bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
IL‐1β Promotes Malignant Transformation and Tumor Aggressiveness in Oral Cancer
Authors: Lee Chia‐Huei , Chang Jeffrey Shu‐Ming , Syu Shih‐Han , Wong Thian‐Sze , Chan Jimmy Yu‐Wai , Tang Ya‐Chu , Yang Zhi‐Ping , Yang Wen‐Chan , Chen Chiung‐Tong , Lu Shao‐Chun , Tang Pei‐Hua , Yang Tzu‐Ching , Chu Pei‐Yi , Hsiao Jenn‐Ren , Liu Ko‐Jiunn
Published: September 2014

Chronic inflammation, coupled with alcohol, betel quid, and cigarette consumption, is associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) is a critical mediator of chronic inflammation and implicated in many cancers. In this study, we showed that increased pro‐IL‐1β expression was associated with the severity of oral malignant transformation in a mouse OSCC model induced by 4‐Nitroquinolin‐1‐oxide (4‐NQO) and arecoline, two carcinogens related to tobacco and betel quid, respectively. Using microarray and quantitative PCR assay, we showed that pro‐IL‐1β was upregulated in human OSCC tumors associated with tobacco and betel quid consumption. In a human OSCC cell line TW2.6, we demonstrated nicotine‐derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK) and arecoline stimulated IL‐1β secretion in an inflammasome‐dependent manner. IL‐1β treatment significantly increased the proliferation and dysregulated the Akt signaling pathways of dysplastic oral keratinocytes (DOKs). Using cytokine antibodies and inflammation cytometric bead arrays, we found that DOK and OSCC cells secreted high levels of IL‐6, IL‐8, and growth‐regulated oncogene‐α following IL‐1β stimulation. The conditioned medium of IL‐1β‐treated OSCC cells exerted significant proangiogenic effects. Crucially, IL‐1β increased the invasiveness of OSCC cells through the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), characterized by downregulation of E‐cadherin, upregulation of Snail, Slug, and Vimentin, and alterations in morphology. These findings provide novel insights into the mechanism underlying OSCC tumorigenesis. Our study suggested that IL‐1β can be induced by tobacco and betel quid‐related carcinogens, and participates in the early and late stages of oral carcinogenesis by increasing the proliferation of dysplasia oral cells, stimulating oncogenic cytokines, and promoting aggressiveness of OSCC. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 875–884, 2015. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of a protein nanoparticle platform for targeting EGFR expressing cancer cells
Authors: Buecheler Jakob W. , Howard Christopher B. , de Bakker Christopher J. , Goodall Stephen , Jones Martina L. , Win Thinzar , Peng Tao , Tan Cher Heng , Chopra Akhil , Mahler Stephen M. , Lim Sierin
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND

A range of protein‐based nanoparticles has been developed for cancer drug delivery and diagnostics. This includes the E2 protein derived from the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in Geobacillus stearothermophilus which assembles into a 60‐subunit protein cage structure that is capable of encapsulating cancer therapeutics. In this study antibody fragments targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were tethered to the surface of E2 protein nanoparticles to determine whether the protein nanoparticles could be specifically targeted to EGFR overexpressing cancer cells.

RESULTS

Variants of the anti‐EGFR antibody fragment and the E2 protein containing specific cysteine residues (E2ΔN17A186C) were conjugated using a maleimide‐specific crosslinker. Electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis indicated that the cysteine modified E2 protein correctly assembled into a 25–30 nm particle. The conjugation of the anti‐EGFR antibody fragment (26 kDa) with a subunit of the E2 protein (26 kDa) was confirmed by mass spectrometry with an estimated molecular weight of 52 kDa. The binding of the conjugated E2 particle to native EGFR on MDA MB 231 cells and recombinant EGFR was confirmed using flow cytometry and biolayer interferometry, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, proof‐of‐principle that an EGFR‐targeting scFv can be stably conjugated to the cysteine variant E2ΔN17A186C protein nanoparticle without loss of targeting capability has been demonstrated. Conceptually scFv antibody fragments reactive with other important cancer targets could be utilized and presents the opportunity for generation of multi‐targeted protein nanoparticles by conjugating various scFvs with different specificities on the same particle. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Influence of pH, concentration and light on stability of allicin in garlic (Allium sativum L.) aqueous extract as measured by UPLC
Authors: Wang Haiping , Li Xixiang , Liu Xinyan , Shen Di , Qiu Yang , Zhang Xiaohui , Song Jiangping
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND

Garlic is one of the most important bulb vegetables and is mainly used as a spice or flavoring agent for foods. It is also cultivated for its medicinal properties, attributable to sulfur compounds, of which allicin is the most important. However, the stability of allicin in garlic extract is not well understood. In this study, using UPLC, the stability of allicin extracted in water from garlic was evaluated in phosphate buffer at different temperatures under light and dark conditions.

