bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Length-weight relationship, growth and mortality ofAnadara granosain Penang Island, Malaysia: an approach using length-frequency data sets
Authors: Mirzaei Mohammad Reza , Yasin Zulfigar , Shau Hwai Aileen Tan
Published: October 2014

Length-weight relationship, growth parameters and mortality rates ofAnadara granosain the intertidal zone of Balik Pulau, Penang Island, West Coast of Malaysia were investigated based on monthly length-frequency data (December 2011 to November 2012). A total of 548 individuals ranging from 11.25 to 33.13 mm size were subjected to analysis. Logarithmic relationship between the length and weight was LogW = 2.328LogL − 2.537 (R2 = 0.922) for combined sexes. From this equation it was clear that the exponent ‘b’ value forA. granosashowed a negative allometric growth (b < 3). A von Bertalanffy growth function with an asymptotic length (L∞) of 35.40 mm and a growth constant (K) of 1.1 year−1was established from length frequency distributions. Thet0(−0.140) was estimated by substituting theL∞andKin the Pauly's equation. The sizes attained byA. granosawere 10.13, 14.36, 17.89, 20.82, 23.56 and 25.29 mm at the end of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months, respectively. The estimated growth performance index (Ø) was 3.13 while the estimated lifespan of the cockles was about 2.72 years at the study area. The estimated value of total mortality based on length-converted catch curve wasZ = 3.02 year−1. The natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) rates were 1.84 and 0.48 year−1, respectively. The exploitation level (E) ofA. granosawas 0.20, which indicated slight fishing pressure on the stock.
Altered performance in attention tasks in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis: seasonal dependency and association with disease characteristics
Authors: Trikojat K. , Buske-Kirschbaum A. , Schmitt J. , Plessow F.
Published: October 2014

Background.

Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) is a chronic disease affecting about 23% of the European population with increasing prevalence rates. Beside classical symptoms (i.e. sneezing, nasal congestion), patients frequently complain about subjective impairments in cognitive functioning during periods of acute allergic inflammation. However, objective evidence for such deficits or the role of potential modulators and underlying mechanisms is limited. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of SAR on attention-related cognitive processes. In addition, relationships between attention performance, sleep and mood disturbances as well as specific disease characteristics as potential modulators of this link were explored.

Method.

SAR patients (n = 41) and non-allergic healthy controls (n = 42) completed a set of attention tasks during a symptomatic allergy period and during a non-symptomatic period. Influences of sleep, mood, total immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels and individual allergy characteristics on cognitive performance were evaluated.

Results.

Compared to healthy controls, SAR patients had a slower processing speed during both symptomatic and non-symptomatic allergy periods. Additionally, they showed a more flexible adjustment in attention control, which may serve as a compensatory strategy. Reduction in processing speed was positively associated with total IgE levels whereas flexible adjustment of attention was linked with anxious mood. No association was found between SAR-related attention deficits and allergy characteristics or sleep.

Conclusions.

SAR represents a state that is crucially linked to impairments in information processing and changes in attentional control adjustments. These cognitive alterations are more likely to be influenced by mood and basal inflammatory processes than sleep impairments or subjective symptom severity.
Guitars have disabilities: exploring guitar adaptations for an adolescent with Down syndrome
Authors: Bell Adam Patrick
Published: October 2014

The guitar has a high value in cultural capital and we are immersed in a culture in which the guitar is the predominant vehicle of music-making. Given the guitar's mass popularity, it follows that the guitar-learning community is vast and diverse. Subscribing to the social model of disability, I problematise the guitar as being disabled and conducted an instrumental case study using the ethnographic tools of video-based observation, field notes and a semi-structured interview to chronicle the experience of teaching an adolescent with Down syndrome how to play the guitar. Different approaches to enabling the guitar are examined including open-tuning, standard tuning and a modified two-string guitar. Findings discuss the importance of the guitar to the participant as a percussive and rhythmic instrument and additionally as support for singing in the context of jamming.
OPTIMAL BANDWIDTH SELECTION FOR ROBUST GENERALIZED METHOD OF MOMENTS ESTIMATION
Authors: Wilhelm Daniel
Published: October 2014

A two-step generalized method of moments estimation procedure can be made robust to heteroskedasticity and autocorrelation in the data by using a nonparametric estimator of the optimal weighting matrix. This paper addresses the issue of choosing the corresponding smoothing parameter (or bandwidth) so that the resulting point estimate is optimal in a certain sense. We derive an asymptotically optimal bandwidth that minimizes a higher-order approximation to the asymptotic mean-squared error of the estimator of interest. We show that the optimal bandwidth is of the same order as the one minimizing the mean-squared error of the nonparametric plugin estimator, but the constants of proportionality are significantly different. Finally, we develop a data-driven bandwidth selection rule and show, in a simulation experiment, that it may substantially reduce the estimator’s mean-squared error relative to existing bandwidth choices, especially when the number of moment conditions is large.
Vitamin D status and incidence of tuberculosis infection conversion in contacts of pulmonary tuberculosis patients: a prospective cohort study
Authors: ARNEDO-PENA A. , JUAN-CERDÁN J. V. , ROMEU-GARCÍA M. A. , GARCÍA-FERRER D. , HOLGUÍN-GÓMEZ R. , IBORRA-MILLET J. , PARDO-SERRANO F.
Published: October 2014

