bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative proteomic analysis of the insulin‐induced L6 myotube secretome
Authors: Yoon Jong Hyuk , Yea Kyungmoo , Kim Jaeyoon , Choi Yoon Sup , Park Sehoon , Lee Hyeongji , Lee Chang Sup , Suh Pann‐Ghill , Ryu Sung Ho
Published: December 2008

Emerging evidence has revealed an endocrine function for skeletal muscle; in fact, certain anti‐inflammatory cytokines are secreted only from contractile skeletal muscle. However, the skeletal muscle secretome as a whole is poorly characterized, as is how it changes in response to extracellular stimuli. Herein, we sought to identify and characterize the members of the skeletal muscle secretome, and to determine which protein secretion levels were modulated in response to insulin stimulation. To conduct these studies, we treated differentiated L6 rat skeletal muscle cells with insulin or left them untreated, and we comparatively analyzed the proteins secreted into the media. We fractionated this conditioned media using offline RP HPLC, digested the fractionated proteins, and analyzed the resulting peptides with LC‐ESI‐MS/MS. We identified a total of 254 proteins, and by using three different filtering methods, we identified 153 of these as secretory proteins. Fourteen proteins were secreted at higher levels under insulin stimulation, including several proteins known to be highly secreted in metabolic diseases; 19 proteins were secreted at lower levels under insulin stimulation. These result not only pinpointed several previously unknown, insulin induced, secretory proteins of skeletal muscle, it also described a novel approach for conditioned secretome analysis.
Prediction of surface exposed proteins in Streptococcus pyogenes, with a potential application to other Gram‐positive bacteria
Authors: Barinov Aleksandr , Loux Valentin , Hammani Amal , Nicolas Pierre , Langella Philippe , Ehrlich Dusko , Maguin Emmanuelle , van de Guchte Maarten
Published: December 2008

The in silico prediction of bacterial surface exposed proteins is of growing interest for the rational development of vaccines and in the study of bacteria–host relationships, whether pathogenic or host beneficial. This interest is driven by the increase in the use of DNA sequencing as a major tool in the early characterization of pathogenic bacteria and, more recently, even of complex ecosystems at the host–environment interface in metagenomics approaches. Current protein localization protocols are not suited to this prediction task as they ignore the potential surface exposition of many membrane‐associated proteins. Therefore, we developed a new flow scheme, SurfG+, for the processing of protein sequence data with the particular aim of identification of potentially surface exposed (PSE) proteins from Gram‐positive bacteria, which was validated for Streptococcus pyogenes. The results of an exploratory case study on closely related lactobacilli of the acidophilus group suggest that the yogurt bacterium Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) dedicates a relatively important fraction of its coding capacity to secreted proteins, while the probiotic gastrointestinal (GI) tract bacteria L. johnsonii and L. gasseri appear to encode a larger variety of PSE proteins, that may play a role in the interaction with the host.
Global analysis of cellular protein translation by pulsed SILAC
Authors: Schwanhäusser Björn , Gossen Manfred , Dittmar Gunnar , Selbach Matthias
Published: December 2008

Current methods for system‐wide gene expression analysis detect changes in mRNA abundance, but neglect regulation at the level of translation. Pulse labeling with stable isotopes has been used to measure protein turnover rates, but this does not directly provide information about translation rates. Here, we developed pulsed stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (pSILAC) with two heavy isotope labels to directly quantify protein translation on a proteome‐wide scale. We applied the method to cellular iron homeostasis as a model system and demonstrate that it can confidently identify proteins that are translationally regulated by iron availability.
A comparative proteome approach to decipher the mechanism of rice adaptation to phosphorous deficiency
Authors: Torabi Sepideh , Wissuwa Matthias , Heidari Manzar , Naghavi Mohammad‐Reza , Gilany Kambiz , Hajirezaei Mohammad‐Reza , Omidi Mansoor , Yazdi‐Samadi Bahman , Ismail Abdelbagi M. , Salekdeh Ghasem Hosseini
Published: December 2008

Mineral deficiency limits crop production in most soils and in Asia alone, about 50% of rice lands are phosphorous deficient. In an attempt to determine the mechanism of rice adaptation to phosphorous deficiency, changes in proteome patterns associated with phosphorous deficiency have been investigated. We analyzed the parental line Nipponbare in comparison to its near isogenic line (NIL6‐4) carrying a major phosphorous uptake QTL (Pup1) on chromosome 12. Using 2‐DE, the proteome pattern of roots grown under 1 and 100 μM phosphorous were compared. Out of 669 proteins reproducibly detected on root 2‐DE gels, 32 proteins showed significant changes in the two genotypes. Of them, 17 proteins showed different responses in two genotypes under stress condition. MS resulted in identification of 26 proteins involved in major phosphorous deficiency adaptation pathways including reactive oxygen scavenging, citric acid cycle, signal transduction, and plant defense responses as well as proteins with unknown function. Our results highlighted a coordinated response in NIL in response to phosphorous deficiency which may confer higher adaptation to nutrient deficiency.
Sample size determination in clinical proteomic profiling experiments using mass spectrometry for class comparison
Authors: Cairns David A. , Barrett Jennifer H. , Billingham Lucinda J. , Stanley Anthea J. , Xinarianos George , Field John K. , Johnson Phillip J. , Selby Peter J. , Banks Rosamonde E.
Published: December 2008

