bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MT1‐MMP modulates melanoma cell dissemination and metastasis through activation of MMP2 and RAC1
Authors: Shaverdashvili Khvaramze , Wong Poki , Ma Jun , Zhang Keman , Osman Iman , Bedogni Barbara
Published: December 2013

Metastatic melanoma remains the deadliest of all skin cancers with a survival rate at five years of less than 15%. MT1‐MMP is a membrane‐associated matrix metalloproteinase that controls pericellular proteolysis and is an important, invasion‐promoting, pro‐tumorigenic MMP in cancer. We show that deregulation of MT1‐MMP expression happens as early as the transition from nevus to primary melanoma and continues to increase during melanoma progression. Furthermore, MT1‐MMP expression is associated with poor melanoma patient outcome, underscoring a pivotal role of MT1‐MMP in melanoma pathogenesis. We demonstrate that MT1‐MMP is directly required for melanoma cells to metastasize, as cells deprived of MT1‐MMP fail to form distant metastasis in an orthotopic mouse melanoma model. We show that MT1‐MMP affects cell invasion by activating its target MMP2. Importantly, we demonstrate, for the first time, that activation of MMP2 by MT1‐MMP is required to sustain RAC1 activity and promote MT1‐MMP‐dependent cell motility. These data highlight a novel MT1‐MMP/MMP2/RAC1 signaling axis in melanoma that may represent an intriguing molecular target for the treatment of invasive melanoma.
Probable role of dopamine in the regulation of ventral nephrocyte functioning in Drosophila melanogaster adults
Authors: ANDREENKOVA OLGA V. , KARPOVA EUGENIYA K. , GRUNTENKO NATALY E.
Published: December 2013

Filtration of haemolymph in insects to remove waste products is performed by nephrocytes, which comprise accessory cells of the circulatory system that are not connected to Malpighian tubules. There are two types of nephrocytes in Drosophila: ventral cells, situated around the junction between the cardia and the oesophagus, and pericardial cells, situated around the heart. In the present study, the expression of dopamine D1 (DopR) and D2‐like (DD2R) receptors in the ventral nephrocytes of Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is investigated. Immunohistochemical staining with polyclonal antibodies against DopR and DD2R demonstrates the presence of these receptors in adult nephrocytes. The functioning of D. melanogaster nephrocytes is investigated by evaluation of mortality rates in flies treated with silver nitrate (AgNO3) compared with untreated controls. To determine whether a change in the level of dopamine receptors has an effect on the functioning of nephrocytes, the antisense suppressor of DD2R gene together with a nephrocyte‐specific driver is used in the UAS‐GAL4 system. The suppression of DD2R in nephrocytes results in a significant decrease of mortality under toxic conditions. Taken together, the data obtained in the present study indicate that dopamine takes part in the control of ventral nephrocyte functioning in D. melanogaster.
The enhancement of clinical competence through caring science
Authors: Levy‐Malmberg Rika , Hilli Yvonne
Published: December 2013

This theoretical research attempts to create a new basis for dialogue between two independent research fields that are connected by an inseparable link. The first, nursing science, is a body of professional knowledge, while the second, caring as an independent body of pure knowledge, conducts basic research with an aspiration towards applicability. This theoretical research uses the guidelines of the Buberian dialogue, which provides new meaning to the concept of clinical competence. The results emphasise the need to adopt abstract knowledge into the nursing field in order to improve the graduate's clinical capabilities. The combination of assessing clinical capability in a judgmental manner together with the dialogical humanistic approach of caring science may create a genuine platform and meeting event as a maturing process, which is intended to promote educational goals, which subsequently receive new meaning, that is, a different type of assessment. However, this assessment cannot be measured since a wide range of ethical moral aspects regarding both the student and the patient will have to be included. Nevertheless, this dialogue between nursing science and caring science can implement evidence on the basis of trust and can be used as a dialogical tool for evaluating clinical skills with the goal of empowering the educational field in nursing. Consequently, this clinical competence is called ‘caring maturing means’, and the goal is to convert the learning process into a meaningful event with the aim of improvement.
Toward a post‐secular anthropology
Authors: Fountain Philip
Published: December 2013

The discipline of anthropology is dominated by a secular analytical approach which requires the bounding of religion and its exclusion from anthropological ways‐of‐knowing. This is premised on a historical understanding of the discipline as scientific, rational, objective and modern. While these norms are now routinely critiqued, theology remains peculiarly marginalised. This article probes the contours of an anthropology beyond the secular which involves both critical reflection on the secularity of the discipline and a willingness to experiment with new ways of doing anthropologywith/intheology.
In Vivo Properties of Uterine Suspensory Tissue in Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Authors: Luo Jiajia , Smith Tovia M. , Ashton-Miller James A. , DeLancey John O. L.
Published: December 2013