The objective of this study was to estimate the relationship between serum vitamin D (VitD) status and tuberculosis (TB) infection conversion (TBIC), measured by the tuberculin skin test (TST) and an interferon-gamma release assay, the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT) test, in the contacts of pulmonary TB patients in Castellon (Spain) in a prospective cohort study from 2010 to 2012. Initially, the participants were negative to latent TB infection after a screening that included TST and QFT-GIT tests, and other examinations. A baseline determination of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was obtained by chemiluminescence immunoassay. After 8–10 weeks, participants were screened for a second time to determine TB infection conversion (TBIC). Poisson regression models were used in the statistical analysis. Of the 247 participants in the cohort, 198 (80·2%) were screened twice and 18 (9·1%) were TBIC cases. The means of VitD concentration in the TBIC cases and the non-cases were 20·7±11·9 and 27·2±11·4 ng/ml (P = 0·028), respectively. Adjusted for high exposure and TB sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB)-positive index case, higher serum VitD concentration was associated with low incidence of TBIC (Ptrend = 0·005), and an increase of 1 ng/ml VitD concentration decreased the incidence of TBIC by 6% (relative risk 0·94, 95% confidence interval 0·90–0·99, P = 0·015). The results suggest that sufficient VitD level could be a protective factor of TBIC.
Assessing the use of antiviral treatment to control influenza
Authors: KRAMER S. C. , BANSAL S.
Published: October 2014

Vaccines are the cornerstone of influenza control policy, but can suffer from several drawbacks. Seasonal influenza vaccines are prone to production problems and low efficacies, while pandemic vaccines are unlikely to be available in time to slow a rapidly spreading global outbreak. Antiviral therapy was found to be beneficial during the influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic even with limited use; however, antiviral use has decreased further since then. We sought to determine the role antiviral therapy can play in pandemic and seasonal influenza control using conservative estimates of antiviral efficacy, and to assess if conservative but targeted strategies could be employed to optimize the use of antivirals. Using an age-structured contact network model for an urban population, we compared the transmission-blocking ability of a conservative antiviral therapy strategy to the susceptibility-reducing effects of a robust influenza vaccine. Our results show that while antiviral therapy cannot replace a robust influenza vaccine, it can play a role in reducing attack rates and eliminating outbreaks, and could significantly reduce public health burden when vaccine is either unavailable or ineffective. We also found that antiviral therapy, by treating those who are infected, is naturally a highly optimized strategy, and need not be improved upon with expensive targeted campaigns.
Resolution of T. Ward's Question and the Israel–Finch Conjecture: Precise Analysis of an Integer Sequence Arising in Dynamics
Authors: GAITHER JEFFREY , LOUCHARD GUY , WAGNER STEPHAN , WARD MARK DANIEL
Published: October 2014

We analyse the first-order asymptotic growth of

\[
a_{n}=\int_{0}^{1}\prod_{j=1}^{n}4\sin^{2}(\pi jx)\, dx.
\]

The integer an appears as the main term in a weighted average of the number of orbits in a particular quasihyperbolic automorphism of a 2n-torus, which has applications to ergodic and analytic number theory. The combinatorial structure of an is also of interest, as the ‘signed’ number of ways in which 0 can be represented as the sum of ϵjj for −n ≤ j ≤ n (with j ≠ 0), with ϵj ∈ {0, 1}. Our result answers a question of Thomas Ward (no relation to the fourth author) and confirms a conjecture of Robert Israel and Steven Finch.
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial tachyarrhythmias after an atrial switch operation in a patient with univentricular heart combined with transposition of the great arteries
Authors: Ban Ji-Eun , Park Sang-Weon , Kim Young-Hoon
Published: October 2014

A 31-year-old patient previously underwent a Mustard operation presented with palpitations. Atrial tachycardia and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation were documented on the surface electrocardiogram. Under the guidance of a three-dimensional electroanatomic mapping system, ablation of the isolated left-sided pulmonary vein and a cavo-tricuspid isthmus-dependent intra-atrial macro re-entry circuit eliminated atrial tachycardia and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation without the recurrence of atrial tachyarrhythmia.
Maternal hypothyroidism may be associated with CHD in offspring
Authors: Grattan Michael J , Thomas Daina S , Hornberger Lisa K. , Hamilton Robert M , Midodzi William K , Vohra Sunita
Published: October 2014

Objectives:This study tested whether mothers with maternal hypothyroidism have increased odds of CHD in their offspring, and examined the relationship between CHD, maternal thyroid function, and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.Background:Maternal hypothyroidism increases the risk for foetal demise and prematurity and can have a negative impact on neurodevelopment. Prior studies have postulated a relationship between maternal thyroid function, CHD, and maternal nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.Methods:A cross-sectional case–control study was conducted over a 17-month period to obtain a history of maternal thyroid status and nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. Paediatric echocardiograms were evaluated for CHD by a blinded paediatric cardiologist. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between CHD and maternal hypothyroidism.Results:Of the 998 maternal–child pairs, 10% (98/998) of the mothers reported a history of prenatal hypothyroidism. The overall prevalence of CHD in the study sample was 63% (630/998). Mothers with a history of hypothyroidism were significantly more likely to have offspring with CHD compared with mothers without a history of hypothyroidism (72 versus 62%; p=0.04). The adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of CHD in offspring associated with reported maternal hypothyroidism was 1.68 (1.02–2.78).Conclusion:This study suggests that maternal hypothyroidism is a risk factor for the development of CHD. Further prospective investigations are necessary to confirm this association and delineate pathogenic mechanisms.
Prevalence of female urinary incontinence and its impact on quality of life in a cluster population in the United Kingdom (UK): a community survey
Authors: Cooper Jason , Annappa Manjula , Quigley Angela , Dracocardos Davina , Bondili Anu , Mallen Christian
Published: October 2014

Aim

To ascertain the prevalence of urinary incontinence and lower urinary tract symptoms, impact on quality of life and help-seeking behaviour.

