bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recombinant adeno-associated virus-mediated transfer of shRNA against Notch3 ameliorates hepatic fibrosis in rats
Authors: Zheng Shao-Ping , Chen Yi-Xiong , Guo Jun-Li , Qi Dan , Zheng Shao-Jiang , Zhang Shu-Ling , Weng Zhi-Hong
Published: August 2013

Liver fibrosis, a wound healing process following all kinds of liver injuries, is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Our previous study revealed that Notch3 might participate in liver fibrogenesis by regulating the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of Notch3 shRNA on hepatic fibrosis in a rat model induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and to clarify the mechanisms underlying those effects. Recombinant adeno-associated virus type 1 (rAAV1) vector carrying Notch3 shRNA (rAAV1-Notch3-shRNA) was generated and transferred to rat livers via the tail vein. The expression of Notch3, Jagged1, Hes1 and α-SMA were detected by real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. The effects of rAAV1-Notch3-shRNA on fibrosis was investigated by pathological and immunohistochemical examination. Our findings showed that Notch3, Jagged1, Hes1 and α-SMA were downregulated. This downregulation was accompanied by improved hepatic fibrosis after the inhibition of Notch3 in vivo. rAAV1-Notch3-shRNA treatment reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in fibrotic livers by decreasing the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and vimentin in a line with the increased expression of E-cadherin. The inhibition of Notch3 was not found to play a role in hepatocyte proliferation. Rather, it inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis in vivo to some extent. The results of the present study suggest that the inhibition of Notch3 can protect hepatocytes from undergoing apoptosis and attenuate liver fibrogenesis. This may be a viable therapeutic option for hepatic fibrosis.
Concentrated fish oil (Lovaza®) extends lifespan and attenuates kidney disease in lupus-prone short-lived (NZBxNZW)F1 mice
Authors: Halade Ganesh V , Williams Paul J , Veigas Jyothi M , Barnes Jeffrey L , Fernandes Gabriel
Published: August 2013

A growing number of reports indicate that anti-inflammatory actions of fish oil (FO) are beneficial against systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, the majority of pre-clinical studies were performed using 5–20% FO, which is higher than the clinically relevant dose for lupus patients. The present study was performed in order to determine the effective low dose of FDA-approved concentrated FO (Lovaza®) compared to the commonly used FO-18/12 (18-Eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]/12-Docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]). We examined the dose-dependent response of Lovaza® (1% and 4%) on an SLE mouse strain (NZBxNZW)F1 and compared the same with 1% and 4% placebo, as well as 4% FO-18/12, maintaining standard chow as the control. Results show for the first time that 1% Lovaza® extends maximal lifespan (517 d) and 4% Lovaza® significantly extends both the median (502 d) and maximal (600 d) life span of (NZBxNZW)F1 mice. In contrast, FO-18/12 extends only median lifespan (410 d) compared to standard chow diet (301 d). Additionally, 4% Lovaza® significantly decreased anti-dsDNA antibodies, reduced glomerulonephritis and attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in splenocytes compared to placebo. 4% Lovaza® was also shown to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α, while increasing renal anti-oxidant enzymes in comparison to placebo. Notably, NFκB activation and p65 nuclear translocation were lowered by 4% Lovaza® compared to placebo. These data indicate that 1% Lovaza® is beneficial, but 4% Lovaza® is more effective in suppressing glomerulonephritis and extending life span of SLE-prone short-lived mice, possibly via reducing inflammation signaling and modulating oxidative stress.
Opioid growth factor – opioid growth factor receptor axis inhibits proliferation of triple negative breast cancer
Authors: Zagon Ian S , Porterfield Nancy K , McLaughlin Patricia J
Published: August 2013

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents approximately 15% of the newly diagnosed cancers worldwide and is characterized by tissue lacking in estrogen, progesterone and human epidermal growth factor receptors. TNBC disproportionately affects younger women and women of colour, and new treatments are needed. The opioid growth factor (OGF) – opioid growth factor receptor (OGFr) axis is a determinant of cell proliferation in neoplasia, and OGF is an endogenously produced pentapeptide that inhibits cell replication by interacting with OGFr and upregulating cyclin-dependent inhibitory kinase pathways thus reducing DNA synthesis. In these studies we investigated the presence and function of the OGF-OGFr axis in two human TNBC cell lines, as well as in breast cancer cell lines containing hormonal receptors. TNBC cell lines MDA-MD-231 and BT-20, as well as human breast cancer cells SK-BR-3 and MCF-7, were examined for the presence of pentapeptide and receptors, as well as their response to OGF. Specificity of peptide and receptor was confirmed by antibody neutralization and molecular studies to knockdown classical receptor protein. The requirement for protein transcription and translation and RNA transcription were investigated. Growth of TNBC cells in the presence of OGF and standard of care chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel was evaluated to determine both efficacy and protective effects against toxicity. OGF treatment inhibited TNBC cells in a dosage related, receptor mediated, and reversible manner. OGF was the specific endogenous opioid to inhibit cell proliferation, and this was mediated by p21 cyclin dependent inhibitory kinase pathways, and required protein and RNA synthesis. OGFr was the specific receptor involved; both peptide and receptor were detected in all four cell lines. OGF treatment inhibited growth of all cancer cell lines evaluated, and reduced cell death in cultures exposed to paclitaxel. The OGF-OGFr axis is present and functioning in TNBC cell lines, and provides a novel biological pathway as potential therapy.
Genome-wide analysis of the Populus Hsp90 gene family reveals differential expression patterns, localization, and heat stress responses
Authors: Zhang Jin , Li Jianbo , Liu Bobin , Zhang Li , Chen Jun , Lu Mengzhu
Published: August 2013

