bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternatives to Those Artificial FD&C Food Colorants
Authors: Wrolstad Ronald E. , Culver Catherine A.
Published: May 2012

Replacement of artificial food dyes with natural colorants is a current marketing trend, notwithstanding the fact that neither the United States nor the European Union (EU) has defined natural with respect to food colors. Consumer groups have concerns over the safety of synthetic colorants, and in addition, many of the naturally derived colorants provide health benefits. Food scientists frequently have the assignment of replacing artificial colorants with natural alternatives. This can be challenging, as naturally derived colorants are usually less stable, and all desired hues might, in fact, not be obtainable. In this review, the chemical and physical properties, limitations, and more suitable applications for those colorants that are legally available as substitutes for the synthetic colorants are summarized. Issues and challenges for certain foods are discussed, and in addition, colorants that may be available in the future are briefly described.
The Early Settlers: Intestinal Microbiology in Early Life
Authors: Scholtens Petra A.M.J. , Oozeer Raish , Martin Rocio , Amor Kaouther Ben , Knol Jan
Published: May 2012

The human intestinal microbiota forms an integral part of normal human physiology, and disturbances of the normal gut microbiology have been implicated in many health and disease issues. Because newborns are essentially sterile, their microbiota must establish and develop from the very first days of life. The first colonizers play an important role in the development of the ecosystem and may impact the long-term composition and activity of the microbiota. These first settlers obviously develop and proliferate dependent on host characteristics and diet, but other factors can also significantly contribute to this vital biological process. Considering the importance of the microbiota for the human immune, metabolic, and neurological systems, it is important to understand the dynamics and driving determinants of this development. This review gives a global overview of our current understanding of the different factors impacting the intestinal microbiology in early life.
CRISPR: New Horizons in Phage Resistance and Strain Identification
Authors: Barrangou Rodolphe , Horvath Philippe
Published: May 2012

Bacteria have been widely used as starter cultures in the food industry, notably for the fermentation of milk into dairy products such as cheese and yogurt. Lactic acid bacteria used in food manufacturing, such as lactobacilli, lactococci, streptococci, Leuconostoc, pediococci, and bifidobacteria, are selectively formulated based on functional characteristics that provide idiosyncratic flavor and texture attributes, as well as their ability to withstand processing and manufacturing conditions. Unfortunately, given frequent viral exposure in industrial environments, starter culture selection and development rely on defense systems that provide resistance against bacteriophage predation, including restriction-modification, abortive infection, and recently discovered CRISPRs (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats). CRISPRs, together with CRISPR-associated genes (cas), form the CRISPR/Cas immune system, which provides adaptive immunity against phages and invasive genetic elements. The immunization process is based on the incorporation of short DNA sequences from virulent phages into the CRISPR locus. Subsequently, CRISPR transcripts are processed into small interfering RNAs that guide a multifunctional protein complex to recognize and cleave matching foreign DNA. Hypervariable CRISPR loci provide insights into the phage and host population dynamics, and new avenues for enhanced phage resistance and genetic typing and tagging of industrial strains.
Egg Yolk Antibodies for Passive Immunity
Authors: Kovacs-Nolan Jennifer , Mine Yoshinori
Published: May 2012

The avian egg contains all of the necessary nutrients and growth factors required for the developing embryo, including antibodies that are transported from the blood of the hen into the egg yolk to provide immunity to the chick. Since the discovery of egg yolk antibodies, now called immunoglobulin Y (IgY), in the late 1800s, this process has been harnessed to produce antigen-specific yolk antibodies for numerous applications in the medical and research fields, including in areas such as diagnostics and proteomics. However, one of the most valuable and promising areas of IgY research is its use for passive immunization to treat and prevent human and animal diseases. The following review covers the key features and advantages of IgY and the production and purification of IgY from the egg yolk, as well as highlights some of the most promising applications of egg yolk antibodies in human and veterinary medicine.
Improving Mass Transfer to Soften Tissues by Pulsed Electric Fields: Fundamentals and Applications
Authors: Puértolas E. , Luengo E. , Álvarez I. , Raso J.
Published: May 2012

The mass transfer phenomenon occurs in many operations of the food industry with the purpose of obtaining a given substance of interest, removing water from foods, or introducing a given substance into the food matrix. Pretreatments that modify the permeability of the cell membranes, such as grinding, heating, or enzymatic treatment, enhance the mass transfer. However, these techniques may require a significant amount of energy and can cause losses of valuable food compounds.

