bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of a new epitope for HIV‐neutralizing antibodies in the gp41 membrane proximal external region by an Env‐tailored phage display library
Authors: Zhou Mingkui , Meyer Torsten , Koch Stefanie , Koch Joachim , von Briesen Hagen , Benito José M. , Soriano Vincent , Haberl Annette , Bickel Markus , Dübel Stefan , Hust Michael , Dietrich Ursula
Published: November 2012

HIV controllers are a valuable source for the identification of HIV‐neutralizing antibodies, as chronic infection over decades allows extensive affinity maturation of antibodies for improved Ag recognition. We analyzed a small cohort of elite controllers (ECs) for HIV‐neutralizing antibodies using a panel of standardized HIV‐1 pseudovirions on TZM‐bl cells. An HIV‐1 Env‐tailored phage display library was generated to select epitopes targeted by neutralizing antibodies in the EC26 plasma sample showing the broadest neutralizing activity. Selected Env fragments were mostly allocated to the membrane proximal external region of gp41. After preabsorbing the EC26 plasma with the selected phage EC26‐2A4, we achieved 50% depletion of its neutralizing activity. Furthermore, antibodies affinity‐purified with the EC26‐2A4 epitope from EC26 plasma showed neutralizing activity, proving that the selected phage indeed contains an epitope targeted by neutralizing plasma antibodies. Epitope fine mapping of the purified plasma antibodies on peptide arrays identified a new epitope overlapping, but clearly distinct, from the prominent 2F5 epitope. Of note, the purified antibodies did not show autoreactivity with cardiolipin, whereas low reactivity with phosphatidylserine comparable to mAb 2F5 was observed. Thus, this new epitope represents a promising candidate for further analysis in view of HIV vaccine development.
Resistin reduces mitochondria and induces hepatic steatosis in mice by the protein kinase C/protein kinase G/p65/PPAR gamma coactivator 1 alpha pathway
Authors: Zhou Lei , Yu Xiaolan , Meng Qingjie , Li Hongqiang , Niu Congcong , Jiang Yun , Cai Yuxi , Li Minghui , Li Qiang , An Chaoqiang , Shu Le , Chen Ao , Su Handong , Tang Yin , Yin Shen , Raschke Silja , Eckardt Kristin , Eckel Jürgen , Yang Zaiqing
Published: November 2012

Obesity is associated with many severe chronic diseases and deciphering its development and molecular mechanisms is necessary for promoting treatment. Previous studies have revealed that mitochondrial content is down-regulated in obesity, diabetes, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and proposed that NAFLD and diabetes are mitochondrial diseases. However, the exact mechanisms underlying these processes remain unclear. In this study, we discovered that resistin down-regulated the content and activities of mitochondria, enhanced hepatic steatosis, and induced insulin resistance (IR) in mice. The time course indicated that the change in mitochondrial content was before the change in fat accumulation and development of insulin resistance. When the mitochondrial content was maintained, resistin did not stimulate hepatic fat accumulation. The present mutation study found that the residue Thr464 of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor kappa B was essential for regulating mitochondria. A proximity ligation assay revealed that resistin inactivated peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) and diminished the mitochondrial content by promoting the interaction of p65 and PGC-1α. Signaling-transduction analysis demonstrated that resistin down-regulated mitochondria by a novel protein kinase C/protein kinase G/p65/PGC-1α-signaling pathway.

Conclusion

: Resistin induces hepatic steatosis through diminishing mitochondrial content. This reveals a novel pathway for mitochondrial regulation, and suggests that the maintenance of normal mitochondrial content could be a new strategy for treatment of obesity-associated diseases.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor contributes to ethanol-induced liver injury by mediating cell injury, steatohepatitis, and steatosis
Authors: Barnes Mark A. , McMullen Megan R. , Roychowdhury Sanjoy , Pisano Sorana G. , Liu Xiuli , Stavitsky Abram B. , Nagy Laura E.
Published: November 2012

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a multipotent protein that exhibits both cytokine and chemotactic properties, is expressed by many cell types, including hepatocytes and nonparenchymal cells. We hypothesized that MIF is a key contributor to liver injury after ethanol exposure. Female C57BL/6 or MIF−/− mice were fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet or pair-fed control diet for 4 (11% total kcal;early response) or 25 (32% kcal; chronic response) days. Expression of MIF messenger RNA (mRNA) was induced at both 4 days and 25 days of ethanol feeding. After chronic ethanol, hepatic triglycerides and plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were increased in wildtype, but not MIF−/−, mice. In order to understand the role of MIF in chronic ethanol-induced liver injury, we investigated the early response of wildtype and MIF−/− to ethanol. Ethanol feeding for 4 days increased apoptosis of hepatic macrophages and activated complement in both wildtype and MIF−/− mice. However, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) expression was increased only in wildtype mice. This attenuation of TNF-α expression was associated with fewer F4/80+ macrophages in liver of MIF−/− mice. After 25 days of ethanol feeding, chemokine expression was increased in wildtype mice, but not MIF−/− mice. Again, this protection was associated with decreased F4/80+ cells in MIF−/− mice after ethanol feeding. Chronic ethanol feeding also sensitized wildtype, but not MIF−/−, mice to lipopolysaccharide, increasing chemokine expression and monocyte recruitment into the liver.