The uterine suspensory tissue (UST), which includes the cardinal (CL) and uterosacral ligaments (USL), plays an important role in resisting pelvic organ prolapse (POP). We describe a technique for quantifying the in vivo time-dependent force-displacement behavior of the UST, demonstrate its feasibility, compare data from POP patients to normal subjects previously reported, and use the results to identify the properties of the CL and USL via biomechanical modeling. Fourteen women with prolapse, without prior surgeries, who were scheduled for surgery, were selected from an ongoing study on POP. We developed a computer-controlled linear servo actuator, which applied a continuous force and simultaneously recorded cervical displacement. Immediately prior to surgery, the apparatus was used to apply three “ramp and hold” trials. After a 1.1 N preload was applied to remove slack in the UST, a ramp rate of 4 mm/s was used up to a maximum force of 17.8 N. Each trial was analyzed and compared with the tissue stiffness and energy absorbed during the ramp phase and normalized final force during the hold phase. A simplified four-cable model was used to analyze the material behavior of each ligament. The mean ± SD stiffnesses of the UST were 0.49 ± 0.13, 0.61 ± 0.22, and 0.59 ± 0.2 N/mm from trial 1 to 3, with the latter two values differing significantly from the first. The energy absorbed significantly decreased from trial 1 (0.27 ± 0.07) to 2 (0.23 ± 0.08) and 3 (0.22 ± 0.08 J) but not from trial 2 to 3. The normalized final relaxation force increased significantly with trial 1. Modeling results for trial 1 showed that the stiffnesses of CL and USL were 0.20 ± 0.06 and 0.12 ± 0.04 N/mm, respectively. Under the maximum load applied in this study, the strain in the CL and USL approached about 100%. In the relaxation phase, the peak force decreased by 44 ± 4% after 60 s. A servo actuator apparatus and intraoperative testing strategy proved successful in obtaining in vivo time-dependent material properties data in representative sample of POP. The UST exhibited visco-hyperelastic behavior. Unlike a knee ligament, the length of UST could stretch to twice their initial length under the maximum force applied in this study.
Association of the Autoimmune Disease Scleroderma with an Immunologic Response to Cancer
Authors: Joseph Christine G. , Darrah Erika , Shah Ami A. , Skora Andrew D. , Casciola-Rosen Livia A. , Wigley Fredrick M. , Boin Francesco , Fava Andrea , Thoburn Chris , Kinde Isaac , Jiao Yuchen , Papadopoulos Nickolas , Kinzler Kenneth W. , Vogelstein Bert , Rosen Antony
Published: December 2013

Cancer Immunosurveillance Gone Bad?

A subset of patients who develop scleroderma, a debilitating autoimmune disease, have an elevated risk of developing cancer. These patients harbor autoantibodies to RPC1, an RNA polymerase subunit encoded by the
POLR3A
gene.

Joseph
et al.

(p.
152
, published online December 5; see the Perspective by

Teng and Smyth

) explored whether the RPC1 autoantibodies target a “foreign” antigen derived from a mutated
POLR3A
gene. Sequence analysis revealed that
POLR3A
mutations were present in tumors from six of eight patients with RPC1 autoantibodies but in no tumors from eight control patients who lacked RPC1 autoantibodies. Cell culture data suggested that the
POLR3A
mutations triggered cellular and humoral immune responses in the patients. These results provide support for the “immunosurveillance” hypothesis, which posits the continual eradication of nascent tumor cells via immune responses.
Complete Genome Sequence of Staphylococcus aureus Z172, a Vancomycin-Intermediate and Daptomycin-Nonsusceptible Methicillin-Resistant Strain Isolated in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Feng-Jui , Lauderdale Tsai-Ling , Wang Lih-Shinn , Huang I-Wen
Published: December 2013

We report the complete genome sequence of Z172, a representative strain of sequence type 239-staphylococcal cassette chromosome
mec
type III (ST239-SCC
mec
type III) hospital-associated methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
in Taiwan. Strain Z172 also exhibits a vancomycin-intermediate and daptomycin-nonsusceptible phenotype.
Evaluation of three-dose fosfomycin tromethamine in the treatment of patients with urinary tract infections: an uncontrolled, open-label, multicentre study
Authors: Qiao Lu-Dong , Zheng Bo , Chen Shan , Yang Yong , Zhang Kai , Guo Hong-Feng , Yang Bo , Niu Yuan-Jie , Wang Yi , Shi Ben-Kang , Yang Wei-Min , Zhao Xiao-Kun , Gao Xiao-Feng , Chen Ming
Published: December 2013

Objective

To evaluate the clinical and microbiological efficacy and safety of three doses of 3 g fosfomycin tromethamine administered orally to treat lower urinary tract infections.

Design and participants

This prospective, uncontrolled, open-label study was conducted in 12 medical centres in China, between January and December 2011. According to the diagnosis criteria of Chinese Guidelines on Urological Infections, patients (18–70 years) with acute uncomplicated cystitis, recurrent lower urinary tract infection or complicated lower urinary tract infection received three doses of 3 g fosfomycin tromethamine orally, at days 1, 3 and 5.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Efficacy endpoints (clinical efficacy, microbiological efficacy and overall efficacy) were evaluated on day 15. Clinical symptoms, physical signs, urinalysis, liver and kidney function, patient records and evaluation of adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs up to day 15 were evaluated for analysis of safety.

Results

361 patients were included in the full analysis set, 356 in the safety analysis set and 335 in the per-protocol set (PPS). In the PPS, the clinical efficacy rates at day 15 for acute uncomplicated cystitis, recurrent lower urinary tract infection and complicated lower urinary tract infection were 94.71% (179/189), 77.22% (61/79) and 62.69% (42/67), respectively. The microbiological efficacy rates (day 15) were 97.65% (83/85), 94.44% (34/36) and 83.87% (26/31), respectively. The overall efficacy rates (day 15) were 95.29% (81/85), 77.78% (28/36) and 64.52% (20/31), respectively. 20/356 (5.6%) patients reported drug-related AEs, the most common being diarrhoea. No serious drug-related AEs were reported.