Pulsed electric field (PEF) technology is a nonthermal processing method that causes permeabilization of cell membranes using low energy requirements and minimizing quality deterioration of the food compounds. Many practical applications of PEF for enhancing mass transfer in the food industry have been investigated. The purpose of this chapter is to give an overview of the state of the art of application of PEF for improving mass transfer in the food industry.
Mission to Mars: Food Production and Processing for the Final Frontier
Authors: Perchonok Michele H. , Cooper Maya R. , Catauro Patricia M.
Published: May 2012

The food systems of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have evolved tremendously since the early manned spaceflights of the 1960s. To date, NASA's mission focus has been limited to exploration of low Earth orbit (LEO), and the agency's prepackaged food systems have been adequate to enable success of their parent programs. With NASA's mission focus increasing to achieve manned space exploration of the Martian surface, the agency is considering a significant departure from the prepackaged food systems of current and past space programs. NASA's Advanced Food Technology (AFT) project is presently investigating the introduction of a bioregenerative food system to support long duration habitat missions to the Martian surface. A bioregenerative food system is expected to impart less of a burden on critical mission resources, such as mass and volume, than a prepackaged, shelf-stable system. This review provides an introduction to past and present spaceflight food systems, and provides a broad examination of the research conducted to date to enable crop production and food processing on the Martian surface.
New Interventions Against Human Norovirus: Progress, Opportunities, and Challenges
Authors: Li Jianrong , Predmore Ashley , Divers Erin , Lou Fangfei
Published: May 2012

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading causative agent of foodborne disease outbreaks worldwide. HuNoV is highly stable, contagious, and only a few virus particles can cause illness. However, HuNoV is difficult to study because of the lack of an efficient in vitro cell culture system or a small animal model. To date, there is very limited information available about the biology of HuNoV, with most data coming from the study of surrogates, such as HuNoV virus-like particle (VLP), murine norovirus (MNV), and feline calicivirus (FCV). High-risk foods for HuNoV contamination include seafood, fresh produce, and ready-to-eat foods. Currently, there is no effective measure to control HuNoV outbreaks; thus, development of food-processing technologies to inactivate HuNoV in these high-risk foods is urgently needed. Although a VLP-based vaccine induces humoral, mucosal, and cellular immunities in animals and currently is in human clinical trials, development of other new vaccine candidates, such as live vectored vaccines, should be considered. Recent evidence suggests that blockage of virus-receptor interaction may be a promising antiviral target. To enhance our capability to combat this important agent, there is an urgent need to develop multidisciplinary, multi-institutional integrated research and to implement food virology education and extension programs nationwide.
Non-Caloric Sweeteners, Sweetness Modulators, and Sweetener Enhancers
Authors: DuBois Grant E. , Prakash Indra
Published: May 2012

For a new sweetness technology to realize strong commercial success, it must be safe, exhibit good taste quality, be sufficiently soluble and stable in food and beverage systems, and be cost effective and patentable. Assessments of the commercial promise of eight synthetic and eight natural non-caloric sweeteners are made relevant to these metrics. High-potency (HP) non-caloric sweeteners, both synthetic and natural, are generally limited in taste quality by (a) low maximal sweetness response, (b) “off” tastes, (c) slow-onset sweet tastes that linger, and (d) sweet tastes that adapt or desensitize the gustatory system. Formulation approaches to address these limitations are discussed. Enhancement of the normal sucrose sensory response by action of a sweetener receptor positive allosteric modulator (PAM) has been achieved with very significant calorie reduction and with retention of the taste quality of sucrose. Research on PAM discovery over the past decade is summarized.
X-Ray Irradiation as a Microbial Intervention Strategy for Food
Authors: Moosekian Scott R. , Jeong Sanghyup , Marks Bradley P. , Ryser Elliot T.
Published: May 2012

First recognized in 1895, X-ray irradiation soon became a breakthrough diagnostic tool for the dental and medical professions. However, the food industry remained slow to adopt X-ray irradiation as a means for controlling insects and microbial contaminants in food, instead using gamma and electron beam (E-beam) irradiation. However, the reinvention of X-ray machines with increased efficiency, combined with recent developments in legislation and engineering, is now allowing X-ray to actively compete with gamma irradiation and E-beam as a microbial reduction strategy for foods. This review summarizes the historical developments of X-rays and discusses the key technological advances over the past two decades that now have led to the development of several different X-ray irradiators capable of enhancing the safety and shelf life of many heat-sensitive products, including lettuce, spinach, tomatoes, and raw almonds, all of which have been linked to high profile outbreaks of foodborne illness.
A Conversation with Kenneth Waltz
Authors: Waltz Kenneth , Fearon James
Published: May 2012

Kenneth Waltz's books and articles have definitively shaped the study of international relations over the past fifty years. He developed a version of “Realist” thinking on the subject that has structured research in the entire field, for critics and supporters alike. On March 11, 2011, at his home in New York, he was interviewed by James Fearon, a member of the Editorial Committee of the Annual Review of Political Science. The conversation ranged over some of his best-known arguments and the relationships between them, his thinking about contemporary international politics, and issues in the field that he thinks are understudied relative to their importance. What follows is an edited transcript of that conversation. A video of the entire conversation is available online.
International Influences on Elections in New Multiparty States
Authors: Kelley Judith G.
Published: May 2012

Practitioners and politicians have long debated the wisdom of pushing countries to hold elections, with some arguing for its necessity and others warning of its futility and even danger. Yet, research on how varying types of international activities affect the conduct and structure of elections still has a long way to go to be able to inform this debate. This article discusses the myriad international forms of engagement with elections and reviews the research on their ability to improve election quality. It also explores the more nefarious international activities, which are even less well understood than the efforts to improve elections. Given the mixed outcomes and findings, much work remains to be done, especially in specifying the conditions under which various effects occur. Such work has both practical and theoretical merits and can shed light on broader scholarly inquiries about the international dimensions of democratization.
Rapid Detection and Limitations of Molecular Techniques
Authors: Maurer John J.
Published: May 2012