Conclusion :

Taken together, these data indicate that MIF is an important mediator in the regulation of chemokine production and immune cell infiltration in the liver during ethanol feeding and promotes ethanol-induced steatosis and hepatocyte damage.
Adherence to the mediterranean diet and risk of breast cancer in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition cohort study
Authors: Buckland G. , Travier N. , Cottet V. , González C.A. , Luján‐Barroso L. , Agudo A. , Trichopoulou A. , Lagiou P. , Trichopoulos D. , Peeters P.H. , May A. , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H.B. , Bvan Duijnhoven F.J. , Key T.J. , Allen N. , Khaw K.T. , Wareham N. , Romieu I. , McCormack V. , Boutron‐Ruault M. , Clavel‐Chapelon F. , Panico S. , Agnoli C. , Palli D. , Tumino R. , Vineis P. , Amiano P. , Barricarte A. , Rodríguez L. , Sanchez M.J. , Chirlaque M.D. , Kaaks R. , Teucher B. , Boeing H. , Bergmann M.M. , Overvad K. , Dahm C.C. , Tjønneland A. , Olsen A. , Manjer J. , Wirfält E. , Hallmans G. , Johansson I. , Lund E. , Hjartåker A. , Skeie G. , Vergnaud A.C. , Norat T. , Romaguera D. , Riboli E.
Published: November 2012

Epidemiological evidence suggests that the Mediterranean diet (MD) could reduce the risk of breast cancer (BC). As evidence from the prospective studies remains scarce and conflicting, we investigated the association between adherence to the MD and risk of BC among 335,062 women recruited from 1992 to 2000, in ten European countries, and followed for 11 years on average. Adherence to the MD was estimated through an adapted relative Mediterranean diet (arMED) score excluding alcohol. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used while adjusting for BC risk factors. A total of 9,009 postmenopausal and 1,216 premenopausal first primary incident invasive BC were identified (5,862 estrogen or progesterone receptor positive [ER+/PR+] and 1,018 estrogen and progesterone receptor negative [ER−/PR−]). The arMED was inversely associated with the risk of BC overall and in postmenopausal women (high vs. low arMED score; hazard ratio [HR] = 0.94 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88, 1.00] ptrend = 0.048, and HR = 0.93 [95% CI: 0.87, 0.99] ptrend = 0.037, respectively). The association was more pronounced in ER−/PR− tumors (HR = 0.80 [95% CI: 0.65, 0.99] ptrend = 0.043). The arMED score was not associated with BC in premenopausal women. Our findings show that adherence to a MD excluding alcohol was related to a modest reduced risk of BC in postmenopausal women, and this association was stronger in receptor‐negative tumors. The results support the potential scope for BC prevention through dietary modification.
Understanding long‐term protection of human papillomavirus vaccination against cervical carcinoma: Cancer registry‐based follow‐up
Authors: Rana Muhammad Mohsin , Huhtala Heini , Apter Dan , Eriksson Tiina , Luostarinen Tapio , Natunen Kari , Paavonen Jorma , Pukkala Eero , Lehtinen Matti
Published: November 2012

Phase III clinical trials of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination have shown ≥95% efficacy against HPV16/18 associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Grade 2/3. Long‐term surveillance is, however, needed to determine the overall vaccine efficacy (VE) against CIN3 and invasive cervical carcinoma (ICC). During population‐based recruitment between September 2002 and March 2003, 1,749 16− to 17‐year old Finns participated in a multi‐national randomized Phase III HPV6/11/16/18 vaccine (FUTURE II) trial for the determination of VE against HPV16/18 positive CIN2/3. The passive follow‐up started at the country‐wide, population‐based Finnish Cancer Registry (FCR) six months after the active follow‐up and voluntary cross‐vaccination in April 2007. A cluster randomized, population‐based reference cohort of 15,744 unvaccinated, originally 18–19 year old Finns was established in two phases in 2003 and 2005 after the FUTURE II recruitment. We linked these cohorts with the FCR in 2007–2011 (HPV vaccine and placebo cohorts) and 2006–2010 and 2008–2012 (unvaccinated reference cohorts 1 and 2) to compare their incidences of CIN3 and ICC. The four years passive follow‐up resulted in 3,464, 3,444 and 62,876 person years for the HPV6/11/16/18, original placebo and reference cohorts, after excluding cases discovered during the clinical follow‐up and individuals not at risk. The numbers of CIN3 and ICC cases identified were 0 and 0, 3 and 0, 59 and 3 for the HPV6/11/16/18, placebo and the unvaccinated reference cohorts. The corresponding CIN3 incidence rates were 0/100,000 (95% confidence interval 0.0–106.5), 87.1/100,000 (95% CI 17.9–254.5) and 93.8/100,000 (95% CI 71.4–121), respectively. Long‐term surveillance up to 8 years (and longer) post vaccination of the HPV6/11/16/18 vaccine and placebo cohorts, and the unvaccinated reference cohort (not exposed to interventions) for the most stringent efficacy end‐points by passive cancer registry‐based follow‐up is feasible.
An in vitro assessment of the interaction of cadmium selenide quantum dots with DNA, iron, and blood platelets
Authors: Dunpall Rekha , Nejo Adeola Ayodeji , Pullabhotla Viswanadha Srirama Rajasekhar , Opoku Andy R. , Revaprasadu Neerish , Shonhai Addmore
Published: November 2012

Cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots have gained increased attention for their potential use in biomedical applications. This has raised interest in assessing their toxicity. In this study, water‐soluble, cysteine‐capped CdSe nanocrystals with an average size of 15 nm were prepared through a one‐pot solution‐based method. The CdSe nanoparticles were synthesized in batches in which the concentration of the capping agent was varied with the aim of stabilizing the quantum dot core. The effects of the CdSe quantum dots on DNA stability, aggregation of blood platelets, and reducing activity of iron were evaluated in vitro . DNA damage was observed at a concentration of 200 μg/mL of CdSe quantum dots. Furthermore, the CdSe nanocrystals exhibited high reducing power and chelating activity, suggesting that they may impair the function of haemoglobin by interacting with iron. In addition, the CdSe quantum dots promoted aggregation of blood platelets in a dose dependent manner. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(12): 995–1002, 2012
Automated fluorescence lifetime imaging plate reader and its application to Förster resonant energy transfer readout of Gag protein aggregation
Authors: Alibhai Dominic , Kelly Douglas J. , Warren Sean , Kumar Sunil , Margineau Anca , Serwa Remigiusz A. , Thinon Emmanuelle , Alexandrov Yuriy , Murray Edward J. , Stuhmeier Frank , Tate Edward W. , Neil Mark A. A. , Dunsby Chris , French Paul M. W.
Published: November 2012

Fluorescence lifetime measurements can provide quantitative readouts of local fluorophore environment and can be applied to biomolecular interactions via Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET). Fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) can therefore provide a high content analysis (HCA) modality to map protein‐protein interactions (PPIs) with applications in drug discovery, systems biology and basic research. We present here an automated multiwell plate reader able to perform rapid unsupervised optically sectioned FLIM of fixed and live biological samples and illustrate its potential to assay PPIs through application to Gag protein aggregation during the HIV life cycle. We demonstrate both hetero‐FRET and homo‐FRET readouts of protein aggregation and report the first quantitative evaluation of a FLIM HCA assay by generating dose response curves through addition of an inhibitor of Gag myristoylation. Z ′ factors exceeding 0.6 are realised for this FLIM FRET assay. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Cationic closo‐carboranes 2. Do computed 11B and 13C NMR chemical shifts support their experimental availability?
Authors: Hnyk Drahomír , Jayasree Elambalassery G.
Published: November 2012

11B and 13C NMR spectra of so‐far experimentally unknown carbon‐rich cationic closo‐carboranes C3Bn–3Hn+ (n = 5, 6, 7, 10, 12) have been calculated at the GIAO‐MP2 level and subsequently analyzed to reveal the nature of bonding in these potentially weakly coordinating cations. All previous rules derived for understanding 11B NMR spectra of borane derivatives can be applied to realistically account for the corresponding shieldings. The correlated wavefunction for n = 5 and, to a lesser extent, for n = 10 seems to be decisive when trying to compute realistic shielding tensors, which is in agreement with the corresponding known dicarbaboranes. For other cluster dimensions noncorrelated wavefunctions also work well, in particular in relation to the corresponding dicarbaboranes. All these observations strongly support the fact that experimental availability of these unique clusters is possible. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The use of an Er:YAG laser to remove demineralized dentin and its influence on dentin permeability
Authors: Victoria Torres Toro Carmen , Dos Reis Derceli Juliana , Jendiroba Faraoni‐Romano Juliana , Marchi Patricia , Djalma Pécora Jesus , Guenka Palma‐Dibb Regina
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to analyze, correlate, and compare the demineralization and permeability of dentin remaining after caries removal with either an Er:YAG laser, a bur, or a curette. Thirty human dentin fragments were immersed in a demineralizing solution for 20 days and were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) for the removal of the demineralized lesion. The groups were G1—Er:YAG laser (200 mJ/6 Hz; noncontact at 12 mm; spot: 0.63 mm), G2—Bur, and G3—Curette. The specimens were then immersed in a 10% copper sulfate solution, then in a 1% dithiooxamide alcoholic solution for 30 min and kept in ammonia vapor for 7 days. Next, the specimens were examined with optical microscopy. The amount of demineralized dentin and the level of copper ion infiltration in the dentin were quantified in μm using Axion Vision software. Data were analyzed with the Kruskal‐Wallis test (p < 0.05) and Pearson's Correlation test. The analysis revealed no significant differences between the three caries removal methods in terms of their capacity to remove demineralized tissue (G1: 10.6 μm; G2: 8.4 μm; G3: 11 μm), although the laser removal generated more tissue permeability than the others methods (G1: 17.6 μm; G2: 6.6 μm; G3: 5.5 μm). The correlation between the remaining demineralized dentin and the dentin permeability was moderate for the conventional methods and higher for the Er:YAG laser. It can therefore be concluded that the laser produced an increase in permeability that was directly proportional to the amount of demineralized tissue removal. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:225–230, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel quarter‐wave retardation film for improving viewing angle properties in time‐sequential stereoscopic 3D‐LCDs
Authors: Ishiguro Makoto , Ohmuro Katsufumi , Saitoh Yukito , Takahashi Yuuta , Watanabe Jun , Arai Tsutomu , Ito Yoji , Mihayashi Keiji
Published: November 2012

