bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cadmium Induces Thymocyte Apoptosis via Caspase‐Dependent and Caspase‐Independent Pathways
Authors: Pathak Neelima , Mitra Sumonto , Khandelwal Shashi 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTBased on our recent findings that 25 µM cadmium triggers oxidative stress–mediated caspase‐dependent apoptosis in murine thymocytes, this study is designed to explore whether Cd also induces caspase‐independent apoptosis. We found that pretreatment with caspase inhibitors fails to prevent Cd‐induced apoptosis completely, suggesting the possibility of an additional pathway. Western blot and flow cytometry techniques indicated marked expression of apoptosis‐inducing factor and endonuclease G in nuclear fraction, signifying their translocation from mitochondria to nucleus. Intracellular Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels significantly raised by Cd were restored by ruthenium red, which had no influence on mitochondrial membrane depolarization and caspase activity and apoptosis. Using cyclosporin A, ROS formation and mitochondrial membrane depolarization were completely abolished, whereas apoptosis was partly attenuated. These results clearly demonstrate more than one apoptotic pathway in thymocytes and support the role of mitochondrial permeability transition pore in the regulation of caspase‐independent cell death triggered by Cd. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:193‐203, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21468
The prognosis of gastric cancer patients with marginally elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) values after D2 radical gastrectomy
Authors: Chen Shi , Feng Xing‐Yu , Li Yuan‐Fang , Zhao Bai‐Wei , Zhou Zhi‐Wei , Chen Ying‐Bo 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAimTo investigate the clinical significance of the postoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels in gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 radical gastrectomy and to identify the prognostic factors for patients with marginally elevated postoperative CEA levels.MethodsWe performed a retrospective study of 480 patients who were histologically diagnosed with gastric cancer and who underwent D2 radical surgery at the Sun Yat‐sen University Cancer Center between January 2004 and December 2009. The follow‐up lasted until June 2011. Chi‐squared tests and Kaplan–Meier methods were employed to compare the adverse events and prognoses.ResultsIn this group of gastric cancer patients, the postoperative serum CEA level (P = 0.002) was an independent prognostic factor; the same was true for the histological T and N staging (P < 0.001 and P = 0.045, respectively). In the group of marginally elevated postoperative CEA level gastric cancer patients, univariate analysis demonstrated that tumor position (P = 0.042); histological grade (P = 0.002); and Boarrmann type (P = 0.003) were significant prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis showed that the tumor position (P = 0.003) and histological grade (P = 0.007) were independent prognostic factors for these patients.ConclusionOur study showed that patients with normal postoperative CEA levels have a better prognosis. Furthermore, for marginally elevated postoperative CEA level gastric cancer patients, the tumor position and histological grade were two important factors for predicting the prognosis and the need for aggressive therapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:641–645. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study of Intracellular Delivery of Doxorubicin from Poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) Nanoparticles by Means of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging and Confocal Raman Microscopy
Authors: Romero Gabriela , Qiu Yuan , Murray Richard A. , Moya Sergio E. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe intracellular delivery of Doxorubicin (Dox) from poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles stabilised with bovine serum albumin, in HepG2 cells, is studied via flow cytometry, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), confocal Raman microscopy (CRM) and cell viability studies. Flow cytometry shows that the initial uptake of PLGA and Dox follow the same kinetics. However, following 8 h of incubation, the fluorescence intensity and cellular uptake of Dox decreases, while in the case of PLGA both parameters remain constant. FLIM shows the presence of a single‐lifetime species, with a lifetime of 1.15 ns when measured inside the cells. Cell viability decreases by approximately 20% when incubated for 24 h with PLGA loaded with Dox, with a particle concentration of 100 µg · mL−1. At the single‐cell level, CRM shows changes in the bands from DNA and proteins in the cell nucleus when incubated with PLGA loaded with Dox. magnified image
Political Empowerment of Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions at Grassroots Level: A Case Study in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Kumar C. Vinod , Vali Md. Mastan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractFor the last few decades, the concept of empowerment has come to occupy a key place in almost all the countries, both developed and developing. Several issues relating to this concept have been engaging the serious attention of researchers of Social Science disciplines. Empowerment in any sphere plays an important role in molding the social, economic, and political life of people in all communities. As such, empowerment is a universal phenomenon. Unfortunately, women, who constitute about half of the total population, did not enjoy any political rights in the past in any society. In the Indian context, the political participation of women and ultimately their political empowerment have gained a lot of prominence after the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. This landmark act made a historical beginning in the direction of political empowerment of women by providing them with 33.33 percent of reservations in the political offices in the grassroots level. This paper will discuss what empowerment is and the political empowerment of women, with the objective of assessing the extent of political knowledge and views of selected women leaders on various issues for asserting their political awareness in the Panchayati Raj Bodies, Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Finally, this paper will conclude with suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of women Panchayati Raj leaders in discharging their roles.
