bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanoscale chemical and structural study of Co-based FEBID structures by STEM-EELS and HRTEM
Authors: Córdoba Rosa , Fernández-Pacheco Rodrigo , Fernández-Pacheco Amalio , Gloter Alexandre , Magén César , Stéphan Odile , Ibarra Manuel Ricardo , De Teresa José María 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Nanolithography techniques in a scanning electron microscope/focused ion beam are very attractive tools for a number of synthetic processes, including the fabrication of ferromagnetic nano-objects, with potential applications in magnetic storage or magnetic sensing. One of the most versatile techniques is the focused electron beam induced deposition, an efficient method for the production of magnetic structures highly resolved at the nanometric scale. In this work, this method has been applied to the controlled growth of magnetic nanostructures using Co2(CO)8. The chemical and structural properties of these deposits have been studied by electron energy loss spectroscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy at the nanometric scale. The obtained results allow us to correlate the chemical and structural properties with the functionality of these magnetic nanostructures.
Microglia use multiple mechanisms to mediate interactions with vitronectin; non-essential roles for the highly-expressed αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins
Authors: Welser-Alves Jennifer V , Boroujerdi Amin , Tigges Ulrich , Milner Richard 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
As the primary resident immune cells, microglia play a central role in regulating inflammatory processes in the CNS. The extracellular matrix (ECM) protein vitronectin promotes microglial activation, switching microglia into an activated phenotype. We have shown previously that microglia express two vitronectin receptors, αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins. As these integrins have well-defined roles in activation and phagocytic processes in other cell types, the purpose of the current study was to investigate the contribution of these two integrins in microglial activation.

Methods
Microglial cells were prepared from wild-type, β3 integrin knockout (KO), β5 integrin KO or β3/β5 integrin DKO mice, and their interactions and activation responses to vitronectin examined in a battery of assays, including adhesion, expression of activation markers, MMP-9 expression, and phagocytosis. Expression of other αv integrins was examined by flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation.

Results
Surprisingly, when cultured on vitronectin, microglia from the different knockout strains showed no obvious defects in adhesion, activation marker expression, MMP-9 induction, or phagocytosis of vitronectin-coated beads. To investigate the reason for this lack of effect, we examined the expression of other αv integrins. Flow cytometry showed that β3/β5 integrin DKO microglia expressed residual αv integrin at the cell surface, and immunoprecipitation confirmed this finding by revealing the presence of low levels of the αvβ1 and αvβ8 integrins. β1 integrin blockade had no impact on adhesion of β3/β5 integrin DKO microglia to vitronectin, suggesting that in addition to αvβ1, αvβ3, and αvβ5, αvβ8 also serves as a functional vitronectin receptor on microglia.

Conclusions
Taken together, this demonstrates that the αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins are not essential for mediating microglial activation responses to vitronectin, but that microglia use multiple redundant receptors to mediate interactions with this ECM protein.
The utility of Aspirin in dukes C and high risk dukes B colorectal cancer - The ASCOLT study: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Ali Raghib , Toh Han-Chong , Chia Whay-Kuang ,   The ASCOLT trial investigators
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
High quality evidence indicates that aspirin is effective in reducing colorectal polyps; and numerous epidemiological studies point towards an ability to prevent colorectal cancer. However the role of Aspirin as an adjuvant agent in patients with established cancers remains to be defined. Recently a nested case-control study within the Nurses Health cohort suggested that the initiation of Aspirin after the diagnosis of colon cancer reduced overall colorectal cancer specific mortality. Although this data is supportive of Aspirin's biological activity in this disease and possible role in adjuvant therapy, it needs to be confirmed in a randomized prospective trial.