We have successfully developed a quarter‐wave retardation film (QWF) for wide viewing angle 3D liquid crystal displays (3D‐LCDs) that provides high luminance, low crosstalk, low color change, and low head‐tilt‐angle dependency. It was found that the out‐of‐plane retardation (Rth) of the QWF in the LCD needs to be close to 0 nm in order to improve the 3D display properties at an off‐axis position and that the in‐plane retardation (Re) needs to be adjusted from 120 to 130 nm to achieve low color change with head tilting. We adopted a coating process for making our QWF because of its potential for retardation control. 3D‐LCDs with this QWF whose Rth was nearly zero had high performance and allowed off‐axis other than on‐axis.
Flexible LCDs fabricated with a slit coater: Not requiring an alignment film
Authors: Kimura Munehiro , Honda Kenshin , Yodogawa Satoshi , Ohtsuka Keisuke , Oo Thet Naing , Miyashita Katsuyoshi , Hirata Hajime , Akahane Tadashi
Published: November 2012

A homogeneously aligned liquid crystal layer on a substrate film on which it is not necessary to form a liquid crystal alignment film can be assembled by a slit coater. Types of twisted nematic and in‐plane switching flexible liquid crystal displays were demonstrated. The production time can be considerably shortened because of the lack of need for an alignment film. The slit coater method is also applicable to the roll‐to‐roll process.
Social Support Moderates Posttraumatic Stress and General Distress After Disaster
Authors: Arnberg Filip K. , Hultman Christina M. , Michel Per‐Olof , Lundin Tom
Published: November 2012

Social support buffers the negative impact of stressful events. Less, however, is known about the characteristics of this association in the context of disaster and findings have been discrepant regarding direct and buffering effects. This study tested whether the protective effects of social support differed across levels of exposure severity (i.e., buffered distress) and assessed whether the buffering effect differed between event‐specific and general distress. Participants were 4,600 adult Swedish tourists (44% of invited; 55% women) repatriated within 3 weeks after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. A survey 14 months after the disaster included the Crisis Support Scale, the Impact of Event Scale‐Revised (IES‐R), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ‐12). Social support buffered the negative impact of exposure on both outcomes. The support and distress association ranged from very small in participants with low exposure to moderate in those with high exposure (ηp2 = .004 to .053). The buffering effect was not found to differ between the IES‐R and GHQ‐12, F(2, 4589) = 0.87, p = .42. The findings suggest that social support moderates the stressor‐distress relationship after disasters. This study might help explain discrepant findings and point to refinements of postdisaster interventions.
Novel Inorganic Proton‐Conducting Graft Copolymers Based on 4‐Vinyl Benzene Boronic Acid and Vinyl Phosphonic Acid
Authors: Çelik Sevim Ünügür , Bozkurt Ayhan
Published: November 2012

As proton‐conducting polymers, phosphonic acid functional polymers are commonly preferred due to their high proton conductivity in humidified and anhydrous systems. In this work, a new copolymer based on 4‐vinyl benzene boronic acid (VBBA) and vinyl phosphonic acid (VPA) is synthesized and then boronic acid groups are grafted with polyethylene glycol methyl ether to produce more‐flexible materials. The reactions are verified by FTIR spectroscopy and thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and DSC). The P content of the samples is analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)–energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDS). The ion‐exchange capacity (IEC) of the copolymers is measured and compared with the P content. The proton conductivity is investigated in both humidified conditions and the anhydrous state. In 50% humidity, P(VBBA‐co‐VPA)1:0.5 shows a proton conductivity of 5.3 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 30 °C.
On a characterization of convolutions of Gaussian and Haar distributions
Authors: Feldman Gennadiy
Published: November 2012

We prove some analogues of the well‐known Skitovich–Darmois and Heyde characterization theorems for a second countable locally compact Abelian group X under the assumption that the distributions of the random variables have continuous positive densities with respect to a Haar measure on X and the coefficients in the linear forms considered are topological automorphisms of X.
Extremal spectral properties of Otsuki tori
Authors: Penskoi Alexei V.
Published: November 2012

Otsuki tori form a countable family of immersed minimal two‐dimensional tori in the unitary three‐dimensional sphere. According to the El Soufi‐Ilias theorem, the metrics on the Otsuki tori are extremal for some unknown eigenvalues of the Laplace‐Beltrami operator. Despite the fact that the Otsuki tori are defined in quite an implicit way, we find explicitly the numbers of the corresponding extremal eigenvalues. In particular we provide an extremal metric for the third eigenvalue of the torus.
Deficiency indices and spectrum of fourth order difference equations with unbounded coefficients
Authors: Agure John Ogonji , Ambogo David Otieno , Nyamwala Fredrick Oluoch
Published: November 2012

Using subspace theory together with appropriate smoothness and decay conditions, we calculated the deficiency indices and absolutely continuous spectrum of fourth order difference equations with unbounded coefficients. In particular, we found the absolutely continuous spectrum to be \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}${\mathbb {R}}$\end{document} with a spectral multiplicity one.
Performance analysis of networked predictive control systems with data dropout
Authors: Xia Yuanqing , Xie Wen , Zhu Zheng , Wang Ge , Wang Xiaoyun
Published: November 2012