Mass spectrometric profiling approaches such as MALDI‐TOF and SELDI‐TOF are increasingly being used in disease marker discovery, particularly in the lower molecular weight proteome. However, little consideration has been given to the issue of sample size in experimental design. The aim of this study was to develop a protocol for the use of sample size calculations in proteomic profiling studies using MS. These sample size calculations can be based on a simple linear mixed model which allows the inclusion of estimates of biological and technical variation inherent in the experiment. The use of a pilot experiment to estimate these components of variance is investigated and is shown to work well when compared with larger studies. Examination of data from a number of studies using different sample types and different chromatographic surfaces shows the need for sample‐ and preparation‐specific sample size calculations.
7th HUPO World Congress of Proteomics: Launching the Second Phase of the HUPO Plasma Proteome Project (PPP‐2) 16–20 August 2008, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Authors: Omenn Gilbert S. , Aebersold Ruedi , Paik Young‐Ki
Published: December 2008

The HUPO Plasma Proteome Project new phase, PPP‐2, held its initial workshop on 17 August, 2008, at the 7th World Congress of Proteomics in Amsterdam. Technology platforms, data repositories, informatics, and engagement of research groups for the submission of major datasets were key topics. Plasma is expected to be the common pathway for biomarker development and application through collaboration and integration with other HUPO initiatives.
Tourettes action
Authors: Box Hillary
Published: December 2008

Tourettes Action is the UK's leading support and research charity for people with Tourette syndrome and their families. Its vision is for people with Tourette syndrome to receive the practical support and social acceptance they need to help them live their lives to the full. Tourettes Action deals with all forms of Tourette syndrome. Hillary Box, Director of Development, provides an overview of some of the work the charity is involved with. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd
Photoamination of 1‐hydroxyanthraquinone in a water‐acetonitrile mixed solvent
Authors: Tajima Masahiro , Katoh Katsumi , Matsunaga Katsuji , Inoue Haruo
Published: December 2008

We investigated the photoamination kinetics of 1‐hydroxyanthraquinones in a water‐acetonitrile mixed solvent by stationary light irradiation. The progression of the reaction under an inert atmosphere demonstrated the existence of additional reaction pathways. The excited triplet state of the base form of the 1‐hydroxyanthraquinones was found to be responsible for the additional pathways. On the other hand, the same reaction under air involved an attack of the amine‐derived radical species (aminium and amino radicals) on the ground state of the 1‐hydroxyanthraquinones. One of the pathways preferentially led to 2‐amination, and the other led exclusively to 4‐amination. Results also indicate the attainment of an equilibrium state between the aminium and amino radicals. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The photophysics of salicylic acid derivatives in aqueous solution
Authors: Pozdnyakov Ivan P. , Pigliucci Anatolio , Tkachenko Nikolai , Plyusnin Victor F. , Vauthey Eric , Lemmetyinen Helge
Published: December 2008

The photophysics of a number salicylic acid derivatives (SADs) in aqueous solutions was investigated in a wide range of pH by time‐correlated single photon counting (λex = 350 nm, τresp = 300 ps) and fluorescence up‐conversion (λex = 266 nm, τresp = 300 fs) techniques. The acid–base equilibrium constants in the ground (pKa) and the excited states (${\rm p}K_{\rm a}^* $), the fluorescence quantum yields as well as the lifetimes of anionic, neutral, and cationic forms of SADs were determined. Evidence of ultrafast excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) leading to the formation of the proton‐transferred excited state of SADs was obtained from the fluorescence up‐conversion measurement. The nature of the ESIPT process is discussed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The involvement of altered corticotropin releasing factor receptor 2 expression in prostate cancer due to alteration of anti‐angiogenic signaling pathways
Authors: Tezval Hossein , Jurk Steffanie , Atschekzei Farahnaz , Serth Jürgen , Kuczyk Markus A. , Merseburger Axel S.
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND

Expression of urocortin (Ucn) in the human benign prostate and prostate cancer has been reported recently. Ucn binds and activates corticotropin releasing factor (CRF) receptor 1 (CRFR1) and 2 (CRFR2). Activation of CRFR2 has been shown to inhibit tumor growth by regulation of proliferation and apoptosis as well as suppression of vascularization. However, there is no report demonstrating expression profile of CRFR2 in normal prostate versus prostate cancer.

METHODS

CRFR2 mRNA expression was assessed in human normal prostate and prostate cancer by reverse transcriptase PCR. CRFR2 expression on protein level has been performed using double staining immunofluorescence (IF) of tissue microarrays of 32 cases of prostatic adenocarcioma with corresponding normal tissues. Confocal microscopy was carried out to visualize the immunostaining.

