bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three types of humanCpG motifs differentially modulate and augment immunogenicity of nonviral and viral repliconDNA vaccines as built‐in adjuvants
Authors: Yu Yun‐Zhou , Li Na , Ma Yao , Wang Shuang , Yu Wei‐Yuan , Sun Zhi‐Wei
Published: October 2012

NakedDNA vaccines given by intramuscular injection are efficient in mouse models, but they require improvement for human use. As the immunogenicity ofDNA vaccines depends, to a large extent, on the presence ofCpG motifs as built‐in adjuvants, we addressed this issue by inserting three types of humanCpG motifs (A‐type, B‐type, andC‐type) into the backbone of nonviralDNA and viralDNA replicon vectors with distinct immunostimulatory activities on human PBMCs. The adjuvant effects ofCpGmodifications inDNA vaccines expressing three types of antigens (β‐Gal, AHc, or PA4) were then characterized in mice and found to significantly enhance antigen‐specific humoral and cell‐mediated immune responses. The three types ofCpG motifs also differentially affected and modulated immune responses and protective potency against botulinum neurotoxin serotypeA andBacillus anthracisA16R challenge. Taken together, these results demonstrate that insertion of humanCpG motifs can differentially modulate the immunogenicity of nonviralDNA vaccines as well as viralDNA replicon vaccines. Our study provides not only a better understanding of thein vivo activities ofCpG motif adjuvants but implications for the rational design of such motifs as built‐in adjuvants forDNA vectors targeting specific antigens.
Synthesis of Mesoporous MoO3 Nanoribbons through a Multi‐molybdate Coordination‐Polymer‐Precursor Route
Authors: Wang Longqiang , Gao Peng , Zhang Guoli , Chen Guorui , Chen Yujin , Wang Ying , Bao Di
Published: October 2012

A multi‐molybdate coordination‐polymer‐precursor route was developed to synthesize mesoporous MoO3 nanoribbons. In this reaction process, the coordination‐polymer‐precursor (i.e., {Mo36} ions) was firstly synthesized, as proven by FTIR spectroscopy. By controlling the experimental conditions, the {Mo36} ions underwent a directed assembly process and a dehydration process to form 1D mesoporous MoO3 nanoribbons. HRTEM examination and BJH measurements demonstrated that the mesopores had an average diameter of about 3 nm in the nanoribbons. As a result of their mesoporous nature and their 1D nanostructure, the nanoribbons exhibited better selectivity, higher sensor response, and lower working temperature to H2S gas compared with previously reported1D MoO3 nanostructures.
Synthesis of Tin‐Containing Cyclodextrins as Potential Enzyme Models
Authors: Zhou You , Marinescu Lavinia , Pedersen Christian Marcus , Bols Mikael
Published: October 2012

The synthesis and the characterization of two types of water‐soluble β‐cyclodextrin‐supported organotin derivatives is described. These new tin‐containing macromolecules were prepared through a free radical bishydrostannylation of the corresponding β‐cyclodextrin propargylic ethers using Me2SnClH prepared in situ with AIBN as initiator. The tin moieties were attached both on the primary and on the secondary rim of β‐cyclodextrin in excellent yield.
A Comparison of the Photosensitized Rearrangement and the Lewis‐Acid‐Catalyzed Rearrangement of Spirooxindole Epoxides
Authors: Wang Lihong , Su Yibing , Xu Xinmin , Zhang Wei
Published: October 2012

Spirooxindole epoxides undergo smooth rearrangement either under photosensitization conditions or under Lewis acid catalysis to give different products. The photosensitized rearrangement of spirooxindole epoxides leads to 3‐acyl‐2‐indolones, such as spiro[cycloalkane‐1,3′‐indolin]‐2,2′‐diones, by cleavage of the Cα–O bond followed by alkyl migration. The SnCl4‐catalyzed rearrangement of spirooxindole epoxides gives 4,4‐dialkylquinolin‐2,3‐diones, such as spiro[cycloalkane‐1,4′‐quinolin]‐2′,3′‐diones, by cleavage of the Cβ–O bond followed by aryl migration.
Assessment of terrestrial laser scanning technology for obtaining high‐resolution DEMs of soils
Authors: Barneveld Robert Jan , Seeger Manuel , Maalen‐Johansen Ivar
Published: October 2012

Terrestrial Laser Scanners (TLS) provide a non‐contact method to measure soil microtopography of relatively large surface areas. The appropriateness of the technology in relatation to the derived Digital Elevation Models (DEM) however has not been reported. The suitability of TLS for soil microtopography measurements was tested on‐field for three large soil surface areas in agricultural fields. The acquired point clouds were filtered with a custom cloud import algorithm, and converted into digital elevation models (DEM) of different resolutions. To assess DEM quality, point clouds measured from different viewpoints were statistically compared. The statistical fit between point clouds from different viewpoints depends on spatial resolution of the DEM. The best results were obtained at the higher resolutions (0.02 to 0.04 cm), where less than 5 % of the grid cells showed significant differences between one viewpoint and the next (p < 0.01). Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduced channel morphological response to urbanization in a flood‐dominated humid tropical environment
Authors: Phillips Colin B. , Scatena Frederick N.
Published: October 2012

