bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Receptors and ionic transporters in nuclear membranes: new targets for therapeutical pharmacological interventions
Authors: Bkaily Ghassan , Avedanian Levon , Al-Khoury Johny , Ahmarani Lena , Perreault Claudine , Jacques Danielle 
Published: July 2012

Work from our group and other laboratories showed that the nucleus could be considered as a cell within a cell. This is based on growing evidence of the presence and role of nuclear membrane G-protein coupled receptors and ionic transporters in the nuclear membranes of many cell types, including vascular endothelial cells, endocardial endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiomyocytes, and hepatocytes. The nuclear membrane receptors were found to modulate the functioning of ionic transporters at the nuclear level, and thus contribute to regulation of nuclear ionic homeostasis. Nuclear membranes of the mentioned types of cells possess the same ionic transporters; however, the type of receptors is cell-type dependent. Regulation of cytosolic and nuclear ionic homeostasis was found to be dependent upon a tight crosstalk between receptors and ionic transporters of the plasma membranes and those of the nuclear membrane. This crosstalk seems to be the basis for excitation–contraction coupling, excitation–secretion coupling, and excitation – gene expression coupling. Further advancement in this field will certainly shed light on the role of nuclear membrane receptors and transporters in health and disease. This will in turn enable the successful design of a new class of drugs that specifically target such highly vital nuclear receptors and ionic transporters.
QUANTUM CIRCUITS IN THE PRESENCE OF A MAGNETIC FIELD
Authors: UTRERAS-DÍAZ CONSTANTINO A. , LAROZE DAVID 
Published: July 2012

In the present work, we consider a quantum LC circuit under a constant magnetic field. In particular, we derive a new discretized form of the Schrödinger equation, which is equivalent to introducing a potential in the pseudo-flux representation. We discuss the physical assumptions leading to our results, and using a direct numerical approach we calculate the energy spectrum of the LC quantum circuit as a function of a constant external magnetic flux. The results are compared with the spectrum obtained using the Li–Chen potential [Y. Q. Li and B. Chen, Phys. Rev. B 53 (1996) 4027]. Our results indicate that the energy spectra from both models are numerically different, hence they may be clearly distinguished under appropriate experimental conditions.
The Variational Bayesian Approach to Fitting Mixture Models to Circular Wave Direction Data
Authors: Wu Burton , McGrory Clare A. , Pettitt Anthony N. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe emerging variational Bayesian (VB) technique for approximate Bayesian statistical inference is a non-simulation-based and time-efficient approach. It provides a useful, practical alternative to other Bayesian statistical approaches such as Markov chain Monte Carlo–based techniques, particularly for applications involving large datasets. This article reviews the increasingly popular VB statistical approach and illustrates how it can be used to fit Gaussian mixture models to circular wave direction data. This is done by taking the straightforward approach of padding the data; this method involves adding a repeat of a complete cycle of the data to the existing dataset to obtain a dataset on the real line. The padded dataset can then be analyzed using the standard VB technique. This results in a practical, efficient approach that is also appropriate for modeling other types of circular, or directional, data such as wind direction.
Southern Hemisphere Jet Variability in the IPSL GCM at Varying Resolutions
Authors: Arakelian Ara , Codron Francis 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Fluctuations of the Southern Hemisphere eddy-driven jet are studied in a suite of experiments with the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, version 4 (LMDZ4) atmospheric GCM with varying horizontal resolution, in coupled mode and with imposed SSTs. The focus is on the relationship between changes in the mean state brought by increasing resolution, and the intraseasonal variability and response to increasing CO2 concentration.
In summer, the mean jet latitude moves poleward when the resolution increases in latitude, converging toward the observed one. Most measures of the jet dynamics, such as skewness of the distribution or persistence time scale of jet movements, exhibit a simple dependence on the mean jet latitude and also converge to the observed values. In winter, the improvement of the mean-state biases with resolution is more limited.
In both seasons, the relationship between the dominant mode of variability—the southern annular mode (SAM)—and the mean state remains the same as in observations, except in the most biased winter simulation. The jet fluctuations—latitude shifts or splitting—just occur around a different mean position. Both the model biases and the response to increasing CO2 project strongly onto the SAM structure. No systematic relation between the amplitude of the response and characteristics of the control simulation was found, possibly due to changing dynamics or impacts of the physical parameterizations with different resolutions.
Numerical Wave Modeling in Conditions with Strong Currents: Dissipation, Refraction, and Relative Wind
Authors: Ardhuin Fabrice , Roland Aron , Dumas Franck , Bennis Anne-Claire , Sentchev Alexei , Forget Philippe , Wolf Judith , Girard Françoise , Osuna Pedro , Benoit Michel 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Currents effects on waves have led to many developments in numerical wave modeling over the past two decades, from numerical choices to parameterizations. The performance of numerical models in conditions with strong currents is reviewed here, and observed strong effects of opposed currents and modulations of wave heights by tidal currents in several typical situations are interpreted. For current variations on small scales, the rapid steepening of the waves enhances wave breaking. Using different parameterizations with a dissipation rate proportional to some measure of the wave steepness to the fourth power, the results are very different, none being fully satisfactory, which points to the need for more measurements and further refinements of parameterizations. For larger-scale current variations, the observed modifications of the sea state are mostly explained by refraction of waves over currents and relative wind effects, that is, the wind speed relevant for wave generation is the speed in the frame of reference moving with the near-surface current. It is shown that introducing currents in wave models can reduce the errors on significant wave heights by more than 30% in some macrotidal environments, such as the coast of Brittany, in France. This large impact of currents is not confined to the locations where the currents are strongest, but also downwave from strong current gradients.
The Causal Impact of Exposure to Deviant Peers
Authors: Paternoster Ray , McGloin Jean Marie , Nguyen Holly , Thomas Kyle J. 
Published: July 2012

