additional U-turning vehicle in the left-turn queue, SFR would decrease by 56 pcphgpl after accounting for the effects of other variables in the model. The model results indicate that the addition of a new lane on the receiving leg from a channelized right turn resulted in an SFR increase of about 50 pcphgpl. Width of the left-turn lanes did not significantly affect the SFR. The SFR determination method requires elimination of a queue if a heavy vehicle is present. Therefore, even though the operations of queues with only passenger cars are similar for the various left-turn lane widths studied (9.5 to 13 ft), results for the operations of queues that include heavy vehicles (i.e., trucks or buses) may be different. The width of the receiving leg represents the visual target for left-turning drivers. When the receiving leg width was between 24 and 36 ft, the average SFR was 1,725 pcphgpl, whereas a receiving leg width of 40 to 54 ft was associated with an average SFR of 1,833 pcphgpl. One potential change to practice on the basis of this research is to modify guidance documents to reflect the finding that the capacity of DLTLs is approximately 196% of a single median lane rather than 180%.
Reliability Approach to Horizontal Curve Design
Authors: Himes Scott C. , Donnell Eric T.
Published: January 2015

AASHTO's Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets contains geometric design criteria for horizontal curves for new and major reconstruction. These criteria are based on design side friction factors that were established in the 1940s. The objective of this research was to establish a probabilistic approach to the design of horizontal curves and compare the results with current design criteria. Reliability analysis commonly is used in structural engineering and recently has been used in stopping sight distance research for transportation design. In this research, design variables were considered random instead of deterministic to incorporate variations that occurred in the field (e.g., driver heterogeneity or differences in tire performance characteristics) into the analysis. The effects of wet pavements and tire characteristics for passenger cars and heavy trucks were considered. The superelevation rate was considered as a design input, and minimum radii for a target reliability index were presented for combinations of input mean speeds and superelevation rates. All other design inputs were considered random variables (e.g., available pavement friction), along with their appropriate distributions, in the reliability analysis. The results show that a target reliability index of 3.0 is appropriate for use in the probabilistic design of horizontal curves. Furthermore, when only skidding failure is considered, the design criteria for passenger cars can reasonably accommodate heavy trucks. The recommendations for future research consider probabilistic methods and more complex models of horizontal curve forces.
Superelevation Design for Sharp Horizontal Curves on Steep Grades
Authors: Torbic Darren J. , Donnell Eric T. , Brennan Sean N. , Brown Alexander , O'Laughlin Mitchell K. , Bauer Karin M.
Published: January 2015

The objective of this study was to develop superelevation criteria for sharp horizontal curves on steep grades. Field studies were undertaken and vehicle dynamics simulations (point mass, bicycle, and multibody) were performed to investigate combinations of horizontal curve and vertical grade design criteria. The vehicle dynamics simulations used AASHTO design criteria and field-measured data to investigate the safety margins against skidding and rollover for several vehicle types on sharp horizontal curves with steep grades. Research results indicated that for a simple horizontal curve, the maximum rate of super elevation should not exceed 12% on a downgrade. A spiral curve transition is recommended if the maximum superelevation rate is greater than 12%. On upgrades of 4% and greater, the maximum superelevation rate should be limited to 9% for minimum-radius curves under certain conditions. The superelevation attained at the point of curve entry should be checked and compared with a lateral friction margin condition so that the lateral friction margin on curve entry is not less than the margin within the curve. On multilane highways, the “Stay in Lane” sign should be installed in advance of sharp horizontal curves on steep downgrades.
Cranial base pathology in pediatric osteogenesis imperfecta patients treated with bisphosphonates
Authors: Arponen Heidi , Vuorimies Ilkka , Haukka Jari , Valta Helena , Waltimo-Sirén Janna , Mäkitie Outi
Published: January 2015

OBJECT

Cranial base pathology is a serious complication of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Our aim was to analyze whether bisphosphonate treatment, used to improve bone strength, could also prevent the development of craniocervical junction pathology (basilar impression, basilar invagination, or platybasia) in children with OI.

