bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insect adhesion on rough surfaces: analysis of adhesive contact of smooth and hairy pads on transparent microstructured substrates
Authors: Zhou Yanmin , Robinson Adam , Steiner Ullrich , Federle Walter
Published: July 2014

Insect climbing footpads are able to adhere to rough surfaces, but the details of this capability are still unclear. To overcome experimental limitations of randomly rough, opaque surfaces, we fabricated transparent test substrates containing square arrays of 1.4 µm diameter pillars, with variable height (0.5 and 1.4 µm) and spacing (from 3 to 22 µm). Smooth pads of cockroaches (
Nauphoeta cinerea
) made partial contact (limited to the tops of the structures) for the two densest arrays of tall pillars, but full contact (touching the substrate in between pillars) for larger spacings. The transition from partial to full contact was accompanied by a sharp increase in shear forces. Tests on hairy pads of dock beetles (
Gastrophysa viridula
) showed that setae adhered between pillars for larger spacings, but pads were equally unable to make full contact on the densest arrays. The beetles' shear forces similarly decreased for denser arrays, but also for short pillars and with a more gradual transition. These observations can be explained by simple contact models derived for soft uniform materials (smooth pads) or thin flat plates (hairy-pad spatulae). Our results show that microstructured substrates are powerful tools to reveal adaptations of natural adhesives for rough surfaces.
Hovering performance of Anna's hummingbirds (
Calypte anna
) in ground effect
Authors: Kim Erica J. , Wolf Marta , Ortega-Jimenez Victor Manuel , Cheng Stanley H. , Dudley Robert
Published: July 2014

Aerodynamic performance and energetic savings for flight in ground effect are theoretically maximized during hovering, but have never been directly measured for flying animals. We evaluated flight kinematics, metabolic rates and induced flow velocities for Anna's hummingbirds hovering at heights (relative to wing length
R
= 5.5 cm) of 0.7
R
, 0.9
R
, 1.1
R
, 1.7
R
, 2.2
R
and 8
R
above a solid surface. Flight at heights less than or equal to 1.1
R
resulted in significant reductions in the body angle, tail angle, anatomical stroke plane angle, wake-induced velocity, and mechanical and metabolic power expenditures when compared with flight at the control height of 8
R
. By contrast, stroke plane angle relative to horizontal, wingbeat amplitude and wingbeat frequency were unexpectedly independent of height from ground. Qualitative smoke visualizations suggest that each wing generates a vortex ring during both down- and upstroke. These rings expand upon reaching the ground and present a complex turbulent interaction below the bird's body. Nonetheless, hovering near surfaces results in substantial energetic benefits for hummingbirds, and by inference for all volant taxa that either feed at flowers or otherwise fly close to plant or other surfaces.
Pure rotation of a prism on a ramp
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Liu Caishan , Ma Daolin
Published: July 2014

In this work, we study a prism with a cross section in polygon rolling on a ramp inclined at a small angle. The prism under gravity rolls purely around each individual edge, intermittently interrupted by a sequence of
face collisions
between the side face of the prism and the ramp. By limiting the prism in a planar motion, we propose a mathematical model to deal with the events of the impacts. With a pair of laser-Doppler vibrometers, experiments are also conducted to measure the motions of various prisms made of different materials and with different edge number. Not only are good agreements achieved between our numerical and experimental results, but also an intriguing physical phenomenon is discovered: the purely rolling motion is nearly independent of the prism's materials, yet it is closely related to the prism's geometry. Imagine that an ideal circular section can be approximately equivalent to a polygon with a large enough edge number
N
, the finding presented in this paper may help discover the physical mechanism of rolling friction.
Natural selection for the Duffy-null allele in the recently admixed people of Madagascar
Authors: Hodgson Jason A. , Pickrell Joseph K. , Pearson Laurel N. , Quillen Ellen E. , Prista António , Rocha Jorge , Soodyall Himla , Shriver Mark D. , Perry George H.
Published: July 2014

While gene flow between distantly related populations is increasingly recognized as a potentially important source of adaptive genetic variation for humans, fully characterized examples are rare. In addition, the role that natural selection for resistance to vivax malaria may have played in the extreme distribution of the protective Duffy-null allele, which is nearly completely fixed in mainland sub-Saharan Africa and absent elsewhere, is controversial. We address both these issues by investigating the evolution of the Duffy-null allele in the Malagasy, a recently admixed population with major ancestry components from both East Asia and mainland sub-Saharan Africa. We used genome-wide genetic data and extensive computer simulations to show that the high frequency of the Duffy-null allele in Madagascar can only be explained in the absence of positive natural selection under extreme demographic scenarios involving high genetic drift. However, the observed genomic single nucleotide polymorphism diversity in the Malagasy is incompatible with such extreme demographic scenarios, indicating that positive selection for the Duffy-null allele best explains the high frequency of the allele in Madagascar. We estimate the selection coefficient to be 0.066. Because vivax malaria is endemic to Madagascar, this result supports the hypothesis that malaria resistance drove fixation of the Duffy-null allele in mainland sub-Saharan Africa.
Harmonic calls and indifferent females: no preference for human consonance in an anuran
Authors: Akre Karin L. , Bernal Ximena , Rand A. Stanley , Ryan Michael J.
Published: July 2014