Urbanization through the addition of impervious cover can alter catchment hydrology, often resulting in increased peak flows during floods. This phenomenon and the resulting impact on stream channel morphology is well documented in temperate climatic regions, but not well documented in the humid tropics where urbanization is rapidly occurring. This study investigates the long‐term effects of urbanization on channel morphology in the humid sub‐tropical region of Puerto Rico, an area characterized by frequent high‐magnitude flows, and steep coarse‐grained rivers. Grain size, low‐flow channel roughness, and the hydraulic geometry of streams across a land‐use gradient that ranges from pristine forest to high density urbanized catchments are compared. In areas that have been urbanized for several decades changes in channel features were measurable, but were smaller than those reported for comparable temperate streams. Decades of development has resulted in increased fine sediment and anthropogenic debris in urbanized catchments. Materials of anthropogenic origin comprise an average of 6% of the bed material in streams with catchments with 15% or greater impervious cover. At‐a‐station hydraulic geometry shows that velocity makes up a larger component of discharge for rural channels, while depth contributes a larger component of discharge in urban catchments. The average bank‐full cross‐sectional area of urbanized reaches was 1.5 times larger than comparable forested reaches, and less than the world average increase of 2.5. On average, stream width at bank‐full height did not change with urbanization while the world average increase is 1.5 times. Overall, this study indicates that the morphologic changes that occur in response to urban runoff are less in channels that are already subject to frequent large magnitude storms. Furthermore, this study suggests that developing regions in the humid tropics shouldn't rely on temperate analogues to determine the magnitude of impact of urbanization on stream morphology. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction between odorants and proteins involved in the perception of smell: the case of odorant‐binding proteins probed by molecular modelling and biophysical data
Authors: Golebiowski Jérôme , Topin Jérémie , Charlier Landry , Briand Loïc
Published: October 2012

A joint approach that combines molecular modelling and fluorescence spectroscopy is used to study the affinity of an odorant binding protein towards various odorant molecules. We focus on the capability of molecular modelling to rank odorants according to their affinity with this protein, which is involved in the sense of smell. Although ligand‐based approaches are unable to propose an accurate model attending to the strength of the bond with the odorant‐binding protein, receptor‐based structures considering either static or dynamic structure of the protein perform equally to discriminate between good, medium and low affinity odorants. Such approaches will be useful for further rational design of either odorants or bio‐inspired sensors. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pressure, Temperature, and Dew Point Broadband Electrical Spectroscopy (PTD‐BES) for the Investigation of Membranes for PEMFCs▴
Authors: Di Noto V. , Fontanella J. J. , Wintersgill M. C. , Giffin G. A. , Vezzù K. , Piga M. , Negro E.
Published: October 2012

This work describes the construction, testing, and implementation of an instrument to measure the complex impedance (Z*(ω)) spectra, from which the complex conductivity (σ*(ω)) and complex permittivity (ϵ*(ω)) spectra are derived, of conducting polymer membranes for fuel cells. The instrument consists of several interconnected components including a humidifier, a broadband electrical measurement cell with pressure, temperature, and humidity sensors, a heat circulator and a broadband electrical spectrometer. It is possible to control the cell (Tgas) and dew point (Tdp) temperatures with a precision greater than ±0.2 °C to obtain values of relative humidity (RH) with an error lower than ±1.4%. The experiments demonstrate that the values of Tdp and Tgas inside the cell are stable over time at the set point temperatures of Tgas = 0–140 °C and Tdp = ‐20–99.9 °C (for any desired value of Tgas within ±0.2 °C). The powerful capability of the broadband electrical spectroscopy (BES) method is demonstrated by studying the electrical response of Nafion117® at various temperatures and dew points. This technique allows the investigation of the electrical response of ionomeric materials, where the thermal effects are decoupled from the compositional modulation of the membranes in the presence of water vapor.
A dominant negative Cx43 mutant differentially affects tumorigenic and invasive properties in human metastatic melanoma cells
Authors: Zucker Shoshanna N. , Bancroft Tara A. , Place David E. , Des Soye Benjamin , Bagati Archis , Berezney Ronald
Published: October 2012

Previous reports have implicated connexin 43 (Cx43) as a tumor suppressor in early stages of tumorigenesis and in some cases as an enhancer of cell migration in later stages. To address the role of Cx43 in melanoma tumor progression, we utilized two melanoma cell lines derived from the same patient in pre‐metastasis (WM793B) and following isolation from a lung metastasis in nude mice (1205Lu). Our results demonstrate a strikingly increased expression of Cx43 in both the pre‐metastatic and metastatic melanoma cell lines that were actively migrating compared to non‐migrating cells. To further investigate the role of Cx43 in these melanoma cells, we overexpressed wild type (wt) Cx43 as well as a mutant dominant negative Cx43 mutant that causes closed channels (T154A). The metastatic 1205Lu cells expressing Cx43‐T154A showed a twofold decrease in colony formation on soft agar while the nonmetastatic WM793B cells showed no significant change. In invasion assays through a collagen matrix, the same Cx43‐T154A 1205Lu cells demonstrated a three‐ to fourfold increase in the invasion index compared to either wt Cx43 or vector control cells. The increase in invasiveness was eliminated by migration towards media with charcoal‐stripped serum, suggesting that migration may be directed towards a lipophilic compound(s). Our findings demonstrate that a dominant negative Cx43 mutant deficient in channel formation exhibits a dual pattern of regulation in metastatic melanoma cells with a decrease in anchorage‐independent growth and an increase in invasive potential. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 853–859, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Retinoic acid regulates gap junction intercellular communication in human endometrial stromal cells through modulation of the phosphorylation status of connexin 43
Authors: Wu Juanjuan , Taylor Robert N. , Sidell Neil
Published: October 2012

