bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti‐proliferative effect of rosiglitazone on angiotensin II‐induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation is mediated by the mTOR pathway
Authors: Kim Jung‐Sun , Kim Il‐Kwon , Lee Se‐Yeon , Song Byeong‐Wook , Cha Min‐Ji , Song Heesang , Choi Eunmi , Lim Soyeon , Ham Onju , Jang Yangsoo , Hwang Ki‐Chul 
Published: November 2011

AbstractVSMC (vascular smooth muscle cell) proliferation contributes significantly to intimal thickening in atherosclerosis, restenosis and venous bypass graft diseases. Ang II (angiotensin II) has been implicated in VSMC proliferation though the activation of multiple growth‐promoting signals. Although TZDs (thiazolidinediones) can inhibit VSMC proliferation and reduce Ang II‐induced fibrosis, the mechanism underlying the inhibition of VSMC proliferation and fibrosis needs elucidation. We have used primary cultured rat aortic VSMCs and specific antibodies to investigate the inhibitory mechanism of rosiglitazone on Ang II‐induced VSMC proliferation. Rosiglitazone treatment significantly inhibited Ang II‐induced rat aortic VSMC proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed that rosiglitazone significantly lowered phosphorylated ERK1/2 (extracellular‐signal‐regulated kinase 1/2), Akt (also known as protein kinase B), mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin), p70S6K (70 kDa S6 kinase) and 4EBP1 (eukaryotic initiation factor 4E‐binding protein) levels in Ang II‐treated VSMCs. In addition, PPAR‐α (peroxisome‐proliferator‐activated receptor α) mRNA increased significantly and CTGF (connective tissue growth factor), Fn (fibronectin) and Col III (collagen III) levels decreased significantly. The results demonstrate that the rosiglitazone directly inhibits the pro‐atherosclerotic effect of Ang II on rat aortic VSMCs. It also attenuates Ang II‐induced ECM (extracellular matrix) molecules and CTGF production in rat aortic VSMCs, reducing fibrosis. Importantly, PPAR‐α activation mediates these effects, in part, through the mTOR‐p70S6K and −4EBP1 system.
Evolution of D-lactate dehydrogenase activity from glycerol dehydrogenase and its utility for D-lactate production from lignocellulose
Authors: Wang Qingzhao , Ingram Lonnie O. , Shanmugam K. T. 
Published: November 2011

Lactic acid, an attractive, renewable chemical for production of biobased plastics (polylactic acid, PLA), is currently commercially produced from food-based sources of sugar. Pure optical isomers of lactate needed for PLA are typically produced by microbial fermentation of sugars at temperatures below 40 °C.
Bacillus coagulans
produces L(+)-lactate as a primary fermentation product and grows optimally at 50 °C and pH 5, conditions that are optimal for activity of commercial fungal cellulases. This strain was engineered to produce D(−)-lactate by deleting the native
ldh
(L-lactate dehydrogenase) and
alsS
(acetolactate synthase) genes to impede anaerobic growth, followed by growth-based selection to isolate suppressor mutants that restored growth. One of these, strain QZ19, produced about 90 g L
-1
of optically pure D(−)-lactic acid from glucose in < 48 h. The new source of D-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) activity was identified as a mutated form of glycerol dehydrogenase (GlyDH; D121N and F245S) that was produced at high levels as a result of a third mutation (insertion sequence). Although the native GlyDH had no detectable activity with pyruvate, the mutated GlyDH had a D-LDH specific activity of 0.8
μ
moles min
-1
(mg protein)
-1
. By using QZ19 for simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulose to D-lactate (50 °C and pH 5.0), the cellulase usage could be reduced to 1/3 that required for equivalent fermentations by mesophilic lactic acid bacteria. Together, the native
B. coagulans
and the QZ19 derivative can be used to produce either L(+) or D(−) optical isomers of lactic acid (respectively) at high titers and yields from nonfood carbohydrates.
Sharp weak type inequalities for the Haar system and related estimates for nonsymmetric martingale transforms
Authors: Osȩkowski Adam 
Published: November 2011

For any

1
≤
p
>
∞

1\leq p>\infty

, we determine the optimal constant

C
p

C_p

such that the following holds. If

(

h
k

)

k
≥
0

(h_k)_{k\geq 0}

is the Haar system, then for any vectors

a
k

a_k

from a separable Hilbert space

H

\mathcal {H}

and

θ
k

∈
{
0
,
1
}

\theta _k\in \{0,1\}

,

k
=
0
,

1
,

2
,

…

k=0,\,1,\,2,\,\ldots

, we have
\[

|

|

∑

k
=
0

n

θ
k

a
k

h
k

|

|

p
,
∞

≤

C
p

|

|

∑

k
=
0

n

a
k

h
k

|

|

p

.