Conclusions

This fosfomycin tromethamine dosing regimen showed clinical and microbiological efficacy with some AEs and good tolerability in patients with acute uncomplicated cystitis, recurrent lower urinary tract infection and complicated lower urinary tract infection.
Protocol for a qualitative study on promoting dietary change and positive food choices for poor people with low income who experience cardiovascular disease in Pakistan
Authors: Barolia Rubina Iqbal , Clark Alexander M , Higginbottom Gina M A
Published: December 2013

Introduction

There is a misconception that cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the burden of wealthy nations, but, in fact, it is the leading cause of death and disability-adjusted life worldwide. Healthy diets are an essential factor in the prevention of CVD. However, promoting healthy diet is challenging, particularly for people with low-socioeconomic status (SES), because poverty is linked with many risk behaviours such as smoking, unhealthy eating and obesity. Multiple factors, cultural values and beliefs interact and make healthy eating very challenging. The effects of these factors in the context of low-SES populations with CVD are largely unknown. To address this gap, this study will examine the factors that affect decisions about consuming healthy diet in Pakistanis with low SES who suffer from CVD.

Methods and analysis

A qualitative method of interpretive description will be used. 25 participants will be selected from two cardiac rehabilitation (CR) centres in Karachi, Pakistan. Face-to-face interviews using a critical realist framework will be used to understand individual and contextual factors in the food choices of people with low SES and CVD.ATLAS.tiqualitative data analysis software will be used to identify themes and patterns in the interview data.

Ethics and discussion

Ethical approvals were received from the Ethics Review board of University of Alberta, Canada and Aga Khan University, Karachi Pakistan. The findings will generate new knowledge about which and how factors influence the food choices of Pakistanis with CVD and low SES to provide an insight into the development of an operational framework for designing interventions for prevention of CVD. For knowledge-translation purposes, we will publish the findings in highly accessed, peer-reviewed scientific and health policy journals at the national and international level. This research protocol received IRDC (International Development Research Centre) doctoral award from International Development Research Centre, Ottawa, Canada.
Do healthier foods and diet patterns cost more than less healthy options? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Rao Mayuree , Afshin Ashkan , Singh Gitanjali , Mozaffarian Dariush
Published: December 2013

Objective

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of prices of healthier versus less healthy foods/diet patterns while accounting for key sources of heterogeneity.

Data sources

MEDLINE (2000–2011), supplemented with expert consultations and hand reviews of reference lists and related citations.

Design

Studies reviewed independently and in duplicate were included if reporting mean retail price of foods or diet patterns stratified by healthfulness. We extracted, in duplicate, mean prices and their uncertainties of healthier and less healthy foods/diet patterns and rated the intensity of health differences for each comparison (range 1–10). Prices were adjusted for inflation and the World Bank purchasing power parity, and standardised to the international dollar (defined as US$1) in 2011. Using random effects models, we quantified price differences of healthier versus less healthy options for specific food types, diet patterns and units of price (serving, day and calorie). Statistical heterogeneity was quantified using I2statistics.

Results

27 studies from 10 countries met the inclusion criteria. Among food groups, meats/protein had largest price differences: healthier options cost $0.29/serving (95% CI $0.19 to $0.40) and $0.47/200 kcal ($0.42 to $0.53) more than less healthy options. Price differences per serving for healthier versus less healthy foods were smaller among grains ($0.03), dairy (−$0.004), snacks/sweets ($0.12) and fats/oils ($0.02; p<0.05 each) and not significant for soda/juice ($0.11, p=0.64). Comparing extremes (top vs bottom quantile) of food-based diet patterns, healthier diets cost $1.48/day ($1.01 to $1.95) and $1.54/2000 kcal ($1.15 to $1.94) more. Comparing nutrient-based patterns, price per day was not significantly different (top vs bottom quantile: $0.04; p=0.916), whereas price per 2000 kcal was $1.56 ($0.61 to $2.51) more. Adjustment for intensity of differences in healthfulness yielded similar results.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis provides the best evidence until today of price differences of healthier vs less healthy foods/diet patterns, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for reducing financial barriers to healthy eating.
Faecal microbiota composition and host–microbe cross-talk following gastroenteritis and in postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Jalanka-Tuovinen Jonna , Salojärvi Jarkko , Salonen Anne , Immonen Outi , Garsed Klara , Kelly Fiona M , Zaitoun Abed , Palva Airi , Spiller Robin C , de Vos Willem M
Published: December 2013

Background

About 10% of patients with IBS report the start of the syndrome after infectious enteritis. The clinical features of postinfectious IBS (PI-IBS) resemble those of diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D). While altered faecal microbiota has been identified in other IBS subtypes, composition of the microbiota in patients with PI-IBS remains uncharacterised.

Objective

To characterise the microbial composition of patients with PI-IBS, and to examine the associations between the faecal microbiota and a patient's clinical features.

Design

Using a phylogenetic microarray and selected qPCR assays, we analysed differences in the faecal microbiota of 57 subjects from five study groups: patients with diagnosed PI-IBS, patients who 6 months after gastroenteritis had either persisting bowel dysfunction or no IBS symptoms, benchmarked against patients with IBS-D and healthy controls. In addition, the associations between the faecal microbiota and health were investigated by correlating the microbial profiles to immunological markers, quality of life indicators and host gene expression in rectal biopsies.

Results

Microbiota analysis revealed a bacterial profile of 27 genus-like groups, providing an Index of Microbial Dysbiosis (IMD), which significantly separated patient groups and controls. Within this profile, several members ofBacteroidetesphylum were increased 12-fold in patients, while healthy controls had 35-fold more unculturedClostridia. We showed correlations between the IMD and expression of several host gene pathways, including amino acid synthesis, cell junction integrity and inflammatory response, suggesting an impaired epithelial barrier function in IBS.