RESULTS

At room temperature, allicin in aqueous extract was most stable at pH 5–6 but degraded quickly at lower or higher pH. It began to degrade within 0.5 h and was not detectable after 2 h when the pH was higher than 11 or lower than 1.5. It degraded quickly when the temperature was higher than 40 °C and especially higher than 70 °C. At room temperature, allicin in water could be stored for 5 days without obvious degradation. Higher concentrations of allicin in solution were somewhat more stable than low concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Allicin extract was sensitive to pH and temperature of storage but not to light. Higher‐concentration allicin solution was more stable. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
New trends in beer flavour compound analysis
Authors: Andrés‐Iglesias Cristina , Montero Olimpio , Sancho Daniel , Blanco Carlos A
Published: September 2014

As the beer market is steadily expanding, it is important for the brewing industry to offer consumers a product with the best organoleptic characteristics, flavour being one of the key characteristics of beer. New trends in instrumental methods of beer flavour analysis are described. In addition to successfully applied methods in beer analysis such as chromatography, spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry or electronic nose and tongue techniques, among others, sample extraction and preparation such as derivatization or microextraction methods are also reviewed. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Sweetness and other sensory properties of model fruit drinks: does viscosity have an impact?
Authors: Brandenstein Cai VS , Busch‐Stockfisch Mechthild , Fischer Markus
Published: September 2014

BACKGROUND

The impact of thickening agents and viscosity levels on sensory perception was studied in model fruit drinks. Four formulations were prepared that varied in the sweetener blend (erythritol, maltitol and/or steviol glycosides). Locust bean gum and its blends with either xanthan or carrageenan were used to adjust viscosity levels (20, 40, and 70 mPa s). The ranges of viscosity and sweetness level were selected to represent a typical concentration range in commercially available beverages.

RESULTS

An increase in viscosity resulted in significant increases in pulpiness, sliminess and perceived viscosity (P‐values ≤ 0.001), which were not dependent on sweeteners or hydrocolloid type. Taste perception remained largely unchanged irrespective of the hydrocolloid used.

CONCLUSION

The impact of viscosity on sweetness and taste perception was much smaller in the concentrations used than has been generally reported. The effect of the type of hydrocolloid on the perception of taste attributes was greater than that of viscosity. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Pretransplant Lymphopenia Is a Novel Prognostic Factor in Cytomegalovirus and Noncytomegalovirus Invasive Infections After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Nierenberg Natalie E. , Poutsiaka Debra D. , Chow Jennifer K. , Cooper Jeffrey , Price Lori Lyn , Freeman Richard B. , Rohrer Richard , Snydman David R.
Published: September 2014

Infection after liver transplantation (LT) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The risk of infection after LT is highest in those who are most immunosuppressed, but to date, no standard blood marker of one's degree of immunosuppression or risk index has been established. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pretransplant lymphopenia (absolute lymphocyte count < 500 cells/mm3 within 24 hours before LT) is a candidate marker of immunosuppression and could be useful in predicting the risk of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease and non-CMV invasive infections after LT. Data were extracted from medical records for all primary, solitary LT procedures performed at Tufts Medical Center from 1999 to 2009. Two hundred seventy-six patients had sufficient data to be included in the analysis. Among these patients, 52% developed CMV or non-CMV invasive infections within 5 years of LT. Within 2 years, 23 (8%) had CMV disease, and 103 (37%) at least 1 non-CMV invasive infection. More lymphopenic patients than nonlymphopenic patients developed CMV (21% versus 4%, P < 0.001) and non-CMV invasive infections (50% versus 33%, P = 0.02). In a multivariate survival analysis, pretransplant lymphopenia was the strongest independent predictor of CMV disease [hazard ratio (HR) = 5.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.31–13.1, P = 0.001] after adjustments for known risk factors, including CMV serostatus (HR = 4.72, 95% CI = 2.01–11.1, P < 0.001). Both pretransplant lymphopenia (HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.14–2.53, P = 0.03) and CMV (HR = 2.93, 95% CI = 1.23–6.92, P = 0.02) independently predicted non-CMV infections. Our results suggest that pretransplant lymphopenia is a novel independent predictor of both CMV disease and non-CMV invasive infections after LT and is a candidate marker of immunosuppression in LT recipients. Liver Transpl 20:1497–1507, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Perioperative Changes in Nutritional Parameters and Impact of Graft Size in Patients Undergoing Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation
Authors: Hammad Ahmed , Kaido Toshimi , Ogawa Kohei , Fujimoto Yasuhiro , Tomiyama Koji , Mori Akira , Uemura Tadahiro , Uemoto Shinji
Published: September 2014

Derangements of various serum biochemical nutritional/metabolic parameters are common in patients with end-stage liver disease who undergo liver transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to explain the benefit of LT with respect to parameter changes and to examine the impact of the graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) on such changes. We investigated each parameter's course in 208 adult recipients for 1 year after living donor LT and analyzed changes in the parameters with a GRWR of 0.8% as the cutoff point. Bonferroni corrections were applied to account for multiple testing. Liver disease–induced high pretransplant ammonia and tyrosine levels and low branched-chain amino acids to tyrosine ratio (BTR) and zinc levels normalized within 2 weeks after transplantation, and the total lymphocyte count (TLC) normalized within 2 months, whereas low pretransplant prealbumin levels took 1 year to normalize. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), zinc, and TLC levels transiently dropped shortly after transplantation and then were corrected later. An accelerated recovery of ammonia and tyrosine levels and the BTR were found with larger grafts, especially early after transplantation, whereas zinc, prealbumin, BCAA, and TLC levels recovered regardless of the graft size. In conclusion, graft size had little effect on the recovery of nutritional/metabolic parameters except for ammonia and tyrosine levels. Liver Transpl 20:1486–1496, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Solid‐State Properties and Controlled Release of Ranitidine Hydrochloride from Tailored Oxidised Cellulose Beads
Authors: Trygg Jani , Yildir Emrah , Kolakovic Ruzica , Sandler Niklas , Fardim Pedro
Published: September 2014