\left |\left |\sum _{k=0}^n \theta _ka_kh_k\right |\right |_{p,\infty }\leq C_p\left |\left |\sum _{k=0}^n a_kh_k\right |\right |_p.

\]
This is generalized to the weak type inequality
\[

|

|

g

|

|

p
,
∞

≤

C
p

|

|

f

|

|

p

,

||g||_{p,\infty }\leq C_p||f||_p,

\]
where

f
f

is an

H

\mathcal {H}

-valued martingale and

g
g

is its transform by a predictable sequence taking values in

[
0
,
1
]

[0,1]

. We extend this further to the estimate
\[

|

|

Y

|

|

p
,
∞

≤

C
p

|

|

X

|

|

p

,

||Y||_{p,\infty }\leq C_p||X||_p,

\]
valid for any two

H

\mathcal {H}

-valued continuous-time martingales

X
X

,

Y
Y

, such that

(
[
Y
,
X
−
Y

]
t

)

([Y,X-Y]_t)

is nondecreasing and nonnegative as a function of

t
t

.
Multi‐objective behavioural mechanisms are adopted by foraging animals to achieve several optimality goals simultaneously
Authors: Wajnberg Eric 
Published: November 2011

Summary1. Animals foraging for resources are under a variety of selective pressures, and separate optimality models have been developed predicting the optimal reproductive strategies they should adopt.2. In most cases, the proximate behavioural mechanisms adopted to achieve such optimality goals have been identified. This is the case, for example, for optimal patch time and sex allocation in insect parasitoids. However, behaviours modelled within this framework have mainly been studied separately, even though real animals have to optimize some behaviours simultaneously.3. For this reason, it would be better if proximate behavioural rules were designed to attain several goals simultaneously. Despite their importance, such multi‐objective proximate rules remain to be discovered.4. Based on experiments on insect parasitoids that simultaneously examine their optimal patch time and sex allocation strategies, it is shown here that animals can adopt multi‐objective behavioural mechanisms that appear consistent with the two optimal goals simultaneously.5. Results of computer simulations demonstrate that these behavioural mechanisms are indeed consistent with optimal reproductive strategies and have thus been most likely selected over the course of the evolutionary time.
Getting the most from pleural fluid analysis
Authors: SAHN STEVEN A. 
Published: November 2011

ABSTRACTVirtually, every pulmonary disease and most non‐pulmonary diseases may be associated with a pleural effusion. The presence of a pleural effusion allows the clinician to ‘diagnose’ or narrow the differential diagnosis and aetiology of the fluid collection. However, pleural fluid analysis (PFA) in isolation rarely provides a definitive diagnosis. This review discusses the rationale for evaluating patients with a pleural effusion. If the clinician obtains a detailed history, performs a comprehensive physical examination, reviews pertinent blood tests, and evaluates the chest imaging findings prior to thoracentesis, there should be a high likelihood of establishing a firm clinical diagnosis based on the appropriate PFA. This manuscript reviews the clinical presentation, chest imaging findings, duration and natural course of specific pleural effusions to help narrow the range of pre‐thoracentesis diagnoses. A diagnosis of transudative effusion confirms an imbalance in hydrostatic and oncotic pressures, normal pleura and a limited differential diagnosis, which is typically apparent from the clinical presentation. Exudates are the result of infections, malignancies, inflammation, impaired lymphatic drainage or the effects of drugs, and pose a greater diagnostic challenge. The differential diagnosis for a pleural exudate can be narrowed if LDH levels exceed 1000 IU/L, the proportion of lymphocytes is ≥80%, pleural fluid pH is <7.30 or there is pleural eosinophilia of >10%.
Influence of cell surface structures on crenarchaeal biofilm formation using a thermostable green fluorescent protein
Authors: Henche Anna‐Lena , Koerdt Andrea , Ghosh Abhrajyoti , Albers Sonja‐Verena 
Published: November 2011