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has become an important diagnostic tool in the detection of foodborne pathogens. Many PCR tests have been validated, harmonized, and commercialized to make PCR a standard tool used by food microbiology laboratories to detect pathogens in foods. Current PCR technology allows for rapid detection of pathogens in real time. Real-time PCR can provide qualitative as well as quantitative information. However, PCR does have its limitations because of false-negative and false-positive results that may be encountered with the daily running of PCR assays by a diagnostic laboratory. The intent of this review is to help the reader identify these problems as they occur, discuss the nature of this interference, and provide solutions. This review also discusses the future of molecular diagnostics, i.e., high throughput nucleic acid sequencing.
Rosiglitazone attenuates NF-κB-mediated Nox4 upregulation in hyperglycemia-activated endothelial cells
Authors: Williams Clintoria R. , Lu Xianghuai , Sutliff Roy L. , Hart C. Michael
Published: May 2012

Vascular complications, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients, are related to hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress. Previously, we reported that rosiglitazone (RSG) attenuated vascular expression and activity of NADPH oxidases in diabetic mice. The mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be elucidated. We hypothesized that RSG acts directly on endothelial cells to modulate vascular responses in diabetes. To test this hypothesis, human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were exposed to normal glucose (NG; 5.6 mmol/l) or high glucose (HG; 30 mmol/l) concentrations. Select HAEC monolayers were treated with RSG, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), small interfering (si)RNA (to NF-κB/p65 or Nox4), or Tempol. HG increased the expression and activity of the NADPH oxidase catalytic subunit Nox4 but not Nox1 or Nox2. RSG attenuated HG-induced NF-κB/p65 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and binding to the Nox4 promoter. Inhibiting NF-κB with CAPE or siNF-κB/p65 also reduced HG-induced Nox4 expression and activity. HG-induced H2O2 production was attenuated by siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nox4, and HG-induced HAEC monocyte adhesion was attenuated by treatment with RSG, DPI, CAPE, or Tempol. These results indicate that HG exposure stimulates HAEC NF-κB activation, Nox4 expression, and H2O2 production and that RSG attenuates HG-induced oxidative stress and subsequent monocyte-endothelial interactions by attenuating NF-κB/p65 activation and Nox4 expression. This study provides novel insights into mechanisms by which the thiazolidinedione peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand RSG favorably modulates endothelial responses in the diabetic vasculature.
Age-associated declines in mitochondrial biogenesis and protein quality control factors are minimized by exercise training
Authors: Koltai Erika , Hart Nikolett , Taylor Albert W. , Goto Sataro , Ngo Jenny K. , Davies Kelvin J. A. , Radak Zsolt
Published: May 2012

A decline in mitochondrial biogenesis and mitochondrial protein quality control in skeletal muscle is a common finding in aging, but exercise training has been suggested as a possible cure. In this report, we tested the hypothesis that moderate-intensity exercise training could prevent the age-associated deterioration in mitochondrial biogenesis in the gastrocnemius muscle of Wistar rats. Exercise training, consisting of treadmill running at 60% of the initial V̇o2max, reversed or attenuated significant age-associated (detrimental) declines in mitochondrial mass (succinate dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, cytochrome- c oxidase-4, mtDNA), SIRT1 activity, AMPK, pAMPK, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-α, UCP3, and the Lon protease. Exercise training also decreased the gap between young and old animals in other measured parameters, including nuclear respiratory factor 1, mitochondrial transcription factor A, fission-1, mitofusin-1, and polynucleotide phosphorylase levels. We conclude that exercise training can help minimize detrimental skeletal muscle aging deficits by improving mitochondrial protein quality control and biogenesis.
Protective effects of isothiocyanates on blood-CSF barrier disruption induced by oxidative stress
Authors: Xiang Jianming , Alesi Gina N. , Zhou Ningna , Keep Richard F
Published: May 2012

The choroid plexuses (CPs) form the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (BCSFB) and play an important role in maintaining brain normal function and the brain response to injury. Many neurological disorders are associated with oxidative stress that can impact CP function. This study examined the effects of isothiocyanates, an abundant component in cruciferous vegetables, on H2O2-induced BCSFB disruption and CP cell death in vitro. It further examined the potential role of a transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), in isothiocyanate-induced protection. Sulforaphane (SF) significantly reduced H2O2-induced BCSFB disruption as assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (29 ± 7% reduction vs. 92 ± 2% decrease in controls) and [3H]mannitol permeability. Allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC) had a similar protective effect. H2O2-induced epithelial cell death was also reduced by these isothiocyanates. In primary CP cells, SF and AITC reduced cell death by 42 ± 3% and 53 ± 10%, respectively. Similar protection was found in a CP cell line Z310. Protection was only found with pretreatment for 12–48 h and not with acute exposure (1 h). The protective effects of SF and AITC were associated with Nrf2 nuclear translocation and upregulated expression of antioxidative systems regulated by Nrf2, including heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase, and cysteine/glutamate exchange transporter. Thus isothiocyanates, as diet or medicine, may be a method for protecting BCSFB in neurological disorders.
Bradykinin inhibits high glucose- and growth factor-induced collagen synthesis in mesangial cells through the B2-kinin receptor
Authors: Blaes Nelly , Pécher Christiane , Mehrenberger Marion , Cellier Eric , Praddaude Françoise , Chevalier Jacques , Tack Ivan , Couture Réjean , Girolami Jean-Pierre
Published: May 2012