METHODS

In this single-center retrospective study the authors analyzed the skull base morphology from lateral skull radiographs and midsagittal MR images (total of 94 images), obtained between the ages of 0 and 25 years in 39 bisphosphonate-treated OI patients. The results were compared with age-matched normative values and with findings in 70 OI patients who were not treated with bisphosphonates. In addition to cross-sectional data, longitudinal data were available from 22 patients with an average follow-up period of 7.6 years. The patients, who had OI types I, III, IV, VI, and VII, had been treated with zoledronic acid, pamidronate, or risedronate for 3.2 years on average.

RESULTS

Altogether 33% of the 39 bisphosphonate-treated patients had at least 1 cranial base anomaly, platybasia being the most prevalent diagnosis (28%). Logistic regression analysis suggested a higher risk of basilar impression or invagination in patients with severe OI (OR 22.04) and/or older age at initiation of bisphosphonate treatment (OR 1.45), whereas a decreased risk was associated with longer duration of treatment (OR 0.28). No significant associations between age, height, or cumulative bisphosphonate dose and the risk for cranial base anomaly were detected. In longitudinal evaluation, Kaplan-Meier curves suggested delayed development of cranial base pathology in patients treated with bisphosphonates but the differences from the untreated group were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that cranial base pathology may develop despite bisphosphonate treatment. Early initiation of bisphosphonate treatment may delay development of craniocervical junction pathology. Careful followup of cranial base morphology is warranted, particularly in patients with severe OI.
Bloch Modes and Evanescent Modes of Photonic Crystals: Weak Form Solutions Based on Accurate Interface Triangulation
Authors: Saba Matthias , Schröder-Turk Gerd
Published: January 2015

We propose a new approach to calculate the complex photonic band structure, both purely dispersive and evanescent Bloch modes of a finite range, of arbitrary three-dimensional photonic crystals. Our method, based on a well-established plane wave expansion and the weak form solution of Maxwell’s equations, computes the Fourier components of periodic structures composed of distinct homogeneous material domains from a triangulated mesh representation of the inter-material interfaces; this allows substantially more accurate representations of the geometry of complex photonic crystals than the conventional representation by a cubic voxel grid. Our method works for general two-phase composite materials, consisting of bi-anisotropic materials with tensor-valued dielectric and magnetic permittivities ε and μ and coupling matrices ς. We demonstrate for the Bragg mirror and a simple cubic crystal closely related to the Kelvin foam that relatively small numbers of Fourier components are sufficient to yield good convergence of the eigenvalues, making this method viable, despite its computational complexity. As an application, we use the single gyroid crystal to demonstrate that the consideration of both conventional and evanescent Bloch modes is necessary to predict the key features of the reflectance spectrum by analysis of the band structure, in particular for light incident along the cubic [111] direction.
Synchronising Energy Harvesting and Data Packets in a Wireless Sensor
Authors: Gelenbe Erol
Published: January 2015

We consider a wireless sensor node that gathers energy through harvesting and reaps data through sensing. The node has a wireless transmitter that sends out a data packet whenever there is at least one “energy packet” and one “data packet”, where an energy packet represents the amount of accumulated energy at the node that can allow the transmission of a data packet. We show that such a system is unstable when both the energy storage space and the data backlog buffer approach infinity, and we obtain the stable stationary solution when both buffers are finite. We then show that if a single energy packet is not sufficient to transmit a data packet, there are conditions under which the system is stable, and we provide the explicit expression for the joint probability distribution of the number of energy and data packets in the system. Since the two flows of energy and data can be viewed as flows that are instantaneously synchronised, this paper also provides a mathematical analysis of a fundamental problem in computer science related to the stability of the “join” synchronisation primitive.
Hyperlipidemia and Statins Affect Neurological Outcome in Lumbar Spine Injury
Authors: Chung Wu-Fu , Liu Shih-Wei , Chang Peng-Yuan , Lin Feng-Shu , Chen Li-Fu , Wu Jau-Ching , Chen Yu-Chun , Liu Laura , Huang Wen-Cheng , Cheng Henrich , Lo Su-Shun
Published: January 2015

