bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SKP2 Overexpression Is Associated With Increased Serine 10 Phosphorylation of p27 (pSer10p27) in Triple‐Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Fagan‐Solis Katerina D. , Pentecost Brian T. , Gozgit Joseph M. , Bentley Brooke A. , Marconi Sharon M. , Otis Christopher N. , Anderton Douglas L. , Schneider Sallie Smith , Arcaro Kathleen F.
Published: January 2014

S‐phase kinase‐associated protein 2 (SKP2) is an important cell cycle regulator, targeting the cyclin‐dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27 for degradation, and is frequently overexpressed in breast cancer. p27 regulates G1/S transition by abrogating the activity of cyclin/CDK complexes. p27 can undergo phosphorylation at serine 10 (pSer10p27). This phosphorylation event is associated with increased cell proliferation and poor prognosis in patients with glioma. The relationship between SKP2 and pSer10p27 in breast cancer has not been previously investigated. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of SKP2, p27, pSer10p27, and other genes involved in this pathway, was analyzed in 188 breast tumors and 50 benign reduction mammoplasty samples. IHC showed SKP2 to be more highly expressed in estrogen receptor α (ERα)‐negative breast cancers and demonstrated that triple‐negative tumors were more likely to have high expression of SKP2 than were non‐triple negative, ERα‐negative tumors. A significant positive relationship was discovered for SKP2 and pSer10p27. High levels of SKP2 and pSer10p27 were observed significantly more often in ERα‐negative and triple‐negative than in ERα‐positive breast cancers. Use of the triple‐negative TMX2‐28 breast cancer cell line to address the role of SKP2 in cell cycle progression confirmed that SKP2 contributes to a more rapid cell cycle progression and may regulates pSer10p27 levels. Together, the results indicate that presence of high SKP2 plus high pSer10p27 levels in triple‐negative breast cancers is associated with aggressive growth, and highlight the validity of using SKP2 inhibitors as a therapeutic approach for treating this subset of breast cancers. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1160–1169, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human Placental Extract Mediated Inhibition of Proteinase K: Implications of Heparin and Glycoproteins in Wound Physiology
Authors: Sharma Kanika , Mukherjee Chaitali , Roy Siddhartha , De Debashree , Bhattacharyya Debasish
Published: January 2014

Efficient debridement of the wound bed following the removal of microbial load prevents its progression into a chronic wound. Bacterial infection and excessive proteolysis characterize impaired healing and therefore, their inhibition might restore the disturbed equilibrium in the healing process. Human placental extract exhibits reversible, non‐competitive inhibition towards Proteinase K, a microbial protease, by stabilizing it against auto‐digestion. Scattering and fluorescence studies followed by biochemical analysis indicated the involvement of a glycan moiety. Surface plasmon resonance demonstrated specific interaction of heparin with Proteinase K having Kd in μM range. Further, Proteinase K contains sequence motifs similar to other heparin‐binding proteins. Molecular docking revealed presence of clefts suitable for binding of heparin‐derived oligosaccharides. Comprehensive analysis of this inhibitory property of placental extract partly explains its efficacy in curing wounds with common bacterial infections. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1212–1223, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Decreased aorto‐septal angle may contribute to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in healthy subjects
Authors: Okada Kazunori , Mikami Taisei , Kaga Sanae , Nakabachi Masahiro , Abe Ayumu , Yokoyama Shinobu , Nishino Hisao , Nishida Mutsumi , Shimizu Chikara , Iwano Hiroyuki , Yamada Satoshi , Tsutsui Hiroyuki
Published: January 2014

Background

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction is often observed in healthy older subjects without structural heart disease, although its exact mechanisms have not been established. A decrease in the aorto‐septal angle (ASA), an alteration of LV shape due to aortic elongation, is also frequently seen in elderly subjects. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether it can contribute to LV diastolic dysfunction in healthy subjects.

Methods

Echocardiography was performed in 77 healthy subjects (42 men, mean age 43.2 ± 13.8 years) to measure the ASA, early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E), isovolumic relaxation time (IRT), and early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e′). The LV peak early diastolic longitudinal strain rate (GSRE) was measured using a two‐dimensional speckle tracking imaging technique.

Results

ASA was significantly correlated with E (r = 0.54, p < 0.001), IRT (r = −0.41, p < 0.001), e′ (r = 0.57, p < 0.001), and GSRE (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) and shown by stepwise multivariate analysis to be the strongest independent determinant of E, IRT, and GSRE, and one of the independent determinants of e′.

Conclusions

The alteration of LV shape associated with reduced ASA may be one of the causes of LV diastolic dysfunction independently of age in otherwise healthy subjects. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:341–347, 2014
Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of the radial and ulnar arteries in hemiparetic patients after stroke
Authors: Tiftik Tülay , Kara Murat , Özcan Hatice Nursun , Türkkan Canan , Ural Fatma Gülçin , Ekiz Timur , Akkuş Selami , Özçakar Levent
Published: January 2014

Background

To evaluate blood flow of hand arteries (using Doppler ultrasonography) and sympathetic skin response (SSR) in patients with hemiparesis.