Oxidised cellulose beads (anionic groups 0.1–1.85 mmol g−1) were loaded with ranitidine HCl. Polymorphic form and crystallinity of the drug was assessed by calorimetric and spectrometric techniques. Release profiles were obtained at physiological conditions and fitted to suitable mathematical models to gain an understanding on release mechanism. Solid‐state analysis showed that the drug was solidified in amorphous form. The amount of drug was uniform and increased with charge of the beads upto loading degree of 25.8%. Release profiles fitted well to the Baker‐Lonsdale's model for non‐swelling system indicating open structure for freely soluble drug. The release was pH independent, providing fast release already at pH 1.2 in simulated gastrointestinal track.
Global Performance and Trend of QSAR/QSPR Research: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Li Li , Hu Jianxin , Ho Yuh‐Shan
Published: September 2014

A bibliometric analysis based on the Science Citation Index Expanded was conducted to provide insights into the publication performance and research trend of quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) and quantitative structure‐property relationship (QSPR) from 1993 to 2012. The results show that the number of articles per year quadrupled from 1993 to 2006 and plateaued since 2007. Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling was the most prolific journal. The internal methodological innovations in acquiring molecular descriptors and modeling stimulated the articles’ increase in the research fields of drug design and synthesis, and chemoinformatics; while the external regulatory demands on model validation and reliability fueled the increase in environmental sciences. “Prediction endpoints”, “statistical algorithms”, and “molecular descriptors” were identified as three research hotspots. The articles from developed countries were larger in number and more influential in citation, whereas those from developing countries were higher in output growth rates.
Soliton‐type asymptotics for non‐integrable equations: a survey
Authors: Omel'yanov Georgy A.
Published: September 2014

We describe some approaches to construct soliton‐type asymptotic solutions for non‐integrable equations, including multisoliton case. As an example, we use the generalized Korteweg‐de Vries‐4 equation with small dispersion. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stabilization of the trial method for the Bernoulli problem in case of prescribed Dirichlet data
Authors: Harbrecht Helmut , Mitrou Giannoula
Published: September 2014

We apply the trial method for the solution of Bernoulli's free boundary problem when the Dirichlet boundary condition is imposed for the solution of the underlying Laplace equation, and the free boundary is updated according to the Neumann boundary condition. The Dirichlet boundary value problem for the Laplacian is solved by an exponentially convergent boundary element method. The update rule for the free boundary is derived from the linearization of the Neumann data around the actual free boundary. With the help of shape sensitivity analysis and Banach's fixed‐point theorem, we shed light on the convergence of the respective trial method. Especially, we derive a stabilized version of this trial method. Numerical examples validate the theoretical findings.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A mathematical model of anorexia and bulimia
Authors: Ciarcià Carla , Falsaperla Paolo , Giacobbe Andrea , Mulone Giuseppe
Published: September 2014

In this paper, we propose a mathematical model to study the dynamics of anorexic and bulimic populations. The model proposed takes into account, among other things, the effects of peers' influence, media influence, and education.

We prove the existence of three possible equilibria that without media influences are disease‐free, bulimic‐endemic, and endemic. Neglecting media and education effects, we investigate the stability of such equilibria, and we prove that under the influence of media, only one of such equilibria persists and becomes a global attractor. Which of the three equilibria becomes global attractor depends on the other parameters. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global analysis of a humoral and cellular immunity virus dynamics model with the Beddington–DeAngelis incidence rate
Authors: Su Yongmei , Sun Deshun , Zhao Lei
Published: September 2014

In this paper, a humoral and cellular immunity virus dynamics model with the Beddington‐DeAngelis incidence rate is set up. We derive the basic reproductive number R0, the cytotoxic T lymphocytes immune response reproductive number R1, the humoral immune response reproductive number R2, humoral immune response competitive reproductive number R3, and cytotoxic T lymphocytes immune response competitive reproductive number R4, and a full description of the relation between the existence of the equilibria and reproductive numbers is given. The global properties of the five equilibria are obtained by constructing Lyapunov functions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A collocation method based on the Bessel functions of the first kind for singular perturbated differential equations and residual correction
Authors: Yüzbaşı Şuayip
Published: September 2014

In this paper, a collocation method is given to solve singularly perturbated two‐point boundary value problems. By using the collocation points, matrix operations and the matrix relations of the Bessel functions of the first kind and their derivatives, the boundary value problem is converted to a system of the matrix equations. By solving this system, the approximate solution is obtained. Also, an error problem is constructed by the residual function, and it is solved by the presented method. Thus, the error function is estimated, and the approximate solutions are improved. Finally, numerical examples are given to show the applicability of the method, and also, our results are compared by existing results. Copyright © 2014 JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd.
On delaminated thin Timoshenko inclusions inside elastic bodies
Authors: Itou H. , Khludnev A. M.
Published: September 2014