Mesangial matrix expansion is an early lesion leading to glomeruloclerosis and chronic renal diseases. A beneficial effect is achieved with angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), which also favor bradykinin (BK) B2 receptor (B2R) activation. To define the underlying mechanism, we hypothesized that B2R activation could be a negative regulator of collagen synthesis in mesangial cells (MC). We investigated the effect of BK on collagen synthesis and signaling in MC. Inflammation was evaluated by intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression. BK inhibited collagen I and IV synthesis stimulated by high glucose, epithelial growth factor (EGF), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) but did not alter ICAM-1. Inhibition of collagen synthesis was B2R but not B1R mediated. PKC or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors mimicked the BK effect. B2R activation inhibited TGF-β- and EGF-induced Erk1/2, Smad2/3, Akt S473, and EGFR phosphorylation. A phosphatase inhibitor prevented BK effects. The in vivo impact of B2R on mesangial matrix expansion was assessed in streptozotocin-diabetic rodents. Deletion of B2R increased mesangial matrix expansion and albuminuria in diabetic mice. In diabetic rats, matrix expansion and albuminuria were prevented by ACEI but not by ACEI and B2R antagonist cotreatment. Consistently, the lowered BK content of diabetic glomeruli was restored by ACEI. In conclusion, deficient B2R activation aggravated mesangial matrix expansion in diabetic rodents whereas B2R activation reduced MC collagen synthesis by a mechanism targeting Erk1/2 and Akt, common pathways activated by EGF and TGF-β. Taken together, the data support the hypothesis of an antifibrosing effect of B2R activation.
Multiple residues in the distal C terminus of the α-subunit have roles in modulating human epithelial sodium channel activity
Authors: Mueller Gunhild M. , Yan Wusheng , Copelovitch Lawrence , Jarman Susan , Wang Zhijian , Kinlough Carol L. , Tolino Michael A. , Hughey Rebecca P. , Kleyman Thomas R. , Rubenstein Ronald C.
Published: May 2012

Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) are critically important in the regulation of ion and fluid balance in both renal and respiratory epithelia. ENaC functional polymorphisms may contribute to alterations in blood pressure in the general population. We previously reported that the A663T polymorphism in the C terminus of the α-subunit altered ENaC functional and surface expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes (Samaha FF, Rubenstein RC, Yan W, Ramkumar M, Levy DI, Ahn YJ, Sheng S, Kleyman TR. J Biol Chem 279: 23900–23907, 2004). We examined whether sites in the vicinity of 663 influenced channel activity by performing scanning Ala mutagenesis. Interestingly, only αT663/G667Aβγ channels exhibited increased currents compared with αT663βγ. This increase in channel activity reflected an increase in channel open probability and not an increase in channel surface expression. In contrast, decreases in channel activity were observed with both αT663/C664Aβγ and αT663/C664Mβγ channels. The decrease in functional expression of αT663/C664Mβγ channels correlated with decreased surface expression, suggesting that the αC664M mutation altered the intracellular trafficking of the channel. While cytoplasmic Cys residues may be modified by the addition of palmitate, we did not observe palmitoylation of αC664. Our results suggest that multiple residues in the distal part of the cytoplasmic C terminus have roles in modulating channel activity.
Intrinsic and synaptic properties of vertical cells of the mouse dorsal cochlear nucleus
Authors: Kuo Sidney P. , Lu Hsin-Wei , Trussell Laurence O.
Published: May 2012

Multiple classes of inhibitory interneurons shape the activity of principal neurons of the dorsal cochlear nucleus (DCN), a primary target of auditory nerve fibers in the mammalian brain stem. Feedforward inhibition mediated by glycinergic vertical cells (also termed tuberculoventral or corn cells) is thought to contribute importantly to the sound-evoked response properties of principal neurons, but the cellular and synaptic properties that determine how vertical cells function are unclear. We used transgenic mice in which glycinergic neurons express green fluorescent protein (GFP) to target vertical cells for whole cell patch-clamp recordings in acute slices of DCN. We found that vertical cells express diverse intrinsic spiking properties and could fire action potentials at high, sustained spiking rates. Using paired recordings, we directly examined synapses made by vertical cells onto fusiform cells, a primary DCN principal cell type. Vertical cell synapses produced unexpectedly small-amplitude unitary currents in fusiform cells, and additional experiments indicated that multiple vertical cells must be simultaneously active to inhibit fusiform cell spike output. Paired recordings also revealed that a major source of inhibition to vertical cells comes from other vertical cells.
A looming-sensitive pathway responds to changes in the trajectory of object motion
Authors: McMillan Glyn A. , Gray John R.
Published: May 2012