SummaryThe thermoacidophilic crenarchaeote Sulfolobus acidocaldarius displays three distinct type IV pili‐like structures on its surface: (i) the flagellum, (ii) the UV‐induced pili and (iii) the adhesive pili. In bacteria, surface appendages play an important role in the spatial organization of cells from initial surface attachment to the development of mature community structures. To investigate the influence of the diverse set of type IV pili‐like structures in S. acidocaldarius, single, double and triple mutants lacking the cell surface appendages were constructed and analysed for their behaviour in attachment assays and during biofilm formation. A heat stable green fluorescent protein was employed the first time in a hyperthermophilic archaeon. A codon adjusted eCGP123 was expressed to study mixed biofilms of different deletion mutants to understand the interplay of the surface structures during biofilm formation. During this process the deletion of the adhesive pili and UV‐induced pili led to the most pronounced effects, either an increase in cell density or increased cluster formation respectively. However, all three cell surface appendages played a role in the colonization of surfaces and only the interplay of all three appendages leads to the observed wild‐type biofilm phenotype.
Paraneuronal pseudobranchial neurosecretory cells in scorpion catfish Heteropneustes fossilis: an environment scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope study
Authors: Yadav Laxmi , Sengar Manvendra , Zaccone Daniele , Gopesh Anita 
Published: November 2011

AbstractYadav, L., Sengar, M., Zaccone, D. and Gopesh, A. 2011. Paraneuronal pseudobranchial neurosecretory cells in scorpion catfish Heteropneustes fossilis: an environment scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope study. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00: 1–8.Pseudobranchial neurosecretory system (PNS), found in the gill region of certain groups of teleosts, falls under the category of the ‘diffuse neuroendocrine system’ (DNES). The cells belonging to the system share morpho‐functional features with the paraneuronal cells observed in respiratory tract and airway surfaces of higher vertebrates. On the basis of the experimental observations, a role in condition of hypoxia has been recorded for this system. In an attempt to elucidate the ultrastructure of pseudobranchial neurosecretory cells, present investigation was undertaken using environment scanning electron microscope (ESEM) and TEM in an air‐breathing catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. The external morphology of PNS under ESEM appeared as a mass of cells supplied with nerves and blood capillaries. Each cell mass is made up of numerous pear‐shaped neurosecretory cells, confirmed by neurosecretion‐specific acid violet stain. The TEM investigation of the cells revealed the presence of different sizes of dense‐cored vesicles in the cytoplasm, which was observed as granular cytoplasm under light microscope. Presence of large number of mitochondria in the cytoplasm confirmed active involvement of these cells in the physiology of fishes. Although lacuna prevails regarding the exact function of this system of fish, its probable role in hypoxic condition and surfacing behavior are speculated.
Securing a sustainable British horticulture industry
Authors: Campbell‐Gibbons H. 
Published: November 2011

SummaryFood security is increasingly a major political issue. Furthermore, growing public awareness about where our food comes from and concerns about the sustainability of some food production systems have meant that farmers and growers are producing food to ever higher standards of environmental protection, quality, hygiene and traceability. Therefore, the real question in any debate about sustainability is: ‘how can British horticulture produce more food to feed more people and make a profit from doing so, while using less land and resources and improving the environment at the same time?’In 2009, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the establishment of a Fruit and Vegetables Task Force, which has set a target to increase UK self‐sufficiency of indigenous vegetables to 73% and indigenous fruit to 50%; thus reversing a decade of decline. This will be essential for securing a viable, profitable, successful and sustainable British horticulture industry.Achieving this target will require greater engagement with consumers, enhanced monitoring of the supply chain and reduced regulatory burdens. Ultimately, sustainability in horticulture requires a balance to be struck between the competing and pressing demands that are placed on British growers and then maintained.
Pulse monthly steroids during an elective interruption of natalizumab: a post‐marketing study
Authors: Borriello G. , Prosperini L. , Mancinelli C. , Giannì C. , Fubelli F. , Pozzilli C. 
Published: November 2011