In the paper, we consider equilibrium problems for 2D elastic bodies with thin inclusions modeled in the frame of Timoshenko beam theory. It is assumed that a delamination of the inclusion takes place thus providing a presence of cracks between the inclusion and the elastic body. Nonlinear boundary conditions at the crack faces are imposed to prevent a mutual penetration between the faces. Different problem formulations are analyzed: variational and differential. Dependence on physical parameters characterizing the mechanical properties of the inclusion is investigated. The paper provides a rigorous asymptotic analysis of the model with respect to such parameters. It is proved that in the limit cases corresponding to infinite and zero rigidity, we obtain rigid inclusions and cracks with the non‐penetration conditions, respectively. Also anisotropic inclusions with parameters are analyzed when parameters tend to zero and infinity. In particular, in the limit, we obtain the so called semi‐rigid inclusions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unification of Stieltjes‐Calogero type relations for the zeros of classical orthogonal polynomials
Authors: Alıcı H. , Taşeli H.
Published: September 2014

The classical orthogonal polynomials (COPs) satisfy a second‐order differential equation of the form σ(x)y′′+τ(x)y′+λy = 0, which is called the equation of hypergeometric type (EHT). It is shown that two numerical methods provide equivalent schemes for the discrete representation of the EHT. Thus, they lead to the same matrix eigenvalue problem. In both cases, explicit closed‐form expressions for the matrix elements have been derived in terms only of the zeros of the COPs. On using the equality of the entries of the resulting matrices in the two discretizations, unified identities related to the zeros of the COPs are then introduced. Hence, most of the formulas in the literature known for the roots of Hermite, Laguerre and Jacobi polynomials are recovered as the particular cases of our more general and unified relationships. Furthermore, we present some novel results that were not reported previously. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A New Crystal Phase Molybdate Yb2Mo4O15: The Synthesis and Upconversion Properties
Authors: Wang Hai‐Qiao , Mačković Mirza , Osvet Andres , Litzov Ivan , Epelbaum Elena , Stiegelschmitt Alfons , Batentschuk Miroslaw , Spiecker Erdmann , Brabec Christoph J.
Published: September 2014

A new upconversion nanocrystal phase Yb2Mo4O15:Er is developed by using a facile aqueous‐precipitation procedure combined with thermal annealing. Nanocrystals of Yb2Mo4O15 are exclusively synthesized, with particle sizes ranging from 1 to 20 nm. The optical properties are characterized and a high upconversion quantum yield is determined to be ≈1.3% at room temperature, under excitation of ≈500 mW cm−2 IR (975 nm). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work concerning the synthesis of nanocrystalline Yb2Mo4O15 and the characterization of its upconversion properties, which possesses the potential to be utilized in bio‐probing and thin‐film optoelectronic device applications.
Reaction Delay of Aluminum in Condensed Explosives
Authors: Chan Sek K.
Published: September 2014

A universal empirical relation is derived to predict the reaction delay times of aluminum particles as a function of particle diameter and gas temperature in explosives. The predicted delay times are shown to be in reasonable agreement with experimental data obtained in both low temperature and high temperature explosives. A convective heat transfer model is used to estimate the surface temperature of the solid aluminum particles. The reaction delay time of aluminum is shown to be close to the time when the particle surface reaches the pressure dependent melting point of aluminum.
On the role of graphite in ultrananocrystalline diamond films used for electron field emitter applications
Authors: Kurian Joji , Sankaran Kamatchi Jothiramalingam , Lin I‐Nan
Published: September 2014

This Feature Article gives an account of the different pieces of work conducted by various groups around the world aimed at constituting a single model explaining the enhancement of conductivity and electron field emission properties in diamond. The scope of the presence of graphite phase or the evolution of intermediate energy levels within the band gap or defects in the diamond phase being causes of such enhancement has been explored by various groups. Along with this we present the studies performed by our group, the enhancement of the field emission and conductivity employing different approaches like ion irradiation, ion implantation, ion doping in the plasma or formation of composite films. From our studies we reveal that such modifications of properties are related to microstructural alterations. The prominent change observed, and contributing to this enhancement, is the increase in the grain boundaries, with sp2 graphitic phases residing in them. The effect of n‐ or p‐type doing into diamond is ruled out. The betterment of the field emission and conductivity is attributed to the interconnected sp2 phases within the grain boundaries, which form itineraries for electrons to traverse through the material.
DualAcE: fine‐grained dual access control enforcement with multi‐privacy guarantee in DaaS
Authors: Tian Xiuxia , Huang Ling , Wang Yong , Sha Chaofeng , Wang Xiaoling
Published: September 2014

Database as a service (DaaS), a new paradigm of software as a service based on cloud computing, is attracting more and more enterprises (data owners) to delegate their database management to a professional third party (database service provider) such as Amazon Web Services and Rackspace. Data owners in DaaS lose control of their sensitive data, which are stored in the delegated database and managed by the untrusted database service provider. Therefore, many encryption‐based approaches including attribute‐based encryption were proposed to implement fine‐grained access control in DaaS scenarios. However, most of the proposed access control enforcement approaches only support one or two of the following privacy guarantees: data privacy, policy privacy and key privacy. In this paper, we first propose a novel concept of DualAcE: a flexible fine‐grained dual access control enforcement mechanism in DaaS by efficiently combining the ciphertext‐policy attribute‐set‐based encryption with database service provider re‐encryption into a DaaS paradigm. The proposed mechanism has implemented dual access control enforcement with multi‐privacy guarantee: data privacy in delegated database, policy privacy in delegated authorization table and key privacy in key distribution process.We describe the security and efficiency analysis through cryptography theory and experimental results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Construction of a promoter collection for genes co-expression in filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei
Authors: Wang Wei , Meng Fanju , Liu Pei , Yang Shengli , Wei Dongzhi
Published: September 2014

