bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beyond Patchwork Precaution in the Dual-Use Governance of Synthetic Biology
Authors: Kelle Alexander 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
The emergence of synthetic biology holds the potential of a major breakthrough in the life sciences by transforming biology into a predictive science. The dual-use characteristics of similar breakthroughs during the twentieth century have led to the application of benignly intended research in e.g. virology, bacteriology and aerobiology in offensive biological weapons programmes. Against this background the article raises the question whether the precautionary governance of synthetic biology can aid in preventing this techno-science witnessing the same fate? In order to address this question, this paper proceeds in four steps: it firstly introduces the emerging techno-science of synthetic biology and presents some of its potential beneficial applications. It secondly analyses contributions to the bioethical discourse on synthetic biology as well as precautionary reasoning and its application to life science research in general and synthetic biology more specifically. The paper then identifies manifestations of a moderate precautionary principle in the emerging synthetic biology dual-use governance discourse. Using a dual-use governance matrix as heuristic device to analyse some of the proposed measures, it concludes that the identified measures can best be described as “patchwork precaution” and that a more systematic approach to construct a web of dual-use precaution for synthetic biology is needed in order to guard more effectively against the field’s future misuse for harmful applications.
How context shapes category inferences and attribute preference for new ambiguous products
Authors: Noseworthy Theodore J. , Wang Juan , Islam Towhidul 
Published: April 2012

AbstractExtant research suggests that when marketers introduce products with functions that span multiple categories, consumers tend to generate beliefs in line with only a single category. This has been regarded as a major marketing challenge because it leads consumers to ignore key attributes from the product's supplementary category. Contrary to this prediction, the authors find that because consumers tend to classify new hybrid products by contrasting them against the competitive context, attributes from the supplementary category become more salient and thus contribute greater utility in choice. The authors pit the strength of this effect against several of the most dominant and favored category cues. The results confirm that classification inferences and attribute preference for new hybrid products are highly contextual, and as such, single category inferences need not translate directly into attribute preference.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Bedside Swallow Evaluation Versus Videofluoroscopy to Assess Dysphagia in Individuals With Tetraplegia
Authors: Shem Kazuko L. , Castillo Kathleen , Wong Sandra Lynn , Chang James , Kao Ming‐Chih , Kolakowsky‐Hayner Stephanie A. 
Published: April 2012

ObjectiveTo assess the accuracy of bedside swallow evaluation (BSE) compared with videofluorosopic swallow study (VFSS) in diagnosing dysphagia in individuals with tetraplegia due to spinal cord injury (SCI).DesignA prospective diagnostic accuracy study according to STAndards for the Reporting of Diagnostic accuracy studies (STARD) criteria.SettingA county hospital with acute inpatient SCI unit.PatientsThirty‐nine subjects with SCI and tetraplegia were enrolled. All of the subjects underwent BSE, and 26 subjects completed the VFSS.MethodsIndividuals with SCI underwent a BSE followed by a VFSS within 72 hours of the BSE. The subjects were diagnosed as having dysphagia if they had positive findings in either BSE or VFSS.Main Outcome MeasuresSensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated by using VFSS as the criterion standard.ResultsFifteen subjects (38%) were diagnosed as having dysphagia based on the BSE results. Among the subjects who completed the VFSS, 11 were diagnosed with dysphagia (42%) and 4 were diagnosed with aspiration (10%). Of the 26 subjects who completed both BSE and VFSS, only 1 subject was diagnosed differently compared with BSE (3.8%). Different diet recommendations were made in 4 cases after VFSS versus BSE. Different liquid recommendations were made in 8 cases after VFSS versus BSE. Sensitivity of BSE was 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71.5%‐100%), specificity was 93.3% (95% CI, 68.1%‐99.8%). A positive predictive value of BSE was 91.7% (95% CI, 61.5%‐100%), and the negative predictive value was 100% (95% CI, 76.8%‐100%).ConclusionsDysphagia is present in approximately 38% of individuals with acute tetraplegia. Because only one of the 21 subjects was diagnosed differently based on VFSS, we believe that BSE is an appropriate screening tool for dysphagia for individuals with cervical SCI. However, VFSS provided additional information on diet and liquid recommendations, so there appears to be an important clinical role for the VFSS.
Retrievals of sea surface temperature fronts from SAR imagery
Authors: Kuang Hai‐lan , Perrie William , Xie Tao , Zhang Biao , Chen Wei 
Published: April 2012