This paper is concerned with the design of networked control systems with random network data dropout. It presents a new control scheme, which is termed networked predictive control. This scheme mainly consists of the control prediction generator and network data dropout compensator. Besides, the control prediction generator provides a set of future control predictions to make the closed‐loop system achieve the desired control performance, and the network data dropout compensator removes the effects of the network transmission data dropout. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the control strategy via comparing with other three existing control schemes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduction of Depressive Symptoms in an Elderly Mexican‐American Female with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Single‐Subject Study
Authors: Haltiwanger Emily Piven , Galindo David
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study was to determine if occupation‐based activities improve diabetes self‐management and reduce depressive symptoms in an elderly Mexican‐American woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). There have been no known studies showing occupational therapy's role in self‐care management of T2DM in people with depressive symptoms. The individual in this single‐subject research was evaluated using glycosylated haemoglobin blood tests, four self‐reported standardized questionnaires, participant reflective logs and clinical observations following an 8‐week intervention. The participant improved on all measures, which were sustained 1 month after treatment ended. Clinical implications highlight a new role for occupational therapists providing early intervention in people with diabetes and depression for secondary prevention of complications of uncontrolled diabetes. Research suggestions include multiple single‐subject studies showing occupational therapy contributions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
P‐cadherin functional role is dependent on E‐cadherin cellular context: a proof of concept using the breast cancer model
Authors: Ribeiro Ana Sofia , Sousa Bárbara , Carreto Laura , Mendes Nuno , Nobre Ana Rita , Ricardo Sara , Albergaria André , Cameselle‐Teijeiro Jorge F , Gerhard Rene , Söderberg Ola , Seruca Raquel , Santos Manuel A , Schmitt Fernando , Paredes Joana
Published: November 2012

P‐cadherin overexpression is associated with worse breast cancer survival, being a poor prognostic marker as well as a putative therapeutic target for the aggressive triple‐negative and basal‐like carcinomas (TNBCs). Previously, we have shown that P‐cadherin promotes breast cancer invasion of cells where membrane E‐cadherin was maintained; however, it suppresses invasion in models without endogenous cadherins, like melanomas. Here, we investigated if P‐cadherin expression would interfere with the normal adhesion complex and which were the cellular/molecular consequences, constituting, in this way, a new mechanism by which E‐cadherin invasive‐suppressor function was disrupted. Using breast TNBC models, we demonstrated, for the first time, that P‐cadherin co‐localizes with E‐cadherin, promoting cell invasion due to the disruption caused in the interaction between E‐cadherin and cytoplasmic catenins. P‐cadherin also induces cell migration and survival, modifying the expression profile of cells expressing wild‐type E‐cadherin and contributing to alter their cellular behaviour. Additionally, E‐ and P‐cadherin co‐expressing cells significantly enhanced in vivo tumour growth, compared with cells expressing only E‐ or only P‐cadherin. Finally, we still found that co‐expression of both molecules was significantly correlated with high‐grade breast carcinomas, biologically aggressive, and with poor patient survival, being a strong prognostic factor in this disease. Our results show a role for E‐ and P‐cadherin co‐expression in breast cancer progression and highlight the potential benefit of targeting P‐cadherin in the aggressive tumours expressing high levels of this protein. Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential secretome analysis of cancer‐associated fibroblasts and bone marrow‐derived precursors to identify microenvironmental regulators of colon cancer progression
Authors: De Boeck Astrid , Hendrix An , Maynard Dawn , Van Bockstal Mieke , Daniëls Annick , Pauwels Patrick , Gespach Christian , Bracke Marc , De Wever Olivier
Published: November 2012

The identification of cancer‐associated fibroblast (CAF)‐derived proteins that mediate interactions between the tumor stroma and cancer cells is a crucial step toward the discovery of new molecular targets for therapy or molecular signatures that improve tumor classification and predict clinical outcome. CAF are α‐smooth muscle actin positive, representing a myofibroblast phenotype that may differentiate from multiple precursor cells, including bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) is a crucial inducer of α‐smooth muscle actin positive CAFs. In this study, we aimed to identify CAF‐derived regulators of colon cancer progression by performing a high‐throughput differential secretome profiling between CAF compared to noncancer‐activated bone marrow‐derived MSC. In addition, we explored the effect of TGF‐β1 on the secretion of proteins by bone marrow‐derived MSC in comparison with the protein secretion profile of CAF. TGF‐β1 induced de novo secretion of 84 proteins in MSC, of which 16 proteins, including stromal‐derived factor‐1α and Rantes, were also present in CAF secretome. Immunohistochemistry further validated the expression of selected candidates such as tenascin C, fibronectin ED‐A domain and stromal‐derived factor‐1 in clinical colon cancer specimens. In conclusion, this differential secretome approach enabled us to identify a series of candidate biomarkers for colon cancer that are associated with a CAF‐specific phenotype.
Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of Propionibacterium acnes isolates from radical prostatectomy specimens
Authors: Mak Tim N. , Yu Shu‐Han , De Marzo Angelo M. , Brüggemann Holger , Sfanos Karen S.
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

Inflammation is commonly observed in radical prostatectomy specimens, and evidence suggests that inflammation may contribute to prostate carcinogenesis. Multiple microorganisms have been implicated in serving as a stimulus for prostatic inflammation. The pro‐inflammatory anaerobe, Propionibacterium acnes, is ubiquitously found on human skin and is associated with the skin disease acne vulgaris. Recent studies have shown that P. acnes can be detected in prostatectomy specimens by bacterial culture or by culture‐independent molecular techniques.