Previous studies revealed that gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) among uterine stromal cells plays critical roles in modulating decidualization, neovasularization, and embryo implantation. Connexin (Cx) proteins are the major component of gap junctions and Cx43 is the most widely expressed connexin in endometrium. Phosphorylation of Cx43 was found to impair gap junction communication in this tissue. Using primary human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and a stable high telomerase‐expressing ESC transfectant (T‐HESC), we found that retinoic acid (RA) altered the phosphorylation status of Cx43 protein such that there was a decrease in the phosphorylated (P1 and P2) species accompanied by an increase in the non‐phosphorylated (P0) form. This process is dependent on protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity since selective PP2A inhibitors prevented the ability of RA to dephosphorylate Cx43. Although RA had no effect on total PP2A expression or activity, it significantly increased the intracellular association of Cx43 and PP2A. Inhibition of transcription and protein synthesis by actinomycin D and cycloheximide, respectively, had no effect on the RA‐induced changes in the Cx43 phosphorylation pattern. Furthermore, BMS493, a potent antagonist of the classical RA‐mediated transcriptional pathway, did not inhibit RA‐induced Cx43 dephosphorylation. Our data indicate that RA stimulates physical association of PP2A with Cx43, resulting in the dephosphorylation of Cx43 and, as a consequence, up‐regulation of GJIC in ESCs. This process is independent of new mRNA and protein synthesis and suggests a novel mechanism by which aberrant retinoid metabolism can explain certain reproductive disorders manifested by dysfunctional endometrial cell GJIC. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 903–910, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tamoxifen inhibits migration of estrogen receptor‐negative hepatocellular carcinoma cells by blocking the swelling‐activated chloride current
Authors: Mao Jianwen , Yuan Jian , Wang Liwei , Zhang Haifeng , Jin Xiaobao , Zhu Jiayong , Li Hongzhi , Xu Bin , Chen Lixin
Published: October 2012

Tamoxifen is a triphenylethylene non‐steroidal antiestrogen anticancer agent. It also shows inhibitory effects on metastasis of estrogen receptor (EsR)‐independent tumors, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. It was demonstrated in this study that, in EsR‐negative and highly metastatic human hepatocellular carcinoma MHCC97H cells, tamoxifen‐inhibited cell migration, volume‐activated Cl− currents (ICl,vol) and regulatory volume decrease (RVD) in a concentration‐dependent manner with a similar IC50. Analysis of the relationships between migration, ICl,vol and RVD showed that cell migration was positively correlated with ICl,vol and RVD. Knockdown of the expression of ClC‐3 Cl− channel proteins by ClC‐3 shRNA or siRNA inhibited ICl,vol, and cell migration, and these inhibitory effects could not be increased further by addition of tamoxifen in the medium. The results suggest that knockdown of ClC‐3 expression may deplete the effects of tamoxifen; tamoxifen may inhibit cell migration by modulating ICl,vol and cell volume. Moreover, tamoxifen decreased the activity of protein kinase C (PKC) and the effects were reversed by the PKC activator PMA. Activation of PKC by PMA could competitively downregulate the inhibitory effects of tamoxifen on ICl,vol. PMA promoted cell migration, and knockdown of ClC‐3 expression by ClC‐3 siRNA abolished the PMA effect on cell migration. The results suggest that tamoxifen may inhibit ICl,vol by suppressing PKC activation; ICl,vol may be an EsR‐independent target for tamoxifen in the anti‐metastatic action on cancers, especially on EsR‐negative cancers. The finding may have an implication in the clinical use of tamoxifen in the treatments of both EsR‐positive and EsR‐negative cancers. J. Cell. Physiol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Angiopoietin 1 enhances the proliferation and differentiation of skeletal myoblasts
Authors: Lee Eun Hui , Woo Jin Seok , Hwang Ji‐Hye , Park Jae‐Hyeong , Cho Chung‐Hyun
Published: October 2012