We present a new methodology to identify SST fronts of the Gulf Stream, using linear relationships between sea surface temperature (SST) gradients, and curl and divergence of wind stress fields, derived from high resolution (1 km) SAR data. The new approach uses a composite metric determined from the wind stress divergence and curl fields from individual SAR images. Multi‐stage spatial filtering, Wiener and Gaussian low‐pass filters, and a statistically‐based high pass spatial filter are applied to the derived wind stress curl and divergence fields. Results are significantly improved by restricting SAR imagery to cases where wind speed is less than 12 m/s, thus removing strong wind shear fronts. The method is demonstrated with SAR images of the Gulf Stream and has potential to be applied in near real time operations. The advantages of SAR imagery over optical sensors are its independence of cloud or night‐time conditions and high accuracy.
Mechanotransduction and focal adhesions
Authors: Goldmann Wolfgang H. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractCellular FAs (focal adhesions) respond to internal and external mechanical stresses which make them prime candidates for mechanotransduction. Recent observations showed that the FA proteins including vinculin, FAK (FA kinase) and p130Cas are crucial for the ability of cells to transmit forces and to generate cytoskeletal tension. When mechanically stimulated, cells respond by modulating the spreading area, remodel the actin cytoskeleton, activate actomyosin interactions, recruit integrins and reinforce FAs and cytoskeletal structures. These complex cellular responses are orchestrated such that mechanical stresses within the FA complex remained within a narrow range.
NuST: analysis of the interplay between nucleoid organization and gene expression
Authors: Scolari Vittore F. , Zarei Mina , Osella Matteo , Cosentino Lagomarsino Marco 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Summary: Different experimental results suggest the presence of an interplay between global transcriptional regulation and chromosome spatial organization in bacteria. The identification and clear visualization of spatial clusters of contiguous genes targeted by specific DNA-binding proteins or sensitive to nucleoid perturbations can elucidate links between nucleoid structure and gene expression patterns. Similarly, statistical analysis to assess correlations between results from independent experiments can provide the integrated analysis needed in this line of research. NuST (Nucleoid Survey tools), based on the Escherichia coli genome, gives the non-expert the possibility to analyze the aggregation of genes or loci sets along the genome coordinate, at different scales of observation. It is useful to discover correlations between different sources of data (e.g. expression, binding or genomic data) and genome organization. A user can use it on datasets in the form of gene lists coming from his/her own experiments or bioinformatic analyses, but also make use of the internal database, which collects data from many published studies.
Availability and Implementation: NuST is a web server (available at http://www.lgm.upmc.fr/nust/). The website is implemented in PHP, SQLite and Ajax, with all major browsers supported, while the core algorithms are optimized and implemented in C. NuST has an extensive help page and provides a direct visualization of results as well as different downloadable file formats. A template Perl code for automated access to the web server can be downloaded at http://www.lgm.upmc.fr/nust/downloads/, in order to allow the users to use NuST in systematic bioinformatic analyses.
Contact: vittore.scolari@upmc.fr
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
IL-17 contributes to cardiac fibrosis following experimental autoimmune myocarditis by a PKCβ/Erk1/2/NF-κB-dependent signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Yanfang , Zhu Haitao , Su Zhaoliang , Sun Caixia , Yin Jingping , Yuan Hongyan , Sandoghchian Siamak , Jiao Zhijun , Wang Shengjun , Xu Huaxi 
Published: April 2012