METHODS

Radical prostatectomy tissue samples were obtained from 30 prostate cancer patients and subject to both aerobic and anaerobic culture. Cultured species were identified by 16S rDNA gene sequencing. Propionibacterium acnes isolates were typed using multilocus sequence typing (MLST).

RESULTS

Our study confirmed that P. acnes can be readily cultured from prostatectomy tissues (7 of 30 cases, 23%). In some cases, multiple isolates of P. acnes were cultured as well as other Propionibacterium species, such as P. granulosum and P. avidum. Overall, 9 of 30 cases (30%) were positive for Propionibacterium spp. MLST analyses identified eight different sequence types (STs) among prostate‐derived P. acnes isolates. These STs belong to two clonal complexes, namely CC36 (type I‐2) and CC53/60 (type II), or are CC53/60‐related singletons.

CONCLUSIONS

MLST typing results indicated that prostate‐derived P. acnes isolates do not fall within the typical skin/acne STs, but rather are characteristic of STs associated with opportunistic infections and/or urethral flora. The MLST typing results argue against the likelihood that prostatectomy‐derived P. acnes isolates represent contamination from skin flora. Prostate 73: 770–777, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films doped with Al, V and Nb
Authors: Angelov Orlin , Lovchinov Konstantin , Dimova‐Malinovska Doriana
Published: November 2012

This study addresses the optical and electrical properties of ZnO thin films doped with Al, V and Nb (ZnO:Al, ZnO:V and ZnO:Nb, respectively) deposited by r.f. magnetron sputtering in Ar atmosphere. The films are deposited on glass substrates without heating and heated at 100 °C, 150 °C and 275 °C. The optical spectra of transmittance and reflectance are measured and the optical band gap of the films is determined. The different films have band gap values in the range of 3.37‐3.57 eV. The films have about 90% transmittance and their resistivity is in the range of 8.5‐2.0 mΩ.cm. The influence of doping elements on the optical and electrical characteristics of the obtained thin films is discussed (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Three‐Dimensional Exploration and Mechano‐Biophysical Analysis of the Inner Structure of Living Cells
Authors: Barroso Álvaro , Woerdemann Mike , Vollmer Angelika , von Bally Gert , Kemper Björn , Denz Cornelia
Published: November 2012

A novel mechanobiological method is presented to explore qualitatively and quantitatively the inside of living biological cells in three dimensions, paving the way to sense intracellular changes during dynamic cellular processes. For this purpose, holographic optical tweezers, which allow the versatile manipulation of nanoscopic and microscopic particles by means of tailored light fields, are combined with self‐interference digital holographic microscopy. This biophotonic holographic workstation enables non‐contact, minimally invasive, flexible, high‐precision optical manipulation and accurate 3D tracking of probe particles that are incorporated by phagocytosis in cells, while simultaneously quantitatively phase imaging the cell morphology. In a first model experiment, internalized polystyrene microspheres with 1 μm diameter are three‐dimensionally moved and tracked in order to quantify distances within the intracellular volume with submicrometer accuracy. Results from investigations on cell swelling provoked by osmotic stimulation demonstrate the homogeneous stretching of the cytoskeleton network, and thus that the proposed method provides a new way for the quantitative 3D analysis of the dynamic intracellular morphology.
Promise of personalized omics to precision medicine
Authors: Chen Rui , Snyder Michael
Published: November 2012

The rapid development of high‐throughput technologies and computational frameworks enables the examination of biological systems in unprecedented detail. The ability to study biological phenomena at omics levels in turn is expected to lead to significant advances in personalized and precision medicine. Patients can be treated according to their own molecular characteristics. Individual omes as well as the integrated profiles of multiple omes, such as the genome, the epigenome, the transcriptome, the proteome, the metabolome, the antibodyome, and other omics information are expected to be valuable for health monitoring, preventative measures, and precision medicine. Moreover, omics technologies have the potential to transform medicine from traditional symptom‐oriented diagnosis and treatment of diseases toward disease prevention and early diagnostics. We discuss here the advances and challenges in systems biology‐powered personalized medicine at its current stage, as well as a prospective view of future personalized health care at the end of this review. WIREs Syst Biol Med 2013, 5:73–82. doi: 10.1002/wsbm.1198

This article is categorized under:

Analytical and Computational Methods > Analytical Methods

Laboratory Methods and Technologies > Genetic/Genomic Methods

Translational, Genomic, and Systems Medicine > Translational Medicine
Towards the lattice effects on the holographic superconductor
Authors: Iizuka Norihiro , Maeda Kengo
Published: November 2012