Background

Urinary incontinence is common and will affect more individuals as the population ages. Estimates of the prevalence of urinary incontinence vary hugely. Additional information is required to inform resource allocation.

Methods

Population-based cross-sectional postal evaluation of all female patients over 21 years registered at a single medical practice in the United Kingdom.

Findings

A total of 40% of respondents suffered urinary incontinence, which caused significant problems in 8.5%. Stress urinary incontinence was the most common type of incontinence while 10% had symptoms of voiding dysfunction. A total of 17% of women had sought professional help. Patients perceived that urinary incontinence was part of the natural ageing process and that there was a low expectation of successful treatment.
Steps towards eta-Earth, from Kepler data
Authors: Traub Wesley A.
Published: October 2014

The goal of this paper is to take steps towards estimating the frequency of terrestrial planets in the habitable zones of their host stars, using planet counts from the Kepler mission. The method is to assume that an analytical form for the underlying distribution function, numerically simulate the observing procedure, compare the simulated and real observations, and iterate the model parameters to achieve convergence in the sense of least-squares. The underlying distribution can then be extrapolated to a region of interest, here the terrestrial habitable-zone range. In this regime (small radii, long periods), the instrument noise makes such detections essentially impossible below a fairly sharply defined threshold signal level. This threshold can be estimated from the existing data. By taking this cutoff into account, the distribution of planets, as a function of radius and period, can be estimated with minimal bias. Extending this distribution to terrestrial planets in habitable-zone orbits can yield an estimate of eta-sub-Earth.
Long-term consequences of a short-term hypergravity load in a snail model
Authors: Martynova Marina G. , Shabelnikov Sergej V. , Bystrova Olga A.
Published: October 2014

Here we focused on the dynamic processes in the snail at different time after short-term hypergravity load (STHL) by monitoring the state of neuroendocrine and immune systems, the nucleic acid synthesis levels in the atrial cells, and the behaviour of the atrial granular cells (GCs). We observed that immediately after centrifugation (14 g for 15 min) in the snail haemolymph concentration of dopamine and noradrenaline (measured by high-performance liquid chromatography) and the number of circulating haemocytes and their proliferative activity (estimated by the direct cell counting and [3H]thymidine incorporation, respectively) increased significantly, whereas the concentration of adrenaline decreased. Twenty-four hours after STHL, the levels of catecholamines and haemocytes returned to their control values. In the atrial epicardial and endothelial cells, a notable drop of transcription activity (evaluated by [3H]uridine autoradiography) from the baseline in the immediate post-STHL period was followed by its gradual increase reaching a maximum at the day 5 and subsequent decrease to control value by the day 10. In endothelial cells, DNA-synthesizing activity (evaluated by [3H]thymidine autoradiography) equal to zero before and just after STHL, increased significantly at the day 5, and decreased by the day 10. The atrial GCs underwent total degranulation. Formed as a result small ungranulated cells exhibited DNA synthesis. Afterwards, most probably, the GCs divided and regranulated. One month after STHL the GC population had been restored. Overall, STHL has triggered an immediate reaction of the neuroendocrine and immune systems and initiated long-lasting processes at a cellular level, which included alterations in activity of nucleic acid syntheses in the epicardial and endothelial cells and remodelling of the GC population in the atrium.
Trafficking Policy, Meaning Making and State Violence
Authors: Berg Heather
Published: October 2014

This article reviews critical literature on sex trafficking policy through a cultural studies lens. It argues that the conflation of ‘trafficking’ and prostitution that pervades anti-trafficking policy makes trafficking victims out of sex workers. On another register, anti-trafficking policy creates ‘victims’ through curtailments on mobility and work eligibility that make workers more dependent on third party managers and less able to secure assistance when these parties abuse the power that the state has effectively granted them. The article calls upon policy makers to undertake the policy making process with sex workers’ continued experiences of the state as a primary source of violence and exploitation in view.
ON WEAK GROUND
Authors: DEROSSET LOUIS
Published: October 2014

Though the study of grounding is still in the early stages, Kit Fine, in ”The Pure Logic of Ground”, has made a seminal attempt at formalization. Formalization of this sort is supposed to bring clarity and precision to our theorizing, as it has to the study of other metaphysically important phenomena, like modality and vagueness. Unfortunately, as I will argue, Fine ties the formal treatment of grounding to the obscure notion of a weak ground. The obscurity of weak ground, together with its centrality in Fine’s system, threatens to undermine the extent to which this formalization offers clarity and precision. In this paper, I show how to overcome this problem. I describe a system, the logic of strict ground (LSG) and demonstrate its adequacy; I specify a translation scheme for interpreting Fine’s weak grounding claims; I show that the interpretation verifies all of the principles of Fine’s system; and I show that derivability in Fine’s system can be exactly characterized in terms of derivability in LSG. I conclude that Fine’s system is reducible to LSG.
Design of a compact MIMO antenna system with reduced mutual coupling
Authors: Talha Mohammed Younus , Babu Kamili Jagadeesh , Aldhaheri Rabah W.
Published: October 2014