Methods

Fifty‐six stroke patients (30 M, 26 F) with unilateral hemiparesis (age 53.5 ± 10.8 years, mean disease duration 12.0 ± 19.1 months) were included. The patients' arm and hand motor functions were assessed according to Brunnstrom's stages. SSR was evaluated bilaterally from median nerves at the wrist level. Radial and ulnar artery blood flow was measured at the wrist in the neutral position.

Results

Both radial and ulnar artery volume flow and end diastolic velocity, and radial artery diameter were smaller on the paretic side (all p < 0.0125). Radial artery resistance and pulsatility index were greater on the paretic side (both p < 0.0125). SSR amplitude was lower on the paretic side of patients with right‐sided hemiparesis patients (p = 0.009). Hand Brunnstrom's stage was negatively correlated with nonparetic–paretic difference in radial artery volume flow and SSR amplitudes (all p < 0.025).

Conclusions

Hand blood flow was lower on the paretic side and was accompanied by a similar decrease in SSR amplitudes in patients with right‐sided hemiparesis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:277–282, 2014
Relating divergence in polychaete musculature to different burrowing behaviors: A study using opheliidae (Annelida)
Authors: Law Chris J. , Dorgan Kelly M. , Rouse Greg W.
Published: January 2014

Divergent morphologies among related species are often correlated with distinct behaviors and habitat uses. Considerable morphological and behavioral differences are found between two major clades within the polychaete family Opheliidae. For instance, Thoracophelia mucronata burrows by peristalsis, whereas Armandia brevis exhibits undulatory burrowing. We investigate the anatomical differences that allow for these distinct burrowing behaviors, then interpret these differences in an evolutionary context using broader phylogenetic (DNA‐based) and morphological analyses of Opheliidae and taxa, such as Scalibregmatidae and Polygordiidae. Histological three‐dimensional‐reconstruction of A. brevis reveals bilateral longitudinal muscle bands as the prominent musculature of the body. Circular muscles are absent; instead oblique muscles act with unilateral contraction of longitudinal muscles to bend the body during undulation. The angle of helical fibers in the cuticle is consistent with the fibers supporting turgidity of the body rather than resisting radial expansion from longitudinal muscle contraction. Circular muscles are present in the anterior of T. mucronata, and they branch away from the body wall to form oblique muscles. Helical fibers in the cuticle are more axially oriented than those in undulatory burrowers, facilitating radial expansion during peristalsis. A transition in musculature accompanies the change in external morphology from the thorax to the abdomen, which has oblique muscles similar to A. brevis. Muscles in the muscular septum, which extends posteriorly to form the injector organ, act in synchrony with the body wall musculature during peristalsis: they contract to push fluid anteriorly and expand the head region following a direct peristaltic wave of the body wall muscles. The septum of A. brevis is much thinner and is presumably used for eversion of a nonmuscular pharynx. Mapping of morphological characters onto the molecular‐based phylogeny shows close links between musculature and behavior, but less correlation with habitat. J. Morphol. 275:548–571, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Construction and evaluation of a switch‐tuned 13C ‐ 1H birdcage radiofrequency coil for imaging the metabolism of hyperpolarized 13C‐enriched compounds
Authors: Lim Heeseung , Thind Kundan , Martinez‐Santiesteban Francisco M. , Scholl Timothy James
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To construct a switch‐tuned 13C ‐ 1H birdcage radiofrequency (RF) coil system capable of metabolic imaging of hyperpolarized 13C‐enriched metabolic probes for co‐registration with MRI morphology using protons.

Materials and Methods

The switch‐tuned coil was constructed using PIN diodes for rapid switching of the resonant frequency of the coil. Identical, single‐tuned, 1H and 13C birdcage RF coils have also been constructed for comparison of imaging performance. A 13C receive‐only surface RF coil has been integrated with the switch‐tuned coil for transmit‐only, receive‐only operation (TORO) to increase local 13C signal for improved signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR).

Results

The SNR achieved with the switch‐tuned coil in transmit/receive mode was 87% that of the single‐tuned 1H coil. For 13C imaging, the SNR for the switch‐tuned coil was 55% that of the single‐tuned 13C coil. TORO operation of the switch‐tuned coil with the surface coil increased SNR for by a factor of 4.2 over transmit/receive operation of the switch‐tuned coil alone.

Conclusion

A surface coil can be integrated with a switch‐tuned 13C ‐ 1H coil for 13C TORO operation producing improved SNR. In vivo metabolic imaging of [1‐13C]pyruvate in a rat model of glioma is demonstrated using TORO operation, which is co‐registered with 1H‐imaged anatomy.J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:1082–1090. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In situ Raman imaging of osteoblastic mineralization
Authors: Hashimoto Aya , Chiu Liang‐da , Sawada Keigo , Ikeuchi Tomohiko , Fujita Katsumasa , Takedachi Masahide , Yamaguchi Yoshinori , Kawata Satoshi , Murakami Shinya , Tamiya Eiichi
Published: January 2014

