bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phosphatidylcholine induces apoptosis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes
Authors: Li Hailan , Lee Jong-Hyuk , Kim Su Yeon , Yun Hye-Young , Baek Kwang Jin , Kwon Nyoun Soo , Yoon Yoosik , Jeong Ji Hoon , Kim Dong-Seok 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) formulation is used for lipolytic injection, even though its mechanism of action is not well understood.

Methods
The viability of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and differentiated 3T3-L1 cells was measured after treatment of PPC alone, its vehicle sodium deoxycholate (SD), and a PPC formulation. Western blot analysis was performed to examine PPC-induced signaling pathways.

Results
PPC, SD, and PPC formulation significantly decreased 3T3-L1 cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. PPC alone was not cytotoxic to CCD-25Sk human fibroblasts at concentrations <1 mg/ml, whereas SD and PPC formulation were cytotoxic. Western blot analysis demonstrated that PPC alone led to the phosphorylation of the stress signaling proteins, such as p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and activated caspase-9, -8, -3 as well as cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. However, SD did not activate the apoptotic pathways. Instead, SD and PPC formulation induced cell membrane lysis, which may lead to necrosis of cells.

Conclusions
PPC results in apoptosis of 3T3-L1 cells.
SERPINE2 haplotype as a risk factor for panlobular type of emphysema
Authors: Kukkonen Mari K , Tiili Emmi , Hämäläinen Satu , Vehmas Tapio , Oksa Panu , Piirilä Päivi , Hirvonen Ari 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background

SERPINE2 (serpin peptidase inhibitor, clade E, member 2) has previously been identified as a positional candidate gene for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and has subsequently been associated to COPD and emphysema in several populations. We aimed to further examine the role of SERPINE2 polymorphisms in the development of pulmonary emphysema and different emphysema subtypes.

Methods
Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SERPINE2 were analyzed from 951 clinically and radiologically examined Finnish construction workers. The genotype and haplotype data was compared to different emphysematous signs confirmed with high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), diffusing capacity (DLCO), and specific diffusing capacity (DLCO/VA).

Results
Three of the studied SERPINE2 SNPs (rs729631, rs975278, and rs6748795) were found to be in tight linkage disequilibrium. Therefore, only one of these SNPs (rs729631) was included in the subsequent analyses, in addition to the rs840088 SNP which was in moderate linkage with the other three studied SNPs. The rs729631 SNP showed a significant association with panlobular emphysema (p = 0.003). In further analysis, the variant allele of the rs729631 SNP was found to pose over two-fold risk (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.05-4.72) for overall panlobular changes and over four-fold risk (OR 4.37, 95% CI 1.61-11.86) for pathological panlobular changes. A haplotype consisting of variant alleles of both rs729631 and rs840088 SNPs was found to pose an almost four-fold risk for overall panlobular (OR 3.72, 95% CI 1.56-8.90) and subnormal (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.55-10.20) emphysema.

Conclusions
Our results support the previously found association between SERPINE2 polymorphisms and pulmonary emphysema. As a novel finding, our study suggests that the SERPINE2 gene may in particular be involved in the development of panlobular changes, i.e., the same type of changes that are involved in alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) -deficiency.
The so-called "Spanish model" - Tobacco industry strategies and its impact in Europe and Latin America
Authors: Schneider Nick K , Sebrié Ernesto M , Fernández Esteve 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
To demonstrate the tobacco industry rationale behind the "Spanish model" on non-smokers' protection in hospitality venues and the impact it had on some European and Latin American countries between 2006 and 2011.

Methods
Tobacco industry documents research triangulated against news and media reports.

Results
As an alternative to the successful implementation of 100% smoke-free policies, several European and Latin American countries introduced partial smoking bans based on the so-called "Spanish model", a legal framework widely advocated by parts of the hospitality industry with striking similarities to "accommodation programmes" promoted by the tobacco industry in the late 1990s. These developments started with the implementation of the Spanish tobacco control law (Ley 28/2005) in 2006 and have increased since then.