Background

Members of the heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) class of proteins are evolutionarily conserved molecular chaperones. They are involved in protein folding, assembly, stabilization, activation, and degradation in many normal cellular processes and under stress conditions. Unlike many other well-characterized molecular chaperones, Hsp90s play key roles in signal transduction, cell-cycle control, genomic silencing, and protein trafficking. However, no systematic analysis of genome organization, gene structure, and expression compendium has been performed in the Populus model tree genus to date.

Results

We performed a comprehensive analysis of the Populus Hsp90 gene family and identified 10 Populus Hsp90 genes, which were phylogenetically clustered into two major groups. Gene structure and motif composition are relatively conserved in each group. In Populus trichocarpa, we identified three paralogous pairs, among which the PtHsp90-5a/PtHsp90-5b paralogous pair might be created by duplication of a genome segment. Subcellular localization analysis shows that PtHsp90 members are localized in different subcellular compartments. PtHsp90-3 is localized both in the nucleus and in the cytoplasm, PtHsp90-5a and PtHsp90-5b are in chloroplasts, and PtHsp90-7 is in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Furthermore, microarray and semi-quantitative real-time RT-PCR analyses show that a number of Populus Hsp90 genes are differentially expressed upon exposure to various stresses.

Conclusions

The gene structure and motif composition of PtHsp90s are highly conserved among group members, suggesting that members of the same group may also have conserved functions. Microarray and RT-PCR analyses show that most PtHsp90s were induced by various stresses, including heat stress. Collectively, these observations lay the foundation for future efforts to unravel the biological roles of PtHsp90 genes.
Nannochloropsis plastid and mitochondrial phylogenomes reveal organelle diversification mechanism and intragenus phylotyping strategy in microalgae
Authors: Wei Li , Xin Yi , Wang Dongmei , Jing Xiaoyan , Zhou Qian , Su Xiaoquan , Jia Jing , Ning Kang , Chen Feng , Hu Qiang , Xu Jian
Published: August 2013

Background

Microalgae are promising feedstock for production of lipids, sugars, bioactive compounds and in particular biofuels, yet development of sensitive and reliable phylotyping strategies for microalgae has been hindered by the paucity of phylogenetically closely-related finished genomes.

Results

Using the oleaginous eustigmatophyte Nannochloropsis as a model, we assessed current intragenus phylotyping strategies by producing the complete plastid (pt) and mitochondrial (mt) genomes of seven strains from six Nannochloropsis species. Genes on the pt and mt genomes have been highly conserved in content, size and order, strongly negatively selected and evolving at a rate 33% and 66% of nuclear genomes respectively. Pt genome diversification was driven by asymmetric evolution of two inverted repeats (IRa and IRb): psbV and clpC in IRb are highly conserved whereas their counterparts in IRa exhibit three lineage-associated types of structural polymorphism via duplication or disruption of whole or partial genes. In the mt genomes, however, a single evolution hotspot varies in copy-number of a 3.5 Kb-long, cox1-harboring repeat. The organelle markers (e.g., cox1, cox2, psbA, rbcL and rrn16_mt) and nuclear markers (e.g., ITS2 and 18S) that are widely used for phylogenetic analysis obtained a divergent phylogeny for the seven strains, largely due to low SNP density. A new strategy for intragenus phylotyping of microalgae was thus proposed that includes (i) twelve sequence markers that are of higher sensitivity than ITS2 for interspecies phylogenetic analysis, (ii) multi-locus sequence typing based on rps11_mt-nad4, rps3_mt and cox2-rrn16_mt for intraspecies phylogenetic reconstruction and (iii) several SSR loci for identification of strains within a given species.

Conclusion

This first comprehensive dataset of organelle genomes for a microalgal genus enabled exhaustive assessment and searches of all candidate phylogenetic markers on the organelle genomes. A new strategy for intragenus phylotyping of microalgae was proposed which might be generally applicable to other microalgal genera and should serve as a valuable tool in the expanding algal biotechnology industry.
Copper-containing amine oxidases contribute to terminal polyamine oxidation in peroxisomes and apoplast of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Planas-Portell Joan , Gallart Marta , Tiburcio Antonio F , Altabella Teresa
Published: August 2013

Background

Polyamines (PAs) are oxidatively deaminated at their primary or secondary amino-groups by copper-containing amine oxidases (CuAOs) or FAD-dependent amine oxidases (PAOs), respectively. Both enzymes have long been considered to be apoplastic proteins. However, three out of five PAO isoforms in Arabidopsis thaliana are localized in peroxisomes, while the other two PAOs are predicted to be cytosolic. Interestingly, most of these PAOs do not contribute to terminal PA oxidation, but instead are involved in the back-conversion pathway, producing spermidine from spermine and putrescine from spermidine, which in turn is inhibited by putrescine. This opens the question as to whether PAs are catabolized in the apoplast of Arabidopsis and if the terminal oxidation occurs in the peroxisomes. The main objective of this study was to know if these catabolic processes are mediated by CuAOs.