Conclusions

The faecal microbiota of patients with PI-IBS differs from that of healthy controls and resembles that of patients with IBS-D, suggesting a common pathophysiology. Moreover, our analysis suggests a variety of host–microbe associations that may underlie intestinal symptoms, initiated by gastroenteritis.
Overcoming the evening/weekend effects on time delays and outcomes of endovascular stroke therapy: the Calgary Stroke Program experience
Authors: Almekhlafi Mohammed A , Hockley Aaron , Desai Jamsheed A , Nambiar Vivek , Mishra Sachin , Volny Ondrej , Eesa Muneer , Demchuk Andrew M , Menon Bijoy K , Goyal Mayank
Published: December 2013

Background

Stentrievers have resulted in faster recanalization times in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Nonetheless, when strokes occur during evenings and weekends, delays are introduced in achieving this goal. We assessed the feasibility of achieving fast and successful endovascular reperfusion in patients with stroke treated during evenings and weekends and whether this has an impact on the outcome.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of a longitudinal database of patients with acute anterior ischemic stroke treated with endovascular therapy in a comprehensive stroke center between January 2011 and December 2012. The imaging to reperfusion time was defined as the time from completion of the unenhanced CT scan to the time of angiographic successful reperfusion (TICI 2b–3). This time interval was compared between patients treated during working hours (Monday to Friday 07:00–18:00 h) and those treated in the evening outside these hours and at weekends. The 24-h NIH Stroke Scale score and 90-day favorable outcome score (modified Rankin scale ≤2) were compared between the two groups.

Results

In a cohort of 110 patients, 56 (50.9%) were treated on evenings and weekends. The median imaging to reperfusion time in these patients was 111 min compared with 90 min during working hours (p=0.019). The proportion of patients with successful reperfusion (TICI 2b or 3) during the evenings and weekends was 82.1% compared with 76.7% during working hours (p=0.4). The proportion of patients with a 90-day favorable outcome was not significantly different in the two groups (64.3% in those treated during evenings and weekends vs 52.1% in working hours, p=0.2).

Conclusions

Some delays were encountered during evenings and weekend hours. Despite that, it was feasible to achieve a relatively short imaging to reperfusion times during these hours, in comparison to existing literature. A target universal time metric is needed to assess the timeliness of endovascular therapy in stroke centers.
Electrochemical reduction of aqueous nitrate ion at tin cathodes
Authors: Ambrosioni Brice , Barthelemy Anthony , Bejan Dorin , Bunce Nigel J.
Published: December 2013

The remediation of nitrate-contaminated water using electrochemical reduction at a tin cathode has previously been shown to give almost quantitative denitrification (removal of dissolved nitrogen species) under highly cathodic polarization. A particular focus of this project was to identify specific role(s) for tin in the reaction in the context of the previous literature. The current efficiency for denitrification was enhanced in alkaline solution, and the reaction was accelerated by the presence of small concentrations of Sn(II) salts, which are in a dynamic exchange between cathodic deposition and corrosion of the cathode. Literature precedent indicates that Sn(II) salts promote the “dimerization” pathway of NO to hyponitrite in preference to reduction to ammonia. Hyponitrite is a known intermediate in the electrochemical reduction of nitrate, but its spontaneous decomposition gives predominantly N2O, which does not reduce further to N2. We have shown that hyponitrite is reduced electrochemically in competition with its thermal decomposition, which provides a pathway to N2 via the spontaneous dehydration of HO−NH−NH−OH. The possible role of surface-bound Sn−H species in the reduction mechanism is discussed, but further work is needed to substantiate this proposal.
Pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (MC-1), a vitamin B6 derivative, inhibits expressed P2X receptors
Authors: Thériault Olivier , Poulin Hugo , Thomas George R. , Friesen Albert D. , Al-Shaqha Waleed A. , Chahine Mohamed
Published: December 2013

P2X receptors are cation-permeable ligand-gated ion channels that open in response to the binding of ATP. These receptors are present in many excitable cells, including neurons, striated muscle cells, epithelial cells, and leukocytes. They mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission in the central and peripheral nervous systems and are thought to be involved in neuropathic pain, inflammation, and cell damage following ischemia–reperfusion injuries. P2X receptors are thus a target for the development of new therapeutics to treat chronic pain and inflammation. In this study, we characterized the inhibition caused by pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, a natural metabolite of vitamin B6 (MC-1), of P2X2, P2X4, P2X7, and P2X2/3 receptors stably expressed in HEK293 cells using the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell configuration. We also tested a new approach using VC6.1, a modified cameleon calcium-sensitive fluorescent protein, to characterize the inhibition of P2X2 and P2X2/3. MC-1 blocked these two P2X receptors, with an IC50 of 7 and 13 μmol/L, respectively. P2X2 exhibited the highest affinity for VC6.1, and the chimeric receptor P2X2/3, the lowest. The patch-clamp and imaging approaches gave similar results and indicated that VC6.1 may be useful for high throughput drug screening. Pyridoxal-5′-phosphate is an efficient P2X blocker and can be classified as a P2X antagonist.
Anticipating the consequences of climate change for Canada’s boreal forest ecosystems
Authors: Price David T. , Alfaro R.I. , Brown K.J. , Flannigan M.D. , Fleming R.A. , Hogg E.H. , Girardin M.P. , Lakusta T. , Johnston M. , McKenney D.W. , Pedlar J.H. , Stratton T. , Sturrock R.N. , Thompson I.D. , Trofymow J.A. , Venier L.A.
Published: December 2013