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is synthesized at early stages of bone formation by osteoblasts. Nondestructive observation of early stages of osteoblastic mineralization provides crucial information for biological mechanism of bone formation. Raman microscopy serves as an ideal tool to observe the osteoblastic mineralization process because it shows the chemical information of the sample at a minimally invasive level. In addition, HA is a marker for osteoblastic mineralization, and HA Raman signal is strong enough to identify mineralized spots in osteoblasts. In this research, we visualized the distribution of HA in cultured mouse osteoblasts by Raman imaging and observed the location of the mineralized spots in the culture. We monitored HA Raman signal from osteoblast culture for 3 days after administrating the osteogenic differentiation medium and observed Raman signal associated with HA. We identified mineralized spots of KUSA‐A1 by Raman imaging constructed from the distribution of HA Raman signal. We successfully visualized the distribution of the mineralized spots in the culture of KUSA‐A1. We compared our Raman images with Alizarin red S staining assay, which was a conventional method to evaluate the mineralization process. Raman imaging of the KUSA‐A1 culture visualized the mineralized spots more accurately than Alizarin red S staining assay. Raman imaging of HA serves as a powerful tool to identify the mineralized spots in an in vitro culture of osteogenic lineage cells. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The phenotypic spectrum of DYT24 due to ANO3 mutations
Authors: Stamelou Maria , Charlesworth Gavin , Cordivari Carla , Schneider Susanne A. , Kägi Georg , Sheerin Una‐Marie , Rubio‐Agusti Ignacio , Batla Amit , Houlden Henry , Wood Nicholas W. , Bhatia Kailash P.
Published: January 2014

Genes causing primary dystonia are rare. Recently, pathogenic mutations in the anoctamin 3 gene (ANO3) have been identified to cause autosomal dominant craniocervical dystonia and have been assigned to the dystonia locus dystonia‐24 (DYT24). Here, we expand on the phenotypic spectrum of DYT24 and provide demonstrative videos. Moreover, tremor recordings were performed, and back‐averaged electroencephalography, sensory evoked potentials, and C‐reflex studies were carried out in two individuals who carried two different mutations in ANO3. Ten patients from three families are described. The age at onset ranged from early childhood to the forties. Cervical dystonia was the most common site of onset followed by laryngeal dystonia. The characteristic feature in all affected individuals was the presence of tremor, which contrasts DYT24 from the typical DYT6 phenotype. Tremor was the sole initial manifestation in some individuals with ANO3 mutations, leading to misdiagnosis as essential tremor. Electrophysiology in two patients with two different mutations showed co‐contraction of antagonist muscles, confirming dystonia, and a 6‐Hz arm tremor at rest, which increased in amplitude during action. In one of the studied patients, clinically superimposed myoclonus was observed. The duration of the myoclonus was in the range of 250 msec at about 3 Hz, which is more consistent with subcortical myoclonus. In summary, ANO3 causes a varied phenotype of young‐onset or adult‐onset craniocervical dystonia with tremor and/or myoclonic jerks. Patients with familial cervical dystonia who also have myoclonus‐dystonia as well as patients with prominent tremor and mild dystonia should be tested for ANO3 mutations. © 2014 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Acceleration of high angular and spatial resolution diffusion imaging using compressed sensing with multichannel spiral data
Authors: Mani Merry , Jacob Mathews , Guidon Arnaud , Magnotta Vincent , Zhong Jianhui
Published: January 2014

Purpose

To accelerate the acquisition of simultaneously high spatial and angular resolution diffusion imaging.

Methods

Accelerated imaging is achieved by recovering the diffusion signal at all voxels simultaneously from under‐sampled k‐q space data using a compressed sensing algorithm. The diffusion signal at each voxel is modeled as a sparse complex Gaussian mixture model. The joint recovery scheme enables incoherent under‐sampling of the 5‐D k‐q space, obtained by randomly skipping interleaves of a multishot variable density spiral trajectory. This sampling and reconstruction strategy is observed to provide considerably improved reconstructions than classical k‐q under‐sampling and reconstruction schemes. The complex model enables to account for the noise statistics without compromising the computational efficiency and theoretical convergence guarantees. The reconstruction framework also incorporates compensation of motion induced phase errors that result from the multishot acquisition.

Results

Reconstructions of the diffusion signal from under‐sampled data using the proposed method yields accurate results with errors less that 5% for different accelerations and b‐values. The proposed method is also shown to perform better than standard k‐q acceleration schemes.

Conclusions

The proposed scheme can significantly accelerate the acquisition of high spatial and angular resolution diffusion imaging by accurately reconstructing crossing fiber architectures from under‐sampled data. Magn Reson Med 73:126–138, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Manganese‐enhanced MRI (MEMRI) via topical loading of Mn2+ significantly impairs mouse visual acuity: a comparison with intravitreal injection
Authors: Lin Tsen‐Hsuan , Chiang Chia‐Wen , Trinkaus Kathryn , Spees William M. , Sun Peng , Song Sheng‐Kwei
Published: January 2014

