bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MHC Class II Transactivator Is an In Vivo Regulator of Osteoclast Differentiation and Bone Homeostasis Co-opted From Adaptive Immunity
Authors: Benasciutti Elisa , Mariani Elisabetta , Oliva Laura , Scolari Maria , Perilli Egon , Barras Emmanuele , Milan Enrico , Orfanelli Ugo , Fazzalari Nicola L , Campana Lara , Capobianco Annalisa , Otten Luc , Particelli Francesca , Acha-Orbea Hans , Baruffaldi Fabio , Faccio Roberta , Sitia Roberto , Reith Walter , Cenci Simone
Published: September 2013

The molecular networks controlling bone homeostasis are not fully understood. The common evolution of bone and adaptive immunity encourages the investigation of shared regulatory circuits. MHC Class II Transactivator (CIITA) is a master transcriptional co-activator believed to be exclusively dedicated for antigen presentation. CIITA is expressed in osteoclast precursors, and its expression is accentuated in osteoporotic mice. We thus asked whether CIITA plays a role in bone biology. To this aim, we fully characterized the bone phenotype of two mouse models of CIITA overexpression, respectively systemic and restricted to the monocyte-osteoclast lineage. Both CIITA-overexpressing mouse models revealed severe spontaneous osteoporosis, as assessed by micro-computed tomography and histomorphometry, associated with increased osteoclast numbers and enhanced in vivo bone resorption, whereas osteoblast numbers and in vivo bone-forming activity were unaffected. To understand the underlying cellular and molecular bases, we investigated ex vivo the differentiation of mutant bone marrow monocytes into osteoclasts and immune effectors, as well as osteoclastogenic signaling pathways. CIITA-overexpressing monocytes differentiated normally into effector macrophages or dendritic cells but showed enhanced osteoclastogenesis, whereas CIITA ablation suppressed osteoclast differentiation. Increased c-fms and receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) signaling underlay enhanced osteoclast differentiation from CIITA-overexpressing precursors. Moreover, by extending selected phenotypic and cellular analyses to additional genetic mouse models, namely MHC Class II deficient mice and a transgenic mouse line lacking a specific CIITA promoter and re-expressing CIITA in the thymus, we excluded MHC Class II expression and T cells from contributing to the observed skeletal phenotype. Altogether, our study provides compelling genetic evidence that CIITA, the molecular switch of antigen presentation, plays a novel, unexpected function in skeletal homeostasis, independent of MHC Class II expression and T cells, by exerting a selective and intrinsic control of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vivo. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The F130L mutation in streptavidin reduces its binding affinity to biotin through electronic polarization effect
Authors: Zeng Juan , Jia Xiangyu , Zhang John Z. H. , Mei Ye
Published: September 2013

Recently, Baugh et al. discovered that a distal point mutation (F130L) in streptavidin causes no distinct variation to the structure of the binding pocket but a 1000‐fold reduction in biotin binding affinity. In this work, we carry out molecular dynamics simulations and apply an end‐state free energy method to calculate the binding free energies of biotin to wild type streptavidin and its F130L mutant. The absolute binding affinities based on AMBER charge are repulsive, and the mutation induced binding loss is underestimated. When using the polarized protein‐specific charge, the absolute binding affinities are significantly enhanced. In particular, both the absolute and relative binding affinities are in line with the experimental measurements. Further investigation indicates that polarization effect is indispensable in both the generation of structural ensembles and the calculation of interaction energies. This work verifies Baugh's conjecture that electrostatic polarization effect plays an essential role in modulating the binding affinity of biotin to the streptavidin through F130L mutation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Moderating Effects of Impulsivity on Chinese Rural Young Suicide
Authors: Zhang Jie , Lin Lin
Published: September 2013

Objectives

As only about 50% of Chinese suicides have mental disorders, nonpsychiatric factors such as social environment and personality may account for the variance that is not explained by mental problems. We try to explore the effects of impulsivity on Chinese suicides and the role impulsivity plays in the relationship between negative life events (NLEs) and suicidal behavior.

Method

A total of 392 suicide cases (178 female and 214 male, aged 15–34 years) and 416 community controls (202 males and 214 females) of the same age range were sampled in China. The case‐control data were obtained using psychological autopsy method with structured and semistructured instruments.

Results

Impulsivity was an important predictor of Chinese rural young suicides and it was a moderator between NLEs and suicide.

Conclusions

Findings of the study may be translated into practical measures in suicide prevention in China as well as elsewhere in the world.
Interleukin‐15 gene therapy and the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus inhibit the growth of metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Zhao Na , Li Xiaodan , He Xianghui , Qiu Yujie , Zhu Liwei , Qi Feng
Published: September 2013

Background

Novel methods to control and treat metastatic breast cancer are needed. Interleukin (IL)‐15 is a promising cytokine for cancer immunotherapy, and everolimus is an orally administered mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, which is already approved for cancer treatment. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of IL‐15 gene therapy and explored the possibility of combining IL‐15 therapy with everolimus to treat metastatic breast cancer.