Results

A. thaliana contains ten genes annotated as CuAOs, but only one (ATAO1) has been characterized at the protein level. Reported herein is the characterization of three genes encoding putative Arabidopsis CuAOs (AtCuAO1, AtCuAO2 and AtCuAO3). These genes encode functional CuAOs that use putrescine and spermidine as substrates. AtCuAO1, like ATAO1, is an extracellular protein, while AtCuAO2 and AtCuAO3 are localized in peroxisomes. The three genes present a different expression profile in response to exogenous treatments, such as application of abcisic acid, methyl jasmonate, salycilic acid, flagellin 22 and wounding.

Conclusions

PA catabolism in the Arabidopsis apoplast is mediated predominantly by CuAOs, while in peroxisomes the co-localization of CuAO-dependent terminal catabolism with PAO-back-conversion machineries might contribute to modulating putrescine-mediated inhibition of the back-conversion, suggesting the occurrence of a tight coordination between both catabolic pathways. The expression profile of AtCuAO1-3 in response to different exogenous treatments, together with the different localization of the corresponding proteins, provides evidence for the functional diversification of Arabidopsis CuAO proteins.
Giant gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) of the stomach cause of high bowel obstruction: surgical management
Authors: Cappellani Alessandro , Piccolo Gaetano , Cardì Francesco , Cavallaro Andrea , Lo Menzo Emanuele , Cavallaro Vincenzo , Zanghì Antonio , Di Vita Maria , Berretta Massimiliano
Published: August 2013

Background

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) represent 85% of all mesenchymal neoplasms that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. These GISTs range in size from small lesions to large masses. Often they are clinically silent until they reach a significant size, so their discovery is usually incidental.

Case presentation

A 67-year-old man was admitted at our general surgery department with a persistent abdominal pain in the left hypochondrium, associated with nausea and vomiting. Clinical examination revealed a palpable mass in the epigastrium and in the left hypochondrium, which was approximately 40 cm long. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed a large mass of 40 × 25 cm, which extended from the posterior wall of the stomach to the spleen, involving the body and the tail of the pancreas. The patient underwent en-block resection of the mass, sleeve resection of the stomach, and distal pancreatectomy-splenectomy. The histopathology of the resected specimen was consistent with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach (positive for CD 117) with a high risk of malignancy (mitotic count >5/50 high-power fieldand Ki67/Mib1 >10%). The postoperative course was uneventful and treatment with imatinib mesylate began immediately. The patient appears to be disease free after four years.

Conclusions

Giant GISTs of the stomach are rare. Surgical resection with curative intent is feasible. The combination of surgical resection and imatinib can provide long-termdisease-free survival. An R0 resection is the best achievable treatment, therefore the patient should be evaluated over time for potential resectability.
An unexpected but interesting response to a novel therapy for malignant extragastrointestinal stromal tumor of the mesoileum: a case report and review of the literature
Authors: Li Hengping , Li Jun , Li Xingwen , Kang Yaqiong , Wei Qiang
Published: August 2013

Background

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. Extragastrointestinal stromal tumors (eGISTs) of the mesoileum are extremely rare and are usually treated with surgery combined with imatinib therapy.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 43-year-old man who developed a large eGIST in the mesoileum. Abdominal/pelvic computed tomography revealed a large heterogeneous mass with cystic and solid components that measured 20.0 × 12.0 × 8.0 cm. Three cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with epirubicin, cyclophosphamide and hydroxycamptothecin; en bloc resection; and three more cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with the same regimen and drugs resulted in five years of disease-free survival without any symptoms.

Conclusions

Although imatinib treatment is usually chosen for eGISTs, resistance to imatinib remains a concern; these patients may receive neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemotherapy. In case of the former, further treatment, that is, surgery or adjuvant chemotherapy, depends on tumor response to the neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, this treatment for eGIST is not only beneficial but also economical for patients compared with imatinib. A novel treatment approach that combined neoadjuvant chemotherapy, surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy resulted in long-term survival in our patient, thus showing promise as a potential therapy for eGISTs.
Pilot study of a robotic protocol to treat shoulder subluxation in patients with chronic stroke
Authors: Dohle Carolin I , Rykman Avrielle , Chang Johanna , Volpe Bruce T
Published: August 2013

Background

Shoulder subluxation is a frequent complication of motor impairment after stroke, leading to soft tissue damage, stretching of the joint capsule, rotator cuff injury, and in some cases pain, thus limiting use of the affected extremity beyond weakness. In this pilot study, we determined whether robotic treatment of chronic shoulder subluxation can lead to functional improvement and whether any improvement was robust.