The human music faculty might have evolved from rudimentary components that occur in non-human animals. The evolutionary history of these rudimentary perceptual features is not well understood and rarely extends beyond a consideration of vertebrates that possess a cochlea. One such antecedent is a preferential response to what humans perceive as consonant harmonic sounds, which are common in many animal vocal repertoires. We tested the phonotactic response of female túngara frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus) to variations in the frequency ratios of their harmonically structured mating call to determine whether frequency ratio influences attraction to acoustic stimuli in this vertebrate that lacks a cochlea. We found that the ratio of frequencies present in acoustic stimuli did not influence female response. Instead, the amount of inner ear stimulation predicted female preference behaviour. We conclude that the harmonic relationships that characterize the vocalizations of these frogs did not evolve in response to a preference for frequency intervals with low-integer ratios. Instead, the presence of harmonics in their mating call, and perhaps in the vocalizations of many other animals, is more likely due to the biomechanics of sound production rather than any preference for ‘more musical’ sounds.
Dual role of MsRbpA: transcription activation and rescue of transcription from the inhibitory effect of rifampicin
Authors: Verma Amit Kumar , Chatterji Dipankar
Published: July 2014

MsRbpA is an RNA polymerase (RNAP) binding protein fromMycobacterium smegmatis. According to previous studies, MsRbpA rescues rifampicin-induced transcription inhibition upon binding to the RNAP. Others have shown that RbpA fromMycobacterium tuberculosis(MtbRbpA) is a transcription activator. In this study, we report that both MsRbpA and MtbRbpA activate transcription as well as rescue rifampicin-induced transcription inhibition. Transcription activation is achieved through the increased formation of closed RNAP–promoter complex as well as enhanced rate of conversion of this complex to a stable transcriptionally competent RNAP–promoter complex. When a 16 aa peptide fragment (Asp 58 to Lys 73) was deleted from MsRbpA, the resulting protein showed 1000-fold reduced binding with core RNAP. The deletion results in abolition of transcription activation and rescue of transcription from the inhibitory effect of rifampicin. Through alanine scanning of this essential region of MsRbpA, Gly 67, Val 69, Pro 70 and Pro 72 residues are identified to be important for MsRbpA function. Furthermore, we report here that the protein is indispensable forM. smegmatis, and it appears to help the organism grow in the presence of the antibiotic rifampicin.
Rapamycin does not inhibit human cytomegalovirus reactivation from dendritic cells in vitro
Authors: Glover Thomas E. , Kew Verity G. , Reeves Matthew B.
Published: July 2014

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and reactivation are a major cause of morbidity in immune-suppressed patients. Interestingly, epidemiological studies have shown that patients administered the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, sirolimus (rapamycin), exhibit more favourable outcomes, suggestive of activity against HCMV in vivo. Given its relative lack of activity against lytic infection, it is postulated that rapamycin inhibits HCMV reactivation. Here, we showed that rapamycin administered acutely or chronically has little impact on induction of immediate early (IE) gene expression in experimentally latent dendritic cells or cells from naturally latent individuals. Furthermore, we extended these observations to include other inhibitors of mTORC1 and mTORC 2, which similarly have minimal effects on induction of IE gene expression from latency. Taken together, these data suggest that favourable outcomes associated with sirolimus are attributable to indirect effects that influence HCMV reactivation, rather than a direct mechanistic action against HCMV itself.
Prolyl hydroxylation by EglN2 destabilizes FOXO3a by blocking its interaction with the USP9x deubiquitinase
Authors: Zheng Xingnan , Zhai Bo , Koivunen Peppi , Shin Sandra J. , Lu Gang , Liu Jiayun , Geisen Christoph , Chakraborty Abhishek A. , Moslehi Javid J. , Smalley David M. , Wei Xin , Chen Xian , Chen Zhengming , Beres Justine M. , Zhang Jing , Tsao Jen Lan , Brenner Mitchell C. , Zhang Yuqing , Fan Cheng , DePinho Ronald A. , Paik Jihye , Gygi Steven P. , Kaelin William G. , Zhang Qing
Published: July 2014

The three EglN prolyl hydroxylases (EglN1, EglN2, and EglN3) regulate the stability of the HIF transcription factor. We recently showed that loss of EglN2, however, also leads to down-regulation of Cyclin D1 and decreased cell proliferation in a HIF-independent manner. Here we report that EglN2 can hydroxylate FOXO3a on two specific prolyl residues in vitro and in vivo. Hydroxylation of these sites prevents the binding of USP9x deubiquitinase, thereby promoting the proteasomal degradation of FOXO3a. FOXO transcription factors can repressCyclin D1transcription. Failure to hydroxylate FOXO3a promotes its accumulation in cells, which in turn suppresses Cyclin D1 expression. These findings provide new insights into post-transcriptional control of FOXO3a and provide a new avenue for pharmacologically altering Cyclin D1 activity.
A double-edged sword: R loops as threats to genome integrity and powerful regulators of gene expression
Authors: Skourti-Stathaki Konstantina , Proudfoot Nicholas J.
Published: July 2014