Conclusion
The Spanish experience demonstrates that partial smoking bans often resemble tobacco industry strategies and are used to spread a failed approach on international level. Researchers, advocates and policy makers should be aware of this ineffective policy.
Partial nephrectomy using porcine small intestinal submucosa
Authors: Schnoeller Thomas J , de Petriconi Robert , Hefty Robert , Jentzmik Florian , Waalkes Sandra , Zengerling Friedemann , Schrader Mark , Schrader Andres J 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Whenever technically feasible and oncologically justified, nephron-sparing surgery is the current standard of care for localized renal cell carcinomas (RCC). The main complications of partial nephrectomy, especially for large and centrally located tumors, are urinary leakage and parenchymal bleeding. We prospectively evaluated the pros and cons of using porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS, Surgisis®) to close the renal defect after nephron-sparing surgery.

Methods
We used Surgisis® (Cook medical, Bloomington, IN, USA) to secure and compress the capsular defect after tumor resection in 123 patients submitted to 129 partial nephrectomies between August 2003 and February 2011.

Results
The median tumor size was 3.7 cm (range 1.1-13.0 cm). Procedures were performed with cold ischemia in 24 cases (18.2%), with warm ischemia in 46 (35.6%), and without ischemia in 59 cases (44.8%). In the total group of patients, 4 (3.1%) developed urinary fistula, and only 2 (1.6%) required postoperative transfusions due to hemorrhage after the application of the small intestinal submucosa membrane.

Conclusion
Small intestinal submucosa is an easy-to-use biomaterial for preventing complications such as postoperative bleeding and urinary fistula in nephron-sparing surgery, especially in cases where tumor excision causes significant renal capsular and/or renal pelvic defects.
Fano-Rashba effect in thermoelectricity of a double quantum dot molecular junction
Authors: Liu YS , Hong XK , Feng JF , Yang XF 
Published: December 2011

AbstractWe examine the relation between the phase-coherent processes and spin-dependent thermoelectric effects in an Aharonov-Bohm (AB) interferometer with a Rashba quantum dot (QD) in each of its arm by using the Green's function formalism and equation of motion (EOM) technique. Due to the interplay between quantum destructive interference and Rashba spin-orbit interaction (RSOI) in each QD, an asymmetrical transmission node splits into two spin-dependent asymmetrical transmission nodes in the transmission spectrum and, as a consequence, results in the enhancement of the spin-dependent thermoelectric effects near the spin-dependent asymmetrical transmission nodes. We also examine the evolution of spin-dependent thermoelectric effects from a symmetrical parallel geometry to a configuration in series. It is found that the spin-dependent thermoelectric effects can be enhanced by controlling the dot-electrode coupling strength. The simple analytical expressions are also derived to support our numerical results.PACS numbers: 73.63.Kv; 71.70.Ej; 72.20.Pa
Real-time stereo vision system using adaptive weight cost aggregation approach
Authors: Ding Jingting , Liu Jilin , Zhou Wenhui , Yu Haibin , Wang Yanchang , Gong Xiaojin 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
Many vision applications require high-accuracy dense disparity maps in real time. Due to the complexity of the matching process, most real-time stereo applications rely on local algorithms in the disparity computation. These local algorithms generally suffer from matching ambiguities as it is difficult to find appropriate support for each pixel. Recent research shows that algorithms using adaptive cost aggregation approach greatly improve the quality of disparity map. Unfortunately, although these improvements are excellent, they are obtained at the expense of high computational. This article presents a hardware implementation for speeding up these methods. With hardware friendly approximation, we demonstrate the feasibility of implementing this expensive computational task on hardware to achieve real-time performance. The entire stereo vision system, includes rectification, stereo matching, and disparity refinement, is realized using a single field programmable gate array. The highly parallelized pipeline structure makes system be capable to achieve 51 frames per second for 640 × 480 stereo images. Finally, the success of accuracy improvement is demonstrated on the Middlebury dataset, as well as tests on real scene.
Automated target tracking and recognition using coupled view and identity manifolds for shape representation
Authors: Venkataraman Vijay , Fan Guoliang , Yu Liangjiang , Zhang Xin , Liu Weiguang , Havlicek Joseph P 
Published: December 2011