Methods/Design
We hypothesize through this randomized, placebo-controlled adjuvant study, that Aspirin in patients with dukes C or high risk dukes B colorectal cancer (ASCOLT) can improve survival in this patient population over placebo control. The primary endpoint of this study is Disease Free Survival and the secondary Endpoint is 5 yr Overall Survival. This study will randomize eligible patients with Dukes C or high risk Dukes B colorectal cancer, after completion of surgery and standard adjuvant chemotherapy (+/- radiation therapy for rectal cancer patients) to 200 mg Aspirin or Placebo for 3 years. Stratification factors include study centre, rectal or colon cancer stage, and type of adjuvant chemotherapy (exposed/not exposed to oxaliplatin). After randomization, patient will be followed up with 3 monthly assessments whilst on study drug and for a total of 5 years. Patients with active peptic ulcer disease, bleeding diathesis or on treatment with aspirin or anti-platelet agents will be excluded from the study.

Discussion
This study aims to evaluate Aspirin's role as an adjuvant treatment in colorectal cancer. If indeed found to be beneficial, because aspirin is cheap, accessible and easy to administer, it will positively impact the lives of many individuals in Asia and globally.

Trials Registration
Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00565708
Galectin-1 and -3 gene silencing in immature and mature dendritic cells enhances T cell activation and interferon-γ production
Authors: Mobergslien Anne , Sioud Mouldy 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
DCs are specialized APCs capable of inducing T cell activation as well as promoting tolerance. Although Gal, a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins, were found to affect immunity, little is known about the contribution of DC-expressed Gal on T cell activation. Here, we show that human imDCs and mDCs constitutively express Gal-1, Gal-3, Gal-8, and Gal-9 at mRNA and protein levels. Two of the most abundant Gal—Gal-1 and Gal-3—were highly expressed and detected on the cell surface of DCs. In contrast to Gal-8, knockdown of Gal-1 or Gal-3 in DCs enhanced allogeneic T cell responses. This was observed with imDCs and mDCs, but the effects were more pronounced with imDCs. Furthermore, allogeneic CD4+ T cells incubated with Gal-1 or Gal-3 knockdown DCs produced more IFN-γ and less IL-10 than did control cells. The percentage of apoptotic T cells was significantly higher in cultures with control DCs than that with Gal-1 or Gal-3 knockdown DCs. Collectively, the data indicate that DC-expressed Gal-1 and Gal-3 are regulatory molecules that favor the inhibition of T cell activation. Furthermore, the data provide a new mechanism for the poor capacity of imDCs to stimulate T cells.
Comparison of Serum Creatinine and Cystatin C for Early Diagnosis of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy after Coronary Angiography and Interventions
Authors: Ribichini Flavio , Gambaro Giovanni , Graziani Maria Stella , Pighi Michele , Pesarini Gabriele , Pasoli Paolo , Anselmi Maurizio , Ferrero Valeria , Yabarek Tewoldemedhn , Sorio Alessandro , Rizzotti Paolo , Lupo Antonio , Vassanelli Corrado 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The diagnostic accuracy of serum creatinine and cystatin C (Cys) as early predictors of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has been debated. We investigated the diagnostic sensitivities, diagnostic specificities, and variations from baseline for serum creatinine and Cys in CIN.

METHODS
We prospectively evaluated 166 patients at risk for CIN at baseline, and at 12, 24, and 48 h after exposure to contrast media. CIN occurred in 30 patients (18%). Changes (Δ) compared to baseline in serum creatinine and Cys were evaluated at the predefined time points. ROC curve analysis was performed for the Δ 12-h basal serum creatinine and Cys.

