bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Homogeneous purification and characterization of LePGT1 – a membrane‐bound aromatic substrate prenyltransferase involved in secondary metabolism of Lithospermum erythrorhizon
Authors: Ohara Kazuaki , Mito Koji , Yazaki Kazufumi 
Published: March 2013

Membrane‐bound type prenyltransferases for aromatic substrates play crucial roles in the biosynthesis of various natural compounds. Lithospermum erythrorhizon p‐hydroxybenzoate: geranyltransferase (LePGT1), which contains multiple transmembrane α‐helices, is involved in the biosynthesis of a red naphthoquinone pigment, shikonin. Taking LePGT1 as a model membrane‐bound aromatic substrate prenyltransferase, we utilized a baculovirus‐Sf9 expression system to generate a high yield LePGT1 polypeptide, reaching ~ 1000‐fold higher expression level compared with a yeast expression system. Efficient solubilization procedures and biochemical purification methods were developed to extract LePGT1 from the membrane fraction of Sf9 cells. As a result, 80 μg of LePGT1 was purified from 150 mL culture to almost homogeneity as judged by SDS/PAGE. Using purified LePGT1, enzymatic characterization, e.g. substrate specificity, divalent cation requirement and kinetic analysis, was done. In addition, inhibition experiments revealed that aromatic compounds having two phenolic hydroxyl groups effectively inhibited LePGT1 enzyme activity, suggesting a novel recognition mechanism for aromatic substrates. As the first example of solubilization and purification of this membrane‐bound protein family, the methods established in this study will provide valuable information for the precise biochemical characterization of aromatic prenyltransferases as well as for crystallographic analysis of this novel enzyme family.
Entrepreneurial gain, cultural similarity and transnational entrepreneurship
Authors: BALTAR FABIOLA , ICART IGNASI BRUNET 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe aim of this article is to analyse the factors affecting the motivations of immigrant entrepreneurs to generate an entrepreneurial gain (positive impact on home and host countries). We consider that positive reasons for emigrating can increase transnational entrepreneurship and mutual benefits for both societies. To test this hypothesis we present a model using Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). This model explains the relations between motivations, cultural similarities, institutions and transnational linkage potentials. We designed anad hocsearch of Argentinean entrepreneurs established in Spain, both as EU citizens and without legal EU status, using online social networks. We applied an online questionnaire to 214 such entrepreneurs. We conclude that institutional rules (formal and informal) greatly influence the location decisions of firms and immigrant entrepreneurs’ motivations for starting transnational business because they provide the frame for the development of profitable opportunities.
Differential immunohistochemical localization of desmosomal plaque‐related proteins in non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Gómez‐Morales Mercedes , Cámara‐Pulido Miguel , Miranda‐León María Teresa , Sánchez‐Palencia Abel , Boyero Laura , Gómez‐Capilla José Antonio , Fárez‐Vidal María Esther 
Published: March 2013

AimsImmunohistochemistry is a highly valuable and widely used tool in the subtyping of lung carcinomas. The aim of this study was to identify markers for the differential diagnosis of non‐small‐cell carcinomas.Methods and resultsWe report on the immunohistochemical localization of plakophilin‐1 (PKP1), keratin‐15 (KRT15) and desmoglein‐3 (DSG3) intercellular adhesion proteins in samples from 75 primary non‐small‐cell lung cancers in non‐treated patients. The staining pattern of these proteins differed between squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas, with no membrane staining in the latter. Membrane staining for all three proteins was characteristic of squamous cell carcinomas. We observed a relationship between the presence/absence of these proteins in the membranes of squamous cell carcinomas and the differentiation grade, with more intense staining in better differentiated areas.ConclusionsStaining for these proteins marked intercellular junctions that are characteristic of stratified squamous epithelium and of neoplasias with this type of differentiation, and can be useful in the diagnosis of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The high specificity of membrane staining for PKP1 and DSG3 and high sensitivity of cytoplasmic and membrane staining for KRT15 for the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma may be useful for the differential diagnosis of non‐small‐cell carcinomas.