Objectives: This study addresses the enduring question about whether exposure to deviant peers causes individuals to engage in deviance. Ample literature comments on this point, but methodological limitations prevent strong conclusions about causality. Method: The authors conducted a laboratory-based experiment under the guise of a memory/recall study for which participants could earn up to $20. All 91 participants had the opportunity to cheat on a computer-based word recall task by clicking on up to four links that provided access to the words in order to illegitimately earn more money for their performance. In the treatment condition ( n = 47), subjects were exposed to a confederate who indicated an intention to cheat, justified this behavior, and cheated on the task. Results: Whereas none of the participants in the control condition cheated on this task, 38 percent of the participants in the treatment condition did. This effect endures when controlling for various attributes of participants in regression models. Supplemental analyses underscore the notion that clicking on the links reflected cheating rather than curiosity. Conclusions: This experiment provides evidence that exposure to a deviant peer can cause individuals to engage in deviance. Future experimental work should focus on determining the precise mechanism/mechanisms responsible.
Here and Gone: Anticipation and Separation Effects of Prison Visits on Inmate Infractions
Authors: Siennick Sonja E. , Mears Daniel P. , Bales William D. 
Published: July 2012

Objectives: This study examines the effect of prison visitation on the probability of inmate misconduct. Method: Our sample is an admissions cohort of over 7,000 inmates admitted to Florida correctional facilities between 2000 and 2002. The authors conducted multilevel analyses of the week-to-week association between officially recorded disciplinary infractions and prison visits, including spousal, significant other, parental, relative, and friend visits. Results: The probability of an in-prison infraction declines in anticipation of visits, increases immediately following visits, and then gradually declines to average levels. This pattern is relatively consistent across visitors and infraction types but is strongest for spousal visits and contraband infractions. More frequent visits are associated with a more rapid postvisit decline. Conclusions: If visits reduce the pains of imprisonment or increase social control, then these effects may be too short-lived to create lasting improvements in the behavior of individuals while incarcerated. Future research should attempt to replicate and explain these findings and examine the longer term effects of visitation on inmate adjustment during and after incarceration.
The Factor Structure of Trait Emotional Intelligence in Hong Kong Adolescents
Authors: Mavroveli Stella , Siu Angela F. Y. 
Published: July 2012