RESULTS
The Δ serum creatinine at 12 h from baseline was the earliest predictor of CIN [area under the ROC curve (AUC) = 0.80; P &lt; 0.001]. The Δ serum creatinine 15% variation [0.15 mg/dL (13.2 μmol/L)] yielded 43% diagnostic sensitivity and 93% diagnostic specificity. The ΔCys at 12 h from baseline performed significantly worse than serum creatinine (AUC = 0.48; P = 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS
Variations from the serum creatinine baseline offer better diagnostic accuracy for predicting CIN at an earlier stage than similar variations in Cys. An additional diagnostic value of Cys over the determination of serum creatinine in the setting of CIN was not observed.
Mutation Rate Inferred From Synonymous Substitutions in a Long-Term Evolution Experiment With Escherichia coli
Authors: Wielgoss Sébastien , Barrick Jeffrey E , Tenaillon Olivier , Cruveiller Stéphane , Chane-Woon-Ming Béatrice , Médigue Claudine , Lenski Richard E , Schneider Dominique 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The quantification of spontaneous mutation rates is crucial for a mechanistic understanding of the evolutionary process. In bacteria, traditional estimates using experimental or comparative genetic methods are prone to statistical uncertainty and consequently estimates vary by over one order of magnitude. With the advent of next-generation sequencing, more accurate estimates are now possible. We sequenced 19 Escherichia coli genomes from a 40,000-generation evolution experiment and directly inferred the point-mutation rate based on the accumulation of synonymous substitutions. The resulting estimate was 8.9 × 10−11 per base-pair per generation, and there was a significant bias toward increased AT-content. We also compared our results with published genome sequence datasets for other bacterial evolution experiments. Given the power of our approach, our estimate represents the most accurate measure of bacterial base-substitution rates available to date.
QTL Controlling Masculinization of Ear Tips in a Maize (Zea mays L.) Intraspecific Cross
Authors: Holland James B , Coles Nathan D 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Maize is unique among cereal grasses because of its monoecious flowering habit. Male flowers are normally restricted to the tassel that terminates the primary shoot, whereas female flowers occur as ears at the terminal nodes of lateral branches. We observed Ki14, a tropical maize inbred that produces an ear tipped by a staminate (male) spike under certain environmental conditions, such as long daylengths. Recombinant inbred lines derived from the cross between temperate line B97, which was never observed to produce a staminate ear tip, and Ki14 segregated for the trait under long daylengths. Some progeny lines that had even longer staminate tips than Ki14 were male fertile. We mapped three QTL controlling staminate ear tip using a two-part (binomial plus normal) model. A major QTL on chromosome 3 had a large effect on penetrance of the trait (whether a line would produce staminate ear tips or not) as well as its severity (the length of the staminate tip). This QTL seems to be linked to, but at a distinct position from, a previously mapped QTL controlling the proportion of staminate florets in ears in progeny from crosses between maize and teosinte. Two additional QTL affecting staminate ear tip severity overlapped with QTL controlling photoperiod response previously mapped in this population. Alleles conferring photoperiod sensitivity for delayed flowering at these QTL seem to enhance the production of staminate ear tips under long daylengths.
Transposon-Mediated Transgenesis in the Short-Lived African KillifishNothobranchius furzeri, a Vertebrate Model for Aging
Authors: Valenzano Dario Riccardo , Sharp Sabrina , Brunet Anne 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe African killifish Nothobranchius furzeri is the shortest-lived vertebrate that can be bred in captivity. N. furzeri comprises several wild-derived strains with striking differences in longevity ranging from 3 to 9 months, which makes it a powerful vertebrate model for aging research. The short life cycle of N. furzeri should also facilitate studies on adult traits that are specific to vertebrates. Although progress has been made to generate a genetic linkage map and to start sequencing the genome of N. furzeri, tools to genetically manipulate this species of fish have not yet been developed. Here, we report the first establishment of transgenesis in N. furzeri. We use the Tol2 transposase system to generate transgenic N. furzeri that express green fluorescent protein driven by the Xenopus cytoskeletal actin promoter or the zebrafish heat-shock protein 70 promoter. We successfully generate stable transgenic lines of N. furzeri with germline transmission of integrated transgene. The development of transgenesis in N. furzeri provides a powerful tool to investigate the mechanisms underlying aging and longevity in a short-lived vertebrate model. Transgenesis in this fish will also facilitate the study of other phenotypes, including adult tissue regeneration and cognitive behavior.
Transcription Factor Binding Site Redundancy in Embryonic Enhancers of the Drosophila Bithorax Complex
Authors: Drewell Robert A 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
The molecular control of gene expression in development is mediated through the activity of embryonic enhancer cis-regulatory modules. This activity is determined by the combination of repressor and activator transcription factors that bind at specific DNA sequences in the enhancer. A proposed mechanism to ensure a high fidelity of transcriptional output is functional redundancy between closely spaced binding sites within an enhancer. Here I show that at the bithorax complex in Drosophila there is selective redundancy for both repressor and activator factor binding sites in vivo. The absence of compensatory binding sites is responsible for two rare gain-of-function mutations in the complex.
Pharmacokinetic Considerations for Moderate and Deep Sedation
Authors: Becker Daniel E. 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Moderate and deep sedation can be provided using several routes of drug administration including oral (PO), inhalation, and parental injection. The safety and efficacy of these various techniques is largely dependent on pharmacokinetic principles. This continuing education article will highlight essential principles of absorption, distribution, and elimination of commonly used sedative agents.
Densité de population et intensification agro-pastorale en Haute-Casamance
Authors: Fanchette Sylvie 
Published: December 2011