Abstract

We study the lattice effects on the simple holographic toy model; massive U(1) gauge theory for the bulk action. The mass term is for the U(1) gauge symmetry breaking in the bulk. Without the lattice, the AC conductivity of this model shows similar results to the holographic superconductor with the energy gap. On this model, we introduce the lattice effects, which induce the periodic potential and break the translational invariance of the boundary field theory. Without the lattice, due to the translational invariance and the mass term, there is a delta function peak at zero frequency on the AC conductivity. We study how this delta function peak is influenced by the lattice effects, which we introduce perturbatively. In the probe limit, we evaluate the perturbative corrections to the conductivities at very small frequency limit. We find that the delta function peak remains, even after the lattice effects are introduced, although its weight reduces perturbatively. We also study the lattice wavenumber dependence of this weight. Our result suggests that in the U(1) symmetry breaking phase, the delta function peak is stable against the lattice effects at least perturbatively.
Protein phosphatase 2A Cα is involved in osteoclastogenesis by regulating RANKL and OPG expression in osteoblasts
Authors: Okamura Hirohiko , yang Di , Yoshida Kaya , Haneji Tatsuji
Published: November 2012

We examined whether alteration of PP2A Cα expression in osteoblasts is involved in osteoclast differentiation. Reduction of PP2A Cα in MC3T3‐E1 cells (shPP2A) decreased receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) expression and increased osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression. The conditioned medium from shPP2A cells failed to induce NFATc1 as well as the expression of osteoclast marker genes cathepsin K and osteoclast‐associated receptor (OSCAR) in bone marrow macrophage cells. Treatment of bone marrow macrophage cells with the conditioned medium from shPP2A cells impaired osteoclastogenesis. These results suggest that alteration of PP2A Cα expression in osteoblasts modulates the expressions of RANKL and OPG, which are involved in osteoclastogenesis via the NFATc1 transcription factor.
Child, Adolescent and Family Development
Authors: Slee Phillip T. , Campbell Marilyn , Spears Barbara
Published: November 2012

The third edition of Child, Adolescent and Family Development provides a comprehensive, readable study of human development from conception to adulthood. It explores the foundations of modern developmental thought, incorporating the latest in international research set within a cultural and historical context. Richly illustrated and enhanced by a range of practical teaching resources, this clear and engaging text is intended to reach students across a range of teaching, psychology, social science and health science disciplines. By employing a thematic approach within the chronologically ordered chapters, this text offers a systematic and intuitive structure for both learning and teaching. This new edition features a set of fully updated case studies that consider current trends and issues in developmental theory and practice, as well as end-of-chapter sections that address important stages in the family life cycle.
A Concise History of Modern India
Authors: Metcalf Barbara D. , Metcalf Thomas R.
Published: November 2012

A Concise History of Modern India by Barbara D. Metcalf and Thomas R. Metcalf, has become a classic in the field since it was first published in 2001. As a fresh interpretation of Indian history from the Mughals to the present, it has informed students across the world. In the third edition of the book, a final chapter charts the dramatic developments of the last twenty years, from 1990 through the Congress electoral victory of 2009, to the rise of the Indian high-tech industry in a country still troubled by poverty and political unrest. The narrative focuses on the fundamentally political theme of the imaginative and institutional structures that have successively sustained and transformed India, first under British colonial rule and then, after 1947, as an independent country. Woven into the larger political narrative is an account of India's social and economic development and its rich cultural life.
Problem Fathers in Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama
Authors: MacFaul Tom
Published: November 2012

Fathers are central to the drama of Shakespeare's time: they are revered, even sacred, yet they are also flawed human beings who feature as obstacles in plays of all genres. In Problem Fathers in Shakespeare and Renaissance Drama, Tom MacFaul examines how fathers are paradoxical and almost anomalous characters on the English Renaissance stage. Starting as figures of confident authority in early Elizabethan drama, their scope for action becomes gradually more restricted, until by late Jacobean drama they have accepted the limitations of their power. MacFaul argues that this process points towards a crisis of patriarchal authority in wider contemporary culture. While Shakespeare's plays provide a key insight into these shifts, this book explores the dramatic culture of the period more widely to present the ways in which Shakespeare's work differed from that of his contemporaries while both sharing and informing their artistic and ideological preoccupations.
Human Cloning
Authors: Macintosh Kerry Lynn
Published: November 2012

Since Dolly the sheep was born, controversy has swirled around the technology of cloning. We recoil at the prospect of human copies, manufactured men and women, nefarious impersonators and resurrections of the dead. Such reactions have serious legal consequences: lawmakers have banned stem cell research along with the cloning of babies. But what if our minds have been playing tricks on us? What if everything we thought we knew about human cloning is rooted in intuition rather than fact? Human Cloning: Four Fallacies and their Legal Consequences is a rollicking ride through science, psychology and the law. Drawing on sources ranging from science fiction films to the Congressional Record, this book unmasks the role that psychological essentialism has played in bringing about cloning bans. It explains how hidden intuitions have caused conservatives and liberals to act contrary to their own most cherished ideals and values.
The Experience of Language Teaching
Authors: Senior Rose
Published: November 2012

Through the words of more than 100 practising language teachers, The Experience of Language Teaching provides a detailed picture of teaching and learning in communicative classrooms. Using a teacher-generated framework it covers a range of aspects of classroom life: how teachers create environments suitable for language practice, how they get students 'on-side', how they manage tricky students, how they enhance the learning experience, how they develop and maintain a spirit of community.