Canadian boreal woodlands and forests cover approximately 3.09 × 106 km2, located within a larger boreal zone characterized by cool summers and long cold winters. Warming since the 1850s, increases in annual mean temperature of at least 2 °C between 2000 and 2050 are highly probable. Annual mean temperatures across the Canadian boreal zone could be 4–5 °C warmer than today’s by 2100. All aspects of boreal forest ecosystem function are likely to be affected. Further, several potential “tipping elements” — where exposure to increasing changes in climate may trigger distinct shifts in ecosystem state — can be identified across the Canadian boreal zone. Approximately 40% of the forested area is underlain by permafrost, some of which is already degrading irreversibly, triggering a process of forest decline and re-establishment lasting several decades, while also releasing significant quantities of greenhouse gases that will amplify the future global warming trend. Warmer temperatures coupled with significant changes in the distribution and timing of annual precipitation are likely to cause serious tree-killing droughts in the west; east of the Great Lakes, however, where precipitation is generally nonlimiting, warming coupled with increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide may stimulate higher forest productivity. Large wildfires, which can cause serious economic losses, are expected to become more frequent, but increases in mean annual area burned will be relatively gradual. The most immediate threats could come from endemic forest insect pests that have the potential for population outbreaks in response to relatively small temperature increases. Quantifying the multiple effects of climate change will be challenging, particularly because there are great uncertainties attached to possible interactions among them, as well as with other land-use pressures. Considerable ingenuity will be needed from forest managers and scientists to address the formidable challenges posed by climate change to boreal ecosystems and develop effective strategies to adapt sustainable forest management practices to the impending changes.
DETERMINANTS OF STUDENTS' WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION
Authors: TEIXEIRA AURORA A. C. , SOEIRO MAFALDA
Published: December 2013

We apply the contingent valuation method to estimate how much a specific group of society, which is relatively prone to falling victim to crime, is willing to pay to reduce the likelihood of being the victim of violent crime. Based on responses from 1122 students, we found that younger and female students revealed that they are more inclined to pay so as to avoid violent crime. Students' field of study, cautious behavior and a strong opinion about policies and payment vehicles with potential to reduce the risk of crime are key determinants of the willingness to pay.
REMARKS ON ADJOINT QCD WITH k FLAVORS, k≥2
Authors: SHIFMAN M.
Published: December 2013

I summarize what we know of adjoint QCD. Some observations (albeit very simple) are new.
STUDIES ON THE GROWTH, SPECTRAL, OPTICAL AND THERMAL PROPERTIES OF 4-NITROANILINE PICRATE SINGLE CRYSTALS
Authors: SIVAKUMAR P. K. , KUMAR M. KRISHNA , KUMAR R. MOHAN , KANAGADURAI R.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, an organic 4-nitroaniline picrate (4NP) single crystal was grown by solution growth method. Single crystal X-ray diffraction study revealed that grown crystal belongs to orthorhombic system with Pbcn space group. The solid state constants such as plasma energy, Penn gap, Fermi energy and polarizability of 4NP crystal were determined theoretically. The functional groups of the grown crystals were confirmed qualitatively from FTIR spectral analysis. The thermal decomposition and melting point of the crystal were determined from thermogravimetric analysis. The optical absorption and cut-off wavelength of the crystal were determined from UV-visible study. The second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the grown crystal was measured by Kurtz–Perry SHG test using Nd : YAG laser. The laser damage threshold value of the grown crystal was estimated by multi-shot method using 1064 nm laser.
Time course-dependent changes in the transcriptome of human skeletal muscle during recovery from endurance exercise: from inflammation to adaptive remodeling
Authors: Neubauer Oliver , Sabapathy Surendran , Ashton Kevin J. , Desbrow Ben , Peake Jonathan M. , Lazarus Ross , Wessner Barbara , Cameron-Smith David , Wagner Karl-Heinz , Haseler Luke J. , Bulmer Andrew C.
Published: December 2013

Reprogramming of gene expression is fundamental for skeletal muscle adaptations in response to endurance exercise. This study investigated the time course-dependent changes in the muscular transcriptome after an endurance exercise trial consisting of 1 h of intense cycling immediately followed by 1 h of intense running. Skeletal muscle samples were taken at baseline, 3 h, 48 h, and 96 h postexercise from eight healthy, endurance-trained men. RNA was extracted from muscle. Differential gene expression was evaluated using Illumina microarrays and validated with qPCR. Gene set enrichment analysis identified enriched molecular signatures chosen from the Molecular Signatures Database. Three hours postexercise, 102 gene sets were upregulated [family wise error rate (FWER), P < 0.05], including groups of genes related with leukocyte migration, immune and chaperone activation, and cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) 1 signaling. Forty-eight hours postexercise, among 19 enriched gene sets (FWER, P < 0.05), two gene sets related to actin cytoskeleton remodeling were upregulated. Ninety-six hours postexercise, 83 gene sets were enriched (FWER, P < 0.05), 80 of which were upregulated, including gene groups related to chemokine signaling, cell stress management, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These data provide comprehensive insights into the molecular pathways involved in acute stress, recovery, and adaptive muscular responses to endurance exercise. The novel 96 h postexercise transcriptome indicates substantial transcriptional activity potentially associated with the prolonged presence of leukocytes in the muscles. This suggests that muscular recovery, from a transcriptional perspective, is incomplete 96 h after endurance exercise involving muscle damage.
Impact of Postdiagnosis Smoking on Long-term Survival of Cancer Patients: The Shanghai Cohort Study
Authors: Tao Li , Wang Renwei , Gao Yu-Tang , Yuan Jian-Min
Published: December 2013

Background: Cancer is the number one cause of death among men in China. Cigarette smoking is the most preventable cause of cancer. Data on the impact of continued smoking after cancer diagnosis on survival of patients with cancer are sparse.