A novel compact multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system operating from 5 to 7.3 GHz is proposed for wireless applications. It comprises of two similar antennas with microstrip feeding and radiating patches developed on a reduced ground plane. The developed antenna system resonates at a dual-band of 5.4 and 6.8 GHz frequencies, giving an impedance bandwidth of 38% (based on S11 < −10 dB). The unique structure of the proposed MIMO system gives a reduced mutual coupling of −27 dB at 5.4 GHz resonant frequency and −19 dB at 6.8 GHz resonant frequency and in the entire operating band the coupling is maintained well below −16 dB. The envelope correlation coefficient of the proposed MIMO system is calculated and is found to be less than 0.05 in the operating band. The measured and simulation results are found in good agreement.
Size Matters, Although It Shouldn’t: The ICRW and Small Cetaceans. A Reply to Stephenson, Mooers and Attaran
Authors: Couzens Ed
Published: October 2014

Written as a response to the article ‘Does Size Matter? The ICRW and the Inclusion of Small Cetaceans’ by Sean Stephenson, Arne Mooers and Amir Attaran, this commentary considers how important global and regional biodiversity- or conservation-related conventions have deliberately avoided the issue area of cetacean management. One of the effects of this is that so-called ‘small cetaceans’ – approximately 70 species – are left largely unregulated. This article differs from that of Stephenson and his co-authors, who argue that the ‘only appropriate’ forum for dealing with the issue is the International Court of Justice. Instead, it is argued here that the ‘Future of the IWC’ compromise process may yet represent the best course for bringing small cetaceans under IWC management authority. Another alternative was recently suggested in a draft resolution put forward by Monaco in 2012 – and is likely to be put forward again in 2014 – which advocated involving the United Nations General Assembly in the issue. The issue is both complicated and important, and a solution is needed.
Holistic and Leadership Approaches to International Regulation: Confronting Nature Conservation and Developmental Challenges. A Reply to Farnese
Authors: Harrop Stuart
Published: October 2014

International nature protection law has developed without a coherent plan, with disparate governance instruments each largely evolving within their own separate sphere. Yet, many other issues are closely linked to the challenges of nature degradation, such as developmental challenges, climate change, food security and food safety, disease prevention, and rural poverty. These interconnections have partly been recognized in Agenda 21 and more recently in the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. This response commentary draws on and extrapolates further the conclusions of Patricia Farnese in ‘The Prevention Imperative’, published in this issue ofTransnational Environmental Law, and argues for a more coherent approach and effective leadership in this area of global regulation, along with a more flexible and holistic approach to governance responses.
Entwicklung von 130 deutschsprachigen Compound Remote Associate (CRA)-Worträtseln zur Untersuchung kreativer Prozesse im deutschen Sprachraum
Authors: Landmann Nina , Kuhn Marion , Piosczyk Hannah , Feige Bernd , Riemann Dieter , Nissen Christoph
Published: October 2014

Der Compound Remote Associate (CRA) -Test stellt eine wichtige Aufgabe für die systematische Untersuchung verbal-assoziativer Prozesse als ein Korrelat für Kreativität dar, der bislang nur im englischen Sprachraum zur Verfügung stand. Der Test besteht aus Worträtseln mit jeweils drei nicht verwandten Stimuluswörtern (Triadenkonstituenten), für die ein viertes, mit allen drei Wörtern assoziiertes Wort (gemeinsames Assoziat) gefunden werden soll. Gegenstand der vorliegenden Arbeit war die Entwicklung und der Einsatz von 130 CRA-Worträtseln für den deutschen Sprachraum. Hierzu wurden zwei Gruppen von 40 Probanden 65 neu entwickelte CRA-Worträtsel für die Dauer von maximal 60 Sekunden dargeboten. Die vorliegende Arbeit stellt die Worträtsel sortiert nach aufsteigendem Schwierigkeitsgrad vor. Als Normwerte werden für vier Zeitintervalle (5 s, 15 s, 30 s und 60 s) die Anzahl der Probanden, die das Worträtsel gelöst haben (%), die mittlere Lösungszeit (s) sowie die Lösung mit Einsicht (%) angegeben. Der Datensatz ermöglicht auch in der deutschsprachigen Forschung den Einsatz einer etablierten Aufgabe zu Einsicht und Problemlösen, um das Konstrukt „Kreativität” weiter zu erschließen.
Gefitinib targets ZAP-70-expressing chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells and inhibits B-cell receptor signaling
Authors: Dielschneider R F , Xiao W , Yoon J-Y , Noh E , Banerji V , Li H , Marshall A J , Johnston J B , Gibson S B
Published: October 2014