Manganese‐enhanced MRI (MEMRI) with topical loading of MnCl2 provides optic nerve enhancement comparable to that seen by intravitreal injection. However, the impact of this novel and non‐invasive Mn2+ loading method on visual function requires further assessments. The objective of this study is to determine the optimal topical Mn2+ loading dosage for MEMRI and to assess visual function after MnCl2 loading. Intravitreal administration was performed to compare the two approaches of MnCl2 loading. Twenty‐four hours after topical loading of 0, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 M MnCl2, T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, diffusion tensor imaging and visual acuity (VA) assessments were performed to determine the best topical loading dosage for MEMRI measurements and to assess the integrity of retinas and optic nerves. Mice were perfusion fixed immediately after in vivo experiments for hematoxylin and eosin and immunohistochemistry staining. Topical loading of 1 M MnCl2 damaged the retinal photoreceptor layer with no detectable damage to retina ganglion cell layers or prechiasmatic optic nerves. For the topical loading, 0.75 M MnCl2 was required to see sufficient enhancement of the optic nerve. At this concentration the visual function was significantly affected, followed by a slow recovery. Intravitreal injection (0.25 μL of 0.2 M MnCl2) slightly affected VA, with full recovery a day later. To conclude, intravitreal MnCl2injection provides more reproducible results with less adverse side‐effects than topical loading. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with chitosan and magnesium oxide nanoparticles by microwave‐assisted synthesis
Authors: Shariatzadeh Behnam , Moradi Omid
Published: January 2014

Nano‐magnesium oxide (nano‐MgO) and chitosan (CS) are known for their potent antibacterial activity. In this work, we present the synthesis of magnesium oxide CS‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube composites and establish its merits over conventional magnesia and raw CS. We synthesized the composite within 1 h via a one‐step microwave method. The presence of nano‐MgO and CS on the surface of the nanotubes was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray probe microanalyzer, and thermal stability analysis. We propose that our novel nanocomposite biomaterial would be useful in the pharmaceutical industry with potential antibacterial applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:2050–2055, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cell wall proteomics of sugarcane cell suspension cultures
Authors: Calderan‐Rodrigues Maria Juliana , Jamet Elisabeth , Bonassi Maria Beatriz Calderan Rodrigues , Guidetti‐Gonzalez Simone , Begossi Amanda Carmanhanis , Setem Laís Vaz , Franceschini Livia Maria , Fonseca Juliana Guimarães , Labate Carlos Alberto
Published: January 2014

The use of cell walls to produce cellulosic ethanol from sugarcane bagasse is a new challenge. A better knowledge of proteins involved in cell wall remodelling is essential to improve the saccharification processes. Cell suspension cultures were used for this first cell wall proteomics study of sugarcane. Proteins extracted from cell walls were identified using an adapted protocol. They were extracted using 0.2 M CaCl2 and 2 M LiCl after purification of cell walls. The proteins were then identified by the innovative nanoACQUITY UPLC MS/MS technology and bioinformatics using the translated SUCEST EST cluster database of sugarcane. The experiments were reproduced three times. Since Sorghum bicolor is the closest plant with a fully sequenced genome, homologous proteins were searched for to complete the annotation of proteins, that is, prediction of subcellular localization and functional domains. Altogether, 69 different proteins predicted to be secreted were identified among 377 proteins. The reproducibility of the experiments is discussed. These proteins were distributed into eight functional classes. Oxidoreductases such as peroxidases were well represented, whereas glycoside hydrolases were scarce. This work provides information about the proteins that could be manipulated through genetic transformation, to increase second‐generation ethanol production.
The Equine PeptideAtlas: A resource for developing proteomics‐based veterinary research
Authors: Bundgaard Louise , Jacobsen Stine , Sørensen Mette A. , Sun Zhi , Deutsch Eric W. , Moritz Robert L. , Bendixen Emøke
Published: January 2014

Progress in MS‐based methods for veterinary research and diagnostics is lagging behind compared to the human research, and proteome data of domestic animals is still not well represented in open source data repositories. This is particularly true for the equine species. Here we present a first Equine PeptideAtlas encompassing high‐resolution tandem MS analyses of 51 samples representing a selection of equine tissues and body fluids from healthy and diseased animals. The raw data were processed through the Trans‐Proteomic Pipeline to yield high quality identification of proteins and peptides. The current release comprises 24 131 distinct peptides representing 2636 canonical proteins observed at false discovery rates of 0.2% at the peptide level and 1.4% at the protein level. Data from the Equine PeptideAtlas are available for experimental planning, validation of new datasets, and as a proteomic data mining resource. The advantages of the Equine PeptideAtlas are demonstrated by examples of mining the contents for information on potential and well‐known equine acute phase proteins, which have extensive general interest in the veterinary clinic. The extracted information will support further analyses, and emphasizes the value of the Equine PeptideAtlas as a resource for the design of targeted quantitative proteomic studies.
Objective and subjective socioeconomic status and health symptoms in patients following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Brown‐Iannuzzi Jazmin L. , Payne B. Keith , Rini Christine , DuHamel Katherine N. , Redd William H.
Published: January 2014

Objective

Recent research indicates that subjective socioeconomic status (SES) – the perception of one's own SES compared with other people – is an important predictor of cancer‐related health outcomes. Subjective SES may function as a psychosocial mechanism by which objective SES affects health, well‐being, and, more broadly, quality of life among cancer survivors. This study tested whether the association between objective SES and indicators of quality of life was mediated by subjective SES in a sample of cancer survivors who had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Methods

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation survivors (N = 268) completed measures of objective and subjective SES, along with four measures related to quality of life (depressive symptoms, health‐related quality of life, symptoms of generalized distress, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms).

Results

Higher objective SES was associated with greater quality of life across all four measures. Subjective SES mediated the relationship between objective SES and depressive symptoms (total indirect effect b = −0.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] [−0.15, −0.05]), generalized distress (total indirect effect b = −0.08, 95% CI [−0.13, −0.04]), health‐related quality of life (total indirect effect b = 0.10, 95% CI [0.06, 0.17]), and posttraumatic stress disorder (total indirect effect b = −0.08, 95% CI [−0.14, −0.04]).