Background Trait emotional intelligence ( trait EI or trait emotional self-efficacy) refers to individuals’ emotion-related self-perceptions (Petrides, Furnham, & Mavroveli, 2007). A growing number of studies are looking at cross-cultural differences in the structure of the construct. Aims This study investigates the cross-cultural stability of trait EI in a sample of adolescents from Hong Kong. Sample The Hong Kong sample comprised 357 secondary school students (199 boys and 158 girls), ranging in age from 13 to 16 yrs ( M = 14.09 yrs; SD = .86). Method The participants completed the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Adolescent Full Form (TEIQue-AFF). Additional data on demographics were collected. Results The Hong Kong data only partially replicated the UK four-factor structure (well-being, emotionality, sociability, and self-control). Conclusions There seems to be cross-cultural consistency in the factor structure of trait EI in adolescence with minor variations and a tendency toward a simpler factor structure. The Chinese adaptation of the TEIQue-AFF can be recommended for research applications, but further research is needed to replicate our results.
Canonical and noncanonical Hedgehog pathway in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma
Authors: Blotta Simona , Jakubikova Jana , Calimeri Teresa , Roccaro Aldo M. , Amodio Nicola , Azab Abdel Kareem , Foresta Umberto , Mitsiades Constantine S. , Rossi Marco , Todoerti Katia , Molica Stefano , Morabito Fortunato , Neri Antonino , Tagliaferri Piersandro , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Anderson Kenneth C. , Munshi Nikhil C. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is required for cell-fate determination during the embryonic life, as well as cell growth and differentiation in the adult organism, where the inappropriate activation has been implicated in several cancers. Here we demonstrate that Hh signaling plays a significant role in growth and survival of multiple myeloma (MM) cells. We observed that CD138+ MM cells express Hh genes and confirmed Smoothened (Smo)–dependent Hh signaling in MM using a novel synthetic Smo inhibitor, NVP-LDE225 (Novartis), which decreased MM cell viability by inducing specific down-regulation of Gli1 and Ptch1, hallmarks of Hh activity. In addition, we detected a nuclear localization of Gli1 in MM cells, which is completely abrogated by Forskolin, a Gli1-modulating compound, confirming Smo-independent mechanisms leading to Hh activation in MM. Finally, we identified that bone marrow stromal cells are a source of the Shh ligand, although they are resistant to the Hh inhibitor because of defective Smo expression and Ptch1 up-regulation. Further in vitro as well as in vivo studies showed antitumor efficacy of NVP-LDE225 in combination with bortezomib. Altogether, our data demonstrate activation of both canonical and noncanonical Hh pathway in MM, thus providing the rationale for testing Hh inhibitors in clinical trials to improve MM patient outcome.
Point/counterpoint: early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma and the role of radiation therapy
Authors: Meyer Ralph M. , Hoppe Richard T. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
The results of recent clinical trials for the management of limited-stage Hodgkin lymphoma have led to considerable debate, especially regarding the role of radiation therapy. This review highlights those recent trials and provides perspectives regarding their interpretation from a radiation oncologist and a hematologist. The trial protocol is available at http://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa1111961/suppl_file/nejmoa1111961_protocol.pdf.
Comparative metagenomics of three Dehalococcoides-containing enrichment cultures: the role of the non-dechlorinating community
Authors: Hug Laura A , Beiko Robert G , Rowe Annette R , Richardson Ruth E , Edwards Elizabeth A 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
The Dehalococcoides are strictly anaerobic bacteria that gain metabolic energy via the oxidation of H2 coupled to the reduction of halogenated organic compounds. Dehalococcoides spp. grow best in mixed microbial consortia, relying on non-dechlorinating members to provide essential nutrients and maintain anaerobic conditions.
A metagenome sequence was generated for the dechlorinating mixed microbial consortium KB-1. A comparative metagenomic study utilizing two additional metagenome sequences for Dehalococcoides-containing dechlorinating microbial consortia was undertaken to identify common features that are provided by the non-dechlorinating community and are potentially essential to Dehalococcoides growth.