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) can be divided into groups based on biomarkers of poor prognosis. The expression of the tyrosine kinase ZAP-70 (member of the Syk tyrosine kinase family) in CLL cells is associated with shorter overall survival in CLL patients. Currently, there is a lack of targeted therapies for patients with ZAP-70 expression in CLL cells. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib has been shown to be effective at induce apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia through inhibition of Syk. In this study, we sought to test the efficacy of gefitinib in primary human ZAP-70+ CLL cells. We demonstrate that gefitinib preferentially induces cell death in ZAP-70-expressing CLL cells with a median IC50 of 4.5 μM. In addition, gefitinib decreases the viability of ZAP-70+ Jurkat T leukemia cells but fails to affect T cells from CLL patients. Western blot analysis shows gefitinib reduces both basal and B-cell receptor (BCR)-stimulated phosphorylation of Syk/ZAP-70, ERK, and Akt in ZAP-70+ CLL cells. Moreover, gefitinib inhibits the pro-survival response from BCR stimulation and decreases pro-survival proteins such as Mcl-1. Finally, ZAP-70 expression sensitizes Raji cells to gefitinib treatment. These results demonstrate that gefitinib specifically targets ZAP-70+ CLL cells and inhibits the BCR cell survival pathway leading to apoptosis. This represents the likelihood of tyrosine kinase inhibitors being effective targeted treatments for ZAP-70+ CLL cells.
MicroRNA-207 enhances radiation-induced apoptosis by directly targeting akt3 in cochlea hair cells
Authors: Tan P-x , Du S-s , Ren C , Yao Q-w , Zheng R , Li R , Yuan Y-w
Published: October 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have important roles in various types of cellular biological processes. Our study aimed to determine whether miRNAs function in the regulation of ionizing radiation (IR)-induced cell death in auditory cells and to determine how they affect the cellular response to IR. Microarray and qRT-PCR were performed to identify and confirm the differential expression of miRNAs in the cochlea hair cell line HEI-OC1 and in vivo after IR. Upregulation or downregulation of miRNAs using miRNA mimics or inhibitor were detected to characterize the biological effects of the indicated miRNAs. Bioinformatic analyses, luciferase reporter assays and mRNA knockdown were performed to identify a miRNA target gene. We determined that miR-207 was significantly upregulated after IR. MiR-207 enhances IR-induced apoptosis and DNA damage in HEI-OC1 cells. Furthermore, Akt3 was confirmed to be a direct target of miR-207. Downregulation of Akt3 mimics the effects of miR-207. MiR-207 enhances IR-induced apoptosis by directly targeting Akt3 and anti-miR-207 may have a potential role in protecting cochlea hair cells from IR.
Synergistic anti-tumor activity and inhibition of angiogenesis by cotargeting of oncogenic and death receptor pathways in human melanoma
Authors: Grazia G , Vegetti C , Benigni F , Penna I , Perotti V , Tassi E , Bersani I , Nicolini G , Canevari S , Carlo-Stella C , Gianni A M , Mortarini R , Anichini A
Published: October 2014

Improving treatment of advanced melanoma may require the development of effective strategies to overcome resistance to different anti-tumor agents and to counteract relevant pro-tumoral mechanisms in the microenvironment. Here we provide preclinical evidence that these goals can be achieved in most melanomas, by co-targeting of oncogenic and death receptor pathways, and independently of their BRAF, NRAS, p53 and PTEN status. In 49 melanoma cell lines, we found independent susceptibility profiles for response to the MEK1/2 inhibitor AZD6244, the PI3K/mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 and the death receptor ligand TRAIL, supporting the rationale for their association. Drug interaction analysis indicated that a strong synergistic anti-tumor activity could be achieved by the three agents and the AZD6244–TRAIL association on 20/21 melanomas, including cell lines resistant to the inhibitors or to TRAIL. Mechanistically, synergy was explained by enhanced induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis, mitochondrial depolarization and modulation of key regulators of extrinsic and intrinsic cell death pathways, including c-FLIP, BIM, BAX, clusterin, Mcl-1 and several IAP family members. Moreover, silencing experiments confirmed the central role of Apollon downmodulation in promoting the apoptotic response of melanoma cells to the combinatorial treatments. In SCID mice, the AZD6244–TRAIL association induced significant growth inhibition of a tumor resistant to TRAIL and poorly responsive to AZD6244, with no detectable adverse events on body weight and tissue histology. Reduction in tumor volume was associated not only with promotion of tumor apoptosis but also with suppression of the pro-angiogenic molecules HIF1α, VEGFα, IL-8 and TGFβ1 and with inhibition of tumor angiogenesis. These results suggest that synergistic co-targeting of oncogenic and death receptor pathways can not only overcome melanoma resistance to different anti-tumor agents in vitro but can also promote pro-apoptotic effects and inhibition of tumor angiogenesis in vivo.
CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell differentiation mediated by endometrial stromal cell-derived TECK promotes the growth and invasion of endometriotic lesions
Authors: Li M-Q , Wang Y , Chang K-K , Meng Y-H , Liu L-B , Mei J , Wang Y , Wang X-Q , Jin L-P , Li D-J
Published: October 2014

Endometriosis is associated with an abnormal immune response to endometrial cells, which can facilitate the implantation and proliferation of ectopic endometrial tissue. The proportion of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) is significantly increased in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. The thymus-expressed chemokine TECK/CCL25 directly promotes the invasiveness of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ESC-derived TECK on the crosstalk between Tregs and ESCs in the progress of endometriosis. We determined that the percentage of Tregs and the concentration of TECK increased in the peritoneal fluid with the progression of endometriosis. The supernatant from co-cultured human ESCs and macrophages not only induced Treg differentiation and increased Treg expression of interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and CD73 by activating the AKT/STAT3 signaling pathway but also repressed Treg apoptosis by downregulating Fas and FasL expression and enhanced the Treg-mediated suppression of CD4+CD25− T cells. In addition, in vitro and in vivo trials confirmed that these effects could be inhibited by anti-TECK neutralizing Abs. The secretion of IL-10 and TGF-β by Tregs increased MMP2 expression and decreased TIMP1 expression and further stimulated the proliferation and invasion of ESCs and the growth of ectopic lesions. These results indicate that TECK derived from ESCs and macrophages upregulates the number and function of Tregs in the ectopic milieu, which contributes to endometriotic immunotolerance and high levels of ESC proliferation and invasion, thereby facilitating the progression of endometriosis.
PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway inhibitors enhance radiosensitivity in radioresistant prostate cancer cells through inducing apoptosis, reducing autophagy, suppressing NHEJ and HR repair pathways
Authors: Chang L , Graham P H , Hao J , Ni J , Bucci J , Cozzi P J , Kearsley J H , Li Y
Published: October 2014