The book demonstrates how paying attention to both the learning and social needs of their class groups enables language teachers to behave in flexible ways that promote learning.

This book will be of interest to teachers, teacher educators, researchers and to anyone interested in finding out what it is like to be a language teacher at the present time.

The Experience of Language Teaching was winner of the Ben Warren International Trust House Prize in 2005.
A Short Introduction to Climate Change
Authors: Eggleton Tony
Published: November 2012

A Short Introduction to Climate Change provides a clear, balanced and well documented account of one of the most important issues of our time. It covers developments in climate science over the past 250 years and shows that recent climate change is more than the result of natural variability. It explains the difference between weather and climate by examining changes in temperature, rainfall, Arctic ice and ocean currents. It also considers the consequences of our use of fossil fuels and discusses some of the ways to reduce further global warming. Tony Eggleton avoids the use of scientific jargon to provide a reader-friendly explanation of the science of climate change. Concise but comprehensive and richly illustrated with a wealth of full-colour figures and photographs, A Short Introduction to Climate Change is essential reading for anyone who has an interest in climate science and in the future of our planet. For more information please see http://www.tonyeggleton.id.au/
Persistent massive attractors of smooth maps
Authors: VOLK D.
Published: November 2012

For a smooth manifold of any dimension greater than one, we present an open set of smooth endomorphisms such that any of them has a transitive attractor with a non-empty interior. These maps are m-fold non-branched coverings, m≥3. The construction applies to any manifold of the form S1×M, where S1 is the standard circle and Mis an arbitrary manifold.
Life Satisfaction of Neurotypical Women in Intimate Relationship with an Asperger's Syndrome Partner: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Bostock-Ling Jennifer S. , Cumming Steven R. , Bundy Anita
Published: November 2012

This systematic review explores the psychosocial wellbeing of neurotypical (NT) women in intimate relationship with persons with Asperger's Syndrome (AS), and intervention models for such relationships. Over 20 pertinent scholarly databases were searched in April 2011. The initial search yielded 1,736 unique items. Articles were eligible if they were a peer-reviewed journal article or a peer-reviewed thesis investigating adult couple relationships where only one partner had AS. Ten studies were agreed by both reviewers to have met these final inclusion criteria. Utilising the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines the body of evidence comprising the final 10 studies was assessed to be of an overall grade D or ‘weak’. None of the studies included for final analyses were intervention studies.
Effect of sowing date and variety on yield and weed populations in a lentil–barley mixture
Authors: WANG L. , GRUBER S. , CLAUPEIN W.
Published: November 2012

The present study examined variation in sowing date on lentils (Lens culinaris) in a standard lentil–barley (Hordeum vulgare) mixed cropping system in the temperate climate of central Europe to determine the effect on crop yield and weed control. A 2-year (2009/10) field experiment was carried out at the organic research station Kleinhohenheim (KH) and at the conventional research station Oberer Lindenhof (OLI) of the University Hohenheim, southwest Germany. The crop was sown at three dates in the period from March to May. Grain yield was significantly higher at the earliest sowing both for lentils (3·0 t/ha at KH, 2·4 t/ha at OLI) and barley (1·2 t/ha at KH, 2·6 t/ha at OLI). Weed biomass at KH increased significantly with delayed sowing and was independent of lentil genotype, whereas sowing date had no significant effect on overall weed biomass production at OLI. Unlike weed biomass, weed density generally decreased significantly with delayed sowing at OLI. The results indicate that early sowing can increase the yield of lentils, and can be used as an indirect method of weed control in some organic farming systems.
Establishment and first awarding of IPA Student Awards
Authors: Keating Patricia A.
Published: November 2012

In April 2012, the IPA Council voted to establish a new support mechanism for student members of the IPA: the IPA Student Awards. Student members who will present their research at international conferences, symposia and workshops which are (co-)sponsored by the IPA may apply for these awards. Unemployed members, members under age 35, or members from low-income-level countries may also apply. IPA Student Awards are separate from the IPA's Gösta Bruce Scholarships, which are dedicated to supporting student travel to International Congresses of Phonetic Sciences. The number and amount of IPA Student Awards will be decided separately for each conference, and will depend on such factors as the funds available at the time, the number of students attending the conference, and the costs to students of attending. Selection of recipients will be made by the IPA Executive Council.
Beginning generalist teacher self-efficacy for music compared with maths and English
Authors: Garvis Susanne
Published: November 2012

In 2008, 201 beginning generalist teachers throughout Queensland, Australia, responded to a questionnaire intended to create a snapshot of current self-efficacy beliefs towards teaching music. Beginning teachers were asked to rank their perceived level of teacher self-efficacy for music, English and maths. Results were analysed through a series of repeated measures ANOVAs to compare the mean scores for statistical difference. Findings suggest that generalist beginning teacher self-efficacy for music declines as years of teaching experience increase, while teacher self-efficacy for English and maths increases during this period. Results provide key insights for teacher educators, school administrators and policy makers into the likelihood of long-term music teaching in the generalist classroom. Greater support is required to reverse the documented snapshot of low teacher self-efficacy for music education in Queensland generalist teacher classrooms.