Methods: We studied the association between postdiagnosis smoking and risk of all-cause death among 1,632 incident cancer patients in the Shanghai Cohort Study, a population-based prospective cohort of 18,244 men in Shanghai. The change of smoking status after baseline interview was ascertained through annual in-person interviews. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate HR and 95% confidence interval (CI) for all-cause mortality associated with change in smoking status.

Results: Patients who continued smoking after cancer diagnosis experienced a statistically significant 59% (95% CI, 36–86) increase in risk of death compared with patients with cancer who did not smoke after cancer diagnosis. Among current smokers at cancer diagnosis, HRs (95% CIs) were 1.79 (1.49–2.16) in all patients with cancer, 2.36 (1.63–3.42) in patients with lung cancer, 1.63 (0.98–2.73) in patients with stomach cancer, 2.31 (1.40–3.81) in patients with colorectal cancer, and 2.95 (1.09–7.95) in patients with bladder cancer who continued smoking compared with their counterparts who stopped smoking after cancer diagnosis.

Conclusion: Postdiagnosis cigarettes smoking significantly increased the risk of death for male patients with cancer.

Impact: These data provide new information about smoking and cancer survival, which should inform future research into the contextual and individual-level barriers that may result in inadequate attention of smoking among patients with cancer in the postdiagnosis setting. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 22(12); 2404–11. ©2013 AACR.
Influenza Virus Infection Elicits Protective Antibodies and T Cells Specific for Host Cell Antigens Also Expressed as Tumor-Associated Antigens: A New View of Cancer Immunosurveillance
Authors: Iheagwara Uzoma K. , Beatty Pamela L. , Van Phu T. , Ross Ted M. , Minden Jonathan S. , Finn Olivera J.
Published: December 2013

Most tumor-associated antigens (TAA) are self-molecules that are abnormally expressed in cancer cells and become targets of antitumor immune responses. Antibodies and T cells specific for some TAAs have been found in healthy individuals and are associated with lowered lifetime risk for developing cancer. Lower risk for cancer has also been associated with a history of febrile viral diseases. We hypothesized that virus infections could lead to transient expression of abnormal forms of self-molecules, some of which are TAAs; facilitated by the adjuvant effects of infection and inflammation, these molecules could elicit specific antibodies, T cells, and lasting immune memory simultaneously with immunity against viral antigens. Such infection-induced immune memory for TAA would be expected to provide life-long immune surveillance of cancer. Using influenza virus infection in mice as a model system, we tested this hypothesis and demonstrated that influenza-experienced mice control 3LL mouse lung tumor challenge better than infection-naive control mice. Using 2D-difference gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, we identified numerous molecules, some of which are known TAAs, on the 3LL tumor cells recognized by antibodies elicited by two successive influenza infections. We studied in detail immune responses against glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), histone H4, HSP90, malate dehydrogenase 2, and annexin A2, all of which were overexpressed in influenza-infected lungs and in tumor cells. Finally, we show that immune responses generated through vaccination against peptides derived from these antigens correlated with improved tumor control. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(3); 263–73. ©2013 AACR.
Transient Complement Inhibition Promotes a Tumor-Specific Immune Response through the Implication of Natural Killer Cells
Authors: Janelle Valérie , Langlois Marie-Pierre , Tarrab Esther , Lapierre Pascal , Poliquin Laurent , Lamarre Alain
Published: December 2013

Although the role of the complement system in cancer development has been studied, its involvement in the development of an antitumoral immune response remains poorly understood. Using cobra venom factor (CVF) to inhibit the complement cascade via C3 molecule exhaustion in immunocompetent mice bearing B16gp33 melanoma tumors, we show that transient inhibition of the complement system allowed for the development of a more robust gp33-specific antitumoral CD8+ T-cell response. This immune response proved to be natural killer (NK) dependent, suggesting an interaction of complement proteins with this cellular subset leading to T lymphocyte activation and enhanced cytotoxic T-cell activity against tumor cells. This study demonstrates for the first time the implication of the complement system in the development of NK-mediated cytotoxic T-cell–dependent antitumoral immune responses. The complement pathway could therefore be a potent therapeutic target to improve NK-dependent antitumoral immune responses in patients with cancer. Cancer Immunol Res; 2(3); 200–6. ©2013 AACR.
O silêncio do estrangeiro: por uma tentativa da tradução da letra nos primeiros cadernos de Albert Camus
Authors: Camus Albert , Geske Samara Fernanda A. O. de Lócio e Silva , Araújo Raphael Luiz de
Published: December 2013

Partindo das teorias de Antoine Berman em A prova do estrangeiro, o presente artigo tem como objetivo introduzir uma discussão acerca da tradução dos primeiros cadernos de Albert Camus. A proposta de uma tradução da letra do original permite que se conserve a natureza própria dos cadernos que é de ser fragmentário, íntimo e inacabado, evitando, assim, processos como o de clarificação e o de enobrecimento. Essa postura tradutória se coaduna com a temática camusiana do silêncio e do estranhamento, que podemos observar ao longo de toda  sua obra, e particularmente nos cadernos.
Albert Camus, René Char: fonction du paysage méditerranéen dans l'identité de l'artiste et de l'écrivain au XXeme siècle
Authors: Pacchiani Nathalie
Published: December 2013