Conclusions

Findings extend work on subjective SES to cancer and suggest that SES gradients in patient outcomes after cancer may reflect not only material resources but also psychosocial factors related to rank within social hierarchies. Further research may provide insights useful for reducing disparities in this population. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Helicobacter pylori RNA polymerase α‐subunit C‐terminal domain shows features unique to ɛ‐proteobacteria and binds NikR/DNA complexes
Authors: Borin Brendan N. , Tang Wei , Krezel Andrzej M.
Published: January 2014

Bacterial RNA polymerase is a large, multi‐subunit enzyme responsible for transcription of genomic information. The C‐terminal domain of the α subunit of RNA polymerase (αCTD) functions as a DNA and protein recognition element localizing the polymerase on certain promoter sequences and is essential in all bacteria. Although αCTD is part of RNA polymerase, it is thought to have once been a separate transcription factor, and its primary role is the recruitment of RNA polymerase to various promoters. Despite the conservation of the subunits of RNA polymerase among bacteria, the mechanisms of regulation of transcription vary significantly. We have determined the tertiary structure of Helicobacter pylori αCTD. It is larger than other structurally determined αCTDs due to an extra, highly amphipathic helix near the C‐terminal end. Residues within this helix are highly conserved among ɛ‐proteobacteria. The surface of the domain that binds A/T rich DNA sequences is conserved and showed binding to DNA similar to αCTDs of other bacteria. Using several NikR dependent promoter sequences, we observed cooperative binding of H. pylori αCTD to NikR:DNA complexes. We also produced αCTD lacking the 19 C‐terminal residues, which showed greatly decreased stability, but maintained the core domain structure and binding affinity to NikR:DNA at low temperatures. The modeling of H. pylori αCTD into the context of transcriptional complexes suggests that the additional amphipathic helix mediates interactions with transcriptional regulators.
Sequence variation and structural conservation allows development of novel function and immune evasion in parasite surface protein families
Authors: Higgins Matthew K. , Carrington Mark
Published: January 2014

Trypanosoma and Plasmodium species are unicellular, eukaryotic pathogens that have evolved the capacity to survive and proliferate within a human host, causing sleeping sickness and malaria, respectively. They have very different survival strategies. African trypanosomes divide in blood and extracellular spaces, whereas Plasmodium species invade and proliferate within host cells. Interaction with host macromolecules is central to establishment and maintenance of an infection by both parasites. Proteins that mediate these interactions are under selection pressure to bind host ligands without compromising immune avoidance strategies. In both parasites, the expansion of genes encoding a small number of protein folds has established large protein families. This has permitted both diversification to form novel ligand binding sites and variation in sequence that contributes to avoidance of immune recognition. In this review we consider two such parasite surface protein families, one from each species. In each case, known structures demonstrate how extensive sequence variation around a conserved molecular architecture provides an adaptable protein scaffold that the parasites can mobilise to mediate interactions with their hosts.
Using Genetic Algorithms to Design Experiments: A Review
Authors: Lin C. Devon , Anderson‐Cook Christine M. , Hamada Michael S. , Moore Leslie M. , Sitter Randy R.
Published: January 2014

Genetic algorithms (GAs) have been used in many disciplines to optimize solutions for a broad range of problems. In the last 20 years, the statistical literature has seen an increase in the use and study of this optimization algorithm for generating optimal designs in a diverse set of experimental settings. These efforts are due in part to an interest in implementing a novel methodology as well as the hope that careful application of elements of the GA framework to the unique aspects of a designed experiment problem might lead to an efficient means of finding improved or optimal designs. In this paper, we explore the merits of using this approach, some of the aspects of design that make it a unique application relative to other optimization scenarios, and discuss elements which should be considered for an effective implementation. We conclude that the current GA implementations can, but do not always, provide a competitive methodology to produce substantial gains over standard optimal design strategies. We consider both the probability of finding a globally optimal design as well as the computational efficiency of this approach. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An adaptive solution for robust control based on integral high‐order sliding mode concept
Authors: Taleb M. , Plestan F. , Bououlid B.
Published: January 2014

A new high‐order sliding mode controller is proposed. The main features are gain adaptivity and the use of integral sliding mode concept. The gain adaptation allows a reduction of the chattering and gives a solution to control uncertain nonlinear systems whose the uncertainties/perturbations have unknown bounds. The concept of real high‐order sliding mode detector is introduced given that it plays a key role in the adaptation law of the gain. This new control approach is applied by simulation to an academic example to evaluate its efficiency. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An integer linear programming formulation for power equalization placement to limit jamming attack propagation in transparent optical networks
Authors: Skorin‐Kapov Nina , Jirattigalachote Amornrat , Wosinska Lena
Published: January 2014