The disabling pathophysiologic effects of lipid and neuroprotective effects of statins have recently been demonstrated for acute spinal cord injuries in animal models. This large scale population-based study aimed to investigate the effect hyperlipidemia and the use of statins in patients with lumbar spine injury. The National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan was used to identify patients with lumbar spine injury. A total of 2844 patients were grouped into three: no hyperlipidemia, hyperlipidemia using low-dose of statins (≤90 of the defined daily dosage (DDD)), and severe hyperlipidemia using high-dose of statins (>90 DDD). A Cox multiple regression model was used to compare the incidence rates of disability among the three groups. The results showed that patients with hyperlipidemia appeared a higher risk of permanent disability (adjusted HR = 1.38, p = 0.28). In subgroup analysis, patients with severe hyperlipidemia had a higher risk of disability (adjusted HR = 3.1, p < 0.004), whereas hyperlipidemia using low-dose statins had a similar risk of permanently disability (adjusted HR = 0.83, p = 0.661). Hyperlipidemia adversely affected the neurological outcomes of lumbar spinal injury. Statins may have the potential to reverse this higher risk of disability. However, this beneficiary effect of statins only existed in patients using a lower dose (≤90 DDD).
Potential Relationship between Inadequate Response to DNA Damage and Development of Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Authors: Zhou Ting , Chen Peishuai , Gu Jian , Bishop Alexander , Scott Linda , Hasty Paul , Rebel Vivienne
Published: January 2015

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are responsible for the continuous regeneration of all types of blood cells, including themselves. To ensure the functional and genomic integrity of blood tissue, a network of regulatory pathways tightly controls the proliferative status of HSCs. Nevertheless, normal HSC aging is associated with a noticeable decline in regenerative potential and possible changes in other functions. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is an age-associated hematopoietic malignancy, characterized by abnormal blood cell maturation and a high propensity for leukemic transformation. It is furthermore thought to originate in a HSC and to be associated with the accrual of multiple genetic and epigenetic aberrations. This raises the question whether MDS is, in part, related to an inability to adequately cope with DNA damage. Here we discuss the various components of the cellular response to DNA damage. For each component, we evaluate related studies that may shed light on a potential relationship between MDS development and aberrant DNA damage response/repair.
Melatonin and Female Hormone Secretion in Postmenopausal Overweight Women
Authors: Walecka-Kapica Ewa , Chojnacki Jan , Stępień Agnieszka , Wachowska-Kelly Patrycja , Klupińska Grażyna , Chojnacki Cezary
Published: January 2015

Estrogen deficiency is considered to be the main cause of increased appetite and increased weight in postmenopausal women. In this period, reduced secretion of melatonin (MEL) was also observed. The aim of the study was to evaluate the secretion of melatonin, 17-β estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in relation to body mass index (BMI) in pre- and postmenopausal women. The study included 90 women divided into three equal groups: group I (control)—women without menstrual disorders, group II—postmenopausal women without change in appetite and body weight, group III—postmenopausal women experiencing increased appetite and weight gain. In each patient, serum melatonin, 17-β-estradiol, FSH and urine a 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6s) were determined. Compared to the control group, the level of melatonin and estradiol was statistically lower. The FSH level was higher than in the groups of postmenopausal women. No significant correlation was found in all groups between the level of melatonin and the levels of estradiol and FSH. A negative correlation was found between aMT6s excretion and BMI, and a positive correlation between the level of FSH and BMI, mainly in overweight women. The obtained results indicate a significant effect of melatonin deficiency on the process of weight gain in postmenopausal women and justify its use in treatment of these disorders.
Hydrostatic Pressure Influences HIF-2 Alpha Expression in Chondrocytes
Authors: Inoue Hiroaki , Arai Yuji , Kishida Tsunao , Terauchi Ryu , Honjo Kuniaki , Nakagawa Shuji , Tsuchida Shinji , Matsuki Tomohiro , Ueshima Keiichirou , Fujiwara Hiroyoshi , Mazda Osam , Kubo Toshikazu
Published: January 2015