Methods

18 patients with chronic stroke (3.9 ± 2.9 years from acute stroke), completed 6 weeks of robotic training using the linear shoulder robot. Training was performed 3 times per week on alternate days. Each session consisted of 3 sets of 320 repetitions of the affected arm, and the robotic protocol alternated between training vertical arm movements, shoulder flexion and extension, in an anti-gravity plane, and training horizontal arm movements, scapular protraction and retraction, in a gravity eliminated plane.

Results

Training with the linear robot improved shoulder stability, motor power, and resulted in improved functional outcomes that were robust 3 months after training.

Conclusion

In this uncontrolled pilot study, the robotic protocol effectively treated shoulder subluxation in chronic stroke patients. Treatment of subluxation can lead to improved functional use of the affected arm, likely by increasing motor power in the trained muscles.
Extrauterine adenomyoma of the liver with a focally cellular smooth muscle component occurring in a patient with a history of myomectomy: case report and review of the literature
Authors: Huanwen Wu , Hui Zhang , Xiaowei Xue , Zhaohui Lu
Published: August 2013

Virtual Slides

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1327125766102291.

Since first reported in 1986, 14 cases of extrauterine adenomyoma have been reported in the English literature, most often occurring in the ovaries. In this report, we present the first case of extrauterine adenomyoma involving the liver in a 29-year-old woman who presented with a 2-year history of low back pain with recent worsening and a history of laparoscopic myomectomy 5 years previously. Gross inspection of the specimen revealed a subcapsular mass that had a well-circumscribed margin with the adjacent liver tissue. By histopathologic examination, the multilobular mass was composed of a smooth muscle component and benign endometrioid glands and stroma. The smooth muscle component was focally cellular, and the endometrioid glands had secretory features. Both the smooth muscle component and endometrioid tissue were positive for ER and PR. The smooth muscle component was also positive for desmin and SMA, while the endometrioid stroma was positive for CD10. Other extrauterine lesions composed of a mixture of smooth muscle tissue and heterotopic endometrioid tissue, including endometriosis with a smooth muscle component, leiomyomatosis/leiomyomas associated with endometriosis and uterus-like masses, should be included in differential diagnoses. The patient was free from recurrence 5 months after liver tumor resection.
Phytosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Pterocarpus santalinus leaf extract and their antibacterial properties
Authors: Gopinath Kasi , Gowri Shanmugam , Arumugam Ayyakannu
Published: August 2013

Green synthesis is one of the rapid, reliable, and best routes for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The current study revealed that the aqueous leaf extract ofPterocarpus santalinus, which contains steroids, saponins, tannins, phenols, triterpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, and glycerides, is found to be responsible for bioreduction during the synthesis of spherical Ag nanoparticles. The formed Ag NPs were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. UV-vis spectra of the aqueous medium containing silver nanoparticles showed a surface plasmon resonance peak at 418 nm. FT-IR analysis was performed to analyze the biomolecules responsible for the reduction of Ag NPs. XRD results confirmed the presence of silver nanoparticles with face-centered cubic structure. The EDX analysis showed the completed inorganic composition of the synthesized Ag NPs. AFM analysis exemplified the results of particle sizes (41 nm). The calculated crystallite sizes are in the range of 20 to 50 nm, and the spherical nature of the Ag NPs was ascertained by SEM. The synthesized Ag NPs exhibited good antibacterial potential against gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. The zone of inhibition effect of antibacterial activity depends upon the concentration of Ag NPs.
Performance of airborne gravity gradiometers
Authors: Dransfield Mark H. , Christensen Asbjorn N.
Published: August 2013

Airborne gravity gradiometry (AGG) is becoming a widely accepted tool in exploration. It provides rapid acquisition of accurate gravity data at high spatial resolution with complete coverage over large areas. The data are of significant value to explorers for a wide range of commodities throughout the world. With the advent of airborne gravity gradiometer technology, it is now possible to collect high-resolution gravity with all the attendant advantages.
Consequences of flight height and line spacing on airborne (helicopter) gravity gradient resolution in the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Colorado
Authors: Kass M. Andy
Published: August 2013

Line spacing and flight height are critical parameters in airborne gravity gradient surveys; the optimal trade-off between survey costs and desired resolution, however, is different for every situation. This article investigates the additional benefit of reducing the flight height and line spacing though a study of a survey conducted over the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, which is the highest-resolution public-domain airborne gravity gradient data set available, with overlapping high- and lower-resolution surveys. By using Fourier analysis and matched filtering, it is shown that while the lower-resolution survey delineates the target body, reducing the flight height from 80 m to 40 m and the line spacing from 100 m to 50 m improves the recoverable resolution even at basement depths.
Previewing the International Exposition and 83rd Annual Meeting
Authors: Clark Dean
Published: August 2013