RESULTS

PCR of normal prostate lysates exhibited specific signals for CRFR2 mRNA. However PCR of lysates of prostate cancer exhibited no signal for CRFR2 mRNA. IF study exhibited that smooth muscle components of the stroma and endothelial cells of blood vessels express an extensive staining for CRFR2. In a lesser extend vascular smooth muscle cells expressed CRFR2. The tumoral neovascular system and stroma exhibited no immunopositivity for CRFR2.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates for the first time that human benign prostate tissue and prostate cancer specimen differentially express CRFR2. While Ucn expression in prostate cancer has been shown to be identical to non‐malignant prostate tissues, we hypothesize that expression loss of CRFR2 in prostate cancer and its neovascularization contributes to prostate tumorigenesis, progression, and neoangiogenesis. Prostate 69:443–448, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of AR‐mediated transcription by binding of Oct1 to a motif enriched in AR‐occupied regions
Authors: Jariwala Unnati , Cogan Jon P. , Jia Li , Frenkel Baruch , Coetzee Gerhard A.
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND

The androgen receptor (AR) plays roles in prostate development and cancer (PCa). In response to androgens, the AR binds to androgen‐response elements (AREs) to modulate gene transcription. The responses of such genes are dependent on the cellular milieu and on sequences around the AREs, which attract other transcription factors. Previously, bioinformatic analysis of 62 AR‐occupied regions (ARORs) in PCa cells revealed enrichment for both AREs and a TTGGCAAATA‐like motif. We undertook the present study to investigate the significance of the TTGGCAAATA‐like motif.

METHODS

Prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and C4‐2B, were analyzed by transient transfections of wild‐type and mutant reporter constructs, electro‐mobility shift assays (EMSAs), and RT‐qPCR analysis of endogenous genes.

RESULTS

In two of six tested ARORs, point mutations in the TTGGCAAATA‐like motif resulted in inhibition of DHT‐mediated enhancer activity. EMSA revealed that Oct1 bound the motif, and that the mutations that abolished DHT responsiveness in the transfection assays augmented Oct1 binding. These results suggest a role for Oct1 as a context‐dependent negative coregulator of AR. Consistent with this, siRNA knockdown of Oct1 increased the DHT‐mediated enhancer activity of transfected reporters as well as an endogenous AR target gene, transglutaminase 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Oct1 negatively regulates DHT‐mediated enhancer activity in a subset of ARORs. The enrichment of ARORs for the Oct‐binding, TTGGCAAATA‐like motif may reflect a mechanism that utilizes Oct1 to keep AR activity in check at some ARORs, while augmenting AR activity in other ARORs. Therefore, Oct1 may have regulatory functions in prostate development and cancer progression. Prostate 69:392–400, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oct4A is expressed by a subpopulation of prostate neuroendocrine cells
Authors: Sotomayor Paula , Godoy Alejandro , Smith Gary J. , Huss Wendy J.
Published: December 2008

BACKGROUND

Cancer stem cells are defined by their self‐renewal and multi‐potential capabilities and are hypothesized to be the source of primary and recurrent cancers. The stem cell properties of self‐renewal and pluripotency in embryonic stem cells and germ cells are regulated by Oct4A, a splice variant of the POU5F1 (Oct3/4) gene, while the function of the alternative splice variant, Oct4B, is unknown. Rare cells that express Oct4 were identified in several somatic cancers, however, the differential contributions of the Oct4A and Oct4B variants were not determined.

METHODS

Oct4A expression and co‐localization with lineage markers was performed with PCR and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Rare Oct4A expressing cells are present in human benign and malignant prostate glands and the number of Oct4A expressing cells increases in prostate cancers with high Gleason scores. Oct4A expressing cells were non‐proliferative, and did not co‐express markers of basal epithelial cell or luminal epithelial cell differentiation, or AMACR, a marker of prostate cancer epithelial cells. A subpopulation of the Oct4A expressing cells co‐expressed Sox2, an embryonic stem cell marker, but did not express other putative stem cell markers, such as ABCG2, NANOG or CD133. The majority of Oct4A expressing cells co‐expressed chromogranin A, and a subset of Oct4A expressing cells co‐expressed synaptophysin, both markers of neuroendocrine differentiation.

CONCLUSION

The increased number of cells that expressed Oct4A in prostate cancer compared to benign prostate, and in cancers of increasing grade, suggests that Oct4A/Chromogranin A co‐expressing cells represent neuroendocrine cells in prostate cancer. Prostate 69:401–410, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ribosome's mode of function: myths, facts and recent results
Authors: Wekselman Itai , Davidovich Chen , Agmon Ilana , Zimmerman Ella , Rozenberg Haim , Bashan Anat , Berisio Rita , Yonath Ada
Published: December 2008

Ribosomes translate the genetic code into proteins in all living cells with extremely high efficiency, owing to their inherent flexibility and to their spectacular architecture. During the last 6 decades, extensive effort has been made to elucidate the molecular mechanisms associated with their function, and a quantum jump has been made in recent years, once the three dimensional structures of ribosomes and their functional complexes have been determined. These illuminated key issues in ribosome function, confirmed various biochemical, genetic, and medical findings, and revealed mechanistic details beyond previous expectation, thus leading to conceptual revolutions, and turning old myths into actual facts. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Space–time structure of mesoscale motions in the stable boundary layer
Authors: Mahrt L. , Thomas C. K. , Prueger J. H.
Published: December 2008

In this article, we examine the stochastic characteristics of non‐turbulent motions in the stable boundary layer. The behaviour of mesoscale motions in the atmospheric stable boundary layer is poorly understood beyond case studies of unusually well‐defined events or monotonic waves. Eight networks of wind observations are analysed in order to examine stochastically the space–time characteristics of such motions in the stable boundary layer. The networks include a variety of surface conditions and network configurations, although none of the networks is optimal for our studies. Collectively, the networks allow examination of scales from tens of metres to tens of kilometres.