Methods

A plasmid encoding IL‐15 and everolimus were given to mice inoculated with 4 T1 mouse breast cancer cells. Tumor size and metastasis were monitored to assess the effect of different treatment regimens. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect CD4+, CD8+ and NKG2D+ cells and also the expression of Ki‐67 in tumor tissue; these analyses helped establish the immunization status and tumor proliferation rate of different treatment groups. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays were performed to assess cellular apoptosis in tumor tissues.

Results

Both IL‐15 and everolimus significantly decreased tumor size. IL‐15 gene therapy increased the proportion of CD4+ T and natural killer (NK) cells but had no effect on CD8+ T cells. By contrast, everolimus decreased the number of CD8+ T cells but had no effect on CD4+ T and NK cells compared to the control group. Both IL‐15 and everolimus decreased expression of Ki‐67 and increased rates of apoptosis. Although effective on their own, no synergistic effect was observed with a combined treatment of everolimus and IL‐15 gene therapy.

Conclusions

IL‐15 gene therapy was potentially useful for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The possibility of combining immunotherapy with everolimus requires further study. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geometry of crustal faults: Identification from seismicity and implications for slip and stress transfer models
Authors: Kaven J. Ole , Pollard David D.
Published: September 2013

Geometric complexities of faults and fault systems are first‐order effects that complicate the mechanics of faulting and physics of earthquakes. We investigate the importance of this complexity using relocated seismicity from a catalog of events for the Joshua Tree–Landers earthquake sequence and present a new method to locate faults or fault systems in clouds of seismicity. The abundance and ever improved accuracy of earthquake and microseismic location of such events permits a better understanding of the geometric intricacies of fault systems. The proposed method assumes that seismicity is most abundant in the central fault zone and the spatial density of seismicity is used to locate finite width fault zones and construct fault surfaces from the seismicity. The method is different from statistical fits (e.g., L1‐ and L2‐norm fits) in that it does not suppose a decay of seismicity from the central fault zone and that it identifies the tiplines of faults from the fault zone seismicity directly. In the Joshua Tree–Landers earthquake catalog, the method identifies 10 separate fault segments ranging in average strike from north‐south to east‐west that compare well with surface trace fault maps. These faults exhibit significant nonplanarity with the Joshua Tree fault departing from a planar approximation by more than 2000 m. The mechanical effects of the geometrically complex fault surfaces are illustrated by inverting for coseismic slip using surface displacements and when compared to slip inversions on planar faults reveal a more complicated pattern of slip on the fault. The low RMS error in surface displacement, the good match to geodetic moment, and robust estimates of maximum slip compare well to the results for planar faults. The inverted slip distributions are used to solve the quasi‐static fault stress transfer problem and estimate the tractions changes by slip on the Joshua Tree fault on the fault segments involved in the Landers earthquake. We find that the propensity for slip on the Landers faults increased in regions of initiation and largest slip during the subsequent event. The geometrically complex models predict greater likelihood for slip along the northern faults involved in the Landers earthquake than the commonly used planar and vertical four‐fault models.
Four‐dimensional numerical modeling of crustal growth at active continental margins
Authors: Zhu Guizhi , Gerya Taras V. , Tackley Paul J. , Kissling Eduard
Published: September 2013

Crustal growth and topography development in subduction‐related arcs are intimately related to magmatic processes and melt production above subducting slabs. Lateral and temporal variations in crustal thickness and composition have been observed in nature, but until now no integrated approach has been developed to comprehensively understand magmatic activity in subduction‐related arcs. Here we investigate the 4‐D spatial, temporal, and compositional character of continental crustal growth at active margins using a new 4‐D (space‐time) petrological‐thermomechanical numerical model of a subduction‐related magmatic arc. Based on a series of numerical experiments, we demonstrate that crustal growth inside the arc is inherently clustered in both space and time. The characteristic wavelength of variations in crustal thickness and topography along the arc is on the order of 30–80 km and is comparable to volcano clustering in natural arcs. The clusters of new crust are formed mainly by basaltic melt episodically extracted from partially molten peridotite due to lateral variation of water release and transport in the mantle wedge. Melts derived from subducted oceanic crust and sediments could contribute up to 15–50 vol% to the arc crust growth and their relative proportion is maximal at the onset of subduction. The total amount of newly formed crust correlates mainly with the amount of convergence since the beginning of subduction and is not strongly influenced by the plate convergence velocity. Indeed, slower subduction and lower melt extraction efficiency helps partially molten sediments and oceanic crust to be transported into the mantle wedge by hydrated, partially molten diapiric structures. For the modeled regime of stable subduction, the maximum crustal additional rate (25–40 km3/km/Myr) occurs when the amount of convergence reaches around 700 km. Mantle wedge structures developed in our models correlate well with available geophysical (seismological) observations for the Alaskan subduction zone. In particular, partially molten mantle plumes found in our models could explain low seismic anomalies in the mantle wedge, whereas mobile water and water release patterns could reflect paths and sources for magmatic activity evidenced by seismic b‐value and Vp/Vs ratio analysis.
Bacterial diversity and real‐time PCR based assessment of linA and linB gene distribution at hexachlorocyclohexane contaminated sites
Authors: Lal Devi , Jindal Swati , Kumari Hansi , Jit Simran , Nigam Aeshna , Sharma Pooja , Kumari Kirti , Lal Rup
Published: September 2013