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2α is considered to play a major role in the progression of osteoarthritis. Recently, it was reported that pressure amplitude influences HIF-2α expression in murine endothelial cells. We examined whether hydrostatic pressure is involved in expression of HIF-2α in articular chondrocytes. Chondrocytes were cultured and stimulated by inflammation or hydrostatic pressure of 0, 5, 10, or 50 MPa. After stimulation, heat shock protein (HSP) 70, HIF-2α, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, MMP-3, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression were evaluated. The levels of all gene expression were increased by inflammatory stress. When chondrocytes were exposed to a hydrostatic pressure of 5 MPa, HIF-2α, MMP-13, and MMP-3 gene expression increased significantly although those of HSP70 and NF-κB were not significantly different from the control group. In contrast, HIF-2α gene expression did not increase under a hydrostatic pressure of 50 MPa although HSP70 and NF-κB expression increased significantly compared to control. We considered that hydrostatic pressure of 5 MPa could regulate HIF-2α independent of NF-κB, because the level of HIF-2α gene expression increased significantly without upregulation of NF-κB expression at 5 MPa. Hydrostatic pressure may influence cartilage degeneration, inducing MMP-13 and MMP-3 expression through HIF-2α.
Halofuginone — The Multifaceted Molecule
Authors: Pines Mark , Spector Itai
Published: January 2015

Halofuginone is an analog of febrifugine—an alkaloid originally isolated from the plant Dichroa febrifuga. During recent years, halofuginone has attracted much attention because of its wide range of beneficial biological activities, which encompass malaria, cancer, and fibrosis-related and autoimmune diseases. At present two modes of halofuginone actions have been described: (1) Inhibition of Smad3 phosphorylation downstream of the TGFβ signaling pathway results in inhibition of fibroblasts-to-myofibroblasts transition and fibrosis. (2) Inhibition of prolyl-tRNA synthetase (ProRS) activity in the blood stage of malaria and inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation thereby inhibiting inflammation and the autoimmune reaction by activation of the amino acid starvation and integrated stress responses. This review deals with the history and origin of this natural product, its synthesis, its known modes of action, and it’s various biological activities in pre-clinical animal models and in humans.
Plasmin Regulation through Allosteric, Sulfated, Small Molecules
Authors: Al-Horani Rami , Karuturi Rajesh , White Domonique , Desai Umesh
Published: January 2015

Plasmin, a key serine protease, plays a major role in clot lysis and extracellular matrix remodeling. Heparin, a natural polydisperse sulfated glycosaminoglycan, is known to allosterically modulate plasmin activity. No small allosteric inhibitor of plasmin has been discovered to date. We screened an in-house library of 55 sulfated, small glycosaminoglycan mimetics based on nine distinct scaffolds and varying number and positions of sulfate groups to discover several promising hits. Of these, a pentasulfated flavonoid-quinazolinone dimer 32 was found to be the most potent sulfated small inhibitor of plasmin (IC50 = 45 μM, efficacy = 100%). Michaelis-Menten kinetic studies revealed an allosteric inhibition of plasmin by these inhibitors. Studies also indicated that the most potent inhibitors are selective for plasmin over thrombin and factor Xa, two serine proteases in coagulation cascade. Interestingly, different inhibitors exhibited different levels of efficacy (40%–100%), an observation alluding to the unique advantage offered by an allosteric process. Overall, our work presents the first small, synthetic allosteric plasmin inhibitors for further rational design.
Creating Diversified Response Profiles from a Single Quenchometric Sensor Element by Using Phase-Resolved Luminescence
Authors: Tehan Elizabeth , Bukowski Rachel , Chodavarapu Vamsy , Titus Albert , Cartwright Alexander , Bright Frank
Published: January 2015