Abstract
We propose a new couplet of identity and view manifolds for multi-view shape modeling that is applied to automated target tracking and recognition (ATR). The identity manifold captures both inter-class and intra-class variability of target shapes, while a hemispherical view manifold is involved to account for the variability of viewpoints. Combining these two manifolds via a non-linear tensor decomposition gives rise to a new target generative model that can be learned from a small training set. Not only can this model deal with arbitrary view/pose variations by traveling along the view manifold, it can also interpolate the shape of an unknown target along the identity manifold. The proposed model is tested against the recently released SENSIAC ATR database and the experimental results validate its efficacy both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Objective assessment of motor fatigue in multiple sclerosis using kinematic gait analysis: a pilot study
Authors: Sehle Aida , Mündermann Annegret , Starrost Klaus , Sailer Simon , Becher Inna , Dettmers Christian , Vieten Manfred 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
Fatigue is a frequent and serious symptom in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). However, to date there are only few methods for the objective assessment of fatigue. The aim of this study was to develop a method for the objective assessment of motor fatigue using kinematic gait analysis based on treadmill walking and an infrared-guided system.

Patients and methods
Fourteen patients with clinically definite MS participated in this study. Fatigue was defined according to the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognition (FSMC). Patients underwent a physical exertion test involving walking at their pre-determined patient-specific preferred walking speed until they reached complete exhaustion. Gait was recorded using a video camera, a three line-scanning camera system with 11 infrared sensors. Step length, width and height, maximum circumduction with the right and left leg, maximum knee flexion angle of the right and left leg, and trunk sway were measured and compared using paired t-tests (α = 0.005). In addition, variability in these parameters during one-minute intervals was examined. The fatigue index was defined as the number of significant mean and SD changes from the beginning to the end of the exertion test relative to the total number of gait kinematic parameters.

Results
Clearly, for some patients the mean gait parameters were more affected than the variability of their movements while other patients had smaller differences in mean gait parameters with greater increases in variability. Finally, for other patients gait changes with physical exertion manifested both in changes in mean gait parameters and in altered variability. The variability and fatigue indices correlated significantly with the motoric but not with the cognitive dimension of the FSMC score (R = -0.602 and R = -0.592, respectively; P < 0.026).

Conclusions
Changes in gait patterns following a physical exertion test in patients with MS suffering from motor fatigue can be measured objectively. These changes in gait patterns can be described using the motor fatigue index and represent an objective measure to assess motor fatigue in MS patients. The results of this study have important implications for the assessments and treatment evaluations of fatigue in MS.
Significance of genomic instability in breast cancer in atomic bomb survivors: analysis of microarray-comparative genomic hybridization
Authors: Oikawa Masahiro , Yoshiura Koh-ichiro , Kondo Hisayoshi , Miura Shiro , Nagayasu Takeshi , Nakashima Masahiro 
Published: December 2011

AbstractBackgroundIt has been postulated that ionizing radiation induces breast cancers among atomic bomb (A-bomb) survivors. We have reported a higher incidence ofHER2andC-MYConcogene amplification in breast cancers from A-bomb survivors. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of A-bomb radiation exposure on genomic instability (GIN), which is an important hallmark of carcinogenesis, in archival formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues of breast cancer by using microarray-comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH).MethodsTumor DNA was extracted from FFPE tissues of invasive ductal cancers from 15 survivors who were exposed at 1.5 km or less from the hypocenter and 13 calendar year-matched non-exposed patients followed by aCGH analysis using a high-density oligonucleotide microarray. The total length of copy number aberrations (CNA) was used as an indicator of GIN, and correlation with clinicopathological factors were statistically tested.ResultsThe mean of the derivative log ratio spread (DLRSpread), which estimates the noise by calculating the spread of log ratio differences between consecutive probes for all chromosomes, was 0.54 (range, 0.26 to 1.05). The concordance of results between aCGH and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) forHER2gene amplification was 88%. The incidence ofHER2amplification and histological grade was significantly higher in the A-bomb survivors than control group (P = 0.04, respectively). The total length of CNA tended to be larger in the A-bomb survivors (P = 0.15). Correlation analysis of CNA and clinicopathological factors revealed that DLRSpread was negatively correlated with that significantly (P = 0.034, r = -0.40). Multivariate analysis with covariance revealed that the exposure to A-bomb was a significant (P = 0.005) independent factor which was associated with larger total length of CNA of breast cancers.ConclusionsThus, archival FFPE tissues from A-bomb survivors are useful for genome-wide aCGH analysis. Our results suggested that A-bomb radiation may affect the increased amount of CNA as a hallmark of GIN and, subsequently, be associated with a higher histologic grade in breast cancer found in A-bomb survivors.
A case-cohort study of human herpesvirus 8 seropositivity and incident prostate cancer in Tobago
Authors: McDonald Alicia C , Jenkins Frank J , Bunker Clareann H , Wilson John W , Patrick Alan L , Weissfeld Joel L 
Published: December 2011