The disposal of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) muck has created large number of HCH dumpsites all over the world from where the harmful HCH isomers are leaking into the environment. Bacteria have evolved at such contaminated sites that have the ability to degrade HCH. Degradation of various HCH isomers in bacterial strains is mediated primarily by two genes: linA and linB which encode dehydrochlorinase and haloalkane dehalogenase respectively. In this study we explored one such highly contaminated HCH dumpsite located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. To assess the biostimulation potential of the contaminated site, microbial diversity study and real‐time PCR based quantification of lin genes was carried out. The soil samples from dumpsite and surrounding areas were found to be highly contaminated with HCH residue levels as high as 1.8 × 105 mg kg−1. The residues were detected in areas upto 13 km from the dumpsite. Sphingomonads, Chromohalobacter, and Marinobacter were the dominant genera present at the dump‐site. Role of Sphingomonads in HCH degradation has been well documented. The highest copy numbers of linA and linB genes as determined using real‐time PCR were 6.2 × 104 and 5.3 × 105, respectively, were found in sample from the dump site. The presence of Sphingomonads, linA, and linB genes from HCH contaminated soil indicates the presence of indigenous bacterial communities capable of HCH degradation.
The effect of pre‐treatment and modified atmosphere packaging on contents of phenolic compounds and sensory and microbiological quality of shredded celeriac
Authors: Radziejewska‐Kubzdela Elżbieta , Czapski Janusz , Czaczyk Katarzyna , Biegańska‐Marecik Róża
Published: September 2013

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of washing (4 °C, 120 s) or soaking (4 °C, 600 s) of shredded celeriac in tap water on changes in contents of phenolic compounds, including furanocoumarins, and sensory and microbiological quality during 12 days of storage. The product was packaged in air or modified atmosphere containing 2/10/88 kPa O2/CO2/N2.

RESULTS

The applied pre‐treatment consisting of washing or soaking of shredded celeriac in water resulted in decreases in 8‐methoxypsoralen content by approximately 50 and 70% respectively and phenolic content by 30% compared with samples that were not subjected to pre‐treatment. During storage of shredded celeriac, a further significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in phenolic compounds and an approximately 2.5‐fold increase in the total content of furanocoumarins were found. The application of modified atmosphere packaging had a significant effect on the maintenance of good sensory and microbiological quality of the tested product.

CONCLUSION

Modified atmosphere packaging of shredded celeriac not subjected to pre‐treatment made it possible to obtain a product with good sensory and microbiological quality and the highest content of phenolic compounds. The level of furanocoumarins recorded in the tested product does not constitute a health hazard. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Gas‐Phase Reaction of Monomethylhydrazine with Ozone: Kinetics and OH Radical Formation
Authors: Richters S. , Berndt T.
Published: September 2013

The gas‐phase reaction of monomethylhydrazine (CH3NHNH2; MMH) with ozone was investigated in a flow tube at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 295 ± 2 K using N2/O2 mixtures (3–30 vol% O2) as the carrier gas. Proton transfer reaction–mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS) and long‐path FT‐IR spectroscopy served as the main analytical techniques. The kinetics of the title reaction was investigated with a relative rate technique yielding kMMH+O3 = (4.3 ± 1.0) × 10−15 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Methyldiazene (CH3NNH; MeDia) has been identified as the main product in this reaction system as a result of PTR‐MS analysis. The reactivity of MeDia toward ozone was estimated relative to the reaction of MMH with ozone resulting in kMeDia+O3 = (2.7 ± 1.6) × 10−15 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. OH radicals were followed indirectly by phenol formation from the reaction of OH radicals with benzene. Increasing OH radical yields with increasing MMH conversion have been observed pointing to the importance of secondary processes for OH radical generation. Generally, the detected OH radical yields were definitely smaller than thought so far. The results of this study do not support the mechanism of OH radical formation from the reaction of MMH with ozone as proposed in the literature.
Beschriften mit Licht
Authors: Over Daniela
Published: September 2013

In der Automobilindustrie, im medizintechnischen Bereich oder in der Getränkeindustrie: Heutzutage kommen Laser in vielen Branchen zum Kennzeichnen von Bauteilen oder Produkten zum Einsatz. Denn sie bieten gegenüber anderen Kennzeichnungstechnologien einige Vorteile: Nahezu jedes Material ist mittels Laser beschreibbar. Die Markierungen sind dauerhaft und präzise. Laser benötigen keine Verbrauchsmaterialien wie Etiketten, Tinte oder Solvent und die Technologie ist nahezu wartungsfrei.
Laserstrahl‐Remoteschweißen
Authors: Albert Florian , Müller Alexander , Sievi Pravin
Published: September 2013