A variety of analysis tools reveal the complexity of mesoscale motions near the surface in stratified flow. For the data as a whole, the horizontal scale of coherence increases systematically with time‐scale, albeit with large scatter between records. The relationship between spatial coherence and time‐scale is posed in terms of a velocity scale, which is found to be unrelated to the wind speed. The time variability of the flow decreases systematically with increasing spatial averaging, suggesting that comparison of model winds (with implied spatial averaging over the grid area) with observations requires suitable spatial averaging of the observations. Additional characteristics are discussed in terms of non‐dimensional ratios of velocity scales. Necessary improvements of network measurements are also noted. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Development of a multi‐mycotoxin liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for sweet pepper analysis
Authors: Monbaliu Sofie , Van Poucke Christof , Van Peteghem Carlos , Van Poucke Kris , Heungens Kurt , De Saeger Sarah
Published: December 2008

A multi‐mycotoxin method was developed for the simultaneous determination of trichothecenes (nivalenol, deoxynivalenol, 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, neosolaniol, fusarenon‐X, diacetoxyscirpenol, HT‐2 toxin, T‐2 toxin), aflatoxins (aflatoxin‐B1, aflatoxin‐B2, aflatoxin‐G1 and aflatoxin‐G2), Alternaria toxins (alternariol, alternariol methyl ether and altenuene), fumonisins (fumonisin‐B1, fumonisin‐B2 and fumonisin‐B3), ochratoxin A, zearalenone, beauvericin and sterigmatocystin in sweet pepper. Sweet pepper was extracted with ethyl acetate/formic acid (99:1, v/v). After splitting up the extract, two‐thirds of the extract was cleaned up using an aminopropyl column followed by an octadecyl column. The remaining part was cleaned up using a strong anion‐exchange column. After recombination of both cleaned parts of the sample extract, the combined solvents were evaporated and the residue was dissolved in mobile phase; 20 µL was injected into the chromatographic system, so only one run was used to separate and detect the mycotoxins in positive electrospray ionization using selected reaction monitoring. The samples were analyzed with a Micromass Quattro Micro triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Waters, Milford, MA, USA). The mobile phase consisted of variable mixtures of water and methanol, 1% acetic acid and 5 mM ammonium acetate. The limits of detection of the multi‐mycotoxin method varied from 0.32 µg.kg−1 to 42.48 µg.kg−1. The multi‐mycotoxin liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method fulfilled the method performance criteria required by the Commission Regulation (EC) No 401/2006. Sweet peppers inoculated by Fusarium species were analyzed using the developed method. Beauvericin (9–484 µg.kg−1) and fumonisins (fumonisin‐B1 up to 4330 µg.kg−1, fumonisin‐B2 up to 4900 µg.kg−1, and fumonisin‐B3 up to 299 µg.kg−1) were detected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of combustion intermediates in fuel‐rich methyl methacrylate flame with tunable synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Lin Zhenkun , Wang Tianfang , Han Donglin , Han Xu , Li Shufen , Li Yuyang , Tian Zhenyu
Published: December 2008

A fuel‐rich premixed laminar methyl methacrylate (MMA)/O2/Ar flame at low pressure (30 Torr) with the equivalence ratio (ϕ) of 1.60 is studied in this work. Synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization combined with molecular beam mass spectrometry is employed to identify the combustion intermediates including isomeric intermediates. The observed combustion intermediates can be classified as four types: radicals, non‐cyclic hydrocarbons, cyclic hydrocarbons and oxygenates. Benzene is the unique aromatic hydrocarbon detected in this work, and several oxygenates with two oxygen atoms are identified. Mole fraction profiles of most intermediates are evaluated, which can help understand the MMA combustion mechanism under fuel‐rich conditions. The similarities among rich flames of MMA and other oxygenated fuels, as well as the characteristics of rich MMA flame, are also discussed. The results show that combustion of MMA not only reduces soot emissions, but also has low concentrations of some potential toxic by‐products. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of isomers of oleuropein aglycon in olive oils by rapid‐resolution liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray time‐of‐flight and ion trap tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Fu Shaoping , Arráez‐Román David , Menéndez Javier A. , Segura‐Carretero Antonio , Fernández‐Gutiérrez Alberto
Published: December 2008

In this work, rapid‐resolution liquid chromatography (RRLC) coupled to electrospray ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (ESI‐TOF‐MS) and ion trap multiple mass spectrometry (IT‐MSn) has been applied to separate and characterize eleven isomers of oleuropein aglycon in fourteen Spanish extra‐virgin olive oils. After the extra‐virgin olive oil sample had been dissolved in hexane and cleaned up by a diol‐bonded phase solid‐phase extraction (SPE) cartridge, the eluting extract was resolved in methanol and analyzed on an Angilent 1200 system with a 4.6 × 150 mm, 1.8 µm Zorbax Eclipse plus C18 column. Mass spectrometry was carried out on a Bruker Daltonics microTOF mass spectrometer and a Bruker Daltonics ion trap mass spectrometer. The characterization of isomers of oleuropein aglycon was based on accurate mass data and the isotope function of characteristic fragment ions in the studied compounds by TOF‐MS, and the fragment ions were further confirmed by IT‐MSn. The fragmentation pathway of oleuropein aglycon was successfully elucidated and all possible transformations among isomers of oleuropein aglycon were suggested. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polynomial distance measurement for ECG based biometric authentication
Authors: Sufi Fahim , Khalil Ibrahim , Habib Ibrahim
Published: December 2008