Transparent optical networks can be highly vulnerable to various physical‐layer attacks, such as high‐power jamming, which can cause widespread service disruption and even service denial. The propagation of such attacks can be thwarted with wavelength‐selective attenuators, referred to as power equalizers, installed at the network nodes. However, employing all nodes with power equalization functionality can lead to substantial costs. In previous work, we proposed a heuristic approach for sparse power equalization placement to limit jamming attack propagation cost‐effectively. The approach provides suboptimal solutions quickly; however, it does not guarantee optimality. Because placement of such power equalization is a long‐term planning problem affecting the capital expenditures of the network operator, solution quality is more critical than execution time. Thus, in this paper, we propose an integer linear programming formulation for the problem to guarantee optimality in terms of the number of power equalizers placed. Evaluation results show that our proposed integer linear programming formulation is able to solve moderately sized problems in reasonable time. These results also support the efficiency of our previously proposed heuristic by confirming its ability to find optimal solutions for the cases tested. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Instandsetzung von Bauten des Kraftwerks Meliti, Griechenland, nach einem Brand
Authors: Vayas Ioannis , Spiliopoulos Andreas , Dasiou Maria‐Eleni , Dougka Georgia , Dimakogianni Danai
Published: January 2014

Das Kraftwerk Meliti in Nordgriechenland ist ein Braunkohlekraftwerk mit einer Bruttoleistung von 330 MW und wird von der Public Power Corporation (PCC) betrieben. Am 25. Juli 2014 brach ein Feuer an einer Förderbandanlage aus, die den Brennstoff zum Bunkerschwerbau fördert. Es entstanden Schäden in der 240 m langen stählernen Förderbandbrücke sowie in dem angrenzenden Betonbunkerschwerbau. Die Förderbandbrücke wurde durch Auswechselung der beschädigten Stäbe und Verbindungsmittel ohne Einsatz von Lehrgerüsten zur temporären Abstützung instandgesetzt. Am Bunkerschwerbau entstanden lokale Schäden, die mit Hilfe von CFK‐Lamellen und ‐Gewebe behoben werden konnten. Nach zwei Monaten Instandsetzung wurde die Kraftwerksanlage wieder in Betrieb genommen.

Structural rehabilitation of the power plant Meliti, Greece after fire. The power plant Meliti in Northern Greece is a 300 MW power station that uses lignite as fuel. On the 25th of July 2014 a fire broke out in the conveyor belt that transports the coal to the bunker. The fire resulted in damages in the 240 m long steel conveyor bridge and the concrete bunker structure. The conveyor bridge was repaired without scaffolding temporary supports by exchanging the damaged parts and the connection media with new. The bunker was subjected to local damages that were rehabilitated by application of FRP sheets and FRP wraps. The plant was in operation in two months after it was fully rehabilitated.
Berichtigung: Frames with unique global and local imperfection in the shape of the elastic buckling mode. Part 1. Stahlbau 82 (2013), H. 8, S. 609–617, Part 2. Stahlbau 83 (2013), H. 9, S. 684–694.
Authors: Chladný E. , Štujberová M.
Published: January 2014

Comments
a) Comment to Table 1 in Stahlbau 2013/8
Formulae in Table 1 may be used for ­following purposes:
1. Determination of the position for the critical cross‐section m
2. Calculation of ηinit,m(x), ηinit,m,m and MIIhinit,m(x)
3. Elastic verification of the buckling ­resistance
4. Plastic verification of the buckling ­resistance
aa) For the elastic verification of the buckling resistance:
Use all the formulae with elastic cross‐section characteristics for purposes 1, 2, 3.
ab) For the plastic verification of the buckling resistance:
For purposes 1and 2 use all the ­formulae with elastic cross‐section characteristics
For purpose 4 use the formula (15) with MRd(x) = Mpl,Rd(x)
b) Comment to Table 4 and Table 6
Due to the error in 5.1.1.2 b) and c) shown in the table above the values of NIIhint and of MIIhint in the table 4 are 1,133‐times greater than the correct ones. But the difference in utilisation for frame columns shown in the column [5.2.2(3) b + 5.3.2(11)] in the table 6 is due to small contribution of imperfections effect negligible and conclusions in 6 are not INFluenced by this.
Wir bitten um Entschuldigung und ­Beachtung. Die Redaktion
Gravitational interactions of higher-spin fermions
Authors: Henneaux Marc , Gómez Gustavo Lucena , Rahman Rakibur
Published: January 2014

Abstract

We investigate the cubic interactions of a massless higher-spin fermion with gravity in flat space and present covariant 2 − s − s vertices, compatible with the gauge symmetries of the system, preserving parity. This explicit construction relies on the BRST deformation scheme that assumes locality and Poincaré invariance. Consistent nontrivial cubic deformations exclude minimal gravitational coupling and may appear only with a number of derivatives constrained in a given range. Derived in an independent manner, our results do agree with those obtained from the light-cone formulation or inspired by string theory. We also show that none of the Abelian vertices deform the gauge transformations, while all the non-Abelian ones are obstructed in a local theory beyond the cubic order.
Extraction and Identification of Phytosterols in Manketti (Schinziophyton rautanenii) Nut Oil
Authors: Gwatidzo Luke , Botha Ben M. , McCrindle Rob I. , Combrinck Sandra
Published: January 2014