Abstract

Background
We previously reported a cross-sectional association between the presence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) serum antibodies and screen-detected prostate cancer in men living in Tobago. In the same study population, we examined the association between HHV-8 seropositivity and incident prostate cancer discovered at later screenings.

Methods
In 40-81 year-old men without prostate cancer discovered at initial digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, a case-cohort design measured the association between baseline HHV-8 seropositivity (modified immunofluorescence assay for antibodies against HHV-8 lytic antigens) and incident prostate cancer detected at DRE and PSA screenings three or five years later.

Results
Analyses included 486 unique individuals, 96 incident prostate cancer cases, and 415 randomly selected subjects representing an at-risk cohort. By design, the random sub-cohort contained 25 incident prostate cancer cases. In the sub-cohort, the frequency of HHV-8 seropositivity increased across age groupings (40-49 years: 3.5%, 50-59 years: 13.6%, and ≥ 60 years: 22.9%). HHV-8 seropositivity was higher in men with elevated (≥ 4.0 ng/mL) than men with non-elevated PSA at initial screening (30.4% vs. 9.9% seropositive; crude odds ratio (OR) 3.96, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.53-10.2; age-adjusted OR 2.42, 95% CI 0.91-6.47). HHV-8 seropositivity did not increase incident prostate cancer risk (age-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.88, 95% CI 0.46-1.69).

Conclusions
Case-cohort analysis did not identify association between HHV-8 seropositivity and incident prostate cancer. However, analyses uncovered possible association between HHV-8 and PSA (a marker of prostate inflammation). Co-occurrence of HHV-8 seropositivity and PSA elevation may explain cross-sectional association between HHV-8 and PSA screen-detected prostate cancer.
Dendritic cell-associated lectin 2 (DCAL2) defines a distinct CD8α− dendritic cell subset
Authors: Kasahara Shinji , Clark Edward A 
Published: December 2011