Existing electrocardiography (ECG) based biometric systems are constantly being challenged by higher misclassification error, longer acquisition time, larger template size, slower processing time and pertinence of abnormal beats within the biometric template. These challenges are the prime hindrance for ECG based biometric being commercialized as a pervasive authentication mechanism. At least, ECG based biometric can provide a secured mechanism for cardiac patients being monitored over telephony network. In this paper, we present a polynomial distance measurement (PDM) method for ECG based biometric authentication for the very first time, according to the literature and to the best of our knowledge. The proposed PDM method is up to 12 times faster than existing algorithms, requires up to 6.5 times less template storage, needs only 2.49 (average) acquisition time with the highest accuracy rate (up to 100 per cent) when experimented on a population size of 15. Moreover, this proposed ECG based biometric system was deployed on a mobile phone based telemonitoring scenario with multilayer authentication mechanism upholding its applicability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulating institutional controls on consumption patterns in the commons
Authors: Huerta Timothy R.
Published: December 2008

In 1968, Garrett Hardin identified a class of common goods that suffer under traditional market mechanisms. This paper describes the results of an agent‐based computer simulation used to study how institutional forces shape consumption patterns. Overall, when populations generally act in the common interest, the commons, the population and individuals all experience higher quality outcomes than when they act in generally or exclusively self‐interested ways. The results suggest common‐interested behaviours support a greater population at a higher quality of living; however, exclusively common‐interested behaviours result in underutilized commons, and the whole is generally less well off. The paper frames further applications in terms of managing growth for long‐term sustainability. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degeneracy, resilience and free markets in educational innovation
Authors: Eyal Ori
Published: December 2008

The free‐market is commonly presented by its supporters as the best environment for introducing innovations. This paper challenges the universality of this contention by arguing that free‐market dynamics cannot provide the appropriate conditions for significant educational changes. By adopting the perspective of systems research, I claim that the degeneracy characterizing free‐markets lodad educational systems with extreme resilience to changes. Based on Barabasi's network theory, I argue further that introducing change is extremely difficult due to the need to invest extensive effort in identifying specific sources of power (i.e., hubs) and removing them. Thus, this paper suggests that despite the prevalent image of public institutions as highly conservative and stagnant, it might be interesting to investigate their potential as sources of innovations that are no less radical than the alternatives proposed by free‐market ideologues. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance test of a tuned liquid mass damper for reducing bidirectional responses of building structures
Authors: Heo Jae‐Sung , Lee Sung‐Kyung , Park Eunchurn , Lee Sang‐Hyun , Min Kyung‐Won , Kim Hongjin , Jo Jiseong , Cho Bong‐Ho
Published: December 2008

In this study, a tuned liquid mass damper (TLMD) was proposed to reduce bidirectional responses of building structures, and its control performance was experimentally evaluated. The proposed TLMD with only one device body reduces bidirectional responses of building structures by behaving as a TMD and a TLCD in the weak and strong axial directions of a building floor plan, respectively. First, the control performance of a TLMD mounted on a scale‐downed single‐degree‐of‐freedom building model was experimentally evaluated by exciting this system with an actuator. Then, the real‐time hybrid shaking table testing method (RTHSTTM) was performed to assess the control efficiency of the total system by adopting the TLCD and the building model as the experimental and numerical parts, respectively. It was confirmed by comparing uncontrolled and controlled testing results that the proposed TLMD can be applied to reduce the responses in both the weak and strong directions of building structures. Also, the results from RTHSTTM showed that the performance of TLMD‐controlled building structure can be accurately evaluated by this method only using a TLMD as the experimental part. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stated public preferences for on‐land and offshore wind power generation—a review
Authors: Ladenburg Jacob
Published: December 2008

With the increasing number of on‐land turbines and the increasing size of the individual turbines, on‐land locations for wind power development have become more difficult to find in an increasing number of countries. In the literature and the public debate, these on‐land siting difficulties are often put forward to be related to the perceived environmental costs of wind turbines. However, offshore wind power generation might be a solution to this problem, if the perceived environmental costs are smaller offshore compared with on‐land. Based on a review of seven papers focusing on the preferences and willingness to pay for different wind power development sites, people in different countries generally seem to hold significant preferences of offshore wind power development when compared with different types of locations on‐land. However, the preferences for offshore wind power development seem to be dependent on the specific place of location offshore. This points towards the fact that offshore locations potentially can have higher environmental costs than on‐land locations. However, the preferences for offshore locations strongly indicate that the environmental costs can be significantly reduced by the location of offshore wind farms at large distances from the coast. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model‐based analysis of wake‐flow data in the Nysted offshore wind farm
Authors: Cleve Jochen , Greiner Martin , Enevoldsen Peder , Birkemose Bo , Jensen Leo
Published: December 2008