Il arrive parfois qu’une œuvre soit un microcosme de la problématique existentielle d’un écrivain. Il en est ainsi de L’exil et le royaume ou Noces d’Albert Camus et Feuillets d’Hypnos de René Char. Ces œuvres, en effet, illustrent mieux que tout autre le rapport particulier qu’entretenaient les deux auteurs avec les éléments naturels et qui fut le fondement même de leur amitié. Si Albert Camus et René Char demeuraient liés par une vision commune et fondamentale de la place de l’homme dans le monde, cette quête va se matérialiser par une écriture particulière dont l’énergie ascendante puise ses forces tant dans la lumière du soleil que dans la sève d’une nature mystique. L’éclat des fragments poétiques de Char, l’iconicité du langage camusien donne naissance à une écriture “solaire” méditerranéenne, une écriture de l’unicité et de la rupture qui va permettre à l’homme de se reconstruire et de renouer par la création artistique, un lien avec une origine fondatrice. Étroitement liée à une pensée grecque, notamment celle d’Héraclite prônant une “ parole matinale ” c'est-à-dire une parole originelle seule capable d’“ approcher la présence de l’indémontrable ”, la création devient alors le lieu de tous les possibles.
O estrangeiro na ordem do discurso: sujeito e poder
Authors: Witzel Denise Gabriel , Kogawa João Marcos Mateus
Published: December 2013

Este trabalho busca interpretar alguns efeitos identitários em O Estrangeiro, de Albert Camus. A partir das formulações de Michel Foucault, que apontam a relação entre discurso, sujeito e poder, desenvolvemos um percurso analítico concentrado nos discursos enunciados que, ao subjetivarem o criminoso, identificam-no como um sujeito monstruoso. Para tanto, mobilizamos prioritariamente as séries enunciativas que marcam a indiferença e a insensibilidade na relação mãe e filho, além daquelas que delineiam o ateísmo e o ceticismo do enunciador-personagem. Finalmente, damos visibilidade aos efeitos de sentido que expõem as marcas identitárias que excluem e condenam o sujeito.
Extraterritorialidade e modernidade na literatura hispano-americana: o caso de Octavio Paz
Authors: Hasmann Robson Batista dos Santos
Published: December 2013

Em Extraterritorial (2002), George Steiner problematiza a relação que alguns escritores estabelecem com línguas não maternas e a forma como esse contato pode enriquecer suas obras. O crítico levanta algumas questões a partir da língua inglesa promovendo desenvolvimento estético em autores como Nabokov e Beckett. Dentre os escritores hispânicos, Steiner coloca o exemplo de Jorge Luis Borges. Esse fenômeno observado por Steiner encontra paralelos com as reflexões do poeta e ensaísta mexicano Octavio Paz sobre a modernidade, especificamente nos ensaios “Nossa literatura é moderna?” (1990a) e “A respeito da literatura hispano-americana” (1990a). O que aproxima os conceitos de extraterritorialidade e modernidade é justamente o deslocamento entre países e a aquisição de outra língua decorrente do trânsito territorial. A partir da discussão desses dois conceitos, o artigo investiga alguns aspectos da poesia e da ensaística do próprio Octavio Paz.
O desencontro literarizado : Samuel Rawet e o hassidismo de Martin Buber
Authors: Andrade Leo Agapejev de
Published: December 2013

Propõe-se, neste artigo, a análise do conto “Diálogo”, da obra de mesmo nome, sob o prisma da Filosofia do diálogo, de Martin Buber. Busca-se demonstrar os princípios das relações interpessoais da obra de Buber – mormente em Eu e Tu – conforme demonstrado paradoxalmente, no conto de Rawet, pela negação dos mesmos.
À roda dos delírios de morte de Machado e Flaubert: Memórias póstumas de Brás Cubas e Un Coeur Simple
Authors: Schoepps Luciana Antonini
Published: December 2013

O objetivo deste artigo é trazer algumas conclusões a partir da comparação temática dos delírios de morte presentes em Memórias póstumas de Brás Cubas de Machado de Assis e Un coeur simple de Gustave Flaubert. Tal processo comparativo abriu nosso campo de análise, propiciando reflexões que problematizaram as relações entre literatura e psicanálise e o caráter mimético da descrição.
O Pesadelo de um Milhão de Coisas - a escrita da alucinação em Flaubert e Perec
Authors: Messias Carolina Augusto
Published: December 2013

Partindo da discussão da descrição flaubertiana em L´Éducation sentimentale, este artigo visa apresentar a análise de alguns procedimentos literários que compõem uma escrita da alucinação nesse romance e a forma como Georges Perec retrabalha essa questão em seu Les choses. Com isso, pretende-se ilustrar o importante papel que os objetos têm nos dois romances, adquirindo um “valor-ação” em Flaubert, devido ao trabalho com verbos de ação ligados aos objetos e sendo personagens de uma “descrição narrativa” em Perec, em sua re-escritura que questiona os limites entre o descritivo e o narrativo.
O Mosaico Literário em O Amanuense Belmiro
Authors: Tamura Célia
Published: December 2013

O presente artigo visa apresentar as fontes literárias de Cyro dos Anjos (1906-1994), utilizadas para compor o romance O amanuense Belmiro (1937), revelando-as como uma das modalidades do quixotesco. Homem de muitas leituras, o protagonista Belmiro evoca, a cada momento, uma obra ou passagem literária, assim como canções da infância e mitos fabulosos.PALAVRAS-CHAVE:
O pensador e o filósofo - A experiência (auto)biográfica da filosofia na filosofia e na literatura
Authors: Camolezi Marcos Daniel
Published: December 2013