Two identified locust neurons, the lobula giant movement detector (LGMD) and its postsynaptic partner, the descending contralateral movement detector (DCMD), constitute one motion-sensitive pathway in the visual system that responds preferentially to objects that approach on a direct collision course and are implicated in collision-avoidance behavior. Previously described responses to the approach of paired objects and approaches at different time intervals (Guest BB, Gray JR. J Neurophysiol 95: 1428–1441, 2006) suggest that this pathway may also be affected by more complicated movements in the locust's visual environment. To test this possibility we presented stationary locusts with disks traveling along combinations of colliding (looming), noncolliding (translatory), and near-miss trajectories. Distinctly different responses to different trajectories and trajectory changes demonstrate that DCMD responds to complex aspects of local visual motion. DCMD peak firing rates associated with the time of collision remained relatively invariant after a trajectory change from translation to looming. Translatory motion initiated in the frontal visual field generated a larger peak firing rate relative to object motion initiated in the posterior visual field, and the peak varied with simulated distance from the eye. Transition from translation to looming produced a transient decrease in the firing rate, whereas transition away from looming produced a transient increase. The change in firing rate at the time of transition was strongly correlated with unique expansion parameters described by the instantaneous angular acceleration of the leading edge and subtense angle of the disk. However, response time remained invariant. While these results may reflect low spatial resolution of the compound eye, they also suggest that this motion-sensitive pathway may be capable of monitoring dynamic expansion properties of objects that change the trajectory of motion.
Differential coding by two olfactory subsystems in the honeybee brain
Authors: Carcaud Julie , Hill Thomas , Giurfa Martin , Sandoz Jean-Christophe
Published: May 2012

Sensory systems use parallel processing to extract and process different features of environmental stimuli. Parallel processing has been studied in the auditory, visual, and somatosensory systems, but equivalent research in the olfactory modality is scarce. The honeybee Apis mellifera is an interesting model for such research as its relatively simple brain contains a dual olfactory system, with a clear neural dichotomy from the periphery to higher-order centers, based on two main neuronal tracts [medial (m) and lateral (l) antenno-protocerebral tract (APT)]. The function of this dual system is as yet unknown, and attributes like odor quality and odor quantity might be separately encoded in these subsystems. We have thus studied olfactory coding at the input of both subsystems, using in vivo calcium imaging. As one of the subsystems (m-APT) has never been imaged before, a novel imaging preparation was developed to this end, and responses to a panel of aliphatic odorants at different concentrations were compared in both subsystems. Our data show a global redundancy of olfactory coding at the input of both subsystems but unravel some specificities for encoding chemical group and carbon chain length of odor molecules.
Nitrogen Availability and Uptake by Sugarbeet in Years Following a Manure Application
Authors: Lentz Rodrick D. , Lehrsch Gary A.
Published: May 2012

The use of solid dairy manure for sugarbeet production is problematic because beet yield and quality are sensitive to deficiencies or excesses in soil N, and soil N availability from manure varies substantially depending on the year of application. Experimental treatments included combinations of two manure rates (0.33 and 0.97 Mg total N ha−1) and three application times, and non-manure treatments (control and urea fertilizer). We measured soil net N mineralization and biomass, N uptake, and yields for sprinkler-irrigated sugarbeet. On average, the 1-year-old, low-rate manure, and 1- and 2-year-old, high-rate manure treatments produced 1.2-fold greater yields, 1.1-fold greater estimated recoverable sugar, and 1.5-fold greater gross margins than that of fertilizer alone. As a group the 1-year-old, low-rate manure, and 2- and 3-year-old, high-rate-manure treatments produced similar cumulative net N mineralization as urea fertilizer; whereas the 1-year-old, high-rate manure treatment provided nearly 1.5-fold more N than either group. With appropriate manure application rates and attention to residual N and timing of sugarbeet planting, growers can best exploit the N mineralized from manure, while simultaneously maximizing sugar yields and profits.
Neuromagnetic Indication of Dysfunctional Emotion Regulation in Affective Disorders
Authors: Pietrek Christian , Popov Tzvetan , Steffen Astrid , Miller Gregory A. , Rockstroh Brigitte
Published: May 2012

Dysfunctional emotion regulation is often reported in affective disorders, but it is unclear whether this dysfunction concerns initial processing of emotional input or regulation of resulting emotion. The present study addressed these aspects in 27 depressive and 15 borderline personality disorder patients and 28 healthy controls who were instructed to either passively view unpleasant and neutral pictures or downregulate emotional responses by reappraisal, while neuromagnetic brain activity was measured. All three groups showed more early response to unpleasant than to neutral pictures, whereas patients failed to show subsequent activity suppression under instructions to down-regulate. This deficient emotion regulation was evident primarily in those subjects reporting high childhood adversity. Results support intact emotional input processing but impaired emotion regulation in affective disorders and indicate a moderating influence of early life stress.
A Mobile Agent Routing Algorithm in Dual-Channel Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Liu Kui , Liu Sanyang , Feng Hailin
Published: May 2012