Angiopoietin 1 (Ang1) plays an important role in various endothelial functions, such as vascular integrity and angiogenesis; however, less is known about its function outside of the endothelium. In this study, we examined whether Ang1 has direct effects on skeletal muscle cells. We found that Ang1 exhibited myogenic potential, as it promoted the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of mouse primary skeletal myoblasts. The positive effect of Ang1 on myoblast proliferation could have been mediated by the α7 and β1 integrins. We also found that Ang1 potentiated cellular Ca2+ movements in differentiated myotubes in response to stimuli, possibly through the increased expression of two Ca2+‐related proteins, namely, Orai1 and calmodulin. Ang1 also increased Orai1 and calmodulin expression in mouse hearts in vivo. These results provide an insight into the molecular mechanisms by which Ang1 directly affects the myogenesis of striated muscle. J. Cell. Physiol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tumor necrosis factor‐α enhances the transcription of smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 in an activating protein‐1‐ and runx2‐dependent manner
Authors: Lee Hye‐Lim , Yi TacGhee , Baek Kyunghwa , Kwon Arang , Hwang Hyo Rin , Qadir Abdul S. , Park Hyun‐Jung , Woo Kyung Mi , Ryoo Hyun‐Mo , Kim Gwan‐Shik , Baek Jeong‐Hwa
Published: October 2012

Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 (Smurf1) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation. Although tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) has been shown to increase Smurf1 expression, the details of the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which TNF‐α stimulates Smurf1 expression in C2C12 and primary cultured mouse calvarial cells. TNF‐α treatment rapidly induced the activation of NF‐κB and MAPKs. Smurf1 induction by TNF‐α was blocked by the inhibition of JNK or ERK, while the inhibition of NF‐κB and p38 MAPK had no effect on Smurf1 induction. TNF‐α treatment or c‐Jun overexpression enhanced the activity of a luciferase reporter that contained a 2.7 kb mouse Smurf1 promoter sequence. Site‐directed mutagenesis of the Smurf1 reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis demonstrated that the activating protein‐1 (AP‐1) binding motif at −922 bp on the mouse Smurf1 promoter mediated TNF‐α/JNK/AP‐1‐stimulated Smurf1 transcription. Interestingly, Smurf1 expression was not observed in Runx2‐null mouse calvarial cells. When Runx2 was ectopically expressed in these cells, the basal and TNF‐α‐induced expression of Smurf1 was restored. Overexpression of Runx2 transactivated the Smurf1 promoter in a dose‐dependent manner. Reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that the Runx2‐binding motif at −202 bp functioned in Runx2‐mediated Smurf1 expression. ERK activation by TNF‐α treatment or constitutively active MEK1 overexpression increased Smurf1 expression in a Runx2‐dependent manner. These results suggest that the JNK/AP‐1 and ERK/Runx2 signaling pathways mediate TNF‐α‐dependent Smurf1 transcription. J. Cell. Physiol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Spectral characterization and intracellular detection of Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS)‐encoded plasmonic gold nanostars
Authors: Yuan Hsiangkuo , Fales Andrew M. , Khoury Christopher G. , Liu Jesse , Vo‐Dinh Tuan
Published: October 2012

Plasmonic gold nanostars offer a new platform for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). However, due to the presence of organic surfactant on the nanoparticles, SERS characterization and application of nanostar ensembles in solution have been challenging. Here, we applied our newly developed surfactant‐free nanostars for SERS characterization and application. The SERS enhancement factors (EF) of silver spheres, gold spheres and nanostars of similar sizes and concentration were compared. Under 785 nm excitation, nanostars and silver spheres have similar EF, and both are much stronger than gold spheres. Having plasmon matching the incident energy and multiple ‘hot spots’ on the branches bring forth strong SERS response without the need to aggregate. Intracellular detection of silica‐coated SERS‐encoded nanostars was also demonstrated in breast cancer cells. The non‐aggregated field enhancement makes the gold nanostar ensemble a promising agent for SERS bioapplications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Polymer Degree of Conversion on Streptococcus mutans Biofilms
Authors: Kraigsley Alison M. , Tang Kathy , Lippa Katrice A. , Howarter John A. , Lin‐Gibson Sheng , Lin Nancy J.
Published: October 2012

Biofilm–material interactions are increasingly recognized as critical to success of some materials/devices and failure of others. We use a model system of dental monomers, salivary pellicles, and oral biofilms to demonstrate for the first time that degree of conversion of cross‐linked dimethacrylate polymers alters biofilm metabolic activity. This response is due primarily to leachable release (not surface chemistry) and is complex, with no changes in some biofilm measurements (i.e., biomass), and time‐ and leachable‐dependent responses in others (i.e., metabolic activity). These results highlight the need for considering biofilm‐material interactions when designing/evaluating new materials.

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Low Band Gap Donor‐Acceptor Conjugated Polymer Nanoparticles and their NIR‐mediated Thermal Ablation of Cancer Cells
Authors: MacNeill Christopher M. , Coffin Robert C. , Carroll David L. , Levi‐Polyachenko Nicole H.
Published: October 2012

Low band gap D‐A conjugated PNs consisting of 2‐ethylhexyl cyclopentadithiophene co‐polymerized with 2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole (for nano‐PCPDTBT) or 2,1,3‐benzoselenadiazole (for nano‐PCPDTBSe) have been developed. The PNs are stable in aqueous media and showed no significant toxicity up to 1 mg · mL−1. Upon exposure to 808 nm light, the PNs generated temperatures above 50 °C. Photothermal ablation studies of the PNs with RKO and HCT116 colorectal cancer cells were performed. At concentrations above 100 µg · mL−1 for nano‐PCPDTBSe, cell viability was less than 20%, while at concentrations above 62 µg · mL−1 for nano‐PCPDTBT, cell viability was less than 10%. The results of this work demonstrate that low band gap D‐A conjugated polymers 1) can be formed into nanoparticles that are stable in aqueous media; 2) are non‐toxic until stimulated by IR light and 3) have a high photothermal efficiency.