Abstract
Myocarditis is a common clinical cardiovascular disease, and some patients progress to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with chronic heart failure. Common viral infections are the most frequent cause of myocarditis, but other pathogens and autoimmune diseases have also been implicated. Th17 cells are novel IL-17-producing effector T helper cells that play an important role in the development of autoimmune myocarditis. Furthermore, IL-17 is also important in post-myocarditis cardiac remodeling and progression to DCM. However, the mechanisms whereby IL-17 and IL-17-producing cells promote the progression of cardiac fibrosis remain unclear. We therefore investigated whether IL-17 directly induced cardiac fibrosis in experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) and explored the possible molecular mechanisms. The EAM model was induced and serum IL-17 level was detected by ELISA; western blot, immunofluorescence and sirius red staining were used to analyze the collagen expression. PCR was used to assay the IL-17RA and IL-17RC. The results indicated that IL-17 induced cardiac fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo. The protein kinase C (PKC)β/Erk1/2/NF-κB (Nuclear Factor κappa B) pathway was involved in the development of myocardial fibrosis and IL-17 contributed to cardiac fibrosis following EAM via this pathway. These results provide the first direct evidence for the involvement of the PKCβ/Erk1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway in IL-17-induced myocardial fibrosis.
Modulation of Tight Junction Proteins in the Perineurium to Facilitate Peripheral Opioid Analgesia
Authors: Rittner Heike L. , Amasheh Salah , Moshourab Rabih , Hackel Dagmar , Yamdeu Reine-Solange , Mousa Shaaban A. , Fromm Michael , Stein Christoph , Brack Alexander 
Published: April 2012

Background
Peripheral application of opioids reduces inflammatory pain but is less effective in noninflamed tissue of rats and human patients. Hypertonic solutions can facilitate the antinociceptive activity of hydrophilic opioids in noninflamed tissue in vivo. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. We hypothesized that the enhanced efficacy of opioids may be because of opening of the perineurial barrier formed by tight junction-proteins like claudin-1.

Methods
Male Wistar rats were treated intraplantarly with 10% NaCl. Pain behavior (n = 6) and electrophysiological recordings (n = 9 or more) from skin-nerve preparations after local application of the opioid [d-Ala2,N-Me-Phe4,Gly5-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO) were explored. Tight junction-proteins as well as permeability of the barrier were examined by immunohistochemistry and Western blot (n = 3 or more).

Results
Local administration of 10% NaCl facilitated increased mechanical nociceptive thresholds in response to DAMGO, penetration of horseradish peroxidase into the nerve, as well as a reduced response of C- but not Aδ-nociceptors to mechanical stimulation after application of DAMGO in the skin-nerve preparation. In noninflamed paw tissue, claudin-1 was expressed in the epidermis, blood vessels, and the perineurium, surrounding neurons immunoreactive for calcitonin gene-related peptide or protein gene product 9.5. Claudin-1 but not claudin-5 or occludin was significantly reduced after pretreatment with 10% NaCl. Intraplantar application of a metalloproteinase inhibitor (GM6001) completely reversed these effects.

Conclusion
Hypertonic saline opens the perineurial barrier via metalloproteinase activation and claudin-1 regulation, thereby allowing access of hydrophilic drugs to peripheral opioid receptors. This principle may be used to specifically target hydrophilic drugs to peripheral neurons.
Different patterns of decompensation in patients with alcoholic vs. non‐alcoholic liver cirrhosis
Authors: Wiegand J. , Kühne M. , Pradat P. , Mössner J. , Trepo C. , Tillmann H. L. 
Published: April 2012