Property Crime, Recidivism, and Household Behavior
Authors: Telidevara Sridhar 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThis paper presents a model of strategic interaction between households and recidivists who commit property crimes. It is estimated that the households pay an income tax rate between 0.12 and 0.21 percent for protection from a loss of 1.8 to 2.25 percent of their annual incomes. Thirteen to 22 percent of total funding for public enforcement is devoted to detecting property crime. The minimum acceptable payoff to a property crime opportunity for the city of Buffalo, New York, is estimated to be between $325 and $400. The expected disutility from punishment for a crime is eight to nine times the minimum acceptable payoff. The model is useful in determining the elasticity of the income tax rate with respect to several important policy parameters.
Enhanced photovoltaic effect of polycrystalline BiFeO3 film
Authors: Liu Baoting , Peng Zengwei , Ma Jikui , Wang Jinfeng , Zhao Qingxun , Wang Yinglong 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPolycrystalline BiFeO3 (BFO) film has been fabricated on Pt(111)/Ti/SiO2/Si(001) substrate by a magnetron sputtering method. Both red light of 632.8 nm and purple light of 404 nm have been used to irradiate the sample. It is found that illumination of the sample by the two kinds of lights can induce an increase of the leakage‐current density. The increase of current density by purple light is about two orders of magnitude larger than that without irradiation, while an increase of an order of magnitude is produced by red light. Moreover, an enhanced photovoltaic effect has been observed when the sample is illuminated by purple light. The photocurrent at zero bias increases from 0.08 µA cm−2 in the dark to 3.2 µA cm−2 in purple light. The open‐circuit voltage is 0.28 V.
First principles calculations and experiment predictions for iodine vacancy centers in SrI2
Authors: Li Qi , Williams R. T. , Åberg Daniel 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe present the electronic structure, lattice relaxation, and formation energies of iodine vacancy defects in SrI2 for the one‐electron, two‐electron, and ionized charge states. We use a local generalized gradient approximation as well as non‐local hybrid functionals within the framework of density functional theory, as it is commonly accepted that the latter can improve accuracy of the band gap and hence relevant energy levels. Comparison is made to published results on chlorine vacancy defects in NaCl calculated with similar methods and functionals, and also to a recent first‐principles study of one‐ and two‐electron occupancy in MgO vacancy centers. Using the parameters that are calculable from first principles in SrI2 as a starting point, we incorporate available experimental data and adaptations of simple models to predict a range of results that can help guide or interpret future experiments such as absorption energy, configuration coordinate curves, vibrational lineshape, thermal trap depth, and Mollwo–Ivey comparison to alkaline‐earth fluorides. magnified imageCharge density contour in the F center in SrI2.
Molybdenum as local growth inhibitor in ammonia based epitaxy processes
Authors: Klein M. , Scholz F. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn this paper we show how molybdenum can be effectively used to prevent growth of nitrides in ammonia based epitaxy. By carefully designing experiments it is possible to get localized growth inhibition for long growth runs and thick gallium‐nitride (GaN) layers. This method has been used to enhance self‐separation of GaN layers grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE). In horizontal HVPE, nucleation on the substrate edge takes place for longer growth runs. When self‐separation by different thermal expansion coefficients takes place during cool‐down after growth, this may prevent the GaN layer from separating. By using molybdenum to suppress such parasitic growth on the rim, this effect can be avoided (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chemiluminescence of 1,2‐dioxetanone studied by a closed‐shell DFT approach
Authors: da Silva Luís Pinto , Esteves da Silva Joaquim C.G. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe chemiluminescence of simple 1,2‐dioxetanone has already been studied by both multiconfigurational and density functional theory calculations. The former approach revealed a step‐wise biradical mechanism for its decomposition, whereas the latter revealed a concerted mechanism. The first approach was not in line with both computational and experimental findings, whereas the second mechanism was. Due to these apparent mechanistic contradictions and some concerns regarding our concerted mechanism, and the use of a closed‐shell approach and different methods for geometry and single‐point calculations, we have revisited the chemiluminescence of this molecule. Once again the concerted mechanism was found to be prevailing, and a closed‐shell approach was able to rationalize the chemiluminescence of 1,2‐dioxetanone. It was once again noted that an open‐shell and a step‐wise biradical mechanism cannot explain the chemiluminescence of this molecule. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mitochondrial DNA Haplotypes Define Gene Expression Patterns in Pluripotent and Differentiating Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Kelly Richard D.W. , Rodda Andrew E. , Dickinson Adam , Mahmud Arsalan , Nefzger Christian M. , Lee William , Forsythe John S. , Polo Jose M. , Trounce Ian A. , McKenzie Matthew , Nisbet David R. , St. John Justin C. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Mitochondrial DNA haplotypes are associated with various phenotypes, such as altered susceptibility to disease, environmental adaptations, and aging. Accumulating evidence suggests that mitochondrial DNA is essential for cell differentiation and the cell phenotype. However, the effects of different mitochondrial DNA haplotypes on differentiation and development remain to be determined. Using embryonic stem cell lines possessing the same Mus musculus chromosomes but harboring one of Mus musculus, Mus spretus, or Mus terricolor mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, we have determined the effects of different mitochondrial DNA haplotypes on chromosomal gene expression, differentiation, and mitochondrial metabolism. In undifferentiated and differentiating embryonic stem cells, we observed mitochondrial DNA haplotype-specific expression of genes involved in pluripotency, differentiation, mitochondrial energy metabolism, and DNA methylation. These mitochondrial DNA haplotypes also influenced the potential of embryonic stem cells to produce spontaneously beating cardiomyocytes. The differences in gene expression patterns and cardiomyocyte production were independent of ATP content, oxygen consumption, and respiratory capacity, which until now have been considered to be the primary roles of mitochondrial DNA. Differentiation of embryonic stem cells harboring the different mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in a 3D environment significantly increased chromosomal gene expression for all haplotypes during differentiation. However, haplotype-specific differences in gene expression patterns were maintained in this environment. Taken together, these results provide significant insight into the phenotypic consequences of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes and demonstrate their influence on differentiation and development. We propose that mitochondrial DNA haplotypes play a pivotal role in the process of differentiation and mediate the fate of the cell.
Promoting Reprogramming by FGF2 Reveals that the Extracellular Matrix Is a Barrier for Reprogramming Fibroblasts to Pluripotency
Authors: Jiao Jiao , Dang Yujiao , Yang Yuanyuan , Gao Rui , Zhang Yu , Kou Zhaohui , Sun Xiao-Fang , Gao Shaorong 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor and bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathways play important roles in maintaining the self-renewal of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs). In contrast, the supplementation of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in culture promotes mouse ESC differentiation. It has been proposed that factors that are adverse for maintaining the self-renewal of ESCs might play detrimental roles in the transcription factor-mediated reprogramming of somatic cells to pluripotency. However, recent evidence has revealed that reprogramming efficiency could be improved by FGF2, while the underlying molecular mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we dissected the roles of FGF2 in promoting mouse fibroblast reprogramming and disclosed the molecular mechanism behind this process. We used both primary induction and secondary inducible reprogramming systems and demonstrated that supplementation with FGF2 in the early phase of induced pluripotent stem cell induction could significantly increase reprogramming efficiency. Moreover, we discovered that many extracellular matrix candidate genes were significantly downregulated in fibroblasts treated with FGF2, and in particular, the synthesis of collagen could be greatly reduced by FGF2 treatment. Subsequently, we demonstrated that collagen is a barrier for reprogramming fibroblast cells to pluripotency, and the decreasing of collagen either by collagenase treatment or downregulation of collagen gene expression could significantly improve the reprogramming efficiency. Our results reveal a novel role of the extracellular matrix in mediating fibroblasts reprogramming.
Fourth and a Mile: Using Theater in Comparison to Workshop/Lecture as an Approach to Educating African American Men About Prostate Cancer
Authors: Cameron Amura W. , Causey Shakiera T. , Livingston Jonathan N. , Brandon Dwayne T. , Brinson Leslie C. , Flournoy Floyd Minnjuan W. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe American Cancer Society's Cancer Facts & Figures for African Americans 2011–2012 (Atlanta) reports that African American men have the highest incidence of prostate cancer (ACS, 2011) and that African Americans have the highest death rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States for nearly all cancers. The fact that 40 percent of African American males are being diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 16 percent of African males are estimated to die from the condition, demands research and action. This study examines the effectiveness of theater in comparison to standard workshop/lecture in educating African American males about prostate cancer. Employing a retrospective/pre–post‐test design, the study recruited 127 men to attend theater and standard workshop/lectures. Researchers assessed the effectiveness of theater in increasing participants' knowledge and awareness about prostate cancer in comparison to standard workshop/lecture. Results of the study indicate statistically significant increases in knowledge for playgoers before and after the play. Participants also reported statistically significant increases in the likelihood of engaging in healthy pro‐social prostate‐related behaviors. In addition, results of the study indicate that the increase in knowledge for participants who attended the standard workshop/lecture was greater than the increase in knowledge for participants who attended the play. Thus standard workshop/lecture proved to be more effective in educating African American men about prostate cancer. The findings suggest that further research will be needed to identify more innovative educational tools to increase knowledge and alter health‐related behaviors.