SEG's International Exposition and 83rd Annual Meeting, which will be held on 22–27 September at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, is positioned to be the most successful of the 21st century in several important areas. The Technical Program will include the most presentations ever. In 2012, SEG received an unexpectedly large 1500 submissions for the Technical Program, several hundred more than usual. Consequently, many quality papers had to be rejected due to insufficient space. As a result, extra presentation rooms were added this year and that adjustment proved prescient as 1415 abstracts were submitted (the second highest total ever). Nearly 1000 will be offered in Houston as traditional oral (624 papers) or poster presentations (176), or as one of the 192 ePosters (a successful innovation at last year's convention and likely here to stay). The Technical Program will include five special sessions on topics of great current interest in the geophysical community: Arctic Exploration Challenges, Environmental Challenges in Unconventional Resources Development, Hydrogeophysics, Recent Advances and the Road Ahead, and Africa.
New Interpretation journal result of cooperative efforts
Authors: Stefanic Vern
Published: August 2013

The inaugural issue of Interpretation, a new journal jointly published by SEG and AAPG, has been completed and will be mailed free of charge to print recipients of Explorer and The Leading Edge in early August. Interpretation is a peer-reviewed quarterly that comprises papers directly related to the practice of interpretation of the Earth's subsurface for exploration and extraction of mineral resources and for environmental and engineering applications. The journal aims to accelerate innovation in interpretation.
3D synthetic aperture and steering for controlled-source electromagnetics
Authors: Knaak Allison , Snieder Roel , Fan Yuanzhong , Ramirez-Mejia David
Published: August 2013

Controlled-source electromagnetics (CSEM) is a geophysical electromagnetic method used to detect hydrocarbon reservoirs in marine settings. Used mainly as a derisking tool by the industry, the applicability of CSEM is limited by the size of the target, low-spatial resolution, and depth of the reservoir. Synthetic aperture, a technique that increases the size of the source by combining multiple individual sources, has been applied to CSEM fields to increase the detectability of hydrocarbon reservoirs. We apply synthetic aperture to a 3D synthetic CSEM field with a 2D source distribution to evaluate the benefits of the technique. The 2D source allows steering in the inline and crossline directions. We present an optimized beamforming of the 2D source, which increases the detectability of the reservoir. With only a portion of three towlines spaced 2 km apart, we enhance the anomaly from the target by 80%. We also demonstrate the benefits of using the Poynting vector to view CSEM fields in 3D. Synthetic aperture, beamforming, and Poynting vectors are tools that will increase the amount of information gained from CSEM survey data.
Listening to geophysics: Audio processing tools for geophysical data analysis and interpretation
Authors: Dell'Aversana Paolo
Published: August 2013

Sensitivity for music is a diffuse property of the human brain. When we listen to music, the entire brain is active. In particular, the auditory cortex has connections to the frontal lobe of the brain where many of our capabilities for abstraction and inference are located. A widely accepted idea (although it is unproven) is that humans have an inborn capacity to process music. David Huron highlighted the adaptive advantage of having a mind able to recognize sound patterns and to extract complex significances from a heterogeneous flux of sounds arriving from the environment (Huron, 1991). Probably our ability to recognize complex sound patterns is one of the results of natural evolution of humans' cognitive capabilities (Ball, 2010). These concepts suggest the following idea: we could use complex sounds (and music in particular), and not only images, for geophysical data analysis, interpretation, and integration. An advantage to this could derive from the fact that sounds have many physical, perceptive, psychological, and cultural “dimensions”: this implies an expanded range of possibilities for analyzing and interpreting geophysical signals transformed into sounds. […] Human sensitivity for music (and for sounds in general) is nowadays supported by advanced technology and by many formats and informatics' protocols used in digital music (such as wav, mp3, MIDI). These allow easy sound manipulation, analysis, and integration. In particular, the MIDI protocol links heterogeneous information through multiple types of media. There is an additional reason why geophysical data analysis/interpretation could be performed in the domain of sounds and music: the nature of several types of geophysical signals, like seismic data, is closer to the physics of sounds than to the physics of images. These ideas have been investigated (partially) by other authors (Benioff, 1953; Speeth, 1961; Hayward, 1994; Kilb et al., 2012; Peng et al., 2012). In this article, I expand them by proposing a new approach based on exploring new interesting connections between geosciences and the most recent technological innovations in the domain of digital music.
Tubulogenesis
Authors: Iruela-Arispe M. Luisa , Beitel Greg J.
Published: August 2013

Metazoans require epithelial and endothelial tubes to transport liquids and gasses throughout their bodies. Although biological tubes may look relatively similar at first glance, there are multiple and distinct mechanisms by which tubes form and even more regulatory events driving the cell shape changes that produce tubes of specific dimensions. An overview of the current understanding of the molecular processes and physical forces involved in tubulogenesis is presented in this review and the accompanying poster.
From bedside to bench to clinic trials: identifying new treatments for severe asthma
Authors: Mishra Amarjit , Yao Xianglan , Levine Stewart J.
Published: August 2013

