bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Practical considerations for maximizing heat production in a novel thermobrachytherapy seed prototype
Authors: Gautam Bhoj , Warrell Gregory , Shvydka Diana , Subramanian Manny , Ishmael Parsai E.
Published: January 2014

Purpose:

A combination of hyperthermia and radiation in the treatment of cancer has been proven to provide better tumor control than radiation administered as a monomodality, without an increase in complications or serious toxicities. Moreover, concurrent administration of hyperthermia and radiation displays synergistic enhancement, resulting in greater tumor cell killing than hyperthermia and radiation delivered separately. The authors have designed a new thermobrachytherapy (TB) seed, which serves as a source of both radiation and heat for concurrent brachytherapy and hyperthermia treatments when implanted in solid tumors. This innovative seed, similar in size and geometry to conventional seeds, will have self‐regulating thermal properties.

Methods:

The new seedˈs geometry is based on the standard BEST Model 2301125I seed, resulting in very similar dosimetric properties. The TB seed generates heat when placed in an oscillating magnetic field via induction heating of a ferromagnetic Ni–Cu alloy core that replaces the tungsten radiographic marker of the standard Model 2301. The alloy composition is selected to undergo a Curie transition near 50 °C, drastically decreasing power production at higher temperatures and providing for temperature self‐regulation. Here, the authors present experimental studies of the magnetic properties of Ni–Cu alloy material, the visibility of TB seeds in radiographic imaging, and the ability of seed prototypes to uniformly heat tissue to a desirable temperature. Moreover, analyses are presented of magnetic shielding and thermal expansion of the TB seed, as well as matching of radiation dose to temperature distributions for a short interseed distance in a given treatment volume.

Results:

Annealing the Ni–Cu alloy has a significant effect on its magnetization properties, increasing the sharpness of the Curie transition. The TB seed preserves the radiographic properties of the BEST 2301 seed in both plain x rays and CT images, and a preliminary experiment demonstrates thermal self‐regulation and adequate heating of a tissue‐mimicking phantom by seed prototypes. The effect of self‐shielding of the seed against the external magnetic field is small, and only minor thermal stress is induced in heating of the seeds from room temperature to well above the seed operating temperature. With proper selection of magnetic field parameters, the thermal dose distribution of an arrangement of TB and hyperthermia‐only seeds may be made to match with its radiation dose distribution.

Conclusions:

The presented analyses address several practical considerations for manufacturing of the proposed TB seeds and identify critical issues for the prototype implementation. The authors’ preliminary experiments demonstrate close agreement with the modeling results, confirming the feasibility of combining sources of heat and radiation into a single thermobrachytherapy seed.
A Generally Applicable Translational Strategy Identifies S100A4 as a Candidate Gene in Allergy
Authors: Bruhn Sören , Fang Yu , Barrenäs Fredrik , Gustafsson Mika , Zhang Huan , Konstantinell Aelita , Krönke Andrea , Sönnichsen Birte , Bresnick Anne , Dulyaninova Natalya , Wang Hui , Zhao Yelin , Klingelhöfer Jörg , Ambartsumian Noona , Beck Mette K. , Nestor Colm , Bona Elsa , Xiang Zou , Benson Mikael
Published: January 2014

A module-based strategy identified and validated an important diagnostic and therapeutic candidate gene in allergy.
A Powerful (Re)Purpose for Genome-Wide Association Studies
Authors: Voora Deepak
Published: January 2014

A bioinformatics pipeline for GWAS findings identified new uses for existing medications to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Oncogene Addiction: How Cells Handle the Habit
Authors: Callahan Margaret K.
Published: January 2014

A growth hormone–mediated negative feedback loop can explain why CML cells are so addicted to the BCR-ABL oncogene.
Hold the Sugar
Authors: Ghajar Cyrus M.
Published: January 2014

Aberrant glucose metabolism may be the cause—not just a consequence—of the malignant phenotype.
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia treated with alemtuzumab
Authors: Isidoro Luís , Pires Paula , Rito Luís , Cordeiro Gustavo
Published: January 2014