SummaryBackgroundThe histological pattern of fibrosis in liver cirrhosis varies in different chronic liver diseases, and hepatic decompensation may be differentiated in consequences of fibrosis (i.e. ascites, variceal bleeding) or in lack of function (i.e. jaundice) resulting in aetiology‐specific variable morbidity and mortality.AimTo evaluate patterns of hepatic decompensation in relation to the aetiology of liver cirrhosis.MethodsTwo different cohorts were retrospectively evaluated between 2002 and 2007. Cohort A was for hypothesis generation and consisted of 220 cirrhotic patients. To confirm the initial observations a second cohort B (n = 217) was analysed. The different patterns of hepatic decompensation evaluated were ascites, jaundice, encephalopathy, variceal bleeding, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, hepatorenal syndrome or hepatocellular carcinoma.Furthermore, we analysed survival in relation to pattern of decompensation in alcoholic vs. non‐alcoholic liver disease.ResultsAlcoholics were more frequently hospitalised for ascites (cohort A: 81.4% vs. 65.4%, P = 0.016; cohort B 71.3% vs. 58.5%, P = 0.085). In contrast, non‐alcoholics presented with higher rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (cohort A: 23.1% vs. 11.9%, P = 0.046; cohort B 38.6% vs. 22.5%, P = 0.018). There were no significant differences in jaundice, variceal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome or encephalopathy.Survival was significantly impaired in non‐alcoholic cirrhosis once ascites occurred (P = 0.003), whereas ascites did not predict higher mortality in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis.ConclusionsAscites is the leading initial pattern of decompensation in alcoholic cirrhosis whereas hepatocellular carcinoma dominates in non‐alcoholics. Non‐alcoholics developing ascites show a poor survival.
Selective localization of T helper subsets in labial salivary glands from primary Sjögren's syndrome patients
Authors: Maehara T , Moriyama M , Hayashida J-N , Tanaka A , Shinozaki S , Kubo Y , Matsumura K , Nakamura S 
Published: April 2012

SummaryThe aim of this study was to investigate the initiation and progression of autoimmune damage in the lesions of labial salivary glands (LSGs) from primary Sjögren's syndrome (SS) patients by examining the selective localization of T helper (Th) subsets such as Th1, Th2, Th17 regulatory T cells (Tregs) and follicular T helper cells (Tfh). The expression of cytokines and transcription factors associated with these Th subsets in the LSGs from 54 SS patients and 16 healthy controls was examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunostaining. Additionally, infiltrating lymphocytes without germinal centre (GC-) and with GC (GC+) in the LSGs specimens from eight SS patients were extracted selectively by laser capture microdissection (LCM). The mRNA expression of these molecules was compared between the two sample groups of GC- and GC+ by real-time PCR. The mRNA expression of cytokines and transcription factors of all T helper (Th) subsets in the LSGs from the SS patients was increased significantly in comparison with controls. In LSGs from the SS patients, Th2 and Tfh was associated closely with strong lymphocytic infiltration; however, Th1, Th17 and Tregs was not. In the selectively extracted lesions of LSGs, Th1 and Th17-related molecules were detected strongly in the GC-, while Th2 and Tfh-related molecules were detected in the GC+. In contrast, no significant association with strong lymphocytic infiltration was observed in Treg-related molecules. These results indicate that SS has selective localization of Th subsets such as Th1, Th2, Th17 and Tfh in the LSGs, which is associated closely with disease severity and/or status. SS might be initiated by Th1 and Th17 cells, and then progressed by Th2 and Tfh cells via GC formation.
The effect of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone agonist treatment over 3 years on bone mineral density and body composition in girls with central precocious puberty
Authors: Park Hong K. , Lee Hae S. , Ko Jung H. , Hwang Il T. , Lim Jung S. , Hwang Jin S. 
Published: April 2012

AbstractObjectivePuberty is a period characterized by growth spurt and rapid change in body composition. The effect of GnRH agonist therapy for central precocious puberty on bone mineral density is unclear. We demonstrated changes in bone mineral density in subjects with central precocious puberty, who were treated with GnRH agonist for more than 3 years.DesignThe changes in bone mineral density and body compositions were tested with analysis of variance with repeated measures to identify statistical significance over the treatment period.PatientsOne hundred ninety‐five Korean girls with central precocious puberty were treated with GnRH agonist, and among these subjects, 39 patients were treated for more than 3 years.MeasurementsDual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry was performed on the subjects at the initial evaluation and once yearly thereafter while on the treatment.ResultsThe bone mineral density parameters for chronological age tended to decrease near the mean for the treatment period; however, they increased significantly for bone age excluding bone mineral apparent density. An increment of the BMI was not significant for the chronological age.ConclusionsThree‐year treatment with GnRH agonist in central precocious puberty patients did not impair bone maturation. GnRH agonist could be effectively commenced in girls with precocious puberty from an early age.
Negative emotion can enhance human motor cortical plasticity
Authors: Koganemaru Satoko , Domen Kazuhisa , Fukuyama Hidenao , Mima Tatsuya 
Published: April 2012