Results
The KB-1 metagenome contained eighteen novel homologs to reductive dehalogenase genes. The metagenomes obtained from the three consortia were automatically annotated using the MG-RAST server, from which statistically significant differences in community composition and metabolic profiles were determined. Examination of specific metabolic pathways, including corrinoid synthesis, methionine synthesis, oxygen scavenging, and electron-donor metabolism identified the Firmicutes, methanogenic Archaea, and the ∂-Proteobacteria as key organisms encoding these pathways, and thus potentially producing metabolites required for Dehalococcoides growth.

Conclusions
Comparative metagenomics of the three Dehalococcoides-containing consortia identified that similarities across the three consortia are more apparent at the functional level than at the taxonomic level, indicating the non-dechlorinating organisms’ identities can vary provided they fill the same niche within a consortium. Functional redundancy was identified in each metabolic pathway of interest, with key processes encoded by multiple taxonomic groups. This redundancy likely contributes to the robust growth and dechlorination rates in dechlorinating enrichment cultures.
Burkholderia pseudomallei transcriptional adaptation in macrophages
Authors: Chieng Sylvia , Carreto Laura , Nathan Sheila 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background

Burkholderia pseudomallei is a facultative intracellular pathogen of phagocytic and non-phagocytic cells. How the bacterium interacts with host macrophage cells is still not well understood and is critical to appreciate the strategies used by this bacterium to survive and how intracellular survival leads to disease manifestation.

Results
Here we report the expression profile of intracellular B. pseudomallei following infection of human macrophage-like U937 cells. During intracellular growth over the 6 h infection period, approximately 22 % of the B. pseudomallei genome showed significant transcriptional adaptation. B. pseudomallei adapted rapidly to the intracellular environment by down-regulating numerous genes involved in metabolism, cell envelope, motility, replication, amino acid and ion transport system and regulatory function pathways. Reduced expression in catabolic and housekeeping genes suggested lower energy requirement and growth arrest during macrophage infection, while expression of genes encoding anaerobic metabolism functions were up regulated. However, whilst the type VI secretion system was up regulated, expression of many known virulence factors was not significantly modulated over the 6hours of infection.

Conclusions
The transcriptome profile described here provides the first comprehensive view of how B. pseudomallei survives within host cells and will help identify potential virulence factors and proteins that are important for the survival and growth of B. pseudomallei within human cells.
Potential novel therapeutic strategies in cystic fibrosis: antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity of natural and designed α-helical peptides against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia
Authors: Pompilio Arianna , Crocetta Valentina , Scocchi Marco , Pomponio Stefano , Di Vincenzo Valentina , Mardirossian Mario , Gherardi Giovanni , Fiscarelli Ersilia , Dicuonzo Giordano , Gennaro Renato , Di Bonaventura Giovanni 
Published: July 2012

Abstract

Background
Treatment of cystic fibrosis-associated lung infections is hampered by the presence of multi-drug resistant pathogens, many of which are also strong biofilm producers. Antimicrobial peptides, essential components of innate immunity in humans and animals, exhibit relevant in vitro antimicrobial activity although they tend not to select for resistant strains.

Results
Three α-helical antimicrobial peptides, BMAP-27 and BMAP-28 of bovine origin, and the artificial P19(9/B) peptide were tested, comparatively to Tobramycin, for their in vitro antibacterial and anti-biofilm activity against 15 Staphylococcus aureus, 25 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 27 Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strains from cystic fibrosis patients. All assays were carried out in physical-chemical experimental conditions simulating a cystic fibrosis lung. All peptides showed a potent and rapid bactericidal activity against most P. aeruginosa, S. maltophilia and S. aureus strains tested, at levels generally higher than those exhibited by Tobramycin and significantly reduced biofilm formation of all the bacterial species tested, although less effectively than Tobramycin did. On the contrary, the viability-reducing activity of antimicrobial peptides against preformed P. aeruginosa biofilms was comparable to and, in some cases, higher than that showed by Tobramycin.