Ductal carcinoma of the prostate shows a different immunophenotype from high grade acinar cancer
Authors: Jardel Pauline , Debiais Celine , Godet Julie , Irani Jacques , Fromont Gaelle 
Published: March 2013

AimsDuctal carcinoma (DC) of the prostate is an entity distinct from the common acinar cancer (AC), both on clinical and morphological aspects. We aimed to analyze the expression of molecules involved in either hormonal signalling or androgen independent pathways, in DC compared to high grade AC.Methods and resultsA tissue microarray was constructed with samples from 24 cases of DC and 27 cases of high grade AC. Immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies directed against: Ki67; androgen receptor (AR); PSA; 5alpha‐reductase 1, 2, 3; oestrogen receptors alpha and beta (ERA and ERB); aromatase; Alpha keto reductase 1C3; Squalene epoxidase (SQLE); BCAR1; Src. Cell proliferation and ERB staining were significantly increased in DC compared to AC. In contrast, the expressions of enzymes SQLE, aromatase, and 5 alpha reductase 2, were higher in AC. Staining for BCAR1 and Src, markers associated with androgen‐independent pathways, was increased in DC compared to AC. These differences remained significant after adjusting for pTNM stage.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the hormone related molecular pathways that drive cancer progression might be different in AC and DC. The decrease in steroid synthesis related enzymes, together with up‐regulation of the BCAR1‐Src pathway, emphasizes the biological particularities of DC.
Maternal Disrupted Communication During Face‐to‐Face Interaction at 4 months: Relation to Maternal and Infant Cortisol Among at‐Risk Families
Authors: Crockett Erin E. , Holmes Bjarne M. , Granger Douglas A. , Lyons‐Ruth Karlen 
Published: March 2013

The study evaluated the association between maternal disrupted communication and the reactivity and regulation of the psychobiology of the stress response in infancy. Mothers and infants were recruited via the National Health Service from the 20% most economically impoverished data zones in a suburban region of Scotland. Mothers (N = 63; M age = 25.9) and their 4‐month‐old infants (35 boys, 28 girls) were videotaped interacting for 8 min, including a still‐face procedure as a stress inducer and a 5‐min coded recovery period. Saliva samples were collected from the dyads prior to, during, and after the still‐face procedure and later assayed for cortisol. Level of disruption in maternal communication with the infant was coded from the 5‐min videotaped interaction during the recovery period which followed the still‐face procedure. Severely disrupted maternal communication was associated with lower levels of maternal cortisol and a greater divergence between mothers' and infants' cortisol levels. Results point to low maternal cortisol as a possible mechanism contributing to the mother's difficulty in sensitively attuning to her infant's cues, which in turn has implications for the infant's reactivity to and recovery from a mild stressor in early infancy.
Smoking cessation in Taiwanese male smokers with coronary artery disease: influencing factors and policy implications
Authors: Chou L.‐P. , Chang H.‐F. , Kao C. , Lin W. , Huang C.‐L. 
Published: March 2013

AimTo investigate factors affecting smoking cessation in male smokers with coronary artery disease.DesignA descriptive, correlation, cross‐sectional study was conducted.MethodsData were collected using a questionnaire constructed by a literature review of research on smoking cessation in male smokers including demographics and smoking background, as well as psychological, interpersonal and environmental factors. A total of 130 male patients with coronary artery disease were recruited from the cardiac clinic at a regional hospital in Taiwan from August to December 2008. The response rate was 93% (n = 121). Descriptive statistics, chi‐square, t‐tests and logistic regression analysis were conducted.ResultsDuring the survey, 64.5% of the respondents reported that they had stopped smoking after a coronary event. Five factors were significantly associated with smoking cessation after diagnosis of coronary artery disease: age, the severity of heart diagnoses, antismoking norms (perceived that smoking was against the social norms), nicotine dependence level, and contrary views of smoking (perceived negative expectancy of smoking). Multivariate analysis revealed antismoking norms to be the most important predictor (AOR = 4.27; P < .05) after adjusting age.ConclusionThe study highlights the need to develop smoking cessation interventions that specifically counsel patients with coronary artery disease about these information, such as the disease risk and development, health consequences of smoking, and dependence therapy. Additionally, government support for tobacco control programmes in hospitals and elsewhere is designed to have a beneficial effect on patients' smoking behaviours primarily by increasing antismoking norms.