Trichoderma reesei is the preferred organism for producing industrial cellulases. However, cellulases derived from T. reesei have their highest activity at acidic pH. When the pH value increased above 7, the enzyme activities almost disappeared, thereby limiting the application of fungal cellulases under neutral or alkaline conditions. A lot of heterologous alkaline cellulases have been successfully expressed in T. reesei to improve its cellulolytic profile. To our knowledge, there are few reports describing the co-expression of two or more heterologous cellulases in T. reesei. We designed and constructed a promoter collection for gene expression and co-expression in T. reesei. Taking alkaline cellulase as a reporter gene, we assessed our promoters with strengths ranging from 4 to 106 % as compared to the pWEF31 expression vector (Lv D, Wang W, Wei D (2012) Construction of two vectors for gene expression in Trichoderma reesei. Plasmid 67(1):67–71). The promoter collection was used in a proof-of-principle approach to achieve the co-expression of an alkaline endoglucanase and an alkaline cellobiohydrolase. We observed higher activities of both cellulose degradation and biostoning by the co-expression of an endoglucanase and a cellobiohydrolase than the activities obtained by the expression of only endoglucanase or cellobiohydrolase. This study makes the process of engineering expression of multiple genes easier in T. reesei.
Implanted Passive Engineering Mechanism Improves Hand Function after Tendon Transfer Surgery: A Cadaver-Based Study
Authors: Mardula Katherine L. , Balasubramanian Ravi , Allan Christopher H.
Published: September 2014

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate if a new tendon transfer surgical procedure that uses an implanted passive engineering mechanism for attaching multiple tendons to a single donor muscle in place of directly suturing the tendons to the muscle improves hand function in physical interaction tasks such as grasping.

Methods

The tendon transfer surgery for high median ulnar palsy was used as an exemplar, where all four flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons are directly sutured to the extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL) muscle to restore flexion. The new procedure used a passive hierarchical artificial pulley system to connect the muscle to the tendons. Both the suture-based and pulley-based procedures were conducted on N=6 cadaver hands. The fingers' ability to close around four objects when the ECRL tendon was pulled was tested. Post-surgery hand function was evaluated based on the actuation force required to create a grasp and the slip between the fingers and the object after the grasp was created.

Results

When compared with the suture-based procedure, the pulley-based procedure (i) reduced the actuation force required to close all four fingers around the object by 45 % and (ii) improved the fingers' individual adaptation to the object's shape during the grasping process and reduced slip by 52 % after object contact (2.99°±0.28° versus 6.22°±0.66°).

Conclusions

The cadaver study showed that the implanted engineering mechanism for attaching multiple tendons to one muscle significantly improved hand function in grasping tasks when compared with the current procedure.
Ethylation of Di‐rhamnolipids: A Green Route to Produce Novel Sugar Fatty Acid Nonionic Surfactants
Authors: Miao Shida , Callow Nicholas , soltani Dashtbozorg Soroosh , Salager Jean‐Louis , Ju Lu‐Kwang
Published: September 2014

Sugar fatty acid nonionic surfactants have attracted great attention due to their good biodegradability, biocompatibility, and bio‐based characteristics. Regioselective sugar acylation is difficult to control for chemical reactions. The immiscible nature between hydrophilic sugars and hydrophobic fatty acids also negatively affects the reaction efficiency. In the present study, a group of sugar fatty acid nonionic surfactants, ethyl di‐rhamnolipids, was synthesized. Di‐rhamnolipids were isolated from a Pseudomonas aeruginosa fermentation broth containing a rhamnolipid mixture with about 64 % di‐rhamnolipids, and then purified by silica gel chromatography. Di‐rhamnolipids were successfully ethylated at 0 °C for 24 h, confirmed by HPLC–MS and 1H‐NMR analyses. Preliminary emulsification test indicated that ethyl di‐rhamnolipids were a potential class of useful sugar fatty acid nonionic surfactants. The synthesis process was mild, did not require regioselective sugar acylation, and offered a new way of developing novel sugar fatty acid nonionic surfactants.
APOE ε4: The most prevalent yet understudied risk factor for Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Michaelson Daniel M.
Published: September 2014

Brain pathology of Alzheimer's diseases (AD) and the genetics of autosomal dominant familial AD have been the “lamp posts” under which the AD field has been looking for therapeutic targets. Although this approach still remains valid, none of the compounds tested to date have produced clinically meaningful results. This calls for developing complementary therapeutic approaches and AD targets. The allele ε4 of apolipoprotein E4 (APOE ε4), is the most prevalent genetic risk factor for sporadic AD, and is expressed in more than half of the AD patients. However, in spite of its genetic prominence, the allele APOE ε4 and its corresponding protein product apoE4 have been understudied. We presently briefly discuss the reasons underlying this situation and review newly developed AD therapeutic approaches that target apoE4 and which pave the way for future studies.
Volitinib, a potent and highly selective c‐Met inhibitor, effectively blocks c‐Met signaling and growth in c‐MET amplified gastric cancer patient‐derived tumor xenograft models
Authors: Gavine Paul R. , Ren Yongxin , Han Lu , Lv Jing , Fan Shiming , Zhang Wei , Xu Wen , Liu Yuan Jie , Zhang Tianwei , Fu Haihua , Yu Yongjuan , Wang Huiying , Xu Shirlian , Zhou Feng , Su Xinying , Yin XiaoLu , Xie Liang , Wang Linfang , Qing Weiguo , Jiao Longxian , Su Weiguo , Wang Q. May
Published: September 2014