Conclusions
The activity shown by α-helical peptides against planktonic and biofilm cells makes them promising “lead compounds” for future development of novel drugs for therapeutic treatment of cystic fibrosis lung disease.
The role of p21-activated kinase in the initiation of atherosclerosis
Authors: Jhaveri K A , Debnath P , Chernoff J , Sanders J , Schwartz M A 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundp21-activated kinase (PAK) has been implicated in the inflammatory activation of endothelial cells by disturbed fluid shear stress, which is the initiating stimulus in atherosclerosis. The study addresses whether PAK1 contributes to inflammatory marker expression in endothelial cells at atherosclerosis-susceptible regions of arteries in vivo.MethodAortas from WT and PAK1-/-C57BL/6J mice on a normal chow diet were fixed, dissected and processed for immunohistochemistry using a panel of inflammatory markers. We visualized and quantified staining in the endothelium at the greater and lesser curvatures of the arch of aorta, as atherosclerosis-resistant and susceptible regions, respectively.ResultsFibronectin, VCAM-1 and the activated RelA NF-κB subunit were localized to the lesser curvature and decreased in PAK1-/- mice. The activated RelB NF-κB subunit was also localized to the lesser curvature but was increased in PAK1-/- mice. Low levels of staining for ICAM-1 and the monocyte/macrophage marker Mac2 indicated that overall inflammation in this tissue was minimal.ConclusionThese data show that PAK1 has a significant pro-inflammatory function at atherosclerosis-prone sites in vivo. These effects are seen in young mice with very low levels of inflammation, suggesting that inflammatory activation of the endothelium is primarily biomechanical. Activation involves NF-κB, expression of leukocyte recruitment receptors and fibronectin deposition. These results support and extend in vitro studies demonstrating that PAK contributes to activation of inflammatory pathways in endothelial cells by fluid shear stress.
Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulates ABCB1 transcription in chronic myeloid leukemia
Authors: Corrêa Stephany , Binato Renata , Du Rocher Bárbara , Castelo-Branco Morgana TL , Pizzatti Luciana , Abdelhay Eliana 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundThe advanced phases of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) are known to be more resistant to therapy. This resistance has been associated with the overexpression ofABCB1, which gives rise to the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenomenon. MDR is characterized by resistance to nonrelated drugs, and P-glycoprotein (encoded byABCB1) has been implicated as the major cause of its emergence. Wnt signaling has been demonstrated to be important in several aspects of CML. Recently, Wnt signaling was linked toABCB1regulation through its canonical pathway, which is mediated by β-catenin, in other types of cancer. In this study, we investigated the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the regulation ofABCB1transcription in CML, as the basal promoter ofABCB1has several β-catenin binding sites. β-catenin is the mediator of canonical Wnt signaling, which is important for CML progression.MethodsIn this work we used the K562 cell line and its derived MDR-resistant cell line Lucena (K562/VCR) as CML study models. Real time PCR (RT-qPCR), electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), flow cytometry (FACS), western blot, immunofluorescence, RNA knockdown (siRNA) and Luciferase reporter approaches were used.Resultsβ-catenin was present in the protein complex on the basal promoter ofABCB1in both cell linesin vitro, but its binding was more pronounced in the resistant cell linein vivo. Lucena cells also exhibited higher β-catenin levels compared to its parental cell line.Wnt1andβ-catenindepletion and overexpression of nuclear β-catenin, together with TCF binding sites activation demonstrated thatABCB1is positively regulated by the canonical pathway of Wnt signaling.ConclusionsThese results suggest, for the first time, that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway regulatesABCB1in CML.