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MicroRNAs, transforming growth factor beta‐1, and tissue fibrosis
Authors: Bowen Timothy , Jenkins Robert H , Fraser Donald J
Published: October 2012

MicroRNAs are short noncoding RNA regulators that repress synthesis of their targets post‐transcriptionally. On average, each microRNA is estimated to regulate several hundred protein‐coding genes, and about 60% of proteins are thought to be regulated by microRNAs in total. A subset of these genes, including the key profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor beta‐1 (TGF‐β1), exhibits particularly strong levels of post‐transcriptional control of protein synthesis, involving microRNAs and other mechanisms. Changes in microRNA expression pattern are linked to profound effects on cell phenotype, and microRNAs have an emerging role in diverse physiological and pathological processes. In this review, we provide an overview of microRNA biology with a focus on their emerging role in diseases typified by organ fibrosis.
RAFT‐approach to well‐defined telechelic vinyl polymers with hydroxyl terminals as polymeric diol‐type building blocks for polyurethanes
Authors: Sudo Atsushi , Hamaguchi Takaaki , Aoyagi Naoto , Endo Takeshi
Published: October 2012

A new trithiocarbonate 1 bearing two hydroxyl moieties was synthesized and employed as a RAFT agent for radical polymerization of vinyl monomers. 1 mediated RAFT polymerizations of styrene and ethyl acrylate to give the corresponding polymers with predictable molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions. Structural analyses of the polymers with NMR and MALDI‐TOF mass techniques revealed that they were telechelic ones, of which both chain ends were endowed with hydroxyl groups inherited from trithiocarbonate 1. Usefulness of these telechelic polymers as polymeric diol‐type building blocks was demonstrated in their polyaddition with diisocyanates, which gave the corresponding polyurethanes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013
Electroactive organic anion‐doped polypyrrole as a low cost and renewable cathode for sodium‐ion batteries
Authors: Zhou Min , Xiong Ya , Cao Yuliang , Ai Xinping , Yang Hanxi
Published: October 2012

We demonstrate here a remarkable electrochemical activation of polypyrrole chains by doping with redox‐active diphenylamine sulfonate anions. The organic redox dopant can not only serve as anionic counterions to enhance electrochemical activity of the polymer chains, but also contributes their redox capacity to the material. This organic‐polymer composite exhibits a quite high reversible capacity of 115 mA h g−1, excellent rate capability and cycling stability, capable of serving as a low cost, and renewable cathode for Na‐ion batteries. Since the chemical doping method is simple and easily extendable for a large variety of organic anions and polymer networks, it is possible to adopt this new strategy for creating low cost and electrochemically active polymer materials for widespread electric storage applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013
Effect of Pulse Rising Time of Pulse dc Voltage on Atmospheric Pressure Non‐Equilibrium Plasma
Authors: Wu S. , Xu H. , Lu X. , Pan Y.
Published: October 2012

Pulse direct current (dc) voltage with different pulse rising time trise have been used to generate atmospheric pressure non‐equilibrium plasmas. However, no quantitative investigation has been reported on how the trise will affect the plasma characteristics. In this paper, the effect of pulse rising time variable from 4 µs to 100 ns on plasma characteristics is investigated. The experimental results show that, when the trise is reduced from 4 µs to 140 ns, the length of the plasma plume increases from less than 20 mm to about 70 mm, the peak value of the discharge current increases from about 0.2 A to 1.3 A. The corresponding breakdown voltage increase from less than 4 kV to about 6 kV and the electron temperature increase from 1.25 eV to 1.55 eV. These results confirm that the shorter the pulse rising time is, the more reactive the plasma is.

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Caution on the storage of waters and aqueous solutions in plastic containers for hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope analysis
Authors: Spangenberg Jorge E.
Published: October 2012

RATIONALE

The choice of containers for storage of aqueous samples between their collection, transport and water hydrogen (2H) and oxygen (18O) stable isotope analysis is a topic of concern for a wide range of fields in environmental, geological, biomedical, food, and forensic sciences. The transport and separation of water molecules during water vapor or liquid uptake by sorption or solution and the diffusive transport of water molecules through organic polymer material by permeation or pervaporation may entail an isotopic fractionation. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the extent of such fractionation.

METHODS

Sixteen bottle‐like containers of eleven different organic polymers, including low and high density polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and perfluoroalkoxy‐Teflon (PFA), of different wall thickness and size were completely filled with the same mineral water and stored for 659 days under the same conditions of temperature and humidity. Particular care was exercised to keep the bottles tightly closed and prevent loss of water vapor through the seals.