Asthmatics with a severe form of the disease are frequently refractory to standard medications such as inhaled corticosteroids, underlining the need for new treatments to prevent the occurrence of potentially life-threatening episodes. A major obstacle in the development of new treatments for severe asthma is the heterogeneous pathogenesis of the disease, which involves multiple mechanisms and cell types. Furthermore, new therapies might need to be targeted to subgroups of patients whose disease pathogenesis is mediated by a specific pathway. One approach to solving the challenge of developing new treatments for severe asthma is to use experimental mouse models of asthma to address clinically relevant questions regarding disease pathogenesis. The mechanistic insights gained from mouse studies can be translated back to the clinic as potential treatment approaches that require evaluation in clinical trials to validate their effectiveness and safety in human subjects. Here, we will review how mouse models have advanced our understanding of severe asthma pathogenesis. Mouse studies have helped us to uncover the underlying inflammatory mechanisms (mediated by multiple immune cell types that produce Th1, Th2 or Th17 cytokines) and non-inflammatory pathways, in addition to shedding light on asthma that is associated with obesity or steroid unresponsiveness. We propose that the strategy of using mouse models to address clinically relevant questions remains an attractive and productive research approach for identifying mechanistic pathways that can be developed into novel treatments for severe asthma.
A multiscale road map of cancer spheroids – incorporating experimental and mathematical modelling to understand cancer progression
Authors: Loessner Daniela , Little J. Paige , Pettet Graeme J. , Hutmacher Dietmar W.
Published: August 2013

Computational models represent a highly suitable framework, not only for testing biological hypotheses and generating new ones but also for optimising experimental strategies. As one surveys the literature devoted to cancer modelling, it is obvious that immense progress has been made in applying simulation techniques to the study of cancer biology, although the full impact has yet to be realised. For example, there are excellent models to describe cancer incidence rates or factors for early disease detection, but these predictions are unable to explain the functional and molecular changes that are associated with tumour progression. In addition, it is crucial that interactions between mechanical effects, and intracellular and intercellular signalling are incorporated in order to understand cancer growth, its interaction with the extracellular microenvironment and invasion of secondary sites. There is a compelling need to tailor new, physiologically relevant in silico models that are specialised for particular types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer owing to its unique route of metastasis, which are capable of investigating anti-cancer therapies, and generating both qualitative and quantitative predictions. This Commentary will focus on how computational simulation approaches can advance our understanding of ovarian cancer progression and treatment, in particular, with the help of multicellular cancer spheroids, and thus, can inform biological hypothesis and experimental design.
The microtubule end-binding protein EB2 is a central regulator of microtubule reorganisation in apico-basal epithelial differentiation
Authors: Goldspink Deborah A , Gadsby Jonathan R , Bellett Gemma , Keynton Jennifer , Tyrrell Benjamin J , Lund Elizabeth K , Powell Penny P , Thomas Paul , Mogensen Mette M
Published: August 2013

Microtubule end-binding (EB) proteins influence microtubule dynamic instability, a process essential for microtubule reorganisation during apico-basal epithelial differentiation. Here we establish for the first time that EB2, but not EB1, expression is critical for initial microtubule reorganisation during apico-basal epithelial differentiation, and that EB2 downregulation promotes bundle formation. EB2 siRNA knockdown during early stages of apico-basal differentiation prevented microtubule reorganisation, while its downregulation at later stages promoted microtubule stability and bundle formation. Interestingly, while EB1 is not essential for microtubule reorganisation its knockdown prevented apico-basal bundle formation and epithelial elongation. EB2 siRNA depletion in undifferentiated epithelial cells induced formation of straight, less dynamic microtubules with EB1 and ACF7 lattice association and co-alignment with actin filaments, a phenotype that could be rescued by formin inhibition. Importantly, in situ inner ear and intestinal crypt epithelial tissue revealed direct correlations between low level of EB2 expression and presence of apico-basal microtubule bundles, which were absent where EB2 was elevated. EB2 is evidently important for initial microtubule reorganisation during epithelial polarisation, while its downregulation facilitates EB1/ACF7 microtubule lattice association, microtubule-actin filament co-alignment and bundle formation. The spatiotemporal expression of EB2 thus dramatically influences microtubule organisation, EB1/ACF7 deployment and epithelial differentiation.
Three-dimensional reconstruction and analysis of the tubular system of vertebrate skeletal muscle
Authors: Jayasinghe Izzy , Launikonis Bradley S.
Published: August 2013

Skeletal muscle fibres are very large and elongated. In response to excitation there must be a rapid and uniform release of Ca2+ throughout for contraction. To ensure a uniform spread of excitation throughout the fibre to all the Ca2+ release sites, the muscle internalizes the plasma membrane, to form the tubular (t-) system. Hence the t-system forms a complex and dense network throughout the fibre that is responsible for excitation–contraction coupling and other signalling mechanisms. However, we currently do not have a very detailed view of this membrane network because of limitations in previously used imaging techniques to visualize it. In this study we serially imaged fluorescent dye trapped in the t-system of fibres from rat and toad muscle using the confocal microscope, and deconvolved and reconstructed these images to produce the first three-dimensional reconstructions of large volumes of the vertebrate t-system. These images showed complex arrangements of tubules that have not been described previously and also allowed the association of the t-system with cellular organelles to be visualized. There was a high density of tubules close to the nuclear envelope because of the close and parallel alignment of the long axes of the myofibrils and the nuclei. Furthermore local fluorescence intensity variations from sub-resolution tubules were converted to tubule diameters. Mean diameters of tubules were 85.9±6.6 and 91.2±8.2 nm, from rat and toad muscle under isotonic conditions, respectively. Under osmotic stress the distribution of tubular diameters shifted significantly in toad muscle only, with change specifically occurring in the transverse but not longitudinal tubules.
Like mother, like offspring: maternal and offspring wound healing correlate in snakes
Authors: Hopkins Brittney C. , Chin Stephanie Y. , Willson John D. , Hopkins William A.
Published: August 2013