Comparison of laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) and conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy at a single institution
Authors: Stamatakis Lambros , Mercado Miguel A. , Choi Judy M. , Sanchez Edward J. , Gaber A. Osama , Knight Richard J. , Mayer Wesley A. , Link Richard E. 
Published: March 2013

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?
Most transplant centres harvest living donor kidneys via a conventional laparoscopic surgical approach. Laparoendoscopic single‐site donor nephrectomy (LESS‐DN) is a relatively novel minimally invasive approach that allows the surgery to be performed via a single incision. This technique may be advantageous in decreasing surgical morbidity and improving cosmetic outcomes, thus plausibly reducing the barriers to kidney donation.
The study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of LESS‐DN in a large consecutive series of kidney donors. Comparative analysis between LDN and LESS‐DN showed that there was a significant decrease in intra‐operative blood loss and allograft warm ischaemia time in the LESS‐DN group, but also a significant increase in operating time. Other peri‐operative outcomes were similar between the two approaches. Evaluation of the LESS‐DN cases alone revealed that, the operating times did not significantly change through the course of the series. Using this outcome as a surrogate for technical difficulty suggests a relatively shallow learning curve for LESS‐DN.
Objective
To present a comparative analysis of peri‐operative outcomes for >200 cases of conventional laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) and laparoendoscopic single site donor nephrectomy (LESS‐DN).
Patients and Methods
From 2006 to 2011, 213 donor nephrectomies were performed by two surgeons (R.E.L and W.A.M.) at a tertiary transplant centre. The approach changed from conventional LDN to LESS‐DN over the course of the series.
The two approaches were compared retrospectively and evaluated for differences in peri‐operative outcomes.
Statistical significance was assessed using Student's t‐test and chi‐squared analysis.
Results
A total of 111 patients underwent LDN and 102 patients underwent LESS‐DN.
Total operating time was significantly longer in the LESS‐DN group (206.1 vs 181.9 min, P < 0.001), but LESS‐DN resulted in less intra‐operative blood loss (61.5 mL vs 85.9 mL, P < 0.001) and shorter warm ischaemia times (4.4 vs 5.0 min, P = 0.01).
There were no significant differences in analgesic requirements, subjective pain scores, length of hospital stay, postoperative graft function, or donor's postoperative glomerular filtration rate between the two approaches.
Complication rates were low regardless of the approach, and there were no major complications (>grade II) in the LESS‐DN group.
Conclusions
In experienced hands, LESS‐DN results in peri‐operative outcomes similar to those of conventional LDN without compromising donor safety, while providing a desirable cosmetic result.
For surgeons familiar with LDN, transitioning to the LESS approach using this technique appears to have a relatively short learning curve.
Charles Taylor, hermeneutics and Social Imaginaries: a framework for ethics research
Authors: Carnevale Franco A. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractHermeneutics, also referred to as interpretive phenomenology, has led to important contributions to nursing research. The philosophy of Charles Taylor has been a major source in the development of contemporary hermeneutics, through his ontological and epistemological articulations of the human sciences. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that Taylor's ideas can further enrich hermeneutic inquiry in nursing research, particularly for investigations of ethical concerns. The paper begins with an outline of Taylor's hermeneutical framework, followed by a review of his key ideas relevant for ethics research. The paper ends with a discussion of my empirical research with critically ill children in Canada and France in relation to Taylor's ideas, chiefly Social Imaginaries. I argue that Taylor's hermeneutics provides a substantive moral framework as well as a methodology for examining ethical concerns.