Das Laserstrahl‐Remoteschweißen erfährt zunehmend an industrieller Bedeutung. Immer neue Aufgabengebiete erschließen sich mit dieser Technologie. Als Vorreiter treten neben dem Automobilbau heute zunehmend auch mittelständische Unternehmen aus dem metallverarbeitenden Gewerbe in den Vordergrund. Für alle Anwender stellt sich jedoch stets die Frage: Welche der am Markt verfügbaren Systeme sind für mich technisch sinnvoll und wirtschaftlich betreibbar? Der Beitrag soll anhand system‐ und prozesstechnischer Beispiele darauf Bezug nehmen.
Synthesis and 13C NMR Spectroscopy Analysis of Ethylene Copolymer with High Content of 4‐Penten‐1‐ol
Authors: Wang Wei , Hou Liping , Luo Shuiyuan , Zheng Gang , Wang Hongtao
Published: September 2013

Copolymerization of ethylene with 4‐penten‐1‐ol (4P1O) is conducted by using a half‐titanocene catalyst. The incorporation of 4P1O is high as approximately 10 mol%. The assignments of the 13C NMR spectrum and the analysis of the sequence distribution show the existence of not only the alternative structure but also the repeated 4P1O units. The product of the reactive ratios is calculated as ca. 2.

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Increased 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate deaminase activity enhances Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated gene delivery into plant cells
Authors: Someya Tatsuhiko , Nonaka Satoko , Nakamura Kouji , Ezura Hiroshi
Published: September 2013

Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation is a useful tool for the genetic modification in plants, although its efficiency is low for several plant species. Agrobacterium‐mediated transformation has three major steps in laboratory‐controlled experiments: the delivery of T‐DNA into plant cells, the selection of transformed plant cells, and the regeneration of whole plants from the selected cells. Each of these steps must be optimized to improve the efficiency of Agrobacterium‐mediated plant transformation. It has been reported that increasing the number of cells transformed by T‐DNA delivery can improve the frequency of stable transformation. Previously, we demonstrated that a reduction in ethylene production by plant cells during cocultivation with A. tumefaciens‐expressing 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase resulted in increased T‐DNA delivery into the plant cells. In this study, to further improve T‐DNA delivery by A. tumefaciens, we modified the expression cassette of the ACC deaminase gene using vir gene promoter sequences. The ACC deaminase gene driven by the virD1 promoter was expressed at a higher level, resulting in a higher ACC deaminase activity in this A. tumefaciens strain than in the strain with the lac promoter used in a previous study. The newly developed A. tumefaciens strain improves the delivery of T‐DNA into Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and Erianthus ravennae plants and thus may be a powerful tool for the Agrobacterium‐mediated genetic engineering of plants.
Venous coupler size in autologous breast reconstruction—does it matter?
Authors: Broer P. Niclas , Weichman Katie E. , Tanna Neil , Wilson Stelios , Ng Reuben , Ahn Christina , Choi Mihye , Karp Nolan S. , Levine Jamie P. , Allen Robert J.
Published: September 2013

Background

Autologous microvascular breast reconstruction is an increasingly common procedure. While arterial anastomoses are traditionally being hand‐sewn, venous anastomoses are often completed with a coupler device. The largest coupler size possible should be used, as determined by the smaller of either the donor or recipient vein. While its efficacy has been shown using 3.0‐mm size and greater couplers, little is known about the consequences of using coupler sizes less than or equal to 2.5 mm. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction was conducted at NYU Medical Center between November 2007 and November 2011. Flaps were divided into cohorts based on coupler size used: 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, and 3.0 mm. Outcomes included incidence of arterial or venous insufficiency, hematoma, fat necrosis, partial flap loss, full flap loss, and need for future fat grafting. Results: One‐hundred ninety‐seven patients underwent 392 flaps during the study period. Patients were similar in age, type of flap, smoking status, and radiation history. Coupler size less than or equal to 2.0 mm was found to be a significant risk factor for venous insufficiency (P = 0.038), as well as for development of fat necrosis (P = 0.041) and future need for fat grafting (P = 0.050). In multivariate analysis, body mass index was found to be an independent risk factor for skin flap necrosis (P = 0.010) and full flap loss (P = 0.035). Conclusions: Complications were significantly increased in patients where couplers of 2.0 mm or less were used, therefore to be avoided whenever possible. When needed, more aggressive vessel exposure through rib harvest, the use of thoracodorsal vessels or hand‐sewing the anastomosis should be considered in cases of internal mammary vein caliber of 2.0 mm or less.

Clinical Question

Therapeutic

Level of Evidence

Level III. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:514–518, 2013.
Adipocyte reporter assays: Application for identification of anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties of mangosteen xanthones
Authors: Shen Qiwen , Chitchumroonchokchai Chureeporn , Thomas Jaisa L. , Gushchina Liubov V. , DiSilvestro David , Failla Mark L. , Ziouzenkova Ouliana
Published: September 2013

Scope

Three fluorescence biosensors were developed based on a 3T3‐L1 preadipocyte line that stably expressed Nfkb‐RE/GFP, Fabp4‐P/CFP, and Nrf2‐P/YFP fluorescent reporters. We hypothesized that nutraceuticals’ inflammatory, adipogenic, and antioxidant status will be identified based on the change in fluorescence in reporter adipocytes. We validated these assays with activators of NFκB, FABP4‐regulating peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, NFR2 and, thereafter, tested known and unknown properties of mangostines (MGs), the xanthone metabolites in mangosteen fruit.