Upper Casamance is a Sudanese region of West Africa, moderatly populated as a result of the immigration of Sahelian and Guinean people. As far as it never belonged to any strong kingdom able to allow population growth, it was still a sparesely populated area at the end of precolonial period. Now, with heterogeneous and scattered populations and a high diversity of soils and extensive agro-pastoral systems, the populating is mainly based on settlements in low density areas. The politics of intensive farming, mainly the one's of SODEFITEX, are facing important social, geographical and land property constraints.
The main settlements usually come from political or economic factors like, for example, marabout influence or border neighbouring.
Collecter des données de mobilité : des histoires migratoires aux biographies d'entourage
Authors: Lelièvre Éva 
Published: December 2011

Obtaining Data on Mobility : from the historic Recordings of Migrations to Family Group Biographies.

The need to understand the decision making process at the origin of migrations and the choice of location of individuals has brought many researchers to consider adopting a framework of analysis destined to fully consider the strategy of individuals within their space.
This field of analysis of mobility appears to be very dynamic and rich both for the considerations of theoretical analysis and for practical experimentation. This paper presents recent developments in methodologies and their use. Having identified the major axes of these innovations on the basis of either their questioning of the time base on the phenomena, or a more precise appreciation of the spatial origins, the psychology or social aspirations of the individuals, or the unit measure considered to be the most appropriate (individual, network, or family circle), the author proposes the type of data collection involved and the conclusions that may be drawn from these different concepts. The author concludes with a demonstration of a data gathering process which integrates the study of migrations in a larger context that is based on longitudinal group dynamics, the family circle, all of which being shaped by the interactive trajectory of each of its members.
La gestion publique des espaces confessionnels des cimetières de la Ville de Paris : l'exemple du culte musulman (1857-1957)
Authors: Nunez Juliette 
Published: December 2011

Résumé L’article observe comment l’islam a réussi à obtenir au sein du réseau des cimetières parisiens un espace funéraire propre, conforme à ses principales exigences rituelles et à son évolution démographique. Il met en perspective l’histoire parisienne des espaces confessionnels en retraçant l’histoire de l’enclos musulman du Père-Lachaise ouvert en 1857, du cimetière musulman de Bobigny inauguré en 1937 et des divisions funéraires musulmanes créées en 1957 dans le cimetière parisien extra-muros de Thiais, le plus récent et le plus grand de la capitale. Cette contribution met en exergue les principaux obstacles rencontrés par les musulmans pour enterrer leurs morts eu égard à la législation laïque et aux contraintes de gestion des nécropoles urbaines du XX e siècle.
Integrated systematics of the Simuliidae (Diptera): evolutionary relationships of the little-known Palearctic black fly Simulium acrotrichum
Authors: Adler Peter H. , Te Huang Yao 
Published: December 2011