Purpose

To investigate the incidence of cMET gene copy number changes and protein overexpression in Chinese gastric cancer (GC) and to preclinically test the hypothesis that the novel, potent and selective cMET small‐molecule inhibitor volitinib, will deliver potent anti‐tumor activity in cMET‐dysregulated GC patient‐derived tumor xenograft (PDX) models.

Experimental design

A range of assays were used and included; in vitro cell line panel screening and pharmacodynamic (PD) analysis, cMET fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemical (IHC) tissue microarray (TMA) analysis of Chinese GC (n = 170), and anti‐tumor efficacy testing and PD analysis of gastric PDX models using volitinib.

Results

The incidence of cMET gene amplification and protein overexpression within Chinese patient GC tumors was 6% and 13%, respectively. Volitinib displayed a highly selective profile across a gastric cell line panel, potently inhibiting cell growth only in those lines with dysregulated cMET (EC50 values 0.6 nM/L–12.5 nM/L). Volitinib treatment led to pharmacodynamic modulation of cMET signaling and potent tumor stasis in 3/3 cMET‐dysregulated GC PDX models, but had negligible activity in a GC control model.

Conclusions

This study provides an assessment of tumor cMET gene copy number changes and protein overexpression incidence in a cohort of Chinese GC patients. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate anti‐tumor efficacy in a panel of cMET‐dysregulated gastric cancer PDX models, using a novel selective cMET‐inhibitor (volitinib). Thus, the translational science presented here provides strong rationale for the investigation of volitinib as a therapeutic option for patients with GC tumors harboring amplified cMET.
EFFECT OF CULTIVAR, TRADITIONAL CORM PRE-TREATMENT AND WATERING ON SPROUTING AND EARLY GROWTH OF ENSET (Ensete ventricosum) SUCKERS
Authors: KARLSSON L. M. , DALBATO A. L. , TAMADO T. , MIKIAS Y.
Published: September 2014

Enset [Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman (Musaceae)] is a multi-purpose and drought-tolerant crop, traditionally grown in Ethiopia. Food from enset has nutritive values similar to potato; it could improve food and livelihood security for many in larger geographical areas. Agronomical advice is needed which requires increased knowledge of management techniques. The purposes of this study were to (i) compare traditional corm pre-treatments when planting for sucker production, (ii) compare all six officially released cultivars regarding sprouting and (iii) investigate the effect of watering on newly buried corms. Emergence rate and number and characteristics of sprouts were recorded. Corms, from 63 two year old plants, were buried in local soil supplied with cow manure in Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia. Emergence was recorded daily. After nine months, including one rainy season, all suckers (totally 4405) were harvested and individually recorded. Regardless of cultivar, minimum time to emergence was 50 days. Sprouts from split parent corms emerged earlier than from entire. Emergence occurred from 100% of corms, number of sprouts was strongly correlated to cultivar: average 28–106. The cultivars responded similarly to corm splitting: the more pieces the corm was split into, the more sprouts per parent corm. Average pseudostem diameter of the seven largest per parent corm: 8–10 cm for all cultivars, leaf length: 3.1–3.7 m, remaining 2700 smaller suckers: diameter 3 cm (SD 1.8). Watering decreased the average time to emergence and levelled out the differences between pre-treatments. The traditional belief is that watering as well as manure on corm cause rotting; manure is therefore usually put on the soil surface. On the contrary, full emergence and unexpected large suckers may be a result of careful soil preparation with manure applied on corm directly; watering resulted in an even emergence and growth. In conclusion, vegetative propagation of enset is efficient, but methods used and agronomical advice can be improved.
APPLYING SIMULATION TO IMPROVE RICE VARIETIES IN REDUCING THE ON-FARM YIELD GAP IN CAMBODIAN LOWLAND RICE ECOSYSTEMS
Authors: POULTON P. L. , VESNA T. , DALGLIESH N. P. , SENG V.
Published: September 2014

Achieving export growth in rice production from variable rainfed lowland rice ecosystems is at risk if depending on conventional breeding or genetic development alone. Sustained, long-term production requires building adaption capacity of smallholder farmers to better manage the challenges of seasonal climate variability and future climate change. Better understanding of the risks and constraints that farmers face in managing their current cropping system helps develop strategies for improving rice production in Cambodia. System models are now considered valuable assessment tools for evaluating cropping systems performance worldwide but require validation at the local level. This paper presents an evaluation of the APSIM-Oryza model for 15 Cambodian rice varieties under recommended practice. Data from a field experiment in 2011, conducted in a non-limiting water and nutrient environment, are used to calibrate varietal-specific coefficients and model input parameters. An independent dataset is then used to validate the model performance for a ‘real-world’ situation using on-farm data for six rice varieties planted in 54 farmer fields on 32 farms in two villages of Southeastern Cambodia. From this analysis, the APSIM-Oryza model is shown to be an acceptable tool for exploring the mismatch between current on-farm yields and potential production through yield gap analysis and the exploration of cropping system options for smallholder farmers to increase production, adapt to seasonal climate variability and be prepared for potential climate changes.
Size-density strategy displayed by Diadema
africanum linked with the stability of urchin-barrens in the
Canary Islands
Authors: Cabanillas-Terán Nancy , Martín José A. , Rodríguez-Barreras Ruber , Luque Ángel
Published: September 2014