Methods and results

We validated inflammatory and adipogenic properties of α‐MG using an Nfkb‐RE/GFP biosensor assay. Next, we identified unique properties of γ‐MG, a minor MG xanthone. γ‐MG suppressed adipogenesis and expression of adiponectin, but inhibited the Nfkb‐RE/GFP reporter and secretion of inflammatory monocyte chemotactic protein 1 as compared to the control adipocytes. We found that the inhibition of adipogenesis and Nfkb‐mediated inflammation depends on a dose‐dependent reduction of Nrf2 promoter activity by α‐MG. The Nrf2 inhibition resulted in the reduced Pparg expression. α‐MG did not directly influence Pparg activity in Fabp4‐P/CFP adipocytes.

Conclusion

α‐MG‐mediated antioxidant response via Nrf2 is a mechanism preventing adipogenesis and inflammation in adipocytes. Combined application of high‐throughput biosensors could provide an effective platform for the identification of nutraceuticals and the mechanism of their actions in adipocytes and, potentially, in obese patients.
Differential hepatic GSTA2 expression of arylalkyl isothiocyanates in vivo and in vitro: The molecular mechanism of gene induction by phenethyl isothiocyanate
Authors: Gum Sang Il , Cho Min Kyung
Published: September 2013

Scope

Naturally occurring isothiocyanates (ITCs) have been investigated for their chemopreventive actions. However, limited studies have determined the potential for regulation of hepatic glutathione S‐transferase A2 (GSTA2) by arylalkyl or alkyl ITCs.

Methods and results

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of ITCs on GSTA2 expression and upstream signaling analyzed by Northern blotting, RT‐PCR, immunoblotting, and promoter‐luciferase assay. A single dose of ethyl isothiocyanate and phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) enhanced GSTA2 mRNA levels in rats. The three consecutive injections of arylalkyl ITCs resulted in the gene induction. PEITC was the most potent and sustained inducer of GSTA2 in vivo. PEITC induced GSTA2 mRNA and protein expression in H4IIE cells. PEITC increased the levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ). The cells transfected with a pGL‐ΔARE or pGL‐ΔC/EBP‐deleted promoter construct failed to increase GSTA2 promoter activity by PEITC. These effects of PEITC were downstream of multiple cellular signaling, including phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K), c‐jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), and/or protein kinase A (PKA).

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that PEITC is the most efficacious of the arylalkyl ITCs for the induction of GSTA2 in vivo and in vitro, and that transactivation of C/EBP and nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 downstream of multiple signaling pathways is involved in this induction.
Clinical characteristics and treatment of azoospermia and severe oligospermia patients with Y‐chromosome microdeletions
Authors: Zhang Fengbin , Li Lejun , Wang Liquan , Yang Liming , Liang Zhongyan , Li Jingping , Jin Fan , Tian Yonghong
Published: September 2013

Clinical characteristics, testicular pathology, serum levels of reproductive hormones, and genetic analysis were compared among 100 azoospermic, 20 oligozoospermic cases with azoospermia factor (AZF) microdeletion, and 50 fertile males to evaluate the relationship between the AZF microdeletion regions and the azoospermia phenotype. AZF microdeletion region, testicular volume, and serum reproductive hormone levels of patients were compared against histological examination of testicular biopsies. The number of cases of AZFa, AZFb, AZFc, AZFb + c, and AZFa + b + c microdeletion was respectively 2 (1.7%), 15 (12.5%), 77 (64.2%), 24 (20.0%), and 2 (1.7%). The testicular volume of patient with AZF microdeletion was smaller (P < 0.01), while luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were significantly higher than that of fertile individuals (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Among the patients, testicular volume with AZFb‐microdeletion cases was larger compared to patients with AZFc or AZFb + c microdeletions (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively), whereas FSH levels were significantly lower than that of AZFc or AZFb + c microdeletions (P < 0.05). The Johnsen score of patients with an AZFb + c microdeletion was lower than that of patients with AZFb and AZFc microdeletions, but no significant difference was observed. Pathological findings of testicular biopsies poorly correlated with the pattern of AZF deletion, with the AZFc microdeletion exhibiting the most varied phenotypes. In subsequent assisted reproductive treatments, sperm from patients with an AZFc microdeletion that was obtained by testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) or microdissection testicular sperm extraction (m‐TESE) were more likely to result in pregnancy. Combined with testis pathology pattern, the specific region of AZF microdeletion and hormonal assessments provide reliable prognostic information on the chance of successful sperm retrieval for assisted reproductive technologies. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 908–915, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The novel, actin‐like protein Tact3 is expressed in rodent testicular haploid germ cells
Authors: Oh Sung‐Dug , Park Soo‐Yun , Park Jae‐Il , Chun Sang‐Young , Ryu Tae‐Hun , Soh Jaemog
Published: September 2013