AbstractSimulium (Simulium) acrotrichum Rubtsov, a black fly from Central Asia, provides a platform for examining the evolutionary relationships of selected species groups in the subgenus Simulium Latreille. The female, male, pupa, and larva of S. acrotrichum are properly associated and morphologically redescribed and illustrated. The banding sequence of the larval polytene chromosomes is compared with that of the Simulium subgeneric standard, from which it differs by nearly 30 fixed rearrangements. Structural and chromosomal features indicate that S. acrotrichum is the sister species of S. flavidum Rubtsov. Simulium acrotrichum can be placed confidently in a group consisting of the S. malyschevi Dorogostaisky, Rubtsov, and Vlasenko and S. reptans (L.) groups, which are part of a larger clade that also includes the S. jenningsi Malloch group. This more inclusive clade is defined chromosomally by a minimum of four fixed inversions, compared with the standard map for the subgenus Simulium. All four inversions are uniquely derived relative to the two selected outgroups, Simulium (Psilozia) vittatum Zetterstedt and Simulium (Boophthora) erythrocephalum (De Geer). The independent monophyly of the S. malyschevi and S. reptans groups, however, cannot be tested without study of additional group members. The problems illustrated by the taxonomic identity and phylogenetic placement of S. acrotrichum argue for an integrated approach to simuliid systematics, drawing from the character stores of morphology, cytology, and molecular biology.
Revision of the Nearctic species ofHeleodromia(Diptera: Empidoidea: Brachystomatidae)
Authors: Sinclair Bradley J. , Brooks Scott E. , Cumming Jeffrey M. , Coovert Gary A. 
Published: December 2011

AbstractThe Nearctic species of the brachystomatid genusHeleodromiaHaliday are revised. The following six species are recognized:Heleodromia boreoalpinaSaigusa,H. chillcottiSinclairsp. nov.,H. cranehollowensisCumming and Coovertsp. nov.,H. irwiniWagner,H. pullata(Melander), andH. woodiBrookssp. nov.The following new Palearctic distribution records are also reported:H. boreoalpina(Russian Far East),H. irwini(Germany, Russian Far East), andH. immaculataHaliday (Russian Far East). A key to adults, illustrations of male terminalia, and known distributions are included.
Evaluation of the use of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalised medical patients
Authors: Panju M , Raso D , Patel A , Panju A , Ginsberg J 
Published: December 2011

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis is effective in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) in medical patients. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on medical inpatients at two academic hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario to investigate if patients received VTE prophylaxis as per current guidelines. Results: An analysis was performed on 762 patient charts and 170 met inclusion criteria for use of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis. Of these, 91 (54%) received pharmacological VTE prophylaxis. In 63 patients with a contraindication to pharmacological VTE prophylaxis, 16 (25%) received non-pharmacological VTE prophylaxis. Conclusion: The provision rate of pharmacological VTE prophylaxis in hospitalised medical patients who met pre-defined clinical criteria for prophylaxis was 54%. The rate of prophylaxis increased with additional VTE risk factors to a peak rate of 67%. There is room for the development of strategies to improve the use of VTE prophylaxis in hospitalised medical patients.
Natural surfactants and their use in food industry
Authors: Tmáková Lenka , Sekretár Stanislav , Schmidt Štefan , Hlásniková Jarmila , Vrbiková Lenka , Kreps František 
Published: December 2011

Microorganisms produce wide range of surfactants, generally called biosurfactants. These compounds are mainly divided according to their molecular weight, physico - chemical properties and mode of action. Saponins, plant surfactants, have properties of soap and they are high foaming and therefore are used in cosmetic (shampoos, liquid soaps et cetera) and food industry (sweeteners, food additives into the effervescents et cetera). Most of them are spread in plants of agriculture importance and some of them are basic segments in human food. They often occur in plants (in more then 100 species). Saponins can be find in vegetables as a soya, a bean, a lentil, a spinach, a tomato, a potato, a garlic, a onion. Today biosurfactants are mainly used in bioremediation but they can be utilized in many sectors of food industry. We have paid attention to some microbial and plant surfactants and their prospects of exploitation in this industry.
The Role of Particle Geometry and Mechanics in the Biological Domain
Authors: Best James P. , Yan Yan , Caruso Frank 
Published: December 2011

AbstractNanostructured particulate materials are expected to revolutionize diagnostics and the delivery of therapeutics for healthcare. To date, chemistry‐derived solutions have been the major focus in the design of materials to control interactions with biological systems. Only recently has control over a new set of physical parameters, including size, shape, and rigidity, been explored to optimize the biological response and the in vivo performance of nanoengineered delivery vectors. This Review highlights the methods used to manipulate the physical properties of particles and the relevance of these physical properties to cellular and circulatory interactions. Finally, the importance of future work to synergistically tailor both physical and chemical properties of particulate materials is discussed, with the aim of improving control over particle interactions in the biological domain.