Immune function early in life can be influenced by parental effects and the environment, but it remains unclear how these two factors may interact to influence immunocompetence. We evaluated maternal and environmental contributions to offspring healing ability in a viviparous reptile, the northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon). We measured wound healing rates, a highly integrative and biologically relevant measure of innate immunity, of females and their offspring collected from sites contaminated with a toxic heavy metal and compared them with those of individuals from reference sites. We found that female watersnakes that healed the fastest produced offspring that also exhibited faster healing rates. However, we detected no influence of environmental pollution on maternal or offspring healing rates. To our knowledge, our study is the first to correlate maternal and offspring wound healing ability in a wild vertebrate.
Gas exchange patterns and water loss rates in the Table Mountain cockroach,Aptera fusca(Blattodea: Blaberidae)
Authors: Groenewald Berlizé , Bazelet Corinna S. , Potter C. Paige , Terblanche John S.
Published: August 2013

The importance of metabolic rate and/or spiracle modulation for saving respiratory water is contentious. One major explanation for gas exchange pattern variation in terrestrial insects is to effect a respiratory water loss (RWL) saving. To test this, we measured V·CO2 and V·H2O in a previously unstudied, mesic cockroach, Aptera fusca, and compared gas exchange and water loss parameters among the major gas exchange patterns (continuous, cyclic, discontinuous gas exchange (DGE)) at a range of temperatures. Mean V·CO2, V·H2O, and V·H2O per unit V·CO2 did not differ among the gas exchange patterns at all temperatures (p>0.09). There was no significant association between temperature and gas exchange pattern type (p=0.63). Percentage of RWL (relative to total water loss) was typically low (9.79±1.84%) and did not differ significantly among gas exchange patterns at 15°C (p=0.26). The method of estimation had a large impact on the %RWL and of three techniques investigated (traditional, regression, hyperoxic switch), the traditional method generally performed best. In many respects, A. fusca has typical gas exchange for what might be expected from other insects studied to date (e.g. V·CO2, V·H2O, RWL and CWL). However, we found for A. fusca that V·H2O expressed as a function of metabolic rate was significantly higher than the expected consensus relationship for insects, suggesting it is under considerable pressure to save water. Despite this, we found no consistent evidence supporting the conclusion that transitions in pattern type yield reductions in RWL in this mesic cockroach.
Petroleum quaternary ammonium surfactants mixture synthesized from light naphtha as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in 1 m HCl
Authors: Hamitouche Houria , Khelifa Abdellah , Kouache Amel , Moulay Saâd
Published: August 2013

A quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants mixture was synthesized from light naphtha, petroleum fraction. The mixture was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and UV/Visible spectroscopy and was evaluated as a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in 1mHCl, by gravimetry, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that inhibiting efficiency increased with inhibitor concentration and temperature, and was independent of pH (in the range of 0–4) and immersion time; its optimal value was up to 84% for 560 mg/l at 25°C. Experimental data showed that the cationic surfactants mixture acts as a mixed (anodic and cathodic) inhibitor and conformed to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed the inhibiting capacity of the mixture against carbon steel acid corrosion.
A Solid-State Fault Current Limiting Device for VSC-HVDC Systems
Authors: Larruskain D. Marene , Zamora Inmaculada , Abarrategui, Oihane , Iturregi Araitz
Published: August 2013

Faults in the DC circuit constitute one of the main limitations of voltage source converter VSC-HVDC systems, as the high fault currents can damage seriously the converters. In this article, a new design for a fault current limiter (FCL) is proposed, which is capable of limiting the fault current as well as interrupting it, isolating the DC grid. The operation of the proposed FCL is analysed and verified with the most usual faults that can occur in overhead lines.
Wirkungen einer physikalischen Stimulierung der spontanen arteriolären Vasomotion bei Rehabilitanden unterschiedlichen Alters
Authors: Klopp Rainer Christian , Niemer Wolfgang , Schulz Jörg
Published: August 2013

An zwei Stichproben aus Rehabilitanden unterschiedlicher Alters-gruppen (~38 Jahre und ~51 Jahre) wurde im Rahmen einer placebokontrollierten Untersuchungsreihe anhand repräsentativer Funktionsmerkmale der Mikrozirkulation der komplementär-thera-peutische Erfolg einer Zusatzbehandlung zur biorhythmisch definier-ten physikalischen Vasomotionsstimulation ermittelt. Als Ergebnis zeigte sich, dass bei älteren Rehabilitanden die Beträge der mikrozirkulatorischen Merkmaländerungen größer sind als bei jüngeren Rehabilitanden, sie klingen jedoch nach Beendigung der Zusatzbehandlung rascher als bei diesen ab.
Einfluss eines spezifisch biorhythmisch definierten physikalischen Reizes auf die defizitäre Vasomotion in kleinkalibrigen Arteriolen der Subkutis bei Patienten mit diabetischer Polyneuropathie
Authors: Klopp Rainer Christian , Niemer Wolfgang , Schulz Jörg , Ruhnau† Klaus-Jürgen
Published: August 2013