We report a new strategy for generating a continuum of response profiles from a single luminescence-based sensor element by using phase-resolved detection. This strategy yields reliable responses that depend in a predictable manner on changes in the luminescent reporter lifetime in the presence of the target analyte, the excitation modulation frequency, and the detector (lock-in amplifier) phase angle. In the traditional steady-state mode, the sensor that we evaluate exhibits a linear, positive going response to changes in the target analyte concentration. Under phase-resolved conditions the analyte-dependent response profiles: (i) can become highly non-linear; (ii) yield negative going responses; (iii) can be biphasic; and (iv) can exhibit super sensitivity (e.g., sensitivities up to 300 fold greater in comparison to steady-state conditions).
Plectasin, First Animal Toxin-Like Fungal Defensin Blocking Potassium Channels through Recognizing Channel Pore Region
Authors: Xiang Fang , Xie Zili , Feng Jing , Yang Weishan , Cao Zhijian , Li Wenxin , Chen Zongyun , Wu Yingliang
Published: January 2015

The potassium channels were recently found to be inhibited by animal toxin-like human β-defensin 2 (hBD2), the first defensin blocker of potassium channels. Whether there are other defensin blockers from different organisms remains an open question. Here, we reported the potassium channel-blocking plectasin, the first defensin blocker from a fungus. Based on the similar cysteine-stabilized alpha-beta (CSαβ) structure between plectasin and scorpion toxins acting on potassium channels, we found that plectasin could dose-dependently block Kv1.3 channel currents through electrophysiological experiments. Besides Kv1.3 channel, plectasin could less inhibit Kv1.1, Kv1.2, IKCa, SKCa3, hERG and KCNQ channels at the concentration of 1 μΜ. Using mutagenesis and channel activation experiments, we found that outer pore region of Kv1.3 channel was the binding site of plectasin, which is similar to the interacting site of Kv1.3 channel recognized by animal toxin blockers. Together, these findings not only highlight the novel function of plectasin as a potassium channel inhibitor, but also imply that defensins from different organisms functionally evolve to be a novel kind of potassium channel inhibitors.
Prevalence of Presenting Conditions in Grey Seal Pups (Halichoerus grypus) Admitted for Rehabilitation
Authors: Silpa Marc , Thornton Susan , Cooper Tamara , Hedley Joanna
Published: January 2015

A retrospective survey was performed on the presenting conditions of 205 live grey seal pups (Halichoerus grypus) admitted to the Cornish Seal Sanctuary in Gweek, United Kingdom between May 2005 and March 2011. The purpose of the survey was to examine the prevalence of various presenting signs at the sanctuary. The presenting signs were classified into nine non-mutually exclusive categories: ocular disorders, nasal disorders, oral disorders, respiratory disorders, orthopaedic disorders, puncture wounds, abrasions, netting injuries, and onychia. The sex ratio of seal pups in this study was 1.35 males per female. Of the 205 examined for rehabilitation, 22 (10.73%) did not survive to release. 68.78% of grey seal pups presented with puncture wounds, 47.80% with respiratory disorders, 46.34% with ocular disorders, 42.63% malnourished, 36.59% with abrasions, 25.37% with oral disorders, 23.90% with nasal disorders, 11.71% with orthopaedic disorders, 9.27% with onychia, and 3.41% presented with netting injuries. 52% were normothermic, 42% were hyperthermic, and 5% were hypothermic. Associations between gender, outcome of rehabilitation, hospitalisation time and presenting disorders were examined. In addition, admissions rates were found to display seasonality. The results of this study will aid in future preparation of grey seal rehabilitation facilities.
Inhibitory Effects of Lithium Chloride on Replication of Type II Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in vitro
Authors: Cui Jin , Xie Jiexiong , Gao Ming , Zhou Han , Chen Yao , Cui Tiantian , Bai Xiaolei , Wang Heng , Zhang Guihong
Published: January 2015