RESULTS

Changes of up to +5‰ for δ2H values and +2.0‰ for δ18O values were measured for water after more than 1 year of storage within a plastic container, with the magnitude of change depending mainly on the type of organic polymer, wall thickness, and container size. The most important variations were measured for the PET and PC bottles. Waters stored in glass bottles with Polyseal™ cone‐lined PP screw caps and thick‐walled HDPE or PFA containers with linerless screw caps having an integrally molded inner sealing ring preserved their original δ2H and δ18O values. The carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen stable isotope compositions of the organic polymeric materials were also determined.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study clearly show that for precise and accurate measurements of the water stable isotope composition in aqueous solutions, rigorous sampling and storage procedures are needed both for laboratory standards and for unknown samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design and validation of a novel space–earth integrated network management protocol and its simulation
Authors: Zhao Jianli , Sun Qiuxia
Published: October 2012

Space–earth integrated network (SEIN) consists of the space infrastructure that is composed of multiplex functions and various satellite systems and the ground infrastructure that is composed of many heterogeneous networks connected to each other. Because of the high complexity, heterogeneity, and integrity of SEIN, the traditional ground network management and the current satellite network management architecture are both unsuitable for SEIN. A new SEIN network management protocol is given in this paper, the logical correctness of the protocol is verified using Petri net, and five management primitives are designed in the protocol. This protocol can also be compatible to traditional network protocols with its gateway. The simulation of the protocol shows the merit of a short‐length PDU (Protocol Data Unit) and speedy response time, which is good to the high delay and limited bandwidth of the SEIN.

Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Site‐Specific Modification of Adeno‐Associated Viruses via a Genetically Engineered Aldehyde Tag
Authors: Liu Yarong , Fang Yun , Zhou Yu , Zandi Ebrahim , Lee Chi‐Lin , Joo Kye‐Il , Wang Pin
Published: October 2012

As a consequence of their well‐defined nanostructure and intrinsic bioactive functionality, virus‐based nanoparticles have shown promise for mediating gene delivery. Adeno‐associated virus (AAV) nanoparticles, which possess an excellent safety profile and therapeutic potential, hold potential for use in human gene therapy. However, because of their native tropisms, the applicability of AAV nanoparticles is often limited to restricted ranges of cells or tissues. Thus, retargeting AAV particles to the desired cell populations has continued to be a major research focus in many gene therapy applications. In this study, a general strategy is reported for nanoparticle targeting. This involves the site‐specific modification of AAV type 2 (AAV2) by genetically incorporating a short peptide, in this case an aldehyde tag, in the viral capsid. Such a tag can be exploited for site‐specific attachment of targeting molecules and allows for further introduction of targeting antibodies or ligands. It is shown that this modification neither affects the level of infectious viral titer nor intracellular trafficking properties. Furthermore, the site‐specific conjugation of targeting antibodies could significantly enhance viral transduction to those target cells that have otherwise exhibited very low permissiveness to AAV2 infection. This method also allows the functional incorporation of RGD peptides onto AAV2 for enhanced delivery with implications for cancer gene therapy.
The TGFbeta Superfamily Signaling Pathway
Authors: Weiss Alexander , Attisano Liliana
Published: October 2012

The transforming growth factor (TGF)beta superfamily of secreted factors is comprised of over 30 members including Activins, Nodals, Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs), and Growth and Differentiation Factors (GDFs). Members of the family, which are found in both vertebrates and invertebrates, are ubiquitously expressed in diverse tissues and function during the earliest stages of development and throughout the lifetime of animals. Indeed, key roles in embryonic stem cell self‐renewal, gastrulation, differentiation, organ morphogenesis, and adult tissue homeostasis have been delineated. Consistent with this ubiquitous activity, aberrant TGFbeta superfamily signaling is associated with a wide range of human pathologies including autoimmune, cardiovascular and fibrotic diseases, as well as cancer. TGFbeta superfamily ligands signal through cell‐surface serine/threonine kinase receptors to the intracellular Smad proteins, which in turn accumulate in the nucleus to regulate gene expression. In addition to this universal cascade, Smad‐independent pathways are also employed in a cell‐specific manner to transduce TGFbeta signals. Ligand access to the signaling receptors is regulated by numerous secreted agonists and antagonists and by membrane‐associated coreceptors that act in a context‐dependent manner. Given the fundamental role of the TGFbeta superfamily in metazoans and the diversity of biological responses, it is not surprising that the signaling pathway is subject to tight and complex regulation at levels both outside and inside the cell. WIREs Dev Biol 2013, 2:47–63. doi: 10.1002/wdev.86

This article is categorized under:

Signaling Pathways > Cell Fate Signaling
The CTD code of RNA polymerase II: a structural view
Authors: Jasnovidova Olga , Stefl Richard
Published: October 2012

RNA polymerase II (RNA pol II) is not only the fundamental enzyme for gene expression but also the central coordinator of co‐transcriptional processing. RNA pol II associates with a large number of enzymes and protein/RNA‐binding factors through its C‐terminal domain (CTD) that consists of tandem repeats of the heptapeptide consensus Y1S2P3T4S5P6S7. The CTD is posttranslationally modified, yielding specific patterns (often called the CTD code) that are recognized by appropriate factors in coordination with the transcription cycle. Serine phosphorylations are currently the best characterized elements of the CTD code; however, the roles of the proline isomerization and other modifications of the CTD remain poorly understood. The dynamic remodeling of the CTD modifications by kinases, phosphatases, isomerases, and other enzymes introduce changes in the CTD structure and dynamics. These changes serve as structural switches that spatially and temporally regulate the binding of processing factors. Recent structural studies of the CTD bound to various proteins have revealed the basic rules that govern the recognition of these switches and shed light on the roles of these protein factors in the assemblies of the processing machineries. WIREs RNA 2013, 4:1–16. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1138