The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway has a central role in cancer metastasis and radiotherapy. To develop effective therapeutics to improve radiosensitivity, understanding the possible pathways of radioresistance involved and the effects of a combination of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors with radiotherapy on prostate cancer (CaP) radioresistant cells is needed. We found that compared with parent CaP cells, CaP-radioresistant cells demonstrated G0/G1 and S phase arrest, activation of cell cycle check point, autophagy and DNA repair pathway proteins, and inactivation of apoptotic proteins. We also demonstrated that compared with combination of single PI3K or mTOR inhibitors (BKM120 or Rapamycin) and radiation, low-dose of dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors (BEZ235 or PI103) combined with radiation greatly improved treatment efficacy by repressing colony formation, inducing more apoptosis, leading to the arrest of the G2/M phase, increased double-strand break levels and less inactivation of cell cycle check point, autophagy and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ)/homologous recombination (HR) repair pathway proteins in CaP-radioresistant cells. This study describes the possible pathways associated with CaP radioresistance and demonstrates the putative mechanisms of the radiosensitization effect in CaP-resistant cells in the combination treatment. The findings from this study suggest that the combination of dual PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitors (BEZ235 or PI103) with radiotherapy is a promising modality for the treatment of CaP to overcome radioresistance.
MUC1 extracellular domain confers resistance of epithelial cancer cells to anoikis
Authors: Zhao Q , Piyush T , Chen C , Hollingsworth M A , Hilkens J , Rhodes J M , Yu L-G
Published: October 2014

Anoikis, a special apoptotic process occurring in response to loss of cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix, is a fundamental surveillance process for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Resistance to anoikis characterises cancer cells and is a pre-requisite for metastasis. This study shows that overexpression of the transmembrane mucin protein MUC1 prevents initiation of anoikis in epithelial cancer cells in response to loss of adhesion. We show that this effect is largely attributed to the elongated and heavily glycosylated extracellular domain of MUC1 that protrudes high above the cell membrane and hence prevents activation of the cell surface anoikis-initiating molecules such as integrins and death receptors by providing them a mechanically ‘homing’ microenvironment. As overexpression of MUC1 is a common feature of epithelial cancers and as resistance to anoikis is a hallmark of both oncogenic epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis, MUC1-mediated cell resistance to anoikis may represent one of the fundamental regulatory mechanisms in tumourigenesis and metastasis.
In situstudy of reaction kinetics using compressed sensing NMR
Authors: Wu Yuting , D'Agostino Carmine , Holland Daniel J. , Gladden Lynn F.
Published: October 2014

CS-NMR improves the temporal resolution of conventional multi-dimensional NMR for species identification and study of reaction kinetics.
Chemically-induced redox switching of a metalloprotein reveals thermodynamic and kinetic heterogeneity, one molecule at a time
Authors: Akkilic Namik , van der Grient Fenna , Kamran Muhammad , Sanghamitra Nusrat J. M.
Published: October 2014

FRET-based detection of individual azurin–Cy5 molecules shows an on (reduction)–off (oxidation) fluorescence switching, reveals the redox parameters.
Homogeneity limits and nonstoichiometry of vapor grown ZnTe and CdTe crystals
Authors: Avetissov I. Ch. , Mozhevitina E. N. , Khomyakov A. V. , Avetisov R. I. , Davydov A. A. , Chegnov V. P. , Chegnova O. I. , Zhavoronkov N. V.
Published: October 2014

A new understanding of the wurtzite-spalerite phase transition in CdTe and ZnTe compounds in connection with the vapor growth of single crystals.
The network simulation method: a useful tool for locating the kinetic–thermodynamic switching point in complex kinetic schemes
Authors: Caravaca Manuel , Sanchez-Andrada Pilar , Soto Antonio , Alajarin Mateo
Published: October 2014

Fast and effective location of the switching point between kinetic and thermodynamic regimes by means of the NSM approach provides comprehensive control over the product composition.
A density functional theory study of ethylene hydrogenation on MgO- and γ-Al2O3-supported carbon-containing Ir4 clusters
Authors: Qi Kezhen , Zhao Jin-Mo , Wang Gui-Chang
Published: October 2014

A CIr4 cluster supported on γ-Al2O3(110) shows higher reactivity than that on MgO(100) for the hydrogenation of ethylene.
Photocatalytic performance of TiO2–zeolite templated carbon composites in organic contaminant degradation
Authors: Donphai Waleeporn , Kamegawa Takashi , Chareonpanich Metta , Nueangnoraj Khanin , Nishihara Hirotomo , Kyotani Takashi , Yamashita Hiromi
Published: October 2014

Zeolite templated carbon (ZTC) can serve as an advanced material in the design of a composite photocatalyst with TiO2 for purification of water and air.
Synergistic effects of Ni and Cu supported on TiO2and SiO2on photocatalytic H2evolution with an electron donor–acceptor linked molecule
Authors: Yamada Yusuke , Shikano Shinya , Akita Tomoki , Fukuzumi Shunichi
Published: October 2014

Ni and Cu supported on TiO2or SiO2synergistically acted as H2evolution catalysts in a photocatalytic system.
Eco-friendly electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols on a novel electro generated TEMPO-functionalized MCM-41 modified electrode
Authors: Karimi Babak , Rafiee Mohammad , Alizadeh Saber , Vali Hojatollah
Published: October 2014