Este artigo busca discutir as possibilidades do relato (auto)biográfico de uma experiência filosófica. Através da colocação de problemas acerca da relação sujeito-objeto, da distinção entre fenômeno e coisa-em-si, das condições da memória e das limitações da linguagem, é mobilizada, em primeiro lugar, uma discussão propriamente filosófica a respeito do conhecimento da experiência humana. A base orgânica desta discussão encontra-se no bergsonismo, a partir do qual, em segundo lugar, a literatura é concebida como horizonte de expressão da experiência e do tempo. Não se trata, no entanto, apenas de uma análise de textos, mas, antes, da problematização da própria capacidade do relato (auto)biográfico de abarcar uma experiência tão complexa quanto a filosófica. O relato, enquanto imagem buscada na memória e enquanto linguagem, parece estar aquém ou além da própria experiência e, portanto, testemunhar uma distância entre o pensador e sua própria dinâmica interna.
Uma leitura do conto "Detectives" de Roberto Bolaño
Authors: Parrine Raquel
Published: December 2013

Por meio da interpretação dos recursos estéticos usados no conto “Detectives”, de 1997, do escritor chileno Roberto Bolaño, observa-se como o estatuto de ficção do relato, com traços profundos de uma escritura autobiográfica, problematiza os limites entre ficção e não-ficção a ponto de tornar-se uma questão estrutural para a leitura do texto. A partir de um paralelismo com outros textos do autor e de pensamentos sobre a teoria do conto contemporâneo, podemos ou não pensar nessa ambiguidade estrutural como um novo entendimento sobre os rumos da escritura contemporânea. A literatura contemporânea estaria acabando com o paradigma da literatura, ou sua rebeldia contra seu campo é parte constitutiva do conceito que denominamos literatura?
Dúvidas, erros, surpresas, implicações: entrevista com Philippe Lejeune
Authors: Coelho Ana Amélia , Pino Claudia Consuelo Amigo , Padilha Josias , Tommaso Mario , Gama Mônica , Murad Samira
Published: December 2013

sem resumo
Quebra de contrato - transparência e opacidade do discurso historiográfico
Authors: Gama Mônica
Published: December 2013

sem resumo
Auto-tipografia
Authors: Borisow Vitor
Published: December 2013

sem resumo
A Idade do Serrote: Encaminhamento de uma Leitura
Authors: Loureiro Jayme
Published: December 2013

O artigo tem por objetivo propor uma leitura interpretativa de A idade do serrote, autobiografia que abarca as memórias da infância e da adolescência de Murilo Mendes, que se fundamente na articulação entre o processo de poetização do texto (tanto no nível formal quanto do conteúdo) e o projeto poético do autor.
Escrever como sintoma
Authors: Lebrun Jean-Pierre , Júnior Paulo Sérgio de Souza
Published: December 2013

Sem resumo.
O caso de Josefo Camilo, fundador da Academia Valadarense de Letras
Authors: Marinho Lucas Alves
Published: December 2013

Sem resumo.
Uma cifra três vezes alheia: o alheamento poético, editorial e tradutório no Livro do Desassossego, de Fernando Pessoa
Authors: Bortoli Ana Paula de , Winter Lígia Maria
Published: December 2013

O presente texto tem como objetivo pensar o Livro do Desassossego, de Fernando Pessoa, a partir de três modos de alheamento pelos quais o consideramos composto: o alheamento poético, o editorial e o tradutório. O primeiro será abordado a partir da leitura do trecho Na Floresta do Alheamento, que carrega o conceito já no título, mas que também contrasta com o discurso fragmentário dos demais textos que compõem o livro. O segundo, pela leitura dos discursos dos diferentes organizadores, editores e tradutores, concomitantemente “alheios” ao livro e seus “coautores” (papel que também é posto em questão). O último retoma Na Floresta do Alheamento e discute sua versão por Richard Zenith (1999), salientando as transformações do texto e os critérios de fidelidade do tradutor. Em conflito com esse livro alheado, publicado e republicado após a morte de Fernando Pessoa, permanece uma marca do antilivro particular e secreto: a cifra L. do D., com que Pessoa assinalava os trechos dos fragmentos que pertenciam a um livro confidencial, escrito enquanto vida e, na maior parte, engavetado até sua morte.
Mitemas do drama agro-lunar em Comedia sin titulo de Lorca
Authors: Regino Sueli Maria de Oliveira
Published: December 2013

Este trabalho investiga, por meio da hermenêutica simbólica, o único ato de Comedia sin título, texto deixado incompleto por Federico García Lorca. Pretende-se pesquisar o processo de remitologização na dramaturgia lorquiana, apontar algumas das relações entre mitos primitivos, como o do labirinto e o da morte sacrifical, ambos ligados às constelações simbólicas do drama agro-lunar, e a mitologia pessoal do dramaturgo espanhol, verificando em que medida a rede de significações é tecida nesse texto, especialmente no que diz respeito às representações da morte.
Sobre meninas e máquinas: “La nena” de Ricardo Piglia
Authors: Almeida Odenildo de França
Published: December 2013

“La nena”, um dos contos originados pela máquina de narrar de La ciudad ausente (1992) de Ricardo Piglia, mostra-se uma história-chave para entender a capacidade da narração como forma de reconstrução da experiência e do próprio sujeito que se dispõe a narrar. Além disso, oculta a história de Laura, “la nena” que dá título ao conto, grande paralelo com a história da própria máquina que o criou, permitindo, em parte, compreender pontos da origem desta e de sua programação. É ainda este um conto central gerado segundo o tema da perda, comum à história de origem da máquina, do romance e de outros de seus contos.“