Background

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is one of the most serious diseases affecting the swine industry worldwide; however, there are no efficient control strategies against PRRS virus (PRRSV) at present. Therefore, development of new antiviral treatment strategies is urgently needed. As reported, lithium chloride (LiCl) can efficiently impair the replication of a variety of viruses, including infectious bronchitis coronavirus (IBV) and transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV). In this report, we explored whether LiCl had the potential to inhibit PRRSV infection.

Methods

MARC-145 cells were treated with LiCl at various stages of PRRSV life cycle. Virus titration assay was performed to determine the virus infectivity. The expression of viral mRNA and protein was measured by real-time PCR and indirect immunofluorescence assay, respectively. The transcript levels of cytokines were evaluated by real-time PCR.

Results

LiCl significantly suppressed the synthesis of viral RNA and protein; however, it did not block PRRSV binding and entry. Further studies confirmed that LiCl inhibited PRRSV replication at an early stage and TNF-α, an antiviral cytokine, was significantly increased after LiCl treatment. Thus, we suggested that LiCl inhibited PRRSV infection by up-regulating the level of antiviral cytokine TNF-α at an early infection stage.

Conclusions

Our findings imply that the LiCl has the potential to be used as anti-PRRSV therapy.
Un cheval est-il un cheval ?
Authors: Grinberg Martine
Published: January 2015

Résumé Cet article s’appuie sur l’analyse des relations entre coutumes, économie et droit et met l’accent sur la méthodologie de Commons. Comment Commons procède-t-il pour fonder une théorie qui soit une théorie "scientifique" ? Si la science et le droit lui servent de modèles pour construire sa théorie de l’économie institutionnelle, il hésite en permanence entre similarité et analogie. Ce qui le conduit à tenir de curieux raisonnements. Il s’appuie dans sa démonstration sur la coutume à laquelle il donne une nouvelle définition et qui, à travers l’action collective et les décisions de la Cour suprême, devient du droit. Il invente une unité d’analyse, le "going concern", valable dans tous les domaines du social, de l’économique, du juridique et du politique. Il suit en cela l’exemple donné par la Cour suprême qui a redéfini le sens des notions juridiques pour s’adapter au nouveau contexte économique. Seule l’idée de valeur raisonnable, elle-même relative et pourtant garantie par la Cour suprême, peut limiter les dégâts. En donnant de nouveaux sens aux mots et en les changeant selon ses besoins, Commons témoigne d’une manière de penser très proche de la philosophie pragmatiste.
Les institutions dans la théorie de la régulation
Authors: Boyer Robert
Published: January 2015

Résumé Pour la théorie de la régulation les formes institutionnelles correspondent à la codification d’un ou plusieurs rapports sociaux fondamentaux. Elles conditionnent tant le processus d’ajustement économique à court moyen terme (le mode de régulation) que le régime de croissance lui-même largement conditionné par le régime d’accumulation. La théorie s’intéresse principalement aux changements de longue période du capitalisme et développe en conséquence une série d’outils différents selon que l’on étudie une croissance stabilisée, les facteurs de déstabilisation ou encore le rôle des processus sociaux et politiques dans l’émergence de compromis institutionnalisés porteurs de nouveaux modes de régulation. Les recherches récentes en termes de hiérarchie et de complémentarité institutionnelle s’attachent à montrer tant la diversité des formes de capitalisme que leur processus d’évolution. Au passage l’article établit des points de comparaison avec d’autres recherches contemporaines, plaide en faveur d’une définition précise des notions de base d’une économie institutionnelle et conclut qu’une théorie générale des institutions est pour l’instant hors de portée.
Réflexion sur les fondements institutionnels de l'objectivité marchande
Authors: Orléan André
Published: January 2015