The sea urchin Diadema africanum is considered a key
herbivore in sublittoral ecosystems of the Canary Islands. Spatial and
temporal variability in population structure was carried out at Gran
Canaria. We performed a morphometric and population density analysis during
2005, 2006 and 2007 at four sites in zones of Gran Canaria. The study
considered a vertical gradient (5, 10 and 20 m depth) during both seasons,
the cold season (February and March) and the warm season (October and
November). The sea urchin D. africanum in Gran Canaria
exhibited an overall density of 7.59 ± 2.92 urchin m−2. A two-way
ANOVA evidenced spatial differences in mean abundance of the species, while
seasonality was not relevant. The vertical analysis of the abundance of
D. africanum showed differences, the smaller sizes
appeared at greater depths. The Aristotle's lantern width decreased in a
vertical gradient, being remarkable between 10 and 20 m. Findings of
uniformity in size over time, a stable range of high densities and the lack
of a relationship between the size of the sea urchins and the season reveals
that the density–size strategy displayed by D. africanum
which explains in turns the high stability of the urchin barrens, which,
once developed, remain as areas of permanent desertification in subtidal
depths throughout the Canary Archipelago.
‘According to the Commandment’ (Did.1.5): Lexical Reflections on Almsgiving as ‘The Commandment’
Authors: Giambrone Anthony
Published: September 2014

Christian and Jewish sources of late antiquity employ ἡ ἐντολή as a term for almsgiving. The development of the locution passes through at least two stages before reaching semantic maturity around the fourth or fifth century. Tobit and Ben Sira record the early notion of charity as a paradigmatic precept, while theDidacheattests to a more stabilised and syntactically developed, but still transitional, expression. The use of ἐντολή in 1 Tim 6.14 does not belong to the mature usage, andTest. Ash.2.8 is a problematic reference point (paceNathan Eubank). TheDidacheis more helpful in contextualising the NT evidence.
Is theekklēsiaaHousehold(of God)? Reassessing the Notion of οἶκος θεοῦ in 1 Tim 3.15
Authors: Zamfir Korinna
Published: September 2014

1 Timothy defines theekklēsiaas the οἶκος θεοῦ. This has led to the conclusion that the Pastoral Epistles regard theekklēsiaas an enlargedoikos, where the roles of the officials and the norms regulating the behaviour of its members reproduce the relationships of the patriarchal household. However, οἶκος θεοῦ is not a household properly speaking.Ekklēsiais a term with political connotations, and thus the community acquires a public dimension. In addition,oikosis used metaphorically, for a larger community. In this, the definition reflects the ancient custom of describing larger communities (the cosmos, thepolis, or an association) through the metaphor of theoikos. Theekklēsiais therefore a public, quasi-cosmic space, whose laws and structures receive divine legitimation.
Saturated control of flexible-joint manipulators using a Hammerstein strictly positive real compensator
Authors: Caverly Ryan James , Zlotnik David Evan , Forbes James Richard
Published: September 2014

In this paper the control of flexible-joint manipulators while explicitly avoiding actuator saturation is considered. The controllers investigated are composed of a bounded proportional control term and a Hammerstein strictly positive real angular rate control term. This control structure ensures that the total torque demanded of each actuator is bounded by a value that is less than the maximum torque that each actuator is able to provide, thereby disallowing actuator saturation. The proposed controllers are shown to render the closed-loop system asymptotically stable, even in the presence of modeling uncertainties. The performance of the controllers is demonstrated experimentally and in simulation.
Spectral features of biogenic calcium carbonates and implications for astrobiology
Authors: Berg B. L. , Ronholm J. , Applin D. M. , Mann P. , Izawa M. , Cloutis E. A. , Whyte L. G.
Published: September 2014