R loops are three-stranded nucleic acid structures that comprise nascent RNA hybridized with the DNA template, leaving the nontemplate DNA single-stranded. R loops form naturally during transcription even though their persistent formation can be a risky outcome with deleterious effects on genome integrity. On the other hand, over the last few years, an increasingly strong case has been built for R loops as potential regulators of gene expression. Therefore, understanding their function and regulation under these opposite situations is essential to fully characterize the mechanisms that control genome integrity and gene expression. Here we review recent findings about these interesting structures that highlight their opposite roles in cellular fitness.
Ocular involvement in pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Akhyani Maryam , Keshtkar‐Jafari Alireza , Chams‐Davatchi Cheyda , Lajevardi Vahide , Beigi Sara , Aghazadeh Nessa , Rayati Damavandi Maede , Arami Shabnam
Published: July 2014

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is an autoimmune disorder affecting the skin and mucous membranes. Ocular involvement in PV has been reported but its prevalence and clinical characteristics are not well defined. This prospective cross‐sectional study of 103 PV patients was designed to determine the prevalence, clinical types and epidemiological trends of ocular involvement in a population of Iranian patients with PV. Ocular involvement was present in 17 (16.5%) patients. Conjunctivitis was the most prevalent type of ocular involvement (9/17, 52.9%), followed by erosion of the palpebral conjunctiva (7/17, 41.2%). Erosion of the bulbar conjunctiva was noted in only one patient (5.9%). The most commonly reported symptoms were eye irritation (76.5%) and redness (76.5%). No significant relation was found between ocular involvement and disease activity (partial remission or relapse). Mucoid discharge was significantly more common in patients with conjunctival erosions as compared to patients with conjunctivitis (P = 0.038). We conclude that ocular involvement is not rare in PV; 16.5% of PV patients develop ocular disease independent of the disease activity and extension. Conjunctivitis is the most common type of involvement, however, palpebral conjunctival erosion is more frequent than previously realized.
Paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with fatal bronchiolitis obliterans and appearance of anti‐BP180 antibodies in the late stage of the disease
Authors: Kanaoka Miwa , Matsukura Setsuko , Ishikawa Hideyuki , Matsuura Midori , Ishii Norito , Hashimoto Takashi , Aihara Michiko
Published: July 2014

Paraneoplastic pemphigus (PNP) is an autoimmune bullous disease, which associates mainly with lymphoproliferative neoplasms. Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) with progressive respiratory failure is a significant cause of death in PNP. We report a case of PNP associated with follicular lymphoma and BO, which showed findings suggesting coexistence of bullous pemphigoid (BP). The patient showed bullous and ulcerative lesions on the lips and oral cavity, and flaccid blisters on the trunk and thighs associated with anti‐desmoglein (Dsg)3 antibodies. At later disease stage after commencement of treatment, anti‐BP180 antibodies and tense blister formation were observed. It was proposed that persistent interface dermatitis is the first event in PNP, and subsequently induce the production of autoantibodies to Dsg and components of the basement membrane zone, resulting in both intraepidermal and subepidermal blisters. We speculate that interface dermatitis caused by autoreactive T cells induced autoantibody production against Dsg3, and subsequently against BP180.
Rare association of pyoderma gangrenosum and palmoplantar pustulosis: A case report and review of the previous works
Authors: Ohtsuka Mikio , Yamamoto Toshiyuki
Published: July 2014

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare inflammatory, ulcerative skin disease that mainly involves the lower extremities. It frequently occurs in association with systemic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, myeloproliferative disorders and rheumatoid arthritis. Palmoplantar pustulosis is also an inflammatory dermatosis characterized by recurrent sterile pustules localized on the palms and soles. These two dermatoses are histologically characterized by neutrophilic infiltration into the lesional skin. Co‐occurrence of pyoderma gangrenosum and palmoplantar pustulosis in a single patient is extremely rare. We report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum occurred in a patient with palmoplantar pustulosis, with a review of the previously reported cases. A 68‐year‐old Japanese woman with a 10‐year history of palmoplantar pustulosis developed a skin ulcer on the left lower leg. The ulcer was diagnosed as pyoderma gangrenosum based on the clinical and histological findings, and rapidly improved in response to oral prednisolone. In addition to our case, five cases with palmoplantar pustulosis who developed pyoderma gangrenosum have been reported. These cases were thought to have some characteristics in common, such as marked female predominance, no association with inflammatory bowel disease and myeloproliferative disorders, and good response to less aggressive therapy. The co‐occurrence of pyoderma gangrenosum and palmoplantar pustulosis in our case may have an etiological link, rather than being a coincidental complication.
Obligate herbivory in an ancestrally carnivorous lineage: the giant panda and bamboo from the perspective of nutritional geometry
Authors: Nie Yonggang , Zhang Zejun , Raubenheimer David , Elser James J. , Wei Wei , Wei Fuwen
Published: July 2014

Herbivores face various nutritional challenges in their life cycles, challenges that may become increasingly acute under ongoing environmental changes.

Here, focusing on calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen, we used nutritional geometry to analyse individual‐based data on foraging and extraction efficiencies, and combined these with data on reproduction and migratory behaviour to understand how a large herbivorous carnivore can complete its life cycle on a narrow and seemingly low quality bamboo diet.