Intersections Between Nativity, Ethnic Density, and Neighborhood SES: Using an Ethnic Enclave Framework to Explore Variation in Puerto Ricans’ Physical Health
Authors: Roy Amanda Leigh , Hughes Diane , Yoshikawa Hirokazu 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAlthough past research has demonstrated a “health disadvantage” for Puerto Rican adults, very little is known about correlates of health among this group. Given Puerto Ricans’ unique experiences of migration and settlement, an ethnic enclave framework that integrates nativity, ethnic density, and neighborhood SES may offer insight into factors influencing Puerto Ricans’ health. This study uses a sample of 449 adult mainland‐ and island‐born Puerto Ricans living in New York City and Chicago. The data, collected as a part of the MIDUS Survey of Minority Groups, are stratified by neighborhood ethnic density and neighborhood SES, allowing for the examination of the individual and joint influences of neighborhood characteristics on physical health. Results revealed that ethnic density and neighborhood SES were not independently or interactively related to physical health for mainland‐born Puerto Ricans. However, the interaction between ethnic density and neighborhood SES was related to self‐reported health, functional limitations, and health symptoms for island‐born Puerto Ricans. Island‐born Puerto Ricans living in ethnically dense, low SES neighborhoods reported worse health than island‐born Puerto Ricans living in other types of neighborhoods. This may be a result of isolation from resources both within and outside the neighborhood.
Transaldolase deficiency: report of 12 new cases and further delineation of the phenotype
Authors: Eyaid Wafaa , Al Harbi Talal , Anazi Shamsa , Wamelink Mirjam M. C. , Jakobs Cornelis , Al Salammah Mohammad , Al Balwi Mohammed , Alfadhel Majid , Alkuraya Fowzan S. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPurposeTransaldolase deficiency is a recently described inborn error of pentose phosphate pathway. We conducted this study to further delineate the associated phenotype.Methods and resultsWe report on 12 new cases representing six families with this metabolic defect that were observed over an 8 year span. None of these cases received the correct diagnosis initially because of significant overlap in the presenting symptoms (growth retardation, dysmorphic features, cutis laxa, congenital heart disease, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, and bleeding tendency) with a wide range of genetic disorders. However, the consanguineous nature of these families allowed us to pursue autozygome analysis, which highlighted TALDO as the likely candidate gene and sequencing confirmed segregation of a novel homozygous mutation with the disease in all the studied families. Biochemical analysis was also consistent with transaldolase deficiency.ConclusionThis study expands the clinical definition of transaldolase deficiency, and adds to its allelic heterogeneity. In addition, we emphasize the diagnostic challenge posed by this rare and pleiotropic metabolic disorder.
Endurance training for cancer patients during and shortly after completion of the anti-cancer treatment
Authors: Knols Ruud H. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Cardiorespiratory fitness is one of the most important indicators of health and improves length of life. The attention and acceptance for endurance training in patients with several cancer diagnoses increased during the last decade. This review highlight’s the effect of endurance training in cancer patients by summarizing exemplary randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews both within the acute hospital treatment context, as in a rehabilitation setting. To date, most studies focus on endurance training in patient groups with moderate to good prognosis. The studies within these patient groups evaluate the endurance training in cancer patients using a moderate training intensity between 50 and 75 % of the VO2 peak with an exercise time varying from 20 min (five times per week) in hospital up to 45 min (two to three times per week) in an ambulatory setting. Recently, the American College of Sports Medicine indicated that cancer survivors should follow the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, which represents ≥150 min per week of moderate intensity, ≥75 min per week of vigorous intensity aerobic exercise, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous intensity aerobic exercises. To date, fewer studies evaluate the effects of endurance training in a palliative setting to maintain physical function of the patient. Future studies should investigate the effect of endurance training by evaluating different types of intensity training (moderate vs. high intensity training), the use of high-tech devices to improve physical activity, and to evaluate the effect of endurance training in patients with a palliative intention.
Comparative Analysis of MicroRNA Promoters in Arabidopsis and Rice
Authors: Zhao Xin , Li Lei 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Endogenously-encoded microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small regulatory RNAs that modulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. In plants, miRNAs have increasingly been identified by experiments based on next-generation sequencing (NGS). However, promoter organization is currently unknown for most plant miRNAs, which are transcribed by RNA polymerase II. This deficiency prevents a comprehensive understanding of miRNA-mediated gene networks. In this study, by analyzing full-length cDNA sequences related to miRNAs, we mapped transcription start sites (TSSs) for 62 and 55 miRNAs in Arabidopsis and rice, respectively. The average free energy (AFE) profiles in the vicinity of TSSs were studied for both species. By employing position weight matrices (PWM) for 99 plant cis-elements, we discovered that three cis-elements were over-represented in the miRNA promoters of both species, while four and ten cis-elements were over-represented in Arabidopsis only and in rice only. Thus, comparison of miRNA promoters between Arabidopsis and rice provides a new perspective for studying miRNA regulation in plants.