Wake‐flow data of the Nysted offshore wind farm is analysed with the engineering wake model of Jensen. Two‐parameter fits referring to wake‐decay parameter and wind direction are made to each individual 10 min‐averaged recording of turbine powers. The fitted wind direction neither agrees with the measurements at the meteorological masts nor the turbine orientations, but is in agreement with the power deficit ratios between second‐ and first‐row turbines. The fitted wake‐decay parameter varies roughly between k = 0.02 and 0.04, depending on the wind direction with respect to the wind farm geometry. Its average  ≈ 0.03 is smaller than the current standard k = 0.04, indicating that offshore wakes might be more narrow. No significant dependence on flow stability is found. Compared to two‐parameter fits, one‐parameter fits with pre‐assigned wind direction perform worse; they lead to  ≈ 0.04 and tend to overpredict wind farm power. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perioperative Changes of Serum p53 Antibody Titer is a Predictor for Survival in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Shimada Hideaki , Shiratori Tooru , Takeda Akihiko , Matsushita Kazuyuki , Okazumi Shinichi , Akutsu Yasunori , Matsubara Hisahiro , Nomura Fumio , Ochiai Takenori
Published: December 2008

Background

Although the presence of serum p53 antibody (s‐p53‐Abs) before treatment has been shown to correlate with poor prognosis and lymph node metastasis in esophageal cancer, there has been little information about postoperative s‐p53‐Abs titer and perioperative changes of s‐p53‐Abs titers in patients with esophageal carcinoma.

Methods

A highly specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to analyze s‐p53‐Abs in 110 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma before and 1 month after surgery. The cutoff level of 1.3 U/ml was used to indicate seropositive patients. Impact of postoperative s‐p53‐Abs titer and perioperative changes of s‐p53‐Abs on survival was evaluated.

Results

Forty (36%) of 110 patients were positive for s‐p53‐Abs before surgery and 35 patients (32%) were positive after surgery. s‐p53‐Abs titer generally decreased after surgery. Among sero‐positive patients, the patients who remained sero‐positive after surgery (n = 28) had a worse prognosis than patients who showed sero‐conversion (P = 0.02). Among sero‐positive patients, the nondecreased titer group showed significantly unfavorable survival (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that postoperative s‐p53‐Abs was an independent risk factor for worse overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio = 3.05; 95% confidence interval = 1.11–8.33; P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Perioperative monitoring of s‐p53‐Abs titers was useful to identify patients with esophageal cancer with a high risk for tumor recurrence and a poor prognosis. Continuous sero‐positive patients and/or nondecreased titer group, even after surgery, showed significantly unfavorable survival.
DNA Damage Response Pathways in Tumor Suppression and Cancer Treatment
Authors: Liang Yulong , Lin Shiaw‐Yih , Brunicardi F. Charles , Goss John , Li Kaiyi
Published: December 2008

Mammalian cells are frequently at risk of DNA damage from multiple sources. Accordingly, cells have evolved the DNA damage response (DDR) pathways to monitor the integrity of their genome. Conceptually, DDR pathways contain three major components (some with overlapping functions): sensors, signal transducers, and effectors. At the level of sensors, ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated) and ATR (ATM‐Rad3‐related) are proximal kinases that act as the core sensors of and are central to the entire DDR. These two kinases function to detect various forms of damaged DNA and trigger DNA damage response cascades. If cells harbor DDR defects and fail to repair the damaged DNA, it would cause genomic instability and, as a result, lead to cellular transformation. Indeed, deficiencies of DDR frequently occur in human cancers. Interestingly, this property of cancer also provides a great opportunity for cancer therapy. For example, by using a synthetic lethality model to search for the effective drugs, ChK1 inhibitors have been shown to selectively target the tumor cells with p53 mutations. In addition, the inhibitors of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP‐1) showed selectively killing effects on the cells with defects of homologous recombination (HR), particularly in the context of BRCA1/2 mutations. Since Brit1 is a key regulator in DDR and HR repair, we believe that we can develop a similar strategy to target cancers with Brit1 deficiency. Currently, we are conducting a high‐throughput screening to identify novel compounds that specifically target the Brit1‐deficient cancer which will lead to development of effective personalized drugs to cure cancer in clinic.
Amino acids in CSF and plasma in hyperammonaemic coma due to arginase1 deficiency
Authors: Scholl‐Bürgi S. , Baumgartner Sigl S. , Häberle J. , Haberlandt E. , Rostásy K. , Ertl C. , Eichinger‐Öttl U. , Heinz‐Erian P. , Karall D.
Published: December 2008

We report the CSF and plasma amino acid concentrations and their ratios in a male patient with arginase1 deficiency with an unusual early presentation at 34 days of age. He developed hyperammonaemic coma (ammonia >400 μmol/L; normal <90 μmol/L) on postnatal day 35. CSF and plasma concentrations were assayed by ion‐exchange chromatography on day 36. Arginine was increased both in plasma (971 μmol/L; controls (mean ± 2SD) 50 ± 42) and in CSF (157 μmol/L; controls 19 ± 8.6), resulting in a normal CSF/plasma ratio of 0.16 (controls 0.41 ± 0.26). Interestingly, glutamine was disproportionately high in CSF (3114 μmol/L; controls 470 ± 236) but normal in plasma (420 μmol/L; controls 627 ± 246); the ratio exceeded unity (7.4; controls 0.76 ± 0.31). The CSF/plasma ratios of most neutral amino acids were elevated but not those of the imino‐ and of the dibasic amino acids lysine and ornithine. The mechanism leading to the increase of most neutral amino acids in brain is not known.