A 69-year-old Caucasian woman with a 15-year history of refractory chronic lymphocytic B-cell leukaemia (CLL), treated with alemtuzumab in the past 10 months presented with a subacute right foot drop. Initial evaluation with a brain CT scan, lumbosacral MRI, nerve conduction studies and LP was negative. In the following months, progressive right hemibody weakness and dysarthria developed. Brain MRI showed a bilateral parasagittal frontal lesion. Alemtuzumab treatment was withdrawn. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) was confirmed by PCR. Attempted antiviral therapies proved fruitless. Inexorable clinical deterioration ensued and the patient passed away 10 months after the presentation. This case report intends to call attention for PML as a potential fatal complication of severe immunosuppression, including the possible role of new monoclonal antibodies (such as alemtuzumab) in its pathogenesis.
FUNDAMENTAL BIQUANDLES OF RIBBON 2-KNOTS AND RIBBON TORUS-KNOTS WITH ISOMORPHIC FUNDAMENTAL QUANDLES
Authors: ASHIHARA SOSUKE
Published: January 2014

The fundamental quandles and biquandles are invariants of classical knots and surface knots. It is unknown whether there exist classical or surface knots which have isomorphic fundamental quandles and distinct fundamental biquandles. We show that ribbon 2-knots or ribbon torus-knots with isomorphic fundamental quandles have isomorphic fundamental biquandles. For this purpose, we give a method for obtaining a presentation of the fundamental biquandle of a ribbon 2-knot/torus-knot from its fundamental quandle.
SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SILVER NANOPARTICLES EMBEDDED IN EMULSIFIED ISOBUTYL ACRYLATE
Authors: DENNIS C. , VIDHYA S. , SHADAK ALEE K. , NARAYANA RAO D.
Published: January 2014

Silver nanoparticles were generated using laser ablation technique in emulsified isobutyl acrylate solution in which the nanoparticles are stabilized and embedded over the acrylic polymerized solution. Further, the colloidal solutions were characterized with atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR). AFM image results of the nanoparticles displays the silver nanoparticles embedded over the emulsified acrylic layer and dispersion of spherical nanoparticles across the polymer were eruptions of silver nanoparticles can be seen clearly. In addition, FTIR spectrum and SEM images validate the nanoparticle reaction over the polymerized acrylate solution and size of the metal nanoparticles respectively.
ADSORPTION AND KINETIC STUDY ON Sn2+ REMOVAL USING MODIFIED CARBON NANOTUBE AND MAGNETIC BIOCHAR
Authors: MUBARAK N. M. , RUTHIRAAN M. , SAHU J. N. , ABDULLAH E. C. , JAYAKUMAR N. S. , SAJUNI N. R. , TAN J.
Published: January 2014

The effectiveness of stannum ( Sn 2+) removal from aqueous solution by using magnetic biochar and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (FMWCNT) was investigated. The effect of various factors, namely pH, adsorbent dosage, agitation speed and contact time was statistically studied through analysis of variance (ANOVA). Statistical analysis revealed that the optimum conditions for the highest removal of Sn 2+ are at pH 5, dosage 0.1 g with agitation speed and time of 100 rpm and 90 min, respectively. At the initial concentration of 0.1 mg/L, the removal efficiency of Sn 2+ using FMWCNTs was 93% and 85% with magnetic biochar. The Langmuir and Freundlich constant for both FMWCNTs and magnetic biochar were 13.397 L/mg, 18.634 L/mg and 17.719 L/mg, 25.204 L/mg, respectively. Hence, results prove that FMWCNTs are a better adsorbent with a higher adsorption capacity compared to magnetic biochar. Adsorption kinetic obeyed pseudo-second-order.
Detecting anomalous behavior in sea traffic: A study of analytical strategies and their implications for surveillance systems
Authors: Riveiro Maria , Falkman Göran
Published: January 2014

Surveillance operators normally analyze vast amounts of sensor data in order to find conflict situations, and threatening or unusual activities while allowing the continuous flow of goods and people. Semi-automatic support may reduce the time needed for the detection of such situations, generating early warnings that can prevent accidents or provide time to prepare countermeasures. In order to provide adequate cognitive support for operators and guide the design of more efficient surveillance systems, this paper investigates the human analytical reasoning process of detecting anomalous behavior through a case study, the surveillance of sea areas. The analysis of data gathered during interviews and participant observations at three maritime control centers and the inspection of video recordings of real incidents lead to a characterization of operators' analytical processes. We suggest how to support these processes using data mining and visualization, and we derive recommendations for designers and developers of future maritime control systems.
Detecting tag spams for social bookmarking Websites using a text mining approach
Authors: Yang Hsin-Chang , Lee Chung-Hong
Published: January 2014