Phytosterols of manketti (Schinziophyton rautanenii) nut oil extracted by Soxhlet, mechanical shaking using hexane, screw press and supercritical carbon dioxide, were analyzed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The presence of several phytosterols (campesterol, stigmasterol, β‐sitosterol, Δ5‐avenasterol, 22‐dihydrospinasterol and Δ7‐avenasterol) previously reported in manketti oil, was confirmed. In addition, another fourteen phytosterols (lanosterol, Δ5,23‐stigmastadienol, Δ7‐campesterol, clerosterol, obtusifoliol, Δ5,24(25)‐stigmastadienol, α‐amyrin, gramisterol, cycloeucalenol, cycloartenol, stigmasta‐8,24‐dienol‐3‐β‐ol, 28‐methylobtusifoliol, 24‐methylenecycloartenol and citrostadienol) were identified. The phytosterols, β‐sitosterol, Δ5‐avenasterol and campesterol, had the highest concentrations in oils extracted by all the methods, whereas stigmasterol and cycloartenol were abundant in oils extracted by mechanical shaking and supercritical carbon dioxide. Total phytosterols and the quantities of individual phytosterols differed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in oils from the four extraction methods. Mechanical shaking extracted the highest levels of total sterols (22,100 mg/100 g oil), followed by supercritical fluid extraction (9,550 mg/100 g oil). Screw press and Soxhlet extracted oils contained the lowest levels of total sterols, 3,810 mg/100 g oil and 3,350 mg/100 g oil, respectively.
MiR‐98 is involved in rat embryo implantation by targeting Bcl‐xl
Authors: Xia Hong-Fei , Jin Xiao-Hua , Cao Zong-Fu , Shi Tian , Ma Xu
Published: January 2014

In a previous study, via microRNA microarray analysis we found that miR‐98 is differentially expressed in rat uteri during the peri‐implantation period (unpublished data). However, the role of miR‐98 in rat embryo implantation remains elusive. Here, we found that the level of miR‐98 is lower on day 5 and 6 of gestation (g.d. 5–6) than that on g.d. 3–4 and g.d. 7–8 in rat. MiR‐98 expression is significantly decreased by delayed implantation. Down‐regulation of miR‐98 promotes ESC proliferation and inhibits apoptosis. Up‐regulation of miR‐98 displays opposite effects. Further investigation revealed that miR‐98 can bind to the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of B‐cell lymphoma‐extra large (Bcl‐xl) to inhibit Bcl‐xl translation. Collectively, down‐regulation of miR‐98 in rat uterus during the receptive phase is linked to the increase of cell proliferation via targeting Bcl‐xl.
Expression of TLE3 by bone marrow stromal cells is regulated by canonical Wnt signaling
Authors: Kokabu Shoichiro , Sato Tsuyoshi , Ohte Satoshi , Enoki Yuichiro , Okubo Masahiko , Hayashi Naoki , Nojima Junya , Tsukamoto Sho , Fukushima Yosuke , Sakata Yasuaki , Katagiri Takenobu , Rosen Vicki , Yoda Tetsuya
Published: January 2014

Transducing‐like enhancer of split 3 (TLE3), one of the Groucho/TLE family members, targets Runx2 transcription and suppresses osteoblast differentiation in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Here, we identify Wnt responsive elements of the TLE3 promoter region through comparative genomic and functional analyses and show that expression of TLE3 is increased by Wnt signaling, which is important for osteoblast differentiation. We also demonstrated that TLE3 is able to suppress canonical Wnt signaling in BMSCs. Taken together, our data suggest that induction of TLE3 by Wnt signaling is part of a negative feedback loop active during osteoblast differentiation.
Contribution of small heat shock proteins to muscle development and function
Authors: Dubińska-Magiera Magda , Jabłońska Jadwiga , Saczko Jolanta , Kulbacka Julita , Jagla Teresa , Daczewska Małgorzata
Published: January 2014

This review focuses on the question how sHSPs, still relatively poorly understood proteins, contribute to the development and function of three types of muscle tissue: skeletal, cardiac and smooth.
DHEA supplementation in ovariectomized rats reduces impaired glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion induced by a high‐fat diet
Authors: Veras Katherine , Almeida Felipe Natali , Nachbar Renato Tadeu , de Jesus Daniel Simões , Camporez João Paulo , Carpinelli Ângelo Rafael , Goedecke Julia H. , de Oliveira Carvalho Carla Roberta
Published: January 2014

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and the dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA‐S) are steroids produced mainly by the adrenal cortex. There is evidence from both human and animal models suggesting beneficial effects of these steroids for obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and osteoporosis, conditions associated with the post‐menopausal period. Accordingly, we hypothesized that DHEA supplementation in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats fed a high‐fat diet would maintain glucose‐induced insulin secretion (GSIS) and pancreatic islet function. OVX resulted in a 30% enlargement of the pancreatic islets area compared to the control rats, which was accompanied by a 50% reduction in the phosphorylation of AKT protein in the pancreatic islets. However, a short‐term high‐fat diet induced insulin resistance, accompanied by impaired GSIS in isolated pancreatic islets. These effects were reversed by DHEA treatment, with improved insulin sensitivity to levels similar to the control group, and with increased serine phosphorylation of the AKT protein. These data confirm the protective effect of DHEA on the endocrine pancreas in a situation of diet‐induced overweight and low estrogen concentrations, a phenotype similar to that of the post‐menopausal period.
Clinicopathological analysis and survival outcome of duodenal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kim Myung Jin , Choi Sae Byeol , Han Hyung Joon , Park Pyoung Jae , Kim Wan Bae , Song Tae Jin , Suh Sung Ock , Choi Sang Yong
Published: January 2014