Résumé Cet article se propose de réfléchir sur le rôle que jouent les "objets" dans la régulation marchande. L’idée centrale est que l’objectivité n’est en rien une donnée naturelle mais est le résultat d’une construction institutionnelle spécifique qui a pour effet de "séparer" les agents économiques. On doit même considérer que ce rôle des médiations objectives est ce qui spécifie le plus précisément le rapport marchand. Deux "objets" jouent un rôle central : les marchandises et la monnaie. Le présent article analyse les processus institutionnels qui conduisent à les rendre objectifs, c’est-à-dire à en faire des médiations. On peut alors montrer que cette objectivité n’est jamais acquise une fois pour toutes et qu’elle peut subir des crises.
Théorie bancaire, théorie monétaire et prêteur ultime chez Thornton
Authors: Diatkine Sylvie
Published: January 2015

Résumé L’action du prêteur en dernier ressort, chez Thornton, ne peut être définie comme déviation momentanée par rapport à un trend non inflationniste de long terme de l’offre de monnaie centrale, c’est à dire entièrement contenue dans la théorie de l’offre de monnaie. Nous montrons que ses fondements se trouvent dans la théorie bancaire de Thornton et dans l’articulation qu’elle introduit entre monnaie et crédit. Il en déduit une analyse des crises bancaires à partir de la notion de risque de liquidité et de système. La banque centrale doit ainsi préserver la confiance dans le système de paiement par dettes bancaires en évitant le risque moral du fait des asymétries d’information croissantes en cas de crise.
Bedfellows, hostages, or perfect strangers ?
Authors: Cottarelli Carlo , Giannini Curzio
Published: January 2015

Résumé Durant les années 1990, le concept de financement officiel à effet catalytique est devenu prépondérant dans les débats de politique économique. Le concept tourne autour de l’idée que la propension des investisseurs à prêter à un pays augmente quand le FMI accorde "son label" appuyé seulement par un financement officiel limité. Le financement officiel à effet catalytique a pour but d’éviter d’une part, l’utilisation massive des deniers publics pour sauver la mise des investisseurs privés ; d’autre part, le recours à des mécanismes coercitifs de participation des investisseurs privés. Cet article conclut que le financement officiel à effet catalytique, même s’il peut être utile dans un autre contexte, est moins fiable quand il s’agit de gérer des crises de la balance des capitaux.
Le prêteur en dernier ressort au défi de la monnaie électronique
Authors: Aglietta Michel , Scialom Laurence
Published: January 2015

Résumé Les dispositifs de paiements électroniques de seconde génération, c’est à dire opérant sur réseaux ouverts affectent tant les modalités de paiement de détail que les systèmes de paiements de gros. A ces deux niveaux, ils sont à la source de nouveaux risques et exacerbent des risques déjà existants. Des dispositions prudentielles et des choix de structuration des systèmes de règlement interbancaires permettent de réduire le risque systémique mais ne l’élimine pas. Les implications de ces évolutions quant à l’action du prêteur en dernier ressort sont doubles. D’une part, des formes traditionnelles d’interventions en dernier ressort sont réactivées. D’autre part, de nouvelles formes d’actions en dernier ressort adaptées aux transformations des systèmes de paiements de gros apparaissent. Loin d’affaiblir le rôle des banques centrales, ces innovations monétaires le renforcent potentiellement.
Prise de parole et théorie économique : la controverse Hirschman-Williamson
Authors: Courtioux Pierre
Published: January 2015