Social bookmarking Websites are popular nowadays for they provide platforms that are easy and clear to browse and organize Web pages. Users can add tags on Web pages to allow easy comprehension and retrieval of Web pages. However, tag spams could also be added to promote the opportunity of being referenced of a Web page, which is troublesome to users for accessing uninterested Web pages. In this work, we proposed a scheme to automatically detect such tag spams using a proposed text mining approach based on self-organizing map (SOM) model. We used SOM to find the associations among Web pages as well as tags. Such associations were then used to discover the relationships between Web pages and tags. Tag spams can then be detected according to such relationships. Experiments were conducted on a set of Web pages collected from a social bookmarking site and obtained promising result.
Coherent states and geometry on the Siegel–Jacobi disk
Authors: Berceanu Stefan
Published: January 2014

The coherent state representation of the Jacobi group [Formula: see text] is indexed with two parameters, [Formula: see text], describing the part coming from the Heisenberg group, and k, characterizing the positive discrete series representation of SU(1,1). The Ricci form, the scalar curvature and the geodesics of the Siegel–Jacobi disk [Formula: see text] are investigated. The significance in the language of coherent states of the transform which realizes the fundamental conjecture on the Siegel–Jacobi disk is emphasized. The Berezin kernel, Calabi's diastasis, the Kobayashi embedding and the Cauchy formula for the Siegel–Jacobi disk are presented.
Fabrication and thermoelectric properties of n-type (Sr0.9Gd0.1)TiO3 oxides
Authors: Li Liangliang , Qin Xiaoying , Liu Yongfei , Xin Hongxing , Zhang Jian , Li Di , Song Chunjun , Guo Guanglei , Dou Yunchen , Zou Tianhua
Published: January 2014

The n-type oxides ( Sr 0.9 Gd 0.1) TiO 3 (SGTO) have been successfully prepared via a sol–gel process followed by solid-state sintering. The effects of sintering temperature on the thermoelectric (TE) properties of the SGTO samples have been investigated. The Seebeck coefficient showed no obvious difference, while the electrical conductivity increased with increasing sintering temperature, benefiting from an enhancement of densification. The maximum power factor (PF) value, ~ 20.5μW/K2cm at 370 K in the metallic region, was observed for the sample sintered at 1748 K. As a result, the peak figure of merit (ZT) values for the samples sintered at higher than 1673 K were in the range of 0.28–0.30. All the results indicate that such synthetic method provides a simple and effective way to prepare TE oxides.
Toona Sinensis and Moschus Decoction Induced Cell Cycle Arrest in Human Cervical Carcinoma HeLa Cells
Authors: Zhen Hong , Zhang Yifei , Fang Zhijia , Huang Zhiwei , You Chongge , Shi Ping
Published: January 2014

Toona sinensis and Moschus are two herb materials used in traditional Chinese medicine, most commonly for their various biological activities. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of three decoctions from Toona sinensis, Moschus, and Toona sinensis and Moschus in combination on cell growth in several normal and cancer cell lines by cell viability assay. The results showed that the combined decoction exhibited the strongest anticancer effects, compared to two single decoctions. The observations indicated that the combined decoction did not induce cell apoptosis and autophagy in HeLa cells by fluorescence microscopy. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that the combined decoction arrested HeLa cell cycle progression in S‐phase. After the decoction incubation, among 41 cell cycle related genes, eight were reduced, while five were increased in mRNA levels by real‐time PCR assay. Western blotting showed that there were no apparent changes of protein levels of Cyclin E1, while P27 expression significantly declined and the levels of CDC7 and CDK7 obviously increased. The data suggest that the RB pathway is partially responsible for the decoction‐induced S‐phase cell cycle arrest in HeLa cells. Therefore, the combined decoction may have therapeutic potential as an anticancer formula for certain cancers.
Assessment of Novel Synthetized Nanozirconium Tungstovanadate as Cation Exchanger for Lead Ion Decontamination
Authors: Elkady M. F. , El-Sayed E. M. , Farag H. A. , Zaatout A. A.
Published: January 2014

A novel nanozirconium tungstovanadate that was assigned as a cation exchanger was synthetized using sol‐gel preparation technique. The response of synthesis parameter variation on the properties of the produced ion exchanger was elucidated. The reactant molar ratio, gelation temperature, and HCl concentration have been optimized to attain cation exchanger with high ion exchange capacity and lead ion sorption. The most proper prepared sample has been chemically and physically characterized using different techniques. The ion exchange capacity of this sample was 2.5 meq/g and it recoded 96% lead ion sorption. The effects of the different processing parameters that affect lead sorption process have been investigated by a single factor method. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to the experimental data to examine the lead uptake mechanism.
Structural Damage Identification Based on the Minimum System Realization and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Li W. R. , Du Y. F. , Tang S. Y. , Zhao L. J.
Published: January 2014