A mobile agent routing algorithm (MARA) is presented in this paper, and then based on the dual-channel communication model, the two-layer network combination optimization strategy is also proposed. Since this strategy deals with the collision between packets and the multicast suppression in channel competitive process well, the blocking probability of network and the error rate of packet transmission can be cut down by utilizing this strategy. Furthermore, a restore rule for the failure optimal route is presented too. By using this rule, the optimal route can restore quickly in the local of fail nodes and most of the information of original optimal route can be reserved. Compared with other existing algorithms like ant colony optimization-based dynamic energy-efficient mobile agent routing algorithm (ADEEMA) and mobile agent-based wireless sensor network (MAWSN), simulation results show that MARA performs better in improving the success rate of packet transmission and cutting down the delay of communication. The success rate of packet transmission is improved 15%. Simultaneously, this algorithm can keep the ant agents away from the nodes with less residual energy in searching for the optimal route. This way can make the energy of each nodes on the optimal route overall decline and hence improve the lifetime of network.
Echogenic Technology Improves Cannula Visibility during Ultrasound-Guided Internal Jugular Vein Catheterization via a Transverse Approach
Authors: Stefanidis Konstantinos , Pentilas Nicos , Dimopoulos Stavros , Nanas Serafim , Savel Richard H. , Shiloh Ariel L. , Poularas John , Slama Michel , Karakitsos Dimitrios
Published: May 2012

Objective.Echogenic technology has recently enhanced the ability of cannulas to be visualized during ultrasound-guided vascular access. We studied whether the use of an EC could improve visualization if compared with a nonechogenic vascular cannula (NEC) during real-time ultrasound-guided internal jugular vein (IJV) cannulation in the intensive care unit (ICU).Material and Methods.We prospectively enrolled 80 mechanically ventilated patients who required central venous access in a randomized study that was conducted in two medical-surgical ICUs. Forty patients underwent EC and 40 patients were randomized to NEC. The procedure was ultrasound-guided IJV cannulation via a transverse approach.Results.The EC group exhibited increased visibility as compared to the NEC group (88%  ± 8% versus 20%  ± 15%, resp.P<0.01). There was strong agreement between the procedure operators and independent observers (k=0.9; 95% confidence intervals assessed by bootstrap analysis = 0.87–0.95;P<0.01). Access time (5.2 s ± 2.5 versus 10.6 s ± 5.7) and mechanical complications were both decreased in the EC group compared to the NEC group (P<0.05).Conclusion.Echogenic technology significantly improved cannula visibility and decreased access time and mechanical complications during real-time ultrasound-guided IJV cannulation via a transverse approach.
Physiopathogenetic Interrelationship between Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy and NREM Arousal Parasomnias
Authors: Halász Péter , Kelemen Anna , Szűcs Anna
Published: May 2012

Aims. To build up a coherent shared pathophysiology of NFLE and AP and discuss the underlying functional network. Methods. Reviewing relevant published data we point out common features in semiology of events, relations to macro- and microstructural dynamism of NREM sleep, to cholinergic arousal mechanism and genetic aspects. Results. We propose that pathological arousals accompanied by confused behavior with autonomic signs and/or hypermotor automatisms are expressions of the frontal cholinergic arousal function of different degree, during the condition of depressed cognition by frontodorsal functional loss in NREM sleep. This may happen either if the frontal cortical Ach receptors are mutated in ADNFLE (and probably also in genetically not proved nonlesional cases as well), or without epileptic disorder, in AP, assuming gain in receptor functions in both conditions. This hypothesis incorporates the previous “liberation theory” of Tassinari and the “state dissociation hypothesis” of Bassetti and Terzaghi). We propose that NFLE and IGE represent epileptic disorders of the two antagonistic twin systems in the frontal lobe. NFLE is the epileptic facilitation of the ergotropic frontal arousal system whereas absence epilepsy is the epileptic facilitation of burst-firing working mode of the spindle and delta producing frontal thalamocortical throphotropic sleep system. Significance. The proposed physiopathogenesis conceptualize epilepsies in physiologically meaningful networks.
International Comparisons of Population Mobility in Russia
Authors: Heleniak Timothy
Published: May 2012

The population of Russia is regarded as being quite immobile compared to other countries. There have been some recent methodological advances and new datasets on internal migration which make cross-national comparisons, though these do not extend to Russia. This paper adds comparisons of levels of mobility in Russia with other countries. The study finds that the population of Russia is not significantly less mobile than other large countries and that part of the myth of immobility stems from a deterioration of the migration registration system in the post-Soviet period. There are inconsistencies between lifetime mobility derived from population censuses and annual mobility from a population register which originated during the central-planning period.
Given changes in the economic structure at both national and regional levels during the period of economic transition, migration theory predicted significant migration movements, and it seems as if many were not captured by the statistical system.
Extrafollicular Dermal Melanocyte Stem Cells and Melanoma
Authors: Hoerter James D. , Bradley Patrick , Casillas Alexandria , Chambers Danielle , Denholm Carli , Johnson Kimberly , Weiswasser Brandon
Published: May 2012