Duodenal adenocarcinoma is a rare cancer, contributing <10 % of periampullary carcinoma. This study reviews the single center experience of duodenal adenocarcinoma and analyzes the clinical and pathological factors to predict survival and recurrence. The records of 50 patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical exploration or resection from 1995 to 2010 were reviewed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the clinicopathological factors associated with survival and recurrence. There were 35 men and 15 women, with a mean age of 61 years. In multivariate analysis of 50 patients, R0 resection [p = 0.041, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.569, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.057–12.054] and symptom at initial admission (p = 0.025, HR = 11.210, 95% CI = 1.354–92.812) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival. Thirty‐six patients underwent curative resection (resectability 72%). The 5‐year survival rates for curative and noncurative resections were 46.4% and 0%, respectively. Univariate analysis of 36 patients who underwent R0 resection revealed that symptoms at initial admission (p = 0.023), presence of lymph node metastasis (p = 0.034), and perineural invasion (p = 0.025) were significant prognostic factors after curative resection. There was no significant factor for overall survival in the multivariate analysis. There was recurrence in 15 patients, mainly as liver metastasis. Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of symptom (p = 0.047, HR = 5.362, 95% CI = 1.021–28.149) and ulcerative tumor (p = 0.036, HR = 5.668, 95% CI = 1.123–28.619) were independent factors for disease free survival. An aggressive surgical approach to achieve R0 resection was important to enhance survival. Most of the recurrence occurred within 1 year after surgery. Close follow‐up is necessary after surgical resection.
Judicial Selection and Death Penalty Decisions
Authors: CANES-WRONE BRANDICE , CLARK TOM S. , KELLY JASON P.
Published: January 2014

Most U.S. state supreme court justices face elections or reappointment by elected officials, and research suggests that judicial campaigns have come to resemble those for other offices. We develop predictions on how selection systems should affect judicial decisions and test these predictions on an extensive dataset of death penalty decisions by state courts of last resort. Specifically, the data include over 12,000 decisions on over 2000 capital punishment cases decided between 1980 and 2006 in systems with partisan, nonpartisan, or retention elections or with reappointment. As predicted, the findings suggest that judges face the greatest pressure to uphold capital sentences in systems with nonpartisan ballots. Also as predicted, judges respond similarly to public opinion in systems with partisan elections or reappointment. Finally, the results indicate that the plebiscitary influences on judicial behavior emerge only after interest groups began achieving success at targeting justices for their decisions.
Smithian shoreline migrations and depositional settings in Timpoweap Canyon (Early Triassic, Utah, USA)
Authors: OLIVIER NICOLAS , BRAYARD ARNAUD , FARA EMMANUEL , BYLUND KEVIN G. , JENKS JAMES F. , VENNIN EMMANUELLE , STEPHEN DANIEL A. , ESCARGUEL GILLES
Published: January 2014

In Timpoweap Canyon near Hurricane (Utah, USA), spectacular outcrop conditions of Early Triassic rocks document the geometric relationships between a massive Smithian fenestral-microbial unit and underlying, lateral and overlying sedimentary units. This allows us to reconstruct the evolution of depositional environments and high-frequency relative sea-level fluctuations in the studied area. Depositional environments evolved from a coastal plain with continental deposits to peritidal settings with fenestral-microbial limestones, which are overlain by intertidal to shallow subtidal marine bioclastic limestones. This transgressive trend of a large-scale depositional sequence marks a long-term sea-level rise that is identified worldwide after the Permian–Triassic boundary. The fenestral-microbial sediments were deposited at the transition between continental settings (with terrigenous deposits) and shallow subtidal marine environments (with bioturbated and bioclastic limestones). Such a lateral zonation questions the interpretation of microbial deposits as anachronistic and disaster facies in the western USA basin. The depositional setting may have triggered the distribution of microbial deposits and contemporaneous marine biota. The fenestral-microbial unit is truncated by an erosional surface reflecting a drop in relative sea level at the scale of a medium depositional sequence. The local inherited topography allowed the recording of small-scale sequences characterized by clinoforms and short-distance lateral facies changes. Stratal stacking pattern and surface geometries allow the reconstruction of relative sea-level fluctuations and tracking of shoreline migrations. The stacking pattern of these small-scale sequences and the amplitude of corresponding high-frequency sea-level fluctuations are consistent with climatic control. Large- and medium-scale sequences suggest a regional tectonic control.
Decoupled Observability Analyses of Error States in INS/GPS Integration
Authors: Ma Yanhai , Fang Jiancheng , Wang Wei , Li Jianli
Published: January 2014

The observability of error states in Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (INS/GPS) integration is of great importance. Rank tests or null space tests of the observability matrix have been adopted by previous works, however, for a time-varying system with a high-dimension error state vector, it is very difficult to analyse the observability matrix by these traditional methods. In this paper, the decoupled observability analysis method is proposed for an 18-dimensional INS/GPS integration system. By reducing the dimension of coupling error states, several six-dimensional decoupled observability sub-matrices are obtained, which make the observability analyses easier. The observability results of error states are obtained by the proposed method. Covariance simulation with an Extended Kalman filter (EKF) and a flying test were performed which confirmed the theoretical results.