On the basis of the thought that the minimum system realization plays the role as a coagulator of structural information and contains abundant information on the structure, this paper proposes a new method, which combines minimum system realization and sensitivity analysis, for structural damage detection. The structural damage detection procedure consists of three steps: (1) identifying the minimum system realization matrixes A, B, and R using the structural response data; (2) defining the mode vector, which is based on minimum system realization matrix, by introducing the concept of the measurement; (3) identifying the location and severity of the damage step by step by continuously rotating the mode vector. The proposed method was verified through a five‐floor frame model. As demonstrated by numerical simulation, the proposed method based on the combination of the minimum realization system and sensitivity analysis is effective for the damage detection of frame structure. This method not only can detect the damage and quantify the damage severity, but also is not sensitive to the noise.
IP-Enabled C/C++ Based High Level Synthesis: A Step towards Better Designer Productivity and Design Performance
Authors: Sinha Sharad , Srikanthan Thambipillai
Published: January 2014

Intellectual property (IP) core based design is an emerging design methodology to deal with increasing chip design complexity. C/C++ based high level synthesis (HLS) is also gaining traction as a design methodology to deal with increasing design complexity. In the work presented here, we present a design methodology that combines these two individual methodologies and is therefore more powerful. We discuss our proposed methodology in the context of supporting efficient hardware synthesis of a class of mathematical functions without altering original C/C++ source code. Additionally, we also discuss and propose methods to integrate legacy IP cores in existing HLS flows. Relying on concepts from the domains of program recognition and optimized low level implementations of such arithmetic functions, the described design methodology is a step towards intelligent synthesis where application characteristics are matched with specific architectural resources and relevant IP cores in a transparent manner for improved area-delay results. The combined methodology is more aware of the target hardware architecture than the conventional HLS flow. Implementation results of certain compute kernels from a commercial tool Vivado-HLS as well as proposed flow are also compared to show that proposed flow gives better results.
Fracture of Two Moderately Cross-Linked Polyethylene Tibial Inserts in a TKR Patient
Authors: Teeter Matthew G. , McAuley James P. , Naudie Douglas D.
Published: January 2014

Highly cross-linked polyethylene has become the gold standard in total hip replacement for its wear resistance. Moderately crosslinked polyethylene is now available for total knee replacement (TKR), although concerns about reduced mechanical strength have prevented widespread adoption. The purpose of this report is to describe an unusual case where a patient underwent cruciate retaining TKR using a moderately crosslinked polyethylene tibial insert that went on to fracture twice in the same location across the primary and first revision surgery. The first tibial insert was 10 mm thick and was implanted for 16 months. The second tibial insert was 15 mm thick and was implanted for 11 months. Both fractured along the posterior aspect of the medial articular surface. The lack of a specific event leading to these fractures and the fact that they occurred twice in the same location in the same patient suggest that caution is still necessary regarding the introduction of crosslinked polyethylene for TKR surgery.
Theoretical Model of Droplet Wettability on a Low-Surface-Energy Solid under the Influence of Gravity
Authors: Yonemoto Yukihiro , Kunugi Tomoaki
Published: January 2014

The wettability of droplets on a low surface energy solid is evaluated experimentally and theoretically. Water-ethanol binary mixture drops of several volumes are used. In the experiment, the droplet radius, height, and contact angle are measured. Analytical equations are derived that incorporate the effect of gravity for the relationships between the droplet radius and height, radius and contact angle, and radius and liquid surface energy. All the analytical equations display good agreement with the experimental data. It is found that the fundamental wetting behavior of the droplet on the low surface energy solid can be predicted by our model which gives geometrical information of the droplet such as the contact angle, droplet radius, and height from physical values of liquid and solid.
Identification of the AntiListerial Constituents in Partially Purified Column Chromatography Fractions of Garcinia kola Seeds and Their Interactions with Standard Antibiotics
Authors: Penduka D. , Buwa L. , Mayekiso B. , Basson A. K. , Okoh A. I.
Published: January 2014