The development of a highly efficient and waste-free system for the selective oxidation of alcohols without using expensive transition metal catalysts using a novel electrogenerated TEMPO-functionalized MCM-41 modified electrode is described.
Miniaturized, multiplexed readout of droplet-based microfluidic assays using time-domain modulation
Authors: Muluneh Melaku , Kim Bawul , Buchsbaum Gershon , Issadore David
Published: October 2014

We have developed a miniaturized fluorescence detection platform for droplet based assays that can monitor multiple channels using only a single photodetector and no lenses. To accomplish this, we take advantage of the high bandwidth of electronics and encode the signal from each channel using distinct micropatterned masks.
Integrated analysis reveals that STAT3 is central to the crosstalk between HER/ErbB receptor signaling pathways in human mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Gong Chunhong , Zhang Yi , Shankaran Harish , Resat Haluk
Published: October 2014

Derived consensus regulatory interaction model between key signaling proteins in mammary epithelial cells has shown that STAT3 is central to the crosstalk between proliferation and pro-survival pathways.
Interaction of Nd(iii) and Cm(iii) with borate in dilute to concentrated alkaline NaCl, MgCl2and CaCl2solutions: solubility and TRLFS studies
Authors: Hinz Katja , Altmaier Marcus , Gaona Xavier , Rabung Thomas , Schild Dieter , Richmann Michael , Reed Donald T. , Alekseev Evgeny V. , Geckeis Horst
Published: October 2014

Interaction of Ln(iii) and An(iii) with borate impacts radionuclide solubility and speciation in saline aqueous solutions.
Environmentally benign synthesis of 4-aminoquinoline-2-ones using recyclable choline hydroxide
Authors: Sanap Anita Kailas , Shankarling Ganapati Subray
Published: October 2014

Biocompatible and recyclable choline hydroxide for rapid synthesis of 4-aminoquinoline-2-ones.
Ecteinascidins. A review of the chemistry, biology and clinical utility of potent tetrahydroisoquinoline antitumor antibiotics
Authors: Le V. H. , Inai M. , Williams R. M. , Kan T.
Published: October 2014

The ecteinascidin family comprises a number of biologically active compounds, containing two to three tetrahydroisoquinoline subunits.
Detailed formation processes of stable dislocations in graphene
Authors: Lee Gun-Do , Yoon Euijoon , He Kuang , Robertson Alex W. , Warner Jamie H.
Published: October 2014

We use time-dependent HRTEM to reveal that stable dislocation pairs in graphene are formed from an initial complex multi-vacancy cluster that undergoes multiple bond rotations and adatom incorporation.
Luminescent polymers and blends with hydrogen bond interactions
Authors: Huang Shih-Hung , Chiang Yeo-Wan , Hong Jin-Long
Published: October 2014

Intermolecular hydrogen bonds are effective forces in hampering molecular rotation and in enhancing emission of luminogenic polymers and blends with aggregation-induced emission property.
Oxygen sensor utilizing ultraviolet irradiation assisted ZnO nanorods under low operation temperature
Authors: Chou Chen-Shiun , Wu Yung-Chen , Lin Che-Hsin
Published: October 2014

This paper presents a novel ultraviolet (UV) irradiation assisted nanostructured ZnO film for high performance oxygen sensing under a low working temperature.
Theoretical studies on the dynamics of DNA fragment translocation through multilayer graphene nanopores
Authors: Liang Lijun , Zhang Zhisen , Shen Jiawei , Zhe Kong , Wang Qi , Wu Tao , Ågren Hans , Tu Yaoquan
Published: October 2014

DNA translocation through multilayer graphene nanopore with a change of current.
Influence of microwave irradiation on various properties of nanopolythiophene and their anticorrosive nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Rawat Neha Kanwar , Ghosal Anujit , Ahmad Sharif
Published: October 2014

The time and energy efficient microwave synthesis of nano polythiophene provides higher yield, smaller particle size, superior physico-mechanical properties and promising corrosion inhibition properties as compared to conventional synthesis.
β-Cyclodextrin–TiO2: Green Nest for reduction of nitroaromatic compounds
Authors: Kakroudi Mazaher Abdollahi , Kazemi Foad , Kaboudin Babak
Published: October 2014

A highly efficient, eco-friendly and selective photocatalytic reduction of the nitro group into amines and one-pot N-acylation and N-formylation are reported through the ‘Green Nest’ system.
Aggregation-induced emission block copolymers based on ring-opening metathesis polymerization
Authors: Zhao Yuming , Wu Ying , Yan Guowei , Zhang Ke
Published: October 2014

AIE amphiphilic block copolymers were developed from ROMP for the first time. By self-assembly in selective solvents, water soluble fluorescent nano-objects were prepared with varied structures including micelles and vesicles.
Influence of radiation effect on extractability of an isobutyl-BTP/ionic liquid system: quantitative analysis and identification of radiolytic products
Authors: Yuan Weijin , Ao Yinyong , Zhao Long , Zhai Maolin , Peng Jing , Li Jiuqiang , Wei Yuezhou
Published: October 2014

Approaches were established for assessing the influence of radiation effect on the extractability of the 2,6-di(5,6-diisobutyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine (isobutyl-BTP)/1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide ([C2mim][NTf2]) extraction system.
Temperature effects on arsenate adsorption onto goethite and its preliminary application to arsenate removal from simulative geothermal water
Authors: Hao Linlin , Ouyang Tong , Lai Limin , Liu Yao-Xing , Chen Shanshan , Hu Hongyou , Chang Chang-Tang , Wang Juan-Juan
Published: October 2014