Mouse testis actin‐like proteins 1 and 2 (mTact1 and mTact2), which are expressed in murine haploid germ cells, have been described previously. Here, we report the cloning and characterization of a third actin‐like protein from rat, rat testis actin‐like protein 3 (rTact3). The complete cDNA of the rTact3 gene was approximately 3.7 kb in length, and its corresponding amino acid sequence consisted of 1219 amino acids. The rTact3 gene lacks introns, similar to mTact1 and mTact2. The 356 C‐terminal amino acids of rTact3 showed 43% homology with mTact1, whereas the 863 N‐terminal amino acids did not show any significant homology. Northern blot analysis revealed that rTact3 mRNA was expressed only in adult rat testes and not during the prepubescent stage. In situ hybridization revealed that rTact3 was expressed exclusively during round and elongated spermatids maturation stages in rat testes. Immunohistochemical experiments using antibodies raised against a synthetic peptide showed that the expression of the rTact3 protein was also restricted in round and elongated spermatids, specifically in the head and acrosome of mature rat sperm. The 5′‐flanking region of the mTact3 gene was found to contain a TATA‐box motif as well as two putative CREB/c‐Jun and five C/EBP motifs. mTact3 promoter activity was enhanced in a dose‐dependent manner by the transfection of CREB, c‐Jun, or C/EBP in NIH3T3 cells. These results suggest that Tact3 proteins might play an important role in rodent germ‐cell development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 988–999, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhancement of wollastonite on flame retardancy and mechanical properties of PP/IFR composite
Authors: Zhou Rimin , Lai Xuejun , Li Hongqiang , Tang Shuang , Zeng Xingrong
Published: September 2013

Wollastonite, a natural calcium metasilicate possessing acicular crystal habit structure, was used together with intumescent flame retardant (IFR) to flame retard polypropylene (PP). The synergistic effects between wollastonite and IFR were investigated using limiting oxygen index (LOI) test, cone calorimeter test, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope‐energy dispersive spectrometer (SEM‐EDS), etc. The results revealed that wollastonite could effectively improve mechanical properties and flame retardancy of the PP/IFR composite. When 2.0 wt% wollastonite substituted for the same amount of IFR in the composite, the impact strength was enhanced from 4.6 kJ/m2 to 6.8 kJ/m2, which was increased by 47.1%. Meanwhile, the LOI was increased from 33.0% to 35.5%, a UL‐94V‐0 rating was achieved and the peak heat release rate decreased substantially from 314.4 kW/m2 to 262.8 kW/m2. Furthermore, the SEM‐EDS results provided positive evidence that the quality of char layer of the PP/IFR/wollastonite was superior to that of the PP/IFR composite due to synergism between wollastonite and IFR. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:158–166, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Risk factors associated with increased depressive symptoms among Latinas diagnosed with breast cancer within 5 years of survivorship
Authors: Aguado Loi Claudia X. , Baldwin Julie A. , McDermott Robert J. , McMillan Susan , Martinez Tyson Dinorah , Yampolskaya Svetlana , VandeWeerd Carla
Published: September 2013

Background

Co‐occurring depression in women with cancer can complicate cancer treatment, lead to poor treatment adherence for both conditions, and decrease survival if left untreated. The purpose of this study was to explore risk factors for depression among Latina breast cancer survivors.

Methods

A closed‐ended questionnaire was administered by telephone to 68 Latinas diagnosed with breast cancer within the past 5 years. Depression symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionaire‐9 with the Endicott substitutive criteria applied. The Cognitive Appraisal Health Scale and the Brief COPE were used to measure appraisal and coping. Descriptive statistics, bivariate and multiple linear regression analyses were completed.

Results

Approximately 45.6% of women reported depressive symptoms. Multivariate analyses showed that a cognitive appraisal variable (decreased challenge or the potential to overcome), coping variables (increased acceptance, less positive reframing, less active coping, less use of emotional support, substance use and more self‐blame), poor body image, less family and peer support to be significantly associated with an increased risk for depression. Intrapersonal variables accounted for the greatest explained variance (69%).

Conclusions

This study identified several risk factors for depression. Study findings highlight the need for intervention programs to help women normalize emotions and thoughts related to cancer and its treatments, and to improve their cognitive abilities to overcome, accept, and positively reframe cancer and other difficult situations women face throughout the cancer continuum. The importance of family and peer support to improve depressive symptoms was also evident. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Job attributes, job satisfaction and the return to health after breast cancer diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Barnes Andrew J. , Robert Nicholas , Bradley Cathy J.
Published: September 2013

Background

As detection and treatment of cancer has advanced, the number of working age women with breast cancer has increased. This study provides new information on the intersection of breast cancer treatment and job tasks and how, together, they impact employed and newly diagnosed women.

Methods

The sample comprised 493 employed women within 2 months of initiating treatment. Job satisfaction and demands were assessed by a pre‐diagnosis recall along with measures of mental and physical health and assessed again 9 months after initiating treatment. Using seemingly unrelated regression, we tested the effect of job tasks and satisfaction on mental and physical health 9 months post‐treatment initiation, controlling for pre‐diagnosis health status, patient characteristics, and job tasks.