Recent studies suggest that extrafollicular dermal melanocyte stem cells (MSCs) persist after birth in the superficial nerve sheath of peripheral nerves and give rise to migratory melanocyte precursors when replacements for epidermal melanocytes are needed on the basal epidermal layer of the skin. If a damaged MSC or melanocyte precursor can be shown to be the primary origin of melanoma, targeted identification and eradication of it by antibody-based therapies will be the best method to treat melanoma and a very effective way to prevent its recurrence. Transcription factors and signaling pathways involved in MSC self-renewal, expansion and differentiation are reviewed. A model is presented to show how the detrimental effects of long-term UVA/UVB radiation on DNA and repair mechanisms in MSCs convert them to melanoma stem cells. Zebrafish have many advantages for investigating the role of MSCs in the development of melanoma. The signaling pathways regulating the development of MSCs in zebrafish are very similar to those found in humans and mice. The ability to easily manipulate the MSC population makes zebrafish an excellent model for studying how damage to MSCs may lead to melanoma.
Selection of a MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Subpopulation with High Sensitivity to IL-1β: Characterization of and Correlation between Morphological and Molecular Changes Leading to Increased Invasiveness
Authors: Pérez-Yépez Eloy Andres , Ayala-Sumuano Jorge-Tonatiuh , Reveles-Espinoza Alicia Maria , Meza Isaura
Published: May 2012

Cancer and inflammation are closely related in tumor malignancy prognosis. Breast cancer MCF-7 cells have a poor invasive phenotype, although, under IL-1βstimulus, acquire invasive features. Cell response heterogeneity has precluded precise evaluation of the malignant transition. MCF-7A3 cells were selected for high sensitivity to IL-1βstimulus, uniform expression of CXCR4, and stability of IL1-RI. Structural changes, colony formation ability, proliferation rate, chemotaxis, Matrigel invasion, E-cadherin mRNA expression and protein localization were determined in these cells and in MCF-7 parental cells under the stimulus of IL-1β. Selected MCF-7A3 cells showed a uniform response to IL-1βstimulation increasing features of invasive cells such as scattering, colony formation, proliferation, chemokinesis and invasion. Basal expression of E-cadherin mRNA was higher, and IL-1βstimulus had no further effect at early times of cytokine exposure. Total E-cadherin levels remained unchanged in parental cells, whereas levels decreased, as MCF-7A3 cells became fibroblastoid or scattered. Triton X-100 soluble/insoluble E-cadherin ratios were highly increased in these cells, while, in MCF-7pl cells, ratios could not be correlated with morphology changes. MCF-7A3 cells uniform response to IL-1βallowed characterization of changes induced by the cytokine that had not been assessed when using heterogeneous cell lines.
Electroacupuncture Attenuates Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Asthma via Modulating CD4+CD25+Regulatory T Cells
Authors: Kwon Youngjoo , Sohn Sung-Hwa , Lee Gihyun , Kim Youngeun , Lee Hyejung , Shin Minkyu , Bae Hyunsu
Published: May 2012

A mouse pulmonary hypersensitivity experimental model that mimics human asthma was developed, and electroacupuncture (EA) treatment was shown to reduce allergic inflammatory processes. In addition, we also assessed whether the beneficial effects of EA on allergic asthma could be correlated with CD4+CD25+Foxp3+regulatory T cells (Treg). Cellular profiles and histopathologic analysis demonstrated that peribronchial and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltrates were significantly decreased in the EA-treated groups when compared to the OVA and anti-CD25 Ab-injected (Treg depletion) groups. Furthermore, total BAL cells were reduced in the EA groups when compared to other groups. Interestingly, the population of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Tregs in pneumonocytes increased in EA-treated group when compared to OVA and Treg depletion groups. These results imply that EA stimulation at ST 36 may affect CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg in an OVA-induced experimental model and may enhance Treg function by suppressing other T cells and limiting the immune response.
Solutions for p‐Laplacian Dynamic Delay Differential Equations on Time Scales
Authors: Su Hua , Liu Lishan , Wang Xinjun
Published: May 2012

Let T be a time scale. We study the existence of positive solutions for the nonlinear four‐point singular boundary value problem with p‐Laplacian dynamic delay differential equations on time scales, subject to some boundary conditions. By using the fixed‐point index theory, the existence of positive solution and many positive solutions for nonlinear four‐point singular boundary value problem with p‐Laplacian operator is obtained.
Tulsa Oklahoma Oktoberfest Tent Collapse Report
Authors: Deal Kelly E. , Synovitz Carolyn K. , Goodloe Jeffrey M. , King Brandi , Stewart Charles E.
Published: May 2012