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Capping and 5' End Modifications

RNA Processing > 3' End Processing

RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs
Cajal bodies: where form meets function
Authors: Machyna Martin , Heyn Patricia , Neugebauer Karla M.
Published: October 2012

The cell nucleus contains dozens of subcompartments that separate biochemical processes into confined spaces. Cajal bodies (CBs) were discovered more than 100 years ago, but only extensive research in the past decades revealed the surprising complexity of molecular and cellular functions taking place in these structures. Many protein and RNA species are modified and assembled within CBs, which have emerged as a meeting place and factory for ribonucleoprotein (RNP) particles involved in splicing, ribosome biogenesis and telomere maintenance. Recently, a distinct structure near histone gene clusters—the Histone locus body (HLB)—was discovered. Involved in histone mRNA 3′‐end formation, HLBs can share several components with CBs. Whether the appearance of distinct HLBs is simply a matter of altered affinity between these structures or of an alternate mode of CB assembly is unknown. However, both structures share basic assembly properties, in which transcription plays a decisive role in initiation. After this seeding event, additional components associate in random order. This appears to be a widespread mechanism for body assembly. CB assembly encompasses an additional layer of complexity, whereby a set of pre‐existing substructures can be integrated into mature CBs. We propose this as a multi‐seeding model of CB assembly. WIREs RNA 2013, 4:17–34. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1139

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA Processing > 3' End Processing

RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization
Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Elective Colonic Surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society Recommendations
Authors: Gustafsson U. O. , Scott M. J. , Schwenk W. , Demartines N. , Roulin D. , Francis N. , McNaught C. E. , MacFie J. , Liberman A. S. , Soop M. , Hill A. , Kennedy R. H. , Lobo D. N. , Fearon K. , Ljungqvist O.
Published: October 2012

Background

This review aims to present a consensus for optimal perioperative care in colonic surgery and to provide graded recommendations for items for an evidenced‐based enhanced perioperative protocol.

Methods

Studies were selected with particular attention paid to meta‐analyses, randomised controlled trials and large prospective cohorts. For each item of the perioperative treatment pathway, available English‐language literature was examined, reviewed and graded. A consensus recommendation was reached after critical appraisal of the literature by the group.

Results

For most of the protocol items, recommendations are based on good‐quality trials or meta‐analyses of good‐quality trials (quality of evidence and recommendations according to the GRADE system).

Conclusions

Based on the evidence available for each item of the multimodal perioperative care pathway, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society, International Association for Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition (IASMEN) and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) present a comprehensive evidence‐based consensus review of perioperative care for colonic surgery.
Guidelines for Perioperative Care in Elective Rectal/Pelvic Surgery: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society Recommendations
Authors: Nygren J. , Thacker J. , Carli F. , Fearon K. C. H. , Norderval S. , Lobo D. N. , Ljungqvist O. , Soop M. , Ramirez J.
Published: October 2012

Background

This review aims to present a consensus for optimal perioperative care in rectal/pelvic surgery, and to provide graded recommendations for items for an evidenced‐based enhanced recovery protocol.

Methods

Studies were selected with particular attention paid to meta‐analyses, randomized controlled trials and large prospective cohorts. For each item of the perioperative treatment pathway, available English‐language literature was examined, reviewed and graded. A consensus recommendation was reached after critical appraisal of the literature by the group.

Results

For most of the protocol items, recommendations are based on good‐quality trials or meta‐analyses of good‐quality trials (evidence grade: high or moderate).

Conclusions

Based on the evidence available for each item of the multimodal perioperative care pathway, the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society, European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and International Association for Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition (IASMEN) present a comprehensive evidence‐based consensus review of perioperative care for rectal surgery.
Conversion and Apostasy in the Late Ottoman Empire
Authors: Deringil Selim
Published: October 2012

In the nineteenth-century Ottoman Empire traditional religious structures crumbled as the empire itself began to fall apart. The state's answer to schism was regulation and control, administered in the form of a number of edicts in the early part of the century. It is against this background that different religious communities and individuals negotiated survival by converting to Islam when their political interests or their lives were at stake. As the century progressed, however, conversion was no longer sufficient to guarantee citizenship and property rights as the state became increasingly paranoid about its apostates and what it perceived as their 'denationalization'. The book tells the story of the struggle between the Ottoman State, the Great Powers and a multitude of evangelical organizations, shedding light on current flash-points in the Arab world and the Balkans, offering alternative perspectives on national and religious identity and the interconnection between the two.
Introduction to Conservation Genetics
Authors: Frankham Richard , Ballou Jonathan D. , Briscoe David A.
Published: October 2012