Behavioural results showed that pandas during the year switched between four main food categories involving the leaves and shoots of two bamboo species available. Nutritional analysis suggests that these diet shifts are related to the concentrations and balances of calcium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Notably, successive shifts in range use and food type corresponded with a transition to higher concentrations and/or a more balanced intake of these multiple key constituents.

Our study suggests that pandas obligatorily synchronize their seasonal migration and reproduction with the disjunct nutritional phenologies of two bamboo species. This finding has potentially important implications for habitat conservation for this species and, more generally, draws attention to the need for understanding the nutritional basis of food selection in devising management plans for endangered species.
Nurse‐based restoration of degraded tropical forests with tussock grasses: experimental support from the Andean cloud forest
Authors: Anthelme Fabien , Gómez‐Aparicio Lorena , Montúfar Rommel
Published: July 2014

The degradation of the Andean cloud forest raises strong biological conservation issues and threatens the sustainability of a crucial water resource. The idea that nurse‐based restoration can accelerate the recovery of these forests is underexplored, despite its promise as a restoration technique. Recent conceptual models predict that facilitation among plants may be an important mechanism, but there is a lack of strong empirical support. We gathered experimental data to test this prediction and explore the relevance of using nurse‐based forest restoration in these environments.

A 20‐month factorial experimental design in the Andean tropical cloud forest was established. We measured the survival and estimated the biomass production of transplanted seedlings of a keystone canopy forest species, Ceroxylon echinulatum (Arecaceae), in a deforested area in the presence/absence of herbivory, a potential nurse plant (the tussock grass Setaria sphacelata, Poaceae) and artificial shade.

The joint effects of deforestation and herbivory led to the death of all seedlings, whereas most seedlings survived in the adjacent forest, which was used as the control. The presence of nurse plants led to significantly higher survival and growth of Ceroxylon seedlings throughout the experiment, regardless of herbivore presence.

The nurse effects were explained by a reduction of the relative abiotic stress experienced by the seedlings outside the forest, that is, the consistently decreasing maximum vapour pressure deficit. Furthermore, nurse tussocks delayed and reduced the effects of herbivory by offering physical protection and a refuge for seedlings against detection by herbivores. However, the effects of herbivory and abiotic stress on facilitation were not additive.

Synthesis and applications. Facilitation in degraded cloud forest can be intense as soon as the beneficiary plants are driven away from their physiological optimum (relative abiotic stress) and/or are confronted by herbivory. Using pre‐established exotic tussock grasses as a nurse‐based restoration technique in degraded cloud forest is a low‐cost, non‐detrimental (to biodiversity) option, especially in the absence of nurse trees and shrubs. The success of this method requires transplanting seedlings at the base of tussocks.
Optimizing taxonomic resolution and sampling effort to design cost‐effective ecological models for environmental assessment
Authors: Bennett Joseph R. , Sisson Danielle R. , Smol John P. , Cumming Brian F. , Possingham Hugh P. , Buckley Yvonne M.
Published: July 2014

Predictive models relating ecological assemblages to environmental conditions are widely used in environmental impact assessment and biomonitoring. Such models are often parameterized using comprehensive ecological sampling and taxonomic identification efforts.

Limited resources mean that expensive sampling and analytical procedures should be planned to maximize information gain and minimize unnecessary expense. However, there has been little consideration of cost‐effectiveness in parameterizing predictive models using ecological assemblages and no explicit consideration of cost‐effectiveness in balancing investment in the crucial aspects of sample size and taxonomic resolution.

Using lacustrine diatom (Bacillariophyceae) assemblages from four large‐scale (c. 77 000–1·3 million km2) data sets containing between 207 and 493 lakes, we address the following questions: (1) how does taxonomic resolution affect information content; (2) how does sample size affect information content for different taxonomic resolutions; and (3) what are the most cost‐effective strategies for constructing environmental assessment models using diatom assemblages across a range of budgets? We use weighted averaging regression models for pH, phosphorus, salinity and lake depth and realistic data collection costs to examine the relationship between cost and model information content (R2 and root mean squared error of prediction).

For diatom‐based models, finer taxonomic resolutions almost always provide more cost‐effective information content than collecting more samples, with (morpho)species being the most appropriate taxonomic resolution for nearly all budget scenarios. Information content exhibits an asymptotic relationship with sample size and budget, with greatest information gain during initial sample size increases, and little gain beyond c. 100 samples. Smaller sample sizes can also achieve surprising predictive power in some cases, suggesting low‐cost regional models may be achievable. However, caution is necessary in such an approach, because spatial dependencies in predictions may be missed and analogues with predicted assemblages may be poor.