Background. On October 17, 2007, a severe weather event collapsed two large tents and several smaller tents causing 23 injuries requiring evacuation to emergency departments in Tulsa, OK.Methods. This paper is a retrospective analysis of the regional health system’s response to this event. Data from the Tulsa Fire Department, The Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA), receiving hospitals and coordinating services were reviewed and analyzed. EMS patient care reports were reviewed and analyzed using triage designators assigned in the field, injury severity scores, and critical mortality.Results. EMT's and paramedics from Tulsa Fire Department and EMSA provided care at the scene under unified incident command. Of the 23 patients transported by EMS, four were hospitalized, one with critical spinal injury and one with critical head injury. One patient is still in ongoing rehabilitation.Discussion. Analysis of the 2007 Tulsa Oktoberfest mass casualty incident revealed rapid police/fire/EMS response despite challenges of operations at dark under severe weather conditions and the need to treat a significant number of injured victims. There were no fatalities. Of the patients transported by EMS, a minority sustained critical injuries, with most sustaining injuries amenable to discharge after emergency department care.
Bilateral Progressive Idiopathic Annular Lipid Keratopathy
Authors: Ghanem Ramon C. , Ghanem Vinícius C. , Victor Gustavo , Alves Milton Ruiz
Published: May 2012

Purpose. To report two unusual cases of idiopathic lipid keratopathy with symmetrical bilateral annular corneal lipid infiltration and describe confocal microscopy findings.Methods. Case reports.Results. We report two patients with bilateral peripheral deep stromal lipid deposits beginning in an arcuate pattern and progressing to a complete annular shape. Cholesterol crystals were observed in the paracentral area in both cases with characteristic crystalline-like structures in the confocal microscopy. Deep thin corneal blood vessels were observed in one patient, but no cause for then was established, despite decades of followup. This patient had an idiopathic limbitis as well, occurring in episodes. No previous ocular trauma, systemic disease or family history was reported for both cases.Conclusion. These two cases of idiopathic annular lipid keratopathy were observed for more than a decade with documented slow and insidious progression of the infiltrates, in spite of the use of topical steroids in one case. In the majority of other reported cases, a penetrating keratoplasty was made necessary. Differently, we showed that the visual acuity can remain quite good for years with very slow deterioration.
Polygon Morphing and Its Application in Orebody Modeling
Authors: İlhan Hacer , Gürçay Haşmet
Published: May 2012

Three different polygon morphing methods are examined. The first one is based on the utilization of the trimmed skeleton of the symmetric difference of the source and target polygons as an intermediate polygon. The second one reduces the problem to the problem of morphing compatible planar triangulations and utilizes the representation of planar triangulations as a matrix constructed using barycentric coordinates of the planar triangulation′s vertices relative to their neighbors. The third and last one describes the polygon by the parametric curve representation based on estimated Fourier parameters and thus transfers the morphing process to Fourier parametric space. The different features and comparative results of these methods are shown by the tests with different examples. These methods are used for generating a set of polygonal sections from two nonplanar polygonal sections which are nearly planar in 3D before constructing a three‐dimensional object from these nonplanar sections.
Novel Strategies for Immunotherapy in Multiple Myeloma: Previous Experience and Future Directions
Authors: Danylesko Ivetta , Beider Katia , Shimoni Avichai , Nagler Arnon
Published: May 2012

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a life-threatening haematological malignancy for which standard therapy is inadequate. Autologous stem cell transplantation is a relatively effective treatment, but residual malignant sites may cause relapse. Allogeneic transplantation may result in durable responses due to antitumour immunity mediated by donor lymphocytes. However, morbidity and mortality related to graft-versus-host disease remain a challenge. Recent advances in understanding the interaction between the immune system of the patient and the malignant cells are influencing the design of clinically more efficient study protocols for MM. Cellular immunotherapy using specific antigen-presenting cells (APCs), to overcome aspects of immune incompetence in MM patients, has received great attention, and numerous clinical trials have evaluated the potential for dendritic cell (DC) vaccines as a novel immunotherapeutic approach. This paper will summarize the data investigating aspects of immunity concerning MM, immunotherapy for patients with MM, and strategies, on the way, to target the plasma cell more selectively. We also include the MM antigens and their specific antibodies that are of potential use for MM humoral immunotherapy, because they have demonstrated the most promising preclinical results.
Clustering Methodologies for Software Engineering
Authors: Shtern Mark , Tzerpos Vassilios
Published: May 2012

The size and complexity of industrial strength software systems are constantly increasing. This means that the task of managing a large software project is becoming even more challenging, especially in light of high turnover of experienced personnel. Software clustering approaches can help with the task of understanding large, complex software systems by automatically decomposing them into smaller, easier-to-manage subsystems. The main objective of this paper is to identify important research directions in the area of software clustering that require further attention in order to develop more effective and efficient clustering methodologies for software engineering. To that end, we first present the state of the art in software clustering research. We discuss the clustering methods that have received the most attention from the research community and outline their strengths and weaknesses. Our paper describes each phase of a clustering algorithm separately. We also present the most important approaches for evaluating the effectiveness of software clustering.
Random Attractors for Stochastic Three‐Component Reversible Gray‐Scott System with Multiplicative White Noise
Authors: Gu Anhui
Published: May 2012

The paper is devoted to proving the existence of a compact random attractor for the random dynamical system generated by stochastic three‐component reversible Gray‐Scott system with multiplicative white noise.