Partially purified fractions of the n‐hexane extract of Garcinia kola seeds were obtained through column chromatography and their constituents were identified through the use of gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Three fractions were obtained by elution with benzene as the mobile phase and silica gel 60 as the stationery phase and these were named Benz1, Benz2, and Benz3 in the order of their elution. The antiListerial activities of these fractions were assessed through MIC determination and only Benz2 and Benz3 were found to be active with MIC’s ranging from 0.625 to 2.5 mg/mL. The results of the GC‐MS analysis showed Benz2 to have 9 compounds whilst Benz3 had 7 compounds, with the major compounds in both fractions being 9,19‐Cyclolanost‐24‐en‐3‐ol, (3.β.) and 9,19‐Cyclolanostan‐3‐ol,24‐methylene‐, (3.β.). The Benz2 fraction was found to have mainly indifferent interactions with ampicillin and penicillin G whilst mainly additive interactions were observed with ciprofloxacin. The Benz3 fraction’s interactions were found to be 50% synergistic with penicillin G and 25% synergistic with ciprofloxacin and ampicillin. A commercially available 9,19‐Cyclolanost‐24‐en‐3‐ol, (3.β.) was found not to exhibit any antiListerial activities at maximum test concentrations of 5 mg/mL, suggesting that the compound could be acting in synergy with the other compounds in the eluted fractions of Garcinia kola seeds.
Natural Organic Matter Removal and Fouling in a Low Pressure Hybrid Membrane Systems
Authors: Uyak Vedat , Akdagli Muge , Cakmakci Mehmet , Koyuncu Ismail
Published: January 2014

The objective of this study was to investigate powdered activated carbon (PAC) contribution to natural organic matter (NOM) removal by a submerged MF and UF hybrid systems. It was found that filtration of surface waters by a bare MF and UF membranes removed negligible TOC; by contrast, significant amounts of TOC were removed when daily added PAC particles were predeposited on the membrane surfaces. These results support the assumption that the membranes surface properties and PAC layer structure might have considerably influential factor on NOM removal. Moreover, it was concluded that the dominant removal mechanism of hybrid membrane system is adsorption of NOM within PAC layer rather than size exclusion of NOM by both of membrane pores. Transmembrane pressure (TMP) increases with PAC membrane systems support the view that PAC adsorption pretreatment will not prevent the development of membrane pressure; on the contrary, PAC particles themselves caused membrane fouling by blocking the entrance of pores of MF and UF membranes. Although all three source waters have similar HPI content, it appears that the PAC interaction with the entrance of membrane pores was responsible for offsetting the NOM fractional effects on membrane fouling for these source waters.
Emergence of Constitutively Active Estrogen Receptor-α Mutations in Pretreated Advanced Estrogen Receptor–Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Jeselsohn Rinath , Yelensky Roman , Buchwalter Gilles , Frampton Garrett , Meric-Bernstam Funda , Gonzalez-Angulo Ana Maria , Ferrer-Lozano Jaime , Perez-Fidalgo Jose A. , Cristofanilli Massimo , Gómez Henry , Arteaga Carlos L. , Giltnane Jennifer , Balko Justin M. , Cronin Maureen T. , Jarosz Mirna , Sun James , Hawryluk Matthew , Lipson Doron , Otto Geoff , Ross Jeffrey S. , Dvir Addie , Soussan-Gutman Lior , Wolf Ido , Rubinek Tamar , Gilmore Lauren , Schnitt Stuart , Come Steven E. , Pusztai Lajos , Stephens Philip , Brown Myles , Miller Vincent A.
Published: January 2014

Purpose: We undertook this study to determine the prevalence of estrogen receptor (ER) α (ESR1) mutations throughout the natural history of hormone-dependent breast cancer and to delineate the functional roles of the most commonly detected alterations.

Experimental Design: We studied a total of 249 tumor specimens from 208 patients. The specimens include 134 ER-positive (ER+/HER2−) and, as controls, 115 ER-negative (ER−) tumors. The ER+ samples consist of 58 primary breast cancers and 76 metastatic samples. All tumors were sequenced to high unique coverage using next-generation sequencing targeting the coding sequence of the estrogen receptor and an additional 182 cancer-related genes.

Results: Recurring somatic mutations in codons 537 and 538 within the ligand-binding domain of ER were detected in ER+ metastatic disease. Overall, the frequency of these mutations was 12% [9/76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 6%–21%] in metastatic tumors and in a subgroup of patients who received an average of 7 lines of treatment the frequency was 20% (5/25; 95% CI, 7%–41%). These mutations were not detected in primary or treatment-naïve ER+ cancer or in any stage of ER− disease. Functional studies in cell line models demonstrate that these mutations render estrogen receptor constitutive activity and confer partial resistance to currently available endocrine treatments.

Conclusions: In this study, we show evidence for the temporal selection of functional ESR1 mutations as potential drivers of endocrine resistance during the progression of ER+ breast cancer. Clin Cancer Res; 20(7); 1757–67. ©2014 AACR.
Detection and Follow-Up, after Partial Liver Resection, of the Urinary Paracetamol Metabolites by Proton NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Galinski Michel , Racine Stephane-