Synthesis and applications. We demonstrate the utility of explicitly considering cost estimates to determine optimal sampling effort and taxonomic resolution for ecological assemblage models. For large, regional biomonitoring programmes, cost‐effective sampling could save millions of dollars. Our framework for determining optimal trade‐offs in ecological assemblage models is easily adaptable to other taxa and analytical techniques used in biomonitoring and environmental assessment.
The Symbiosis of the Urban and the Political
Authors: Magnusson Warren
Published: July 2014

Historically, the urban was the condition of possibility for the political, but the symbiosis of the two has been concealed by the rise of the state and the concomitant development of the social sciences. The effort to recover the connection by denoting a separate domain of ‘urban politics’ is self‐defeating, because it re‐instantiates an ontology of the political that consigns the urban to the domain of ‘low’ politics. The dominant ontology suggests that ‘high’ politics — the most serious politics or politics proper — is always in the domain of states and empires, and that everything else is subject to it. This view is constantly reaffirmed by the political theory that underpins the state system and the modern social sciences. Nevertheless, a different ontology of the political is always already implicit in the concept of the city, understood as a local phenomenon and a global way of life. To see the political through the city is to notice how proximate diversity stimulates self‐organization and self‐government, generates politics in and between authorities in different registers, and defers the sovereignty claims it produces. On this view, the urban is neither high nor low, but is instead the very form of the political, encompassing states and empires as much as anything else.
Quantifying Uncertainty in Estimations of the Total Weight of Drugs in Groups of Complex Matrices
Authors: Alberink Ivo , Sprong Annette , Bolck Annabel , Curran James M.
Published: July 2014

In case practice at forensic drug departments, multiple items from one seizure are sometimes sent in with the question: what is the total amount of drugs in the seizure? This may be complicated especially if impregnated material is involved such as clothes or rubber. Measurement uncertainty is typically stable on drug percentages, not weights, and subsampling may take place. It is recognized more and more that determination and reporting of uncertainty on estimators are an essential part of obtaining scientifically sound results in the forensic field. Methodology is described to quantify uncertainty on estimations of the total drug weight in groups of complex matrices, given simple statistical models, along a subdivision of five types of cases. Given each of these types, case examples are given where uncertainty is quantified in estimations of drug weights, by means of confidence intervals. The described models are statistically sound and relatively easy to implement.
Impact of Mixtures of Different Fresh‐Cut Fruits on Respiration and Ethylene Production Rates
Authors: Mahajan Pramod V. , Luca Alexandru , Edelenbos Merete
Published: July 2014

Packaging and storage of fresh‐cut fruits and vegetables are a challenging task, since fresh produce continue to respire and senesce after harvest and processing accelerates the physiological processes. The response on respiration and ethylene production rates of fresh produce to changes in O2 and CO2 concentrations and temperature has been extensively studied for whole fruits but literature is limited on processed and mixed fresh‐cut fruits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of mixing various proportions of fresh‐cut fruits (melon chunks, apple slices, and pineapples cubes) on respiration and ethylene production rates and to develop predictive models for modified atmosphere packaging. The experiment was designed according to a simplex lattice method and respiration and ethylene production rates were measured at 10 °C. Results showed that single component pineapple cubes, apple slices, and melon chunks, in this order, had significant constant coefficients (P = 0.05) and the greatest impact on respiration rate while the interactive binary and tertiary coefficients were insignificant. For ethylene production rates, single component apple slices, melon chunks, and pineapple cubes, and their 3‐component mixtures, in this order, had significant constant coefficients (P = 0.05) while binary coefficients were insignificant. Mathematical models were developed and validated; the cubical model was the best to describe the influence of proportion of fruit on respiration and ethylene production rates, however, considering simplicity the linear part of the model is recommended to quantify respiration and ethylene production rates of mixed fresh‐cut fruits.
Computed tomography and clinical characteristics of gastric glomus tumors
Authors: Hu Shu Dong , Hu Duan Min , Huang Wei , Chen Ke Min , Song Qi
Published: July 2014

Objective

To provide a retrospective assessment of clinical characteristics of the patients with gastric glomus tumors and the imaging features of the tumors on multidetector row computed tomography (MDCT).

Methods

Consecutive patients with gastric glomus tumor which was confirmed by postoperative pathology from January 2004 to January 2012 in a tertiary hospital were included in the study. The MDCT images and medical records of the patients including the imaging features of the tumor on MDCT such as its location, number, shape, growth pattern, size, density and enhancement pattern were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Altogether ten patients were included in the study, including seven women and three men, with a mean age of 46.6 years (range 25–67 years). Most patients had nonspecific clinical symptoms. All lesions were located at the gastric antrum, with a mean diameter of 2.7 cm. The gastric glomus tumor showed strong enhancement at the arterial phase, a progressive filled‐in enhanced pattern and prolonged enhancement during multiphasic scans.

Conclusions

Gastric glomus tumor is clinically an extremely rare disease. The combination of tumor location, size and the characteristic enhancement pattern of the subepithelial lesion may suggest a diagnosis of gastric glomus tumor.
Circulating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is associated with hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance循环中的人类表皮生长因子受体2（HER2）与高血糖以及胰岛素抵抗有关
Authors: Memon Ashfaque A. , Bennet Louise , Zöller Bengt , Wang Xiao , Palmer Karolina , Sundquist Kristina , Sundquist Jan
Published: July 2014

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are associated with cancer, although the role of HER2 in T2DM is not well defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between HER2 levels and T2DM and whether that association differed in Swedish people born in Iraq or Sweden.

Methods

Circulating HER2 levels were analyzed by the Luminex assay in 95 Iraqi‐born and 75 Swedish‐born Swedes.