AbstractAlthough emotion often primes us for action, its effects on the human motor system are not well understood. The relationship between emotion and motor plasticity also remains unclear, despite the close link between emotion and memory formation. Here, we tested the hypothesis that emotion modulates the plasticity of the human primary motor cortex, using the International Affective Picture System and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Intermittent theta‐burst stimulation was applied to the primary motor cortex to produce long‐term potentiation‐like changes in normal volunteers experimentally. Primary motor cortex plasticity was enhanced and sustained in both excitatory and inhibitory systems only when intermittent theta‐burst stimulation was combined with the presentation of pictures that induced negative, but not positive or neutral, emotion. Moreover, negative emotion was found to enhance the inhibitory networks within the primary motor cortex, and to improve motor behavior during the choice reaction‐time task. Our findings indicate that negative emotion can increase primary motor cortex plasticity by modulating the intracortical GABAergic system, as well asN‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptor‐dependent changes. These findings could help to explain the physiological basis of abnormal motor symptoms in psychogenic movement disorders following emotional events.
Invasive species distribution models – how violating the equilibrium assumption can create new insights
Authors: Gallien Laure , Douzet Rolland , Pratte Steve , Zimmermann Niklaus E. , Thuiller Wilfried 
Published: April 2012

ABSTRACTAim  Two core assumptions of species distribution models (SDMs) do not hold when modelling invasive species. Invasives are not in equilibrium with their environment and niche quantification and transferability in space and time are limited. Here, we test whether combining global‐ and regional‐scale data in a novel framework can overcome these limitations. Beyond simply improving regional niche modelling of non‐native species, the framework also makes use of the violation of regional equilibrium assumptions, and aims at estimating the stage of invasion, range filling and risk of spread in the near future for 27 invasive species in the French Alps.Innovation  For each invader we built three sets of SDMs using a committee averaging method: one global model and two regional models (a conventional model and one using the global model output to weight pseudo‐absences). Model performances were compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, the true skill statistic, sensitivity and specificity scores. Then, we extracted the predictions for observed presences and compared them to global and regional models. This comparison made it possible to identify whether invasive species were observed within or outside of their regional and global niches.Main conclusions  This study provides a novel methodological framework for improving the regional modelling of invasive species, where the use of a global model output to weight pseudo‐absences in a regional model significantly improved the predictive performance of regional SDMs. Additionally, the comparison of the global and regional model outputs revealed distinct patterns of niche estimates and range filling among the species. These differences allowed us to draw conclusions about the stage of invasion and the risk of spread in the near future, which both correspond to experts' expectations. This framework can be easily applied to a large number of species and is therefore useful for control of biological invasions and eradication planning.
Decentring poverty studies: Middle class alliances and the social construction of poverty
Authors: Lawson Victoria ,   with Middle Class Poverty Politics Research Group
Published: April 2012

Editors' Note: The following is the tenth in theSingapore Journal of Tropical Geography Lecture Series. It is based on the plenary presentation of 13 April at the AAG held in Seattle in 2011.In this essay I explore relational poverty analysis to take seriously the spatially varied intersections of political‐economic, social ordering and cultural‐political processes in shaping understandings of poverty. My work as part of the Middle Class Poverty Politics Research Group employs a relational comparative methodology to theorize where, when and under what circumstances those framed as ‘middle class’ act in opposition to or in solidarity with those named as ‘poor’. Our approach focuses on the exploitative effects of capital accumulation, processes of unequal sociospatial categorization and political and discursive systems that limit or exclude the poor. Our research focuses on places experiencing capitalist crisis because intense periods of restructuring highlight material and discursive struggles over poverty. We conclude by identifying a research agenda focused on the ways in which poverty politics are constituted by the nonpoor through place and in the articulation of places with processes of political economy, governance and cultural politics.