In einer placebokontrollierten Untersuchungsreihe an einer Stich-probe aus Patienten mit diabetischer Polyneuropathie und trophischen Hautläsionen am Fußrand wurden Messungen von Funktionsmerkmalen der lokalen Mikrozirkulation und des Immun-systems zur Prüfung des komplementär-therapeutischen Erfolges einer biorhythmisch definierten Vasomotionsstimulation vorge-nommen. In einem 30-tägigen Behandlungszeitraum wurde ein komplementär-therapeutischer Erfolg der zusätzlich durchgeführten physikalischen Vasomotionsstimulation zur Steigerung des Thera-pieerfolges etablierter Behandlungskonzepte nachgewiesen.
Effect of compatibilizing agents on the physical properties of iPP/HDPE organoclay blends
Authors: Boufassa Samia , Doufnoune R. , Hellati Abdelhak , Haddaoui Nacceredine , Cagiao M. Esperanza
Published: August 2013

Blends of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and high density polyethylene (HDPE), with and without compatibilizers and with different organoclay amounts (1%, 3%, and 5%), were systematically investigated to assess the effect of the additives on the crystallinity of the blends, as well as the correlation between the microhardness,Hand the Young’s modulusE. The compatibilizers used were: maleic anhydride grafted styrene ethylene butadiene styrene (SEBS-g-MAH), maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (PE-g-MAH), maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), and maleic anhydride grafted EPDM (EPDM-g-MAH). The thermal properties and crystallization behavior were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). Macro- and micromechanical properties were also investigated. The results obtained showed that the addition of clay slightly increases the crystallinityαWAXSof the blends. However, the hardnessHdecreases enormously only by adding 1 wt% of clay. With higher clay amounts,Hincreases again. The relationship between the Young’s modulusEand the hardnessHfor all the studied blends was found to be somewhat higher than the one obtained for polyethylene (PE) samples with different morphologies.
Strategic Management of Intellectual Property: An Integrated Approach
Authors: Fisher William W. , Oberholzer-Gee Felix
Published: August 2013

In many organizations, the R&D, strategy, and legal functions are poorly integrated. As a consequence, firms miss opportunities to create and exploit the value of intellectual property. Functional silos are one reason for the lack of integration. More important, however, is the lack of a common framework and even language that would allow engineers, lawyers, and business executives to manage IP assets better. This article provides such a framework. There is no one best way to manage IP and many managers overestimate the attractiveness of using IP to exert market power. Rather, the value of the various means to protect and benefit from IP depends on firm strategy, the competitive landscape, and the rapidly changing contours of intellectual property law.
Assessment of Infinite-Age Bones from the Upper Thames Valley, UK, as 14C Background Standards
Authors: Cook G T , Higham T F G , Naysmith P , Brock F , Freeman S P H T , Bayliss A
Published: August 2013

It is becoming increasingly clear that in order to generate accurate radiocarbon dates for bone collagen samples it is important to determine a sample-specific background correction to account for the greater complexity and higher number of steps in the pretreatment chemistry of this material. To provide suitable samples for the 14C community, 7 bone samples were obtained from contexts within British gravel quarries, which according to other dating techniques or stratigraphic information, should be of infinite age with respect to 14C. The bones were analyzed at the Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit (ORAU) and the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre (SUERC) to determine their suitability. In this paper, we show that 6 of the samples were indistinguishable from background. Both institutions measured finite ages for sample 387 from Oxey Mead that were statistically indistinguishable. Further work is required to establish whether this is because the bone was intrusive and of a younger age than expected or whether it is contaminated either postdepositionally or in the laboratory. We favor the former explanation because (1) the 2 chemistry laboratories use very different pretreatment schemes, (2) collagen yields were high, and (3) the laboratories produced ages that are in good agreement. The 6 “greater than” age samples will be made available to 14C laboratories to be used as background standards.
Improving the computation of invariants of plane curve singularities
Authors: Binyamin Muhammad Ahsan
Published: August 2013

In this article we present an algorithm to compute the incidence matrix of the resolution graph, the total multiplicities, the strict multiplicities and the Milnor number of a reduced plane curve singularity and its implemetation in Singular
Possibility of amoebas' aggregation in finite time
Authors: Hilmi Saïd , Ziti Chérif
Published: August 2013

The dynamic of amoebas in favorable circumstances is modeled by a nonlinear system of Partial Differential Equations arising in chemotaxis. The competition between different parameters of this system plays a major role in the process of aggregation. Throughout this paper, we prove the existence of self-similar solutions that blow up in finite time in a dimensional space and under specific circumstances depending upon the position of those parameters.