Results

There were significant differences in HER2 among those with normal glucose tolerance (NGT), impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and T2DM in the entire population after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI; P = 0.03). Stratification of data according to country of birth revealed significant differences in HER2 levels among NGT, IFG/IGT, and T2DM groups only in Swedes (P = 0.007). For the entire study population, there was a positive association between HER2 and hyperglycemia (IFG and/or IGT + T2DM; P = 0.011), BMI, waist circumference, serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment of β‐cell function, HbA1c, triglycerides, and C‐peptide (P < 0.05), and a negative association between HER2 and insulin sensitivity index (ISI; P < 0.0001). Bivariate and multivariate linear regression analyses on the whole study population revealed that the associations between hyperglycemia and HER2, as well as between ISI and HER2, were independent of factors known to be associated with T2DM and insulin resistance (e.g. demographics, obesity, lipids, sedentary lifestyle, a family history of T2DM, C‐peptide, and C‐reactive protein).

Conclusions

There is an independent association between HER2 levels and hyperglycemia and insulin resistance that is not modified by country of birth.
Glucotoxicity inhibits cAMP–protein kinase A‐potentiated glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion in pancreatic β‐cells葡萄糖毒性抑制cAMP‐PKA通路促进的胰岛β细胞中血糖刺激的胰岛素分泌
Authors: Kong Xiangchen , Yan Dan , Wu Xuerui , Guan Youfei , Ma Xiaosong
Published: July 2014

Background

The effect of incretin is markedly blunted in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), and this reduced effect of incretin is correlated with a diminished insulintropic potency of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1). We reported recently that GLP‐1 potentiates glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) mainly via activation of the cAMP–protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway in INS‐1E cells under hyperglycemic conditions. In the present study, we further explored whether glucotoxicity impairs cAMP–PKA‐mediated effects and its relevance to the reduced insulinotropic action of GLP‐1 in hyperglycemia.

Methods

Mouse islets and INS‐1E cells were cultured in 30 mmol/L glucose for 72 h. The effects of glucotoxicity on cAMP–PKA‐linked pathways and its insulinotropic action were then evaluated.

Results

Chronic exposure of INS‐1E cells and primary mouse islets to 30 mmol/L glucose almost abolished GSIS. The cAMP‐elevating agent forskolin produced an approximate 1.9‐fold increase in GSIS, significantly lower than that observed with 5.5 mmol/L glucose (∼3.3‐fold). Moreover, 72 h culture in the presence of 30 mmol/L glucose reduced forskolin‐stimulated cAMP accumulation in β‐cells. Notably, glucotoxicity reduced the expression and activity of PKA, as well as PKA‐mediated effects. In contrast, glucotoxicity had no effect on the expression of Epac2, another cAMP effector.

Conclusions

Glucotoxicity‐induced reductions in PKA and its signaling account, at least in part, for the decreased incretin effect under conditions of glucotoxicity.
Emodin up‐regulates glucose metabolism, decreases lipolysis, and attenuates inflammation in vitro大黄素在体内上调糖代谢、减少脂解和抑制炎症反应
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhang Rong , Lv Pengfei , Yang Jian , Deng Yujie , Xu Jun , Zhu Rongfeng , Zhang Di , Yang Ying
Published: July 2014

Background

Emodin, the major bioactive component of Rheum palmatum, has many different activities, including antitumor, anti‐inflammatory, and antidiabetes effects. Recently, emodin was reported to regulate energy metabolism. In the present study, we further explored the effects of emodin on glucose and lipid metabolism.

Methods

Differentiated C2C12 myotubes and 3T3‐L1 adipocytes were treated with or without different concentrations of emodin (6.25, 12.5, 25 or 50 μmol/L) for different time (1 h, 3 h, 12 h, 24 h or 48 h). Glucose metabolism, oxygen consumption, lactic acid levels, glycerol levels, and inflammation pathways were then evaluated. Cells were collected for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis.

Results

Emodin upregulated glucose uptake and consumption in both C2C12 myotubes and 3T3‐L1 adipocytes, with glycolysis increased. Furthermore, emodin inhibited lipolysis under basal conditions (as well as in the presence of 10 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor (TNF‐)‐α in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes) and significantly decreased phosphorylated perilipin. Moreover, emodin inhibited the nuclear factor‐κB and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase pathways in C2C12 myotubes and 3T3‐L1 adipocytes.

Conclusions

Emodin upregulates glucose metabolism, decreases lipolysis, and inhibits inflammation in C2C12 myotubes and 3T3‐L1 adipocytes.
Transcriptome resources for the white‐footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus): new genomic tools for investigating ecologically divergent urban and rural populations
Authors: Harris Stephen E. , O'Neill Rachel J. , Munshi‐South Jason
Published: July 2014