Vulnerability in health care – reflections on encounters in every day practice
Authors: Gjengedal Eva , Ekra Else Mari , Hol Hege , Kjelsvik Marianne , Lykkeslet Else , Michaelsen Ragnhild , Orøy Aud , Skrondal Torill , Sundal Hildegunn , Vatne Solfrid , Wogn‐Henriksen Kjersti 
Published: March 2013

AbstractVulnerability is a human condition and as such a constant human experience. However, patients and professional health care providers may be regarded as more vulnerable than people who do not suffer or witness suffering on a regular basis. Acquiring a deeper understanding of vulnerability would thus be of crucial importance for health care providers. This article takes as its point of departure Derek Sellman's and Havi Carel's discussion on vulnerability in this journal. Through different examples from the authors' research focusing on the interaction between health professionals and patients, existential, contextual, and relational dimensions of vulnerability are illuminated and discussed. Two main strategies in the professionals' interactions with patients are described. The strategy that aims at understanding the patients or families from the professional's own personal perspective oftentimes ends in excess attention to the professional's own reactions, thereby impairing the ability to help. The other strategy attempts to understand the patients or families from the patients' or families' own perspective. This latter strategy seems to make vulnerability bearable or even transform it into strength. Being sensitive to the vulnerability of the other may be a key to acting ethically.
Advanced Markov Chain Monte Carlo Approach for Finite Element Calibration under Uncertainty
Authors: Zhang Jian , Wan Chunfeng , Sato Tadanobu 
Published: March 2013

AbstractUncertainty involved in the experiment data prohibits the wide applications of the finite element (FE) model updating technique into engineering practices. In this article, the Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach with a Delayed Rejection Adaptive Metropolis algorithm is investigated to perform the Bayesian framework for FE updating under uncertainty. A major advantage of this algorithm is that it adopts global and local adaptive strategies, which makes the FE model updating be robust to uncertainty. Another merit of the studied method is that it not only quantitatively predicts structural responses, but also calculates their statistical parameters such as the confidence interval. Impact test data of a grid structure are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the presented FE model updating technique, in which the uncertainty parameters include the vertical and longitudinal spring stiffness that simulate the boundary  conditions, the end‐fixity factor for modeling semi‐rigid connections, and the elastic modulus for simulating the uncertainty associated with material property.
P38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase promotes dedifferentiation of primary articular chondrocytes in monolayer culture
Authors: Rosenzweig Derek H. , Ou Sing J. , Quinn Thomas M. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractArticular cartilage is an avascular tissue with poor regenerative capacity following injury, a contributing factor to joint degenerative disease. Cell‐based therapies for cartilage tissue regeneration have rapidly advanced; however, expansion of autologous chondrocytes in vitro using standard methods causes ‘dedifferentiation’ into fibroblastic cells. Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling is crucial for chondrocyte metabolism and matrix production, and changes in MAPK signals can affect the phenotype of cultured cells. We investigated the effects of inhibition of MAPK signalling on chondrocyte dedifferentiation during monolayer culture. Blockade of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) signalling caused a significant increase in cartilage gene expression, however, also caused up‐regulation of fibrotic gene expression. Inhibition of p38 MAPK (p38) caused a significant up‐regulation of collagen type II while suppressing collagen type I expression. P38 inhibition also resulted in consistently more organized secretion of collagen type II protein deposits on cell culture surfaces. Follow‐on pellet culture of treated cells revealed that MAPK inhibition reduced cell migration from the pellet. ERK and JNK inhibition caused more collagen type I accumulation in pellets versus controls while p38 inhibition strongly promoted collagen type II accumulation with no effect on collagen type I. Blockade of all three MAPKs caused increased GAG content in pellets. These results indicate a role for MAPK signalling in chondrocyte phenotype loss during monolayer culture, with a strong contribution from p38 signalling. Thus, blockade of p38 enhances chondrocyte phenotype in monolayer culture and may promote more efficient cartilage tissue regeneration for cell‐based therapies.