Results

Physical job demands prior to diagnosis were not significantly associated with mental or physical health 9 months after treatment initiation. Employment in cognitively demanding and less satisfying jobs was associated with decreases in mental health and increases in problems with work or daily activities 9 months post‐treatment initiation (p<0.05). Women who received five or more cycles of chemotherapy reported lower vitality, social functioning, and worse measures of physical health compared with those who did not receive chemotherapy (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Employment in cognitively demanding and unsatisfying jobs may impede mental health recovery, particularly in patients who receive longer chemotherapy regimens. Such information may be used by patients and clinicians in deciding when to undergo chemotherapy and whether job tasks can be restructured to hasten recovery. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Near misses—private or public concern?
Authors: Brabson Jay
Published: September 2013

Near miss incidents include those releases and/or fires that do not result in significant employee injury or costs. In many cases there are federal reporting requirements that include reports to the National Response Center. Loss of containment releases are often near misses for catastrophic incidents and provide evidence of process safety program weaknesses. Facilities have an interest in conducting incident investigations to find root causes, lessons learned, and make safety improvements. Small sites often do not have the expertise to conduct good investigations while some large sites may tend to blame operator error rather than admit management system errors or process design issues. This article explains 2002 amendments of the Delaware requirement to report releases. The amendment adds the reporting of flammable gas releases and expands the existing written follow up report requirements to explain the “facts and circumstances leading to the release and the measures proposed to prevent the future releases and remedy any deficiencies in the prevention program.” Having this “public” examination of near miss investigations puts pressure on both industry and our regulatory program to seek root causes and make practical improvements in site process safety programs—without adding any substantial regulatory burden to industry. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 32: 328–331, 2013
Vibrationally coupled electron transport in single‐molecule junctions: The importance of electron–hole pair creation processes
Authors: Härtle R. , Peskin U. , Thoss M.
Published: September 2013

Vibrationally coupled electron transport through single‐molecule junctions is considered. Reviewing our recent theoretical work, we show that electron–hole pair creation processes represent a key to understand the vibrational excitation characteristic of a single‐molecule contact. Moreover, these processes can lead to a number of interesting transport phenomena such as, for example, negative differential resistance, rectification, mode‐selective vibrational excitation, and a pronounced temperature dependence of the electrical current. Thus, electron–hole pair creation processes are crucial to elucidate the basic mechanisms of vibrationally coupled electron transport through a single‐molecule contact, despite the fact that these processes do not directly contribute to the electrical current that is flowing through the junction.
Electronic and magnetic properties of Co2−xFexCrAl alloys: Ab initio calculations
Authors: Abu Alhaj Bedor , Hamad Bothina
Published: September 2013

We performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations within the full‐potential linearized augmented plane wave (FLAPW) method to study the electronic and magnetic properties of Co2−xFexCrAl (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1) alloys. The calculations indicate that Co2−xFexCrAl alloys are half‐metallic within the whole studied range. The local magnetic moments of Fe atoms are found to be anti‐ferromagnetically aligned with those of Cr and Co atoms. This causes a decrease of the total magnetic moments of the alloyed structures from 12 to 8 µB/cell as a function of Fe concentration obeying the Slater–Pauling rule.
Laser‐modulated RKKY interaction in two‐dimensional metals
Authors: Feng Peng , Tang Xiaolong
Published: September 2013

The conduction electrons can deliver an indirect exchange interaction, namely the RKKY interaction, between impurities dissolved in nonmagnetic metal hosts by the interaction between the conduction electron spins and localized impurity spins. The effect of the laser field on the RKKY interaction between two localized spins in two‐dimensional metals is studied by a quantum theory in this paper. The calculation results indicate an intense laser field can effectively manipulate this kind of indirect exchange interaction. The threshold of field strength for achieving this effect is given, and the exchange integrals at different impurity separations and laser field strengths are exhibited. It is discussed that both the finite spatial extension of the interaction potential and thermal energy of irradiation with a laser can influence the RKKY interaction.
Zur Ermüdungsbewertung der Böenantwort von Türmen
Authors: Kemper Frank H. , Feldmann Markus
Published: September 2013

Windbelastete Türme aus Stahl weisen vielfach dynamische Beanspruchungswechsel in einer Größenordnung auf, die aus wirtschaftlichen Erwägungen nicht mehr mit quasistatischen Modellen abgebildet werden können, da damit die Materialausnutzung im Grenzzustand der Ermüdung auf das Dauerfestigkeitsniveau beschränkt ist. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein modernes Berechnungsverfahren präsentiert, das die Beanspruchbarkeit im Grenzzustand der Ermüdung auf Betriebsfestigkeitsebene mittels stochastischer Methoden berechenbar macht. Aufgrund der analytischen Formulierung des Berechnungsweges lassen sich auch instationäre Last‐Admittanzen, wie sie beispielsweise bei Windenergieanlagen auftreten, mit großem Zeitvorteil gegenüber transienten Verfahren berücksichtigen. Neben einem baupraktischen Anwendungskonzept für die Ermüdungsbewertung einfacher Strukturen werden die Vorzüge der stochastischen Modellbildung auch exemplarisch anhand einer Windenergieanlage aufgezeigt. Die Anwendungsbeispiele demonstrieren die Eignung des Verfahrens für baupraktische Zwecke.