Genomic resources are important and attainable for examining evolutionary change in divergent natural populations of nonmodel species. We utilized two next‐generation sequencing (NGS) platforms, 454 and SOLiD 5500XL, to assemble low‐coverage transcriptomes of the white‐footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus), a widespread and abundant native rodent in eastern North America. We sequenced liver mRNA transcripts from multiple individuals collected from urban populations in New York City and rural populations in undisturbed protected areas nearby and assembled a reference transcriptome using 1 080 065 954 SOLiD 5500XL (75 bp) reads and 3 052 640 454 GS FLX + reads. The reference contained 40 908 contigs with a N50 = 1044 bp and a total content of 30.06 Megabases (Mb). Contigs were annotated from Mus musculus (39.96% annotated) Uniprot databases. We identified 104 655 high‐quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 65 single sequence repeats (SSRs) with flanking primers. We also used normalized read counts to identify putative gene expression differences in 10 genes between populations. There were 19 contigs significantly differentially expressed in urban populations compared to rural populations, with gene function annotations generally related to the translation and modification of proteins and those involved in immune responses. The individual transcriptomes generated in this study will be used to investigate evolutionary responses to urbanization. The reference transcriptome provides a valuable resource for the scientific community using North American Peromyscus species as emerging model systems for ecological genetics and adaptation.
Alteration in the Wnt microenvironment directly regulates molecular events leading to pulmonary senescence
Authors: Kovacs Tamas , Csongei Veronika , Feller Diana , Ernszt David , Smuk Gabor , Sarosi Veronika , Jakab Laszlo , Kvell Krisztian , Bartis Domokos , Pongracz Judit E.
Published: July 2014

In the aging lung, the lung capacity decreases even in the absence of diseases. The progenitor cells of the distal lung, the alveolar type II cells (ATII), are essential for the repair of the gas‐exchange surface. Surfactant protein production and survival of ATII cells are supported by lipofibroblasts that are peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)‐dependent special cell type of the pulmonary tissue. PPARγ levels are directly regulated by Wnt molecules; therefore, changes in the Wnt microenvironment have close control over maintenance of the distal lung. The pulmonary aging process is associated with airspace enlargement, decrease in the distal epithelial cell compartment and infiltration of inflammatory cells. qRT–PCR analysis of purified epithelial and nonepithelial cells revealed that lipofibroblast differentiation marker parathyroid hormone‐related protein receptor (PTHrPR) and PPARγ are reduced and that PPARγ reduction is regulated by Wnt4 via a β‐catenin‐dependent mechanism. Using a human in vitro 3D lung tissue model, a link was established between increased PPARγ and pro‐surfactant protein C (pro‐SPC) expression in pulmonary epithelial cells. In the senile lung, both Wnt4 and Wnt5a levels increase and both Wnt‐s increase myofibroblast‐like differentiation. Alteration of the Wnt microenvironment plays a significant role in pulmonary aging. Diminished lipo‐ and increased myofibroblast‐like differentiation are directly regulated by specific Wnt‐s, which process also controls surfactant production and pulmonary repair mechanisms.
Cellular senescence and aging: the role of B‐MYB
Authors: Mowla Sophia N. , Lam Eric W.‐F. , Jat Parmjit S.
Published: July 2014

Cellular senescence is a stable cell cycle arrest, caused by insults, such as: telomere erosion, oncogene activation, irradiation, DNA damage, oxidative stress, and viral infection. Extrinsic stimuli such as cell culture stress can also trigger this growth arrest. Senescence is thought to have evolved as an example of antagonistic pleiotropy, as it acts as a tumor suppressor mechanism during the reproductive age, but can promote organismal aging by disrupting tissue renewal, repair, and regeneration later in life. The mechanisms underlying the senescence growth arrest are broadly considered to involve p16INK4A‐pRB and p53‐p21CIP1/WAF1/SDI1 tumor suppressor pathways; but it is not known what makes the senescence arrest stable and what the critical downstream targets are, as they are likely to be key to the establishment and maintenance of the senescent state. MYB‐related protein B (B‐MYB/MYBL2), a member of the myeloblastosis family of transcription factors, has recently emerged as a potential candidate for regulating entry into senescence. Here, we review the evidence which indicates that loss of B‐MYB expression has an important role in causing senescence growth arrest. We discuss how B‐MYB acts, as the gatekeeper, to coordinate transit through the cell cycle, in conjunction with the multivulval class B (MuvB) complex and FOXM1 transcription factors. We also evaluate the evidence connecting B‐MYB to the mTOR nutrient signaling pathway and suggest that inhibition of this pathway leading to an extension of healthspan may involve activation of B‐MYB.
A high‐resolution whole‐genome map of the distinctive epigenomic landscape induced by butyrate in bovine cells
Authors: Shin J. H. , Xu L. , Li R. W. , Gao Y. , Bickhart D. , Liu G. E. , Baldwin R. , Li C.‐J.
Published: July 2014

This report presents a study utilizing next‐generation sequencing technology, combined with chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP‐seq) technology to analyze histone modification induced by butyrate and to construct a high‐definition map of the epigenomic landscape with normal histone H3 and H4 and their variants in bovine cells at the whole‐genome scale. A total of 10 variants of histone H3 and H4 modifications were mapped at the whole‐genome scale (acetyl‐H3K18‐ChIP‐seq, trimethy‐H3K9, histone H4 ChIP‐seq, acetyl‐H4K5 ChIP‐seq, acetyl‐H4K12 ChIP‐seq, acetyl‐H4K16 ChIP‐seq, histone H3 ChIP‐seq, acetyl H3H9 ChIP‐seq, acetyl H3K27 ChIP‐seq and tetra‐acetyl H4 ChIP‐seq). Integrated experiential data and an analysis of histone and histone modification at a single base resolution across the entire genome are presented. We analyzed the enriched binding regions in the proximal promoter (within 5 kb upstream or at the 5′‐untranslated region from the transcriptional start site (TSS)), and the exon, intron and intergenic regions (defined by regions 25 kb upstream and 10 kb downstream from the TSS). A de novo search for the binding motif of the 10 ChIP‐seq datasets discovered numerous motifs from each of the ChIP‐seq datasets. These consensus sequences indicated that histone modification at different locations changes the histone H3 and H4 binding preferences. Nevertheless, a high degree of conservation in histone binding also was presented in these motifs. This first extensive epigenomic landscape mapping in bovine cells offers a new framework and a great resource for testing the role of epigenomes in cell function and transcriptomic regulation.
Efficacy of general practitioners with specialty interests for surgical procedures
Authors: Taneja Ashish , Singh Primal P. , Tan James P. L. , Hill Douglas G. , Connolly Andrew B. , Hill Andrew G.
Published: July 2014