Restored perfusion and reduced inflammation in the infarcted heart after grafting stem cells with a hyaluronan‐based scaffold
Authors: Muscari Claudio , Bonafè Francesca , Martin‐Suarez Sofia , Valgimigli Simond , Valente Sabrina , Fiumana Emanuela , Fiorelli Federico , Rubini Giuseppe , Guarnieri Carlo , Caldarera Claudio Marcello , Capitani Ombretta , Arpesella Giorgio , Pasquinelli Gianandrea 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the blood perfusion and the inflammatory response of the myocardial infarct area after transplanting a hyaluronan‐based scaffold (HYAFF®11) with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Nine‐week‐old female pigs were subjected to a permanent left anterior descending coronary artery ligation for 4 weeks. According to the kind of the graft, the swine subjected to myocardial infarction were divided into the HYAFF®11, MSCs, HYAFF®11/MSCs and untreated groups. The animals were killed 8 weeks after coronary ligation. Scar perfusion, evaluated by Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound echography, was doubled in the HYAFF®11/MSCs group and was comparable with the perfusion of the healthy, non‐infarcted hearts. The inflammation score of the MSCs and HYAFF®11/MSCs groups was near null, revealing the role of the grafted MSCs in attenuating the cell infiltration, but not the foreign reaction strictly localized around the fibres of the scaffold. Apart from the inflammatory response, the native tissue positively interacted with the HYAFF®11/MSCs construct modifying the extracellular matrix with a reduced presence of collagene and increased amount of proteoglycans. The border‐zone cardiomyocytes also reacted favourably to the graft as a lower degree of cellular damage was found. This study demonstrates that the transplantation in the myocardial infarct area of autologous MSCs supported by a hyaluronan‐based scaffold restores blood perfusion and almost completely abolishes the inflammatory process following an infarction. These beneficial effects are superior to those obtained after grafting only the scaffold or MSCs, suggesting that a synergic action was achieved using the cell‐integrated polymer construct.
Heterospecific courtship, minority effects and niche separation between cryptic butterfly species
Authors: Friberg M. , Leimar O. , Wiklund C. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractSpecies interacting in varied ecological conditions often evolve in different directions in different local populations. The butterflies of the crypticLeptideacomplex are sympatrically distributed in different combinations across their Eurasian range. Interestingly, the same species is a habitat generalist in some regions and a habitat specialist in others, where a sibling species has the habitat generalist role. Previous studies suggest that this geographically variable niche divergence is generated by local processes in different contact zones. By varying the absolute and relative densities ofLeptidea sinapisandLeptidea juvernicain large outdoor cages, we show that female mating success is unaffected by conspecific density, but strongly negatively affected by the density of the other species. Whereas 80% of the females mated when a conspecific couple was alone in a cage, less than 10% mated when the single couple shared the cage with five pairs of the other species. The heterospecific courtships can thus affect the population fitness, and for the species in the local minority, the suitability of a habitat is likely to depend on the presence or absence of the locally interacting species. If the local relative abundance of the different species depends on the colonization order, priority effects might determine the ecological roles of interacting species in this system.
The occurrence and distribution of resistance of codling moth to Cydia pomonella granulovirus in Europe
Authors: Schmitt A. , Bisutti I. L. , Ladurner E. , Benuzzi M. , Sauphanor B. , Kienzle J. , Zingg D. , Undorf‐Spahn K. , Fritsch E. , Huber J. , Jehle J. A. 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThirty‐five codling moth (CM, Cydia pomonella L., Lepidoptera, Tortricidae) populations collected in different commercial orchards in six European countries were tested for their susceptibility to Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV‐M). Including previously published data on CpGV‐M resistance, a total of 38 CM colonies showed considerably elevated LC50 values, independent of the country origin. When only few test individuals are available, determination of mortality of neonate larvae at a discriminating concentration range of 104 to 106 OB/ml (>log4) as a direct measure of percentage susceptible individuals in a CM population is more advisable than calculation of LC50 values. The >log4 mortality alone or in combination with the LC50 value can be used for identification of resistance in a population. Results indicated a locally separated but widely spread occurrence of CM populations with low susceptibility to CpGV‐M. The most plausible hypothesis for the emergence of CpGV‐M resistance is its selection by repeated use of CpGV products.