Background and purpose:  Temporary discontinuation of natalizumab is sometimes considered as the observed risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, interruption of natalizumab may result in a re‐start of disease activity.Methods:  In this prospective post‐marketing study, 23 patients with MS treated with natalizumab elected a trial of treatment interruption (90–150 days) because of safety concerns on the risk of developing PML. To reduce the risk of disease activity return, patients received monthly intravenous (i.v.) steroid pulses before natalizumab re‐start.Results:  Despite the steroid coverage, seven patients (30.4%) had an active scan during the natalizumab interruption period; of these, four also had a concomitant clinical exacerbation.Conclusions:  Our findings suggest that i.v. steroids are not currently recommendable as drug coverage during a scheduled treatment interruption period.
Subsidiarity and the European Court of Justice: Missing Pieces in the Subsidiarity Jigsaw?*
Authors: HORSLEY THOMAS 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis article reviews the evolution of subsidiarity as a constitutional principle within the case law of the European Court of Justice. It argues that, to date, discussion of subsidiarity as a judicial principle remains narrowly focused on its impact as a restraint on the Union legislature. In an effort to steer debate in another direction, this article revisits and supports arguments in favour of applying subsidiarity as a brake on the Court's own interpretative functions. Thereafter, it isolates the Court's interpretation of the Treaty free movement provisions as an empirical example to test this underdeveloped dimension of subsidiarity.
Perceptions of aggressive conflicts and others’ distress in children with callous‐unemotional traits: ‘I’ll show you who’s boss, even if you suffer and I get in trouble’
Authors: Pardini Dustin A. , Byrd Amy L. 
Published: November 2011

Background:  Children with callous‐unemotional (CU) traits may have a particularly malevolent view of social conflicts and a pervasive insensitivity to others’ distress. The current study examined whether children with CU traits have unique expectations and values regarding the consequences of aggressive conflicts and a ubiquitous lack of concern for others’ feelings independent of co‐occurring aggression.Methods:  Participants were 96 (46 males, 50 females) children recruited from elementary schools within an urban city. Associations between CU traits and child reports of outcome expectancies/values following aggressive conflicts and facets of empathy were examined after controlling for aggression, academic abilities, and demographic covariates.Results:  Children with higher CU traits were less likely to expect that aggression would result in victim suffering and feelings of remorse. After controlling for co‐occurring aggression, children with higher CU traits were more likely to expect that aggression would result in peer dominance, while children with higher levels of aggression were more likely to expect that attacking others would reduce their aversive behavior. Children with higher CU traits were less concerned that aggressive behavior would result in punishment, victim suffering, and feelings of remorse. Moreover, children with higher CU traits reported lower levels of empathetic concern and sadness in response to others’ distress outside of aggressive conflicts.Conclusions:  Children with CU traits tend to minimize the extent to which aggression causes victim suffering and openly acknowledge caring less about distress and suffering in others. They are less intimidated by the possibility of being punished for aggressive behavior and tend to view aggression as an effective means for dominating others. In sum, children with CU traits have a particularly malicious social schema that may be difficult to change using conventional treatment methods.
Expression of divalent metal transporter 1 in primary hippocampal neurons: reconsidering its role in non‐transferrin‐bound iron influx
Authors: Pelizzoni Ilaria , Zacchetti Daniele , Smith Craig P. , Grohovaz Fabio , Codazzi Franca 
Published: November 2011