Verification of the fatigue limit state of gust induced structural response of tower constructions. Tower structures made of steel, show often stress cycle amplitudes due to the wind loading, which cannot be treated by quasi‐static models anymore for economic reasons. In the present paper a methodology is described which allows for a detailed verification of the fatigue limit state, using a realistic stress cycle count distribution. Due to the analytical formulation of the approach, it is possible to consider nonsteady load admittance relations, which are present in e. g. in case of wind turbines or structures with cylindrical cross‐sections with a low computational effort, compared to transient methods. Besides a practical concept for the verification of simple structures, the advantages of the method are shown exemplary using the example of a wind turbine with lattice tower. The shown examples emphasize the usability for structural problems.
Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung stählerner Tragkonstruktionen von Windenergieanlagen
Authors: Schaumann Peter , Bechtel Anne
Published: September 2013

Die Berücksichtigung eines ganzheitlichen Dimensionierungskonzepts, das neben den bisher maßgebenden Konstruktionsfaktoren Tragfähigkeit und Wirtschaftlichkeit weitreichendere Nachhaltigkeitseffekte wie beispielsweise ökologische Auswirkungen integriert, nimmt zukünftig einen wachsenden Stellenwert bei der Wahl von Tragstrukturen ein. Auf Grundlage bereits bekannter Nachhaltigkeitsbewertungssysteme aus dem Hochbau wurde im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes NaStafEE eine Methode zur Nachhaltigkeitsbewertung stählerner Tragkonstruktionen für regenerative Energien entwickelt. Es wurden für die Kategorien Ökologie, Ökonomie, Soziales, Technik und Prozess Kriterien definiert, die die Nachhaltigkeit der stählernen Tragstrukturen über den gesamten Lebenszyklus erfassen und somit eine Bewertung der Stahltragstruktur von Offshore‐Windenergieanlagen ermöglichen. Die Bewertungsmethode sowie Untersuchungsergebnisse für zwei Offshore‐Stahlstrukturen werden in diesem Beitrag vorgestellt.

Sustainability assessment of steel constructions of offshore wind energy turbines. The consideration of an holistic design approach, taking into account not only the load bearing capacity and economical effects but also sustainability effects as e.g. ecological aspects, will have an increasing impact to the construction choice in future. Based on already known sustainability assessment methods originating from the building sector a sustainability assessment applicable for steel structures of renewables was developed within the research project NaStafEE. Criteria for the sustainability categories ecology, economy, social responsibility, engineering and process were generated to enable the assessment of the sustainability of steel constructions of offshore wind energy turbines. The assessment method as well as sustainability results for two offshore structures we presented within this paper.
Tragverhalten randnaher Betondübel unter Längsschubbeanspruchung
Authors: Gajda Joanna , Kurz Wolfgang
Published: September 2013

Verbundkonstruktionen aus Stahl und Beton haben sich in den letzten Jahrzehnten zu einer wirtschaftlichen und konkurrenzfähigen Bauweise im Hoch‐ und Brückenbau entwickelt. An die innovativen Verbundmittel wie Betondübel werden aufgrund der neuen Entwicklungen der Konstruktionen hohe Anforderungen hinsichtlich der Tragfähigkeit und der Verformbarkeit gestellt. Die Verbundmittel werden in immer schlankeren Konstruktionen eingesetzt. Die Betondübel in der Nähe des Plattenrandes können, ähnlich wie die liegenden Kopfbolzendübel, bei Einleitung der Längsschubkräfte versagensrelevante Spaltzugspannungen in Plattendickenrichtung erzeugen. Dieser Versagensmechanismus für Betondübel mit geringer Betondeckung senkrecht zur Verbundmittelachse wurde bislang in den Bemessungsmodellen nicht explizit berücksichtigt. Erste Versuche zur Bestimmung der Trag‐ und Verformungsfähigkeit randnaher Betondübel in Abscher‐ und Ausziehversuchen wurden durchgeführt. Relevante Parameter, die Einfluss auf das Trag‐ und Verformungsverhalten bei randnahen Betondübeln haben, werden anhand der Versuche diskutiert.

Load bearing behavior of concrete dowels in a location close to a free surface under longitudinal shear stress. Over the last decades, composite structures made of steel and concrete have been developed in order to allow for the economic and competitive construction of buildings and bridges. Due to the new developments of innovative shear connectors such as concrete dowels, high requirements are expected for the load‐bearing capacity and the ductility. The shear connectors are often used in slender structures. Concrete dowel close to a free concrete surface of a slab introduce longitudinal shear forces, which cause failure‐ relevant splitting stresses in direction of the slab thickness, similar to the horizontal lying headed studs. This failure mechanism of concrete dowels with a low concrete cover perpendicular to the central axis of the shear connectors has not been explicitly considered in the structural design models. First experiments in order to investigate the load‐bearing capacity and the ductility of concrete dowels in a location close to a free surface in shear and pull‐out tests were carried out. Some relevant parameters that have influence on the load‐deformation behavior of concrete dowels located closely to the surface are discussed with reference to the experiments.