The ability to discriminate biogenic from abiogenic calcium carbonate (CaCO3) would be useful in the search for extant or extinct life, since CaCO3can be produced by both biotic and abiotic processes on Earth. Bioprecipitated CaCO3material was produced during the growth of heterotrophic microbial isolates on medium enriched with calcium acetate or calcium citrate. These biologically produced CaCO3, along with natural and synthetic non-biologically produced CaCO3samples, were analysed by reflectance spectroscopy (0.35–2.5 μm), Raman spectroscopy (532 and 785 nm), and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (365 and 405 nm excitation). Optimal instruments for the discrimination of biogenic from abiogenic CaCO3were determined to be reflectance spectroscopy, and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Multiple absorption features in the visible light region occurred in reflectance spectra for most biogenic CaCO3samples, which are likely due to organic pigments. Multiple fluorescence peaks occurred in emission spectra (405 nm excitation) of biogenic CaCO3samples, which also are best attributed to the presence of organic compounds; however, further analyses must be performed in order to better determine the cause of these features to establish criteria for confirming the origin of a given CaCO3sample. Raman spectroscopy was not useful for discrimination since any potential Raman peaks in spectra of biogenic carbonates collected by both the 532 and 785 nm lasers were overwhelmed by fluorescence. However, this also suggests that biogenic carbonates may be identified by the presence of this organic-associated fluorescence. No reliable spectroscopic differences in terms of parameters such as positions or widths of carbonate-associated absorption bands were found between the biogenic and abiogenic carbonate samples. These results indicate that the presence or absence of organic matter intimately associated with carbonate minerals is the only potentially useful spectral discriminator for the techniques that were examined, and that multiple spectroscopic techniques are capable of detecting the presence of associated organic materials. However, the presence or absence of intimately associated organic matter is not, in itself, an indicator of biogenicity.
Metabolic T1 Dynamics and Longitudinal Relaxation Enhancement In Vivo at Ultrahigh Magnetic Fields on Ischemia
Authors: Shemesh Noam , Rosenberg Jens T , Dumez Jean-Nicolas , Grant Samuel C , Frydman Lucio
Published: September 2014

Interruptions in cerebral blood flow may lead to devastating neural outcomes. Magnetic resonance has a central role in diagnosing and monitoring these insufficiencies, as well as in understanding their underlying metabolic consequences. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in particular can probe ischemia via the signatures of endogenous metabolites including lactic acid (Lac), N-acetylaspartate, creatine (Cre), and cholines. Typically, MRS reports on these metabolites' concentrations. This study focuses on establishing the potential occurrence of in vivo longitudinal relaxation enhancement (LRE) effects—a phenomenon involving a reduction of the apparent T1 with selective bandwidth excitations— in a rat stroke model at 21.1 T. Statistically significant reductions in Cre's apparent T1s were observed at all the examined post-ischemia time points for both ipsi- and contralateral hemispheres, thereby establishing the existence of LREs for this metabolite in vivo. Ischemia-dependent LRE trends were also noted for Lac in the ipsilateral hemisphere only 24 hours after ischemia. Metabolic T1s were also found to vary significantly as a function of post-stroke recovery time, with the most remarkable and rapid changes observed for Lac T1s. The potential of such measurements to understand stroke at a molecular level and assist in its diagnosis, is discussed.
Duplication of a promiscuous transcription factor drives the emergence of a new regulatory network
Authors: Pougach Ksenia , Voet Arnout , Kondrashov Fyodor A. , Voordeckers Karin , Christiaens Joaquin F. , Baying Bianka , Benes Vladimir , Sakai Ryo , Aerts Jan , Zhu Bo , Van Dijck Patrick , Verstrepen Kevin J.
Published: September 2014

The emergence of new genes throughout evolution requires rewiring and extension of regulatory networks. However, the molecular details of how the transcriptional regulation of new gene copies evolves remain largely unexplored. Here we show how duplication of a transcription factor gene allowed the emergence of two independent regulatory circuits. Interestingly, the ancestral transcription factor was promiscuous and could bind different motifs in its target promoters. After duplication, one paralogue evolved increased binding specificity so that it only binds one type of motif, whereas the other copy evolved a decreased activity so that it only activates promoters that contain multiple binding sites. Interestingly, only a few mutations in both the DNA-binding domains and in the promoter binding sites were required to gradually disentangle the two networks. These results reveal how duplication of a promiscuous transcription factor followed by concertedcisandtransmutations allows expansion of a regulatory network.
Analyte migration electrospray ionization for rapid analysis of complex samples with small volume using mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhong Hanbin , Zheng Yajun , Zhang Sichun , Liu Xiaoning , Zhang Xinrong , Zhang Xiaoling , Zhang Zhiping
Published: September 2014

Complex biological matrices can be effectively removed in the analyte migration process because of their weak solubility in organic solvents.
Photoinduced charge separation in ordered self-assemblies of perylenediimide–graphene oxide hybrid layers
Authors: Supur Mustafa , Ohkubo Kei , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: September 2014

Photoinduced charge separation in well-ordered self-assemblies of perylenediimide–graphene oxide (TAIPDI–GO) hybrid layers is reported.
Photodegradable and size-tunable single-chain nanoparticles prepared from a single main-chain coumarin-containing polymer precursor
Authors: Fan Weizheng , Tong Xia , Yan Qiang , Fu Shangyi , Zhao Yue
Published: September 2014

A single linear polymer precursor was used to prepare photodegradable single-chain nanoparticles of variable sizes.
Short versus long chain polyelectrolyte multilayers: a direct comparison of self-assembly and structural properties
Authors: Micciulla Samantha , Dodoo Samuel , Chevigny Chloé , Laschewsky André , von Klitzing Regine
Published: September 2014

Optimization of the layer-by-layer growth of short chain (∼30 repeat units per chain) polyelectrolyte multilayers and comparison with classical long chain systems.
Exploring the properties and applications of nanoceria: is there still plenty of room at the bottom?
Authors: Reed Kenneth , Cormack Alastair , Kulkarni Aniruddha , Mayton Mark , Sayle Dean , Klaessig Fred , Stadler Brad
Published: September 2014

Nanoceria is an exceptionally versatile, commercially valuable catalytic material whose properties vary dramatically from that of the bulk material.