Background

General practitioners with specialty interests (GPwSIs) have been an emerging entity in the last decade or so and aim to improve patient's access to specialist level care in the primary care setting. This is achieved by them providing equivalent quality and outcomes to secondary consultant‐led services, while not necessarily providing the same breadth of clinical care as them. In this systematic review, we attempt to address their efficacy for surgical procedures and specialties.

Methods

PRISMA guidelines were followed and an electronic literature search was performed independently by two authors using predefined search terms across EMBASE, Ovid MedLine, PubMed, PSYCINFO and the Cochrane Library databases. A total of 817 articles were reviewed after which only six were included for the systematic review.

Results

Of the six articles selected, three studies analysed efficacy of GPwSIs with regard to surgical excision of skin lesions. One study looked at the economic evaluation of a GPwSI‐led dermatology service in primary care and included GPwSIs carrying out skin excisions. The remaining two included studies were from the same institution and evaluated hernia repairs at a single centre general practitioner practice.

Conclusion

There is generally, a paucity of evidence looking at the efficacy of GPwSIs for surgical procedures. While they seem to provide an acceptable standard of specialist care in the primary care setting, they do not appear to save money. However, they provide an alternative workforce and the improved access to care that results from it may offset their higher costs.
Warthin‐like variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: single institution experience
Authors: Jun Hak Hoon , Kim Seok‐Mo , Hong Soon Won , Lee Yong Sang , Chang Hang‐Seok , Park Cheong Soo
Published: July 2014

Background

Correct diagnosis of the variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is important because these variants differ in clinical course. The Warthin‐like variant (WLV) is relatively uncommon and is recognized as not different from conventional PTC. We therefore assessed the clinicopathological features of patients with WLV of PTC who were diagnosed and treated at our institution.

Methods

Of the 8179 patients treated for PTC at the Thyroid Cancer Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, between January 2007 and December 2012, 16 patients (0.2%) were pathologically diagnosed with WLV of PTC. Their clinicopathological features and post‐operative follow‐up for local recurrence and distant metastasis were retrospectively investigated.

Result

Mean patient age was 44.9 years (range: 23–61 years), with seven (44%) being younger than 45 years. Only one of the 16 patients was male (6%). Mean tumour size was 8.9 mm (range: 3–22 mm). Extrathyroidal extension was observed in seven patients (44%), associated thyroiditis in 11 (69%) and lymph node metastasis in six (38%). The mean follow‐up period was 37 months (range: 13–78 months), during which none of the 16 patients experienced recurrence or metastasis. Fifteen patients (94%) had MACIS score <6, with the remaining patient having a MACIS score of 6.33.

Conclusion

WLV of PTC is rare, with favourable prognosis. Nevertheless, it is important to determine the histopathological features of these tumours.
Defining an optimal surgical strategy for synchronous colorectal liver metastases: staged versus simultaneous resection?
Authors: She Wong Hoi , Chan Albert Chi Yan , Poon Ronnie Tung Ping , Cheung Tan To , Chok Kenneth Siu Ho , Chan See Ching , Lo Chung Mau
Published: July 2014

Background

We aimed to assess if simultaneous resection conferred any survival benefit in resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastases.

Methods

From January 1990 to December 2008, 116 patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases were identified. Among these 116 patients, 88 underwent staged resection (SR), while the remaining 28 patients underwent simultaneous resection (SIMR). Patients’ follow‐up data were reviewed.

Results

There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of patient and tumour characteristics. Major hepatectomy was performed in 54 patients (61%) undergoing SR, and 12 patients (43%) undergoing SIMR (P = 0.09). The median blood loss (SR 0.7 L versus SIMR 0.8 L) was similar. Post‐operative morbidity rates and hospital mortality rates were not statistically different. The total length of hospital stay was shorter in SIMR patients (18.0 versus 11.5 days, P = 0.009). The 1‐, 3‐ and 5‐year overall survival for SR were 90.7%, 47.1% and 33.3%, whilst the corresponding survival rates for SIMR were 75.0%, 25.0% and 0%, respectively (P = 0.003). However, when the disease‐free survival (DFS) was stratified according to the number of hepatic metastases, the survival benefit of SR and SIMR for solitary CRM were similar (3‐year DFS: 28.3% versus 11.1%, P = 0.089).

Conclusions

Our study showed that an operative strategy of SR generally offered better survival outcome than SIMR in the surgical management of CRM.