ABSTRACT
CLRs on DCs play important roles in immunity and are expressed selectively on certain DC subsets. Murine DCAL2 (myeloid inhibitory C-type lectin/Clec12a) is a type-II CLR with an ITIM. Using a mouse DCAL2-specific mAb, we found that DCAL2 is expressed at relatively high levels on APCs and that DCAL2 expression can be used to divide CD8α– DCs into DCAL2+DCIR2– and DCAL2–DCIR2+ subpopulations. CD8α–DCAL2+ DC, CD8α–DCIR2+ DC, and CD8α+DCAL2+ DC subsets each express different levels of TLRs and respond to unique classes of TLR ligands by producing distinct sets of cytokines. Whereas CD8α–DCAL2+ DCs robustly produce cytokines, including IL-12, in response to CpG, CD8α–DCIR2+ DCs produce only TNF-α and IL-10 in modest amounts when stimulated with zymosan. However, CD8α–DCIR2+ DCs, unlike the other DC subsets, strongly up-regulate OX40L when stimulated with bacterial flagellin. As predicted from their cytokine expression, CD8α–DCAL2+ DCs efficiently induced Th1 responses in the presence of CpG in vitro and in vivo, whereas CD8α–DCIR2+ DCs induced Th2 cells in response to flagellin. Thus, CD8α–DCAL2+ DCs comprise a distinct CD8α– DC subset capable of supporting Th1 responses. DCAL2 is a useful marker to identify a Th1-inducing CD8α– DC population.
Ants might use different view-matching strategies on and off the route
Authors: Wystrach Antoine , Beugnon Guy , Cheng Ken 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYIndividual foraging ants are known to rely on views of their surroundings for route learning and for pinpointing goals. Different strategies have been proposed to explain how ants might process visual information for navigation, but little is known about the actual development and nature of the view-based strategies used by ants in complex natural environments. Here, we constrained the knowledge of Melophorus bagoti ants to either the nest vicinity or a curved route (length 10 m) and analysed their initial direction when released at both novel and familiar locations. In parallel, we used 360 deg pictures of the scene as a basis for modelling different navigational strategies. We propose here a new hypothesis based on skyline height comparison to explain how ants home from novel locations. Interestingly, this strategy succeeded well at novel locations but failed on familiar terrain. By contrast, the use of a visual compass strategy failed at novel locations but could explain the results on familiar routes. We suggest that ants might switch between skyline height comparison and a visual compass strategy, depending on whether they are on familiar terrain or not. How ants could switch between strategies and how their memories develop are discussed in turn.
Hypoxia tolerance in elasmobranchs. I. Critical oxygen tension as a measure of blood oxygen transport during hypoxia exposure
Authors: Speers-Roesch Ben , Richards Jeffrey G. , Brauner Colin J. , Farrell Anthony P. , Hickey Anthony J. R. , Wang Yuxiang S. , Renshaw Gillian M. C. 
Published: December 2011

SUMMARYThe critical O2 tension of whole-animal O2 consumption rate (), or Pcrit, is the water PO2 (PwO2) at which an animal transitions from an oxyregulator to an oxyconformer. Although Pcrit is a popular measure of hypoxia tolerance in fishes because it reflects the capacity for O2 uptake from the environment at low PwO2, little is known about the interrelationships between Pcrit and blood O2 transport characteristics and increased use of anaerobic metabolism during hypoxia exposure in fishes, especially elasmobranchs. We addressed this knowledge gap using progressive hypoxia exposures of two elasmobranch species with differing hypoxia tolerance. The Pcrit of the hypoxia-tolerant epaulette shark (Hemiscyllium ocellatum, 5.10±0.37 kPa) was significantly lower than that of the comparatively hypoxia-sensitive shovelnose ray (Aptychotrema rostrata, 7.23±0.40 kPa). Plasma [lactate] was elevated above normoxic values at around Pcrit in epaulette sharks, but increased relative to normoxic values at PwO2 below Pcrit in shovelnose rays, providing equivocal support for the hypothesis that Pcrit is associated with increased anaerobic metabolism. The , arterial PO2 and arterial blood O2 content (CaO2) were similar between the two species under normoxia and decreased in both species with progressive hypoxia, but as PwO2 declined, epaulette sharks had a consistently higher and CaO2 than shovelnose rays, probably due to their significantly greater in vivo haemoglobin (Hb)–O2 binding affinity (in vivo Hb–O2P50=4.27±0.57 kPa for epaulette sharks vs 6.35±0.34 kPa for shovelnose rays). However, at PwO2 values representing the same percentage of each species' Pcrit (up to ∼175% of Pcrit), Hb–O2 saturation and CaO2 were similar between species. These data support the hypothesis that Hb–O2P50 is an important determinant of Pcrit and suggest that Pcrit can predict Hb–O2 saturation and CaO2 during hypoxia exposure, with a lower Pcrit being associated with greater O2 supply at a given PwO2 and consequently better hypoxia tolerance. Thus, Pcrit is a valuable predictor of environmental hypoxia tolerance and hypoxia exposures standardized at a given percentage of Pcrit will yield comparable levels of arterial hypoxaemia, facilitating cross-species comparisons of responses to hypoxia.