J. Neurochem. (2012) 120, 269–278.AbstractThe divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) is the best characterized Fe2+ transporter involved in cellular iron uptake in mammals. Four possible isoforms have been identified as a result of alternative promoter (DMT1‐1A and DMT1‐1B) and alternative splicing involving the C‐terminus and producing transcripts with or without an iron responsive element [DMT1‐IRE(+) and DMT1‐IRE(−), respectively]. Despite the general importance of DMT1 in controlling iron homeostasis, the distribution and the role of the transporter in the CNS is still controversial. In this study, we characterize the expression of DMT1 in hippocampal neurons and astrocytes. We found that the main isoform endogenously expressed is DMT1‐1B/IRE(+), which shows cytoplasmic distribution, colocalization with late endosome/lysosome markers and iron regulation, as expected from the presence of an iron responsive element. Our results also show that DMT1‐1B/IRE(+) isoform does not sustain iron entry, even after its neuronal over‐expression. Overall, our results argue against a physiological role of the endogenous DMT1 in neuronal iron uptake but do not exclude that, under pathological conditions, the expression of other DMT1 isoforms might contribute to iron overload.
Delay in Seeing a Doctor Due to Cost: Disparity between Older Adults with and without Disabilities in the United States
Authors: Lee Jae Chul , Hasnain‐Wynia Romana , Lau Denys T. 
Published: November 2011

ObjectiveTo examine the disparity in delaying seeing a doctor due to cost between older adults with and without disabilities, and whether the disparity could be explained by health and financial variables.Data SourcesNationally representative sample of community‐dwelling adults aged ≥65 who have health insurance and a usual source of care from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n = 85,015).Study DesignThis cross‐sectional study used sequential logistic regression models to examine the associations of delaying seeing a doctor due to cost with disability status, including demographic, health, and financial variables.Principal FindingsOlder adults with disabilities had significantly higher odds of delaying seeing a doctor due to cost compared to older adults without disabilities after controlling for demographic, health, and financial factors. Although health and financial variables collectively attenuated the disparity, they did not fully explain the disparity.ConclusionsDespite having health insurance and a usual source of care, older adults with disabilities encountered greater economic difficulties in seeing a doctor than their counterparts without disabilities. Policy makers should continue addressing the economic burden to improve timely visits to health care providers.
Physician Perspectives on Medical Care Delivery in Assisted Living
Authors: Sloane Philip D. , Zimmerman Sheryl , Perez Rosa , Reed David , Harris‐Wallace Brandy , Khandelwal Christine , Beeber Anna Song , Madeline Mitchell C. , Schumacher John 
Published: November 2011

ObjectivesTo describe the provision of medical care in assisted living (AL) as provided by physicians who are especially active in providing care to older adults and AL residents; to identify characteristics associated with physician confidence in AL staff; and to ask physicians a variety of questions about their experience providing care to AL residents and how it compares with providing care in the nursing home and home care settings.DesignCross‐sectional descriptive study.SettingAL communities in 27 states.ParticipantsOne hundred sixty‐five physicians and administrators of 125 AL settings in which they had patients.MeasurementsInterviews and questionnaires containing open‐ and close‐ended questions regarding demographics, care arrangements, attitudes, and behaviors in managing medical problems.ResultsMost respondents were certified in internal medicine (46%) or family medicine (47%); 32% were certified in geriatrics and 30% in medical directorship. In this select sample, 48% visited the AL setting once a year or less, and 19% visited once a week or more. Mean physician confidence in AL staff was 3.3 (somewhat confident), with greater confidence associated with smaller AL community size, nursing presence, and the physician being the medical director. Qualitative analyses identified differences between settings including lack of vital sign assessment in the home setting, concern about the ability of AL staff to assess and monitor problems, and greater administrative and regulatory requirements in AL than in the other settings.ConclusionProviding medical care for AL residents presents unique challenges and opportunities for physicians. Nursing presence and physician oversight and familiarity and communicating with AL staff who are highly familiar with a given resident and can monitor care may facilitate care.
Distribution of the Entodiniomorphid Ciliate Troglocorys cava Tokiwa, Modrý, Ito, Pomajbíková, Petrželková, & Imai, , (Entodiniomorphida: Blepharocorythidae) in Wild and Captive Chimpanzees
Authors: Pomajbíková Kateřina , Petrželková Klára J. , Petrášová Jana , Profousová Ilona , Kalousová Barbora , Jirků Miloslav , Sá Rui M. , Modrý David 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTrophozoites of Troglocorys cava were detected in all but one of the wild chimpanzee populations from Rubondo Island (Tanzania), with a prevalence ranging between 20% and 78%. However, the ciliate was absent in all captive groups. Prevalence appeared to increase with the number of sequential samples taken from a particular individual and reached 95.5% in wild individuals sampled at least 4 times.