This impressive author team brings the wealth of advances in conservation genetics into the new edition of this introductory text, including new chapters on population genomics and genetic issues in introduced and invasive species. They continue the strong learning features for students - main points in the margin, chapter summaries, vital support with the mathematics, and further reading - and now guide the reader to software and databases. Many new references reflect the expansion of this field. With examples from mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, plants and invertebrates, this is an ideal introduction to conservation genetics for a broad audience. The text tackles the quantitative aspects of conservation genetics, and has a host of pedagogy to support students learning the numerical side of the subject. Combined with being up-to-date, its user-friendly writing style and first-class illustration programme forms a robust teaching package.
Heroes and Romans in Twelfth-Century Byzantium
Authors: Neville Leonora
Published: October 2012

Nikephoros Bryennios' history of the Byzantine Empire in the 1070s is a story of civil war and aristocratic rebellion in the midst of the Turkish conquest of Anatolia. Commonly remembered as the passive and unambitious husband of Princess Anna Komnene (author of the Alexiad), Bryennios is revealed as a skilled author whose history draws on cultural memories of classical Roman honor and proper masculinity to evaluate the politicians of the 1070s and implicitly to exhort his twelfth-century contemporaries to honorable behavior. Bryennios' story valorizes the memory of his grandfather and other honorable, but failed, generals of the eleventh century while subtly portraying the victorious Alexios Komnenos as un-Roman. This reading of the Material for History sheds new light on twelfth-century Byzantine culture and politics, especially the contested accession of John Komnenos, the relationship between Bryennios' history and the Alexiad and the function of cultural memories of Roman honor in Byzantium.
The Environmental Psychology of Prisons and Jails
Authors: Wener Richard E.
Published: October 2012

This book distils thirty years of research on the impacts of jail and prison environments. The research program began with evaluations of new jails that were created by the US Bureau of Prisons, which had a novel design intended to provide a non-traditional and safe environment for pre-trial inmates and documented the stunning success of these jails in reducing tension and violence. This book uses assessments of this new model as a basis for considering the nature of environment and behavior in correctional settings and more broadly in all human settings. It provides a critical review of research on jail environments and of specific issues critical to the way they are experienced and places them in historical and theoretical context. It presents a contextual model for the way environment influences the chance of violence.
The Principal Principle
Authors: Das Sanjiv R.
Published: October 2012

I analyze optimal loan modification schemes in a stochastic home price and stochastic interest-rate environment. Lenders maximize loan values by managing the borrower’s option to default on the loan and prepayment option. Given negative equity, controlling for the borrower’s ability to pay, rate reductions and maturity extensions result in a higher probability of redefault by homeowners even after modification of their loans. In contrast, loan write-downs (the Principal Principle), not a favored recipe, are value maximizing for the lender. A shared-appreciation mortgage enhances the ability to pay, mitigates adverse selection, and reduces the present value of expected deadweight foreclosure costs.
Late Quaternary chronostratigraphic framework of deep Baffin Bay glaciomarine sediments from high‐resolution paleomagnetic data
Authors: Simon Quentin , St‐Onge Guillaume , Hillaire‐Marcel Claude
Published: October 2012

The late Quaternary Baffin Bay sediments provide exclusive records of Greenland, Innuitian and Laurentide ice sheet margin activities, as well as information about the Arctic and northern Atlantic ocean linkages through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Because of specific oceanographic conditions, foraminiferal δ18O‐stratigraphies and radiocarbon ages fail to provide reliable chronologies. Here we propose an original chronostratigraphy spanning the last glacial cycle based on high‐resolution paleomagnetic investigations on a 741‐cm long core (HU2008‐029‐016PC) raised from the deep central Baffin Bay, near ODP site 645. Two major difficulties were encountered: (1) the high‐frequency occurrence of rapidly deposited layers related to short ice sheet margin events (e.g., ice surges), and (2) the magnetic grain size variability. Physical and magnetic mineralogical properties were used to screen out unreliable magnetic sediment layers. The obtained relative paleointensity (RPI) proxy matches reference paleomagnetic stacks and regional records. Moreover, the resulting record depicts two major excursions which were assigned to the Laschamp and the Norwegian‐Greenland‐Sea events. It has thus been possible to derive a robust 115 ka chronology for the cored sequence. We concluded that even under such a dynamic sedimentary regime, magnetic properties of the sediments can provide a reliable chronostratigraphy, together with information on sedimentary processes.
Effects of more extreme precipitation regimes on maximum seasonal snow water equivalent
Authors: Kumar Mukesh , Wang Rui , Link Timothy E.
Published: October 2012

Many climate change forecasts project more extreme precipitation regimes (MEPR) in the future, characterized by more intense but less frequent storms. Plausible impacts of MEPR have drawn considerable attention from hydrologists and ecologists, but the hydrological impacts of MEPR in snowfall‐dominated regions are less clear. Here we quantify the impacts of MEPR on the maximum seasonal snow water equivalent (SWEmax) based on simulated snowpack dynamics. We show that between any two scenarios with the same amount of precipitation, the one with more intense snowfalls generally has larger SWEmax. Under a warmer climate, SWEmax increases enough with MEPR to partially offset higher melt rates and rain/snow ratios, especially in warm and dry winters. This study demonstrates how MEPR might affect seasonal snow water resources and potentially alleviate the decreasing trend in SWEmax caused by climate warming under specific conditions.