Conclusion: A normal glutamine in plasma does not exclude an increased concentration in CSF; it could be useful to ascertain by MRS that a high CSF glutamine concentration truly reflects a high concentration in brain tissue for better understanding its pathogenesis.
Traumatic Bilateral Knee Dislocations, Unilateral Hip Dislocation, and Contralateral Humeral Amputation: A Case Report
Authors: Voos James E. , Heyworth Benton E. , Piasecki Dana P. , Henn R. Frank , MacGillivray John D.
Published: December 2008

Bilateral traumatic knee dislocations are a rarity. We report a case of bilateral traumatic knee dislocations with concomitant right hip dislocation and complete traumatic amputation of the left, nondominant upper extremity at the level of the proximal one-third of the humerus. Angiograms revealed no evidence of popliteal artery injury. Orthopedic treatment consisted of immediate reduction of the dislocations and urgent revision amputation of the upper extremity. Staged, bilateral knee ligamentous reconstructions were performed on hospital days 24 and 29, respectively. Despite this constellation of devastating injuries, the patient had a satisfactory outcome. In patients with high-energy hip or knee dislocations, the bilateral hips and knees should be carefully examined to check for associated fractures and/or dislocations.
Synthesis and Luminescence Properties of Core/Shell ZnS:Mn/ZnO Nanoparticles
Authors: Jiang Daixun , Cao Lixin , Liu Wei , Su Ge , Qu Hua , Sun Yuanguang , Dong Bohua
Published: December 2008

In this paper the influence of ZnO shell thickness on the luminescence properties of Mn-doped ZnS nanoparticles is studied. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed that the average diameter of ZnS:Mn nanoparticles is around 14 nm. The formation of ZnO shells on the surface of ZnS:Mn nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) images, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. A strong increase followed by a gradual decline was observed in the room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra with the thickening of the ZnO shell. The photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectra exhibited a blue shift in ZnO-coated ZnS:Mn nanoparticles compared with the uncoated ones. It is shown that the PL enhancement and the blue shift of optimum excitation wavelength are led by the ZnO-induced surface passivation and compressive stress on the ZnS:Mn cores.
Reduction of Heat Shock Protein Antibody Levels by Statin Therapy
Authors: Guisasola María C. , Dulín Elena , Almendral Jesús , García‐Barreno Pedro
Published: December 2008

Atherosclerosis is a disease whose pathogenesis involves inflammatory and immunological mechanisms, including an autoimmune reaction against heat shock proteins (Hsps). The purpose of this study was to analyze whether the antiatherogenic effect of statin therapy was not limited to its lipid lowering effect, but also included anti‐inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, paying special attention to the measurement of circulating concentrations of anti‐Hsp70 and anti‐Hsp60 antibodies previously related to vascular disease. Two‐hundred and seventy‐five subjects aged 40–60 years, randomly selected in an epidemiological study on the incidence of vascular risk factors, were studied. Laboratory tests included a complete lipid profile after a 12‐h fast and measurements of glucose, C‐reactive‐protein, anti‐Hsp70 and anti‐Hsp60 antibodies. Subjects with hypercholesterolemia had significantly higher concentrations of anti‐Hsp70 antibodies as compared to subjects with normal cholesterol concentrations. Statin therapy was associated with 11.63 and 15.3% reductions in total and LDL‐cholesterol (P = 0.005 and 0.017, respectively) as compared to untreated subjects, and with lower concentrations of circulating anti‐Hsp70 (P = 0.016) antibodies. No differences were found in C‐reactive‐protein values. Since statin therapy not only reduces lipid profile, but also anti‐Hsp70 and anti‐Hsp60 antibody concentrations, without changing C‐reactive‐protein values, it is suggested that such an effect could not be accounted for by the anti‐inflammatory properties of statins, but by their direct immunomodulatory properties through their effects on lymphocyte function.
Comparative Analysis of Brain Lipids in Mice, Cats, and Humans with Sandhoff Disease
Authors: Baek Rena C. , Martin Douglas R. , Cox Nancy R. , Seyfried Thomas N.
Published: December 2008

Sandhoff disease (SD) is a glycosphingolipid (GSL) storage disease that arises from an autosomal recessive mutation in the gene for the β‐subunit of β‐Hexosaminidase A (Hexb gene), which catabolizes ganglioside GM2 within lysosomes. Accumulation of GM2 and asialo‐GM2 (GA2) occurs primarily in the CNS, leading to neurodegeneration and brain dysfunction. We analyzed the total lipids in the brains of SD mice, cats, and humans. GM2 and GA2 were mostly undetectable in the normal mouse, cat, and human brain. The lipid abnormalities in the SD cat brain were generally intermediate to those observed in the SD mouse and the SD human brains. GM2 comprised 38, 67, and 87% of the total brain ganglioside distribution in the SD mice, cats, and humans, respectively. The ratio of GA2–GM2 was 0.93, 0.13, and 0.27 in the SD mice, cats, and humans, respectively, suggesting that the relative storage of GA2 is greater in the SD mouse than in the SD cat or human. Finally, the myelin‐enriched lipids, cerebrosides and sulfatides, were significantly lower in the SD brains than in the control brains. This study is the first comparative analysis of brain lipids in mice, cats, and humans with SD and will be important for designing therapies for Sandhoff disease patients.
Partial Hydrogenation of Soybean Oil with Minimal Trans Fat Production Using a Pt‐Decorated Polymeric Membrane Reactor
Authors: Singh Devinder , Rezac M. E. , Pfromm P. H.
Published: December 2008

Partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils is carried out to improve the chemical stability and raise the melting point to produce semi‐solid products such as margarine. Trans fatty acids formed during traditional hydrogenation have come under intense scrutiny with regard to human health. Here we report partial hydrogenation of soybean oil using a high performance integral‐asymmetric polyetherimide membrane sputtered with platinum to deliver hydrogen directly to or near the catalytic sites. Oil flows past the platinum‐coated “skin” side of the membrane while dissolved molecular and some atomic hydrogen is supplied from the highly porous substructure of the membrane. The membrane has a high hydrogen flux but is essentially impermeable to soybean oil. Hydrogenation using our metal/polymer catalytic composite membrane produced oil with only 4 wt.% total trans fatty acids and 14.5 wt.% C18:0 saturates at IV of 95 while the conventional Pt/C slurry reactor produced more than 10 wt.% TFA and the same amount of C18:0 saturates under similar conditions of temperature and pressure. Our concept requires hydrogen pressures of only about 65 psi and temperatures near 70 °C. The polymeric base membranes used here have been mass produced and can be packaged in spiral wound modules. The relatively mild reaction conditions and the direct pathway to produce useful membrane modules combine to make our concept promising for near‐term application.
Interactions of Taxol‐producing endophytic fungus with its host (Taxus spp.) during Taxol accumulation
Authors: Li Yong‐Cheng , Tao Wen‐Yi
Published: December 2008

Endophytic fungi (Fusarium mairei) culture broth (EFCB) was added to cell suspension cultures of Taxus cuspidata. After 5 days, cultures of T. cuspidata given 4 ml of EFCB produced a maximal yield of 6.11 mg/l paclitaxel, with a release ratio of 75%, 2‐ and 6.8‐fold, respectively, greater than the controls. The active element in EFCB is an exopolysaccharide of ∼79 kD. Endophytic fungi produced 0.19 mg/l of paclitaxel in its producing medium. However, when the supernatant of Taxus cell suspension cultures from day 20 was added to the paclitaxel‐producing medium, the biomass of fungi decreased by 24% and the yield of paclitaxel by 45%. In a co‐culture system of plant and fungus, the yield of paclitaxel (12.8 mg/l) was >2‐fold higher than that in the EFCB‐treatment system.
Domestic violence against infertile women in a Turkish setting
Authors: Yildizhan Recep , Adali Ertan , Kolusari Ali , Kurdoglu Mertihan , Yildizhan Begum , Sahin Guler
Published: December 2008

Objective

To investigate the prevalence of domestic violence against infertile women in a Turkish setting.

Methods

A total of 122 women with primary infertility attending an obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic were interviewed using the Abuse Assessment Screen questionnaire to investigate their experiences of domestic violence.

Results

In total, 41 (33.6%) women had experienced domestic violence because of their infertility. Of these women, 32 (78%) had experienced domestic violence for the first time in the relationship with the current partner following diagnosis of female factor infertility. The percentage of nonabused and abused infertile women who were mostly satisfied with their sexual lives was 56.87% and 29.2%, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Routine screening for domestic violence in infertility clinics is necessary to give affected women an opportunity to access appropriate health care and support services.
Postpartum depression and traditional postpartum care in China: Role of Zuoyuezi
Authors: Wan Ellen Y. , Moyer Cheryl A. , Harlow Siobán D. , Fan Zitian , Jie Yan , Yang Huixia
Published: December 2008

Objective

To determine the relationship between the traditional Chinese practice of postpartum care, known as zuoyuezi, and postpartum depression (PPD) in China.

Methods

A total of 342 Chinese women were surveyed 6‐ to 8‐weeks post partum using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and items assessing sociodemographics, health history, peripartum experiences, zuoyuezi, and social support.

Results

Prevalence of PPD was 15.5% (EPDS cutoff ≥ 13). PPD was associated with lower income, difficult pregnancy experience, poor infant health status, not attending childbirth classes, and low spousal involvement before and after delivery. Among the 96% of women who practiced zuoyuezi, those for whom the caregiver was her mother‐in‐law or who perceived zuoyuezi as unhelpful had twice the odds of PPD.

Conclusion

These data highlight the importance of the peripartum experience in assessing PPD risk. Zuoyuezi is still commonly practiced in urban China, and further research is needed to explore its role in the potential prevention of PPD.
Common symptoms during pregnancy to predict depression and health status 14 years post partum
Authors: Khatun Mohsina , Clavarino Alexandra M. , Callaway Leonie , Alati Rosa , Najman Jake M. , Williams Gail , Mamun Abdullah Al
Published: December 2008

Objective

To examine the prospective association between symptoms commonly experienced during pregnancy and the mental and general health status of women 14 years post partum.

Methods

Data used were from the Mater‐University of Queensland Study of Pregnancy, a community‐based prospective birth cohort study begun in Brisbane, Australia, in 1981. Logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results

Data were available for 5118 women. Women who experienced a higher burden of symptoms during pregnancy were at greater risk of becoming depressed and reporting poorer health status 14 years post partum. Women who experienced major problems during pregnancy were 4 times more likely to be depressed and nearly 8 times more likely to report poorer health status 14 years after the index pregnancy compared with women who experienced few problems.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that pregnant women who experience common symptoms during pregnancy are likely to experience poorer mental and self‐reported general health 14 years after the pregnancy.