Laboratory batch experiments were conducted in order to assess the impacts of temperature on the performance of goethite in removing arsenate from water.
Near-infrared absorbing porphyrin dyes with perpendicularly extended π-conjugation for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Li Wenhui , Liu Zonghao , Xu Xiaobao , Cheng Yi-Bing , Zhao Zhixin , He Hongshan
Published: October 2014

Two new near-infrared porphyrins exhibited energy conversion efficiency of 7.21% in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Single-walled carbon nanotube composite inks for printed gas sensors: enhanced detection of NO2, NH3, EtOH and acetone
Authors: Evans Gwyn P. , Buckley David J. , Skipper Neal T. , Parkin Ivan P.
Published: October 2014

SWNT–metal oxide composites for improvement of response and selectivity in gas sensors.
BINOL-linked 1,2,3-triazoles: an unexpected fluorescent sensor with anion–π interaction for iodide ions
Authors: Wang Cai-Yun , Zou Jin-Feng , Zheng Zhan-Jiang , Huang Wei-Sheng , Li Li , Xu Li-Wen
Published: October 2014

BINOL-derived triazoles could be used in organocatalytic silylation and unexpectedly as fluorescent sensors for the recognition of I−.
Rational design and synthesis of novel 2-(substituted-2H-chromen-3-yl)-5-aryl-1H-imidazole derivatives as an anti-angiogenesis and anti-cancer agent
Authors: Gudipudi Gopinath , Sagurthi Someswar R. , Perugu Shyam , Achaiah G. , David Krupadanam G. L.
Published: October 2014

Based on the earlier proven pharmacophore analogues of cancer a novel 2-(substituted-2H-chromen-3-yl)-5-aryl-1H-imidazoles were rationally designed, synthesized and used for competitive biological activity against cancer cell lines.
Upconversion assisted BiOI/ZnWO4:Er3+, Tm3+, Yb3+ heterostructures with enhanced visible and near-infrared photocatalytic activities
Authors: Huang Shouqiang , Feng Yingming , Han Lihua , Fan Weiliu , Zhao Xian , Lou Ziyang , Qi Zhibin , Yu Bao , Zhu Nanwen
Published: October 2014

An efficient semiconductor upconversion agent of ZnWO4:Er3+, Tm3+, Yb3+ (ZWOETY) was applied to synthesize the BiOI/ZWOETY composite with p–n heterostructure.
Control of pressure-driven components in integrated microfluidic devices using an on-chip electrostatic microvalve
Authors: Tice Joshua D. , Desai Amit V. , Bassett Thomas A. , Apblett Christopher A. , Kenis Paul J. A.
Published: October 2014

We report an electrostatic microvalve and microfluidic “pressure-amplifier” circuits used to regulate pressure-driven components (e.g., microvalves) in microfluidic systems.
Support effect in the preparation of supported metal catalysts via microemulsion
Authors: Parapat Riny Y. , Saputra Oey H. I. , Ang Anton P. , Schwarze Michael , Schomäcker Reinhard
Published: October 2014

Illustration of the situation around the support material when metal NPs are deposited onto the support material.
Nitrogen doped graphene paper as a highly conductive, and light-weight substrate for flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Li Cheng , Hu Yue , Yu Minghao , Wang Zifan , Zhao Wenxia , Liu Peng , Tong Yexiang , Lu Xihong
Published: October 2014

In this work, we fabricated a lightweight (1.25 g cm−3) N doped reduced graphene (N-RGO) paper through a combined method of vacuum filtration and thermal treatment under an ammonia atmosphere.
Recovery of indium tin oxide (ITO) and glass plate from discarded TFT-LCD panels using an electrochemical method and acid treatment
Authors: Choi Dongchul , Kim Young Sung , Son Yongkeun
Published: October 2014

ITO and glass substrate were recovered from discarded TFT-LCD upper layer.
Fe(iii) phytate metallogel as a prototype anhydrous, intermediate temperature proton conductor
Authors: Aiyappa Harshitha Barike , Saha Subhadeep , Wadge Pritish , Banerjee Rahul , Kurungot Sreekumar
Published: October 2014

Protogenic phytic acid is immobilized by its gelation with iron nitrate in DMF. The resulting pelletized xerogel is observed to show a high proton conductivity of 2.4 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 120 °C and is tried as solid electrolyte for dry H2/O2 fuel cell operation.
Design and delivery of camplatin to overcome cisplatin drug resistance
Authors: Qi Ruogu , Xiao Haihua , Wu Suhong , Li Yuxin , Zhang Yu , Jing Xiabin
Published: October 2014

Camplatin, a prodrug formedviacoining camphoric anhydride and cisplatin, was delivered in biodegradable nanoparticles.
Dextran coated bismuth–iron oxide nanohybrid contrast agents for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Naha Pratap C. , Al Zaki Ajlan , Hecht Elizabeth , Chorny Michael , Chhour Peter , Blankemeyer Eric , Yates Douglas M. , Witschey Walter R. T. , Litt Harold I. , Tsourkas Andrew , Cormode David P.
Published: October 2014

A novel synthesis of dextran coated bismuth–iron oxide nanoparticles (BION) is reported. They are found to be effective as contrast agents for both CT and MRI and to be both biodegradable and biocompatible.
Enhanced performance of polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells employing multifunctional iridium complexes
Authors: Yun Myoung Hee , Lee Eung , Lee Woochul , Choi Hyosung , Lee Bo Ram , Song Myoung Hoon , Hong Jong-In , Kwon Tae-Hyuk , Kim Jin Young
Published: October 2014

We report a 10% enhancement of the photovoltaic performance of polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells composed of an iridium complex, P3HT, PEO and PCBM.