Résumé La controverse entre Hirschman et Williamson porte sur la pertinence du concept de prise de parole pour l’analyse économique des organisations. Selon Hirschman (1970), la prise de parole est importante pour recouvrer l’efficacité. Williamson (1974) réduit ces résultats et insiste sur l’importance de la hiérarchie . Cet article montre comment les résultats de Williamson tiennent à l’utilisation de l’hypothèse de sélection naturelle. Une relecture évolutionnaire des travaux d’Hirschman permet d’identifier les apports théoriques de l’auteur et de préciser un cadre qui donne sens à ses propositions normatives.
Public expenditure composition and growth: a neo-Kaleckian analysis
Authors: Commendatore Pasquale , Pinto Antonio
Published: January 2015

Résumé Dans cet article, nous proposons un modèle de croissance et de répartition néo-kaleckien. Nous introduisons deux types de dépenses publiques : dépenses gouvernementales de consommation et d’investissement. Nous étudions leurs effets sur le degré d’utilisation d’équilibre des équipements et sur la croissance. Deux cas sont envisages: le cas où la faille du gouvernement est variable; b) le cas où à taille de gouvernement fixe, la composition des dépenses publiques varie. Nos résultats se démarquent de ceux de la nouvelle théorie de la croissance. Quand les équipements sont sous-utilisés, une augmentation de l’investissement public peut réduire le taux de croissance, si celle-ci ne s’accompagne pas d’une augmentation suffisante de la demande. JEL classification : E12, E25, E62, 041
La gratuité dans les musées et monuments en France : quelques indicateurs de mobilisation des visiteurs
Authors: Eidelman Jacqueline , Céroux Benoît
Published: January 2015

Résumé Au cours du premier semestre 2008, une expérimentation des effets de la gratuité totale sur la fréquentation et les publics a été menée auprès de quatorze institutions nationales, dix musées et quatre monuments dépendant du ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, des ministères de la Défense et de l’Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche.Au-delà de l’augmentation de la fréquentation, l’enquête visait à évaluer l’effet de la gratuité sur la diversification des publics. Les résultats montrent que la gratuité a permis d’augmenter très significativement le nombre d’entrées, et que les étudiants, et plus généralement les jeunes âgés de moins de trente ans ont été les plus mobilisés, même si l’on observe un plébiscite de la gratuité auprès de tous les groupes sociaux. Qu’il s’agisse du public déjà familier des musées et plus encore des primo-visiteurs, l’effet accélérateur de la gratuité sur la démocratisation de l’accès aux institutions muséales est manifeste.
Les connaissances artistiques des Français
Authors: Donnat Olivier
Published: January 2015

Molière, Beckett, Kandinsky, Pina Bausch, Gainsbourg, Mahler, Dalí... : les noms de trente artistes couvrant la plupart des formes artistiques, des plus populaires aux plus légitimes, ont été proposés dans le cadre de l’enquête Pratiques culturelles des Français en 1988 et en 2008, afin de disposer, au-delà des pratiques, d’une mesure des connaissances artistiques des Français. Chaque personne interrogée devait indiquer si elle les connaissait et, le cas échéant, quelle était son opinion à leur égard. La comparaison des résultats à vingt ans d’écart montre que la proportion de Français déclarant spontanément connaître les artistes de la liste ne serait-ce que de nom a progressé en vingt ans dans la grande majorité des cas, mais que la véritable connaissance, en revanche, mesurée par la capacité à préciser le domaine d’activité de l’artiste, est restée stable. Cette stabilité masque une double dynamique générationnelle : la connaissance des artistes a progressé parmi les générations nées avant la moitié des années 1960 mais recule parmi les jeunes générations âgées de moins de 45 ans. Cette érosion générationnelle concerne tous les noms de la liste relevant de la culture scolaire ou classique, à l’exception des grands noms du patrimoine artistique – Molière, Mozart et Van Gogh – dont la notoriété a progressé : ainsi Flaubert, Nerval mais aussi Mahler ou Boulez sont non seulement moins connus des jeunes générations mais également moins appréciés, signe d’un effacement relatif de la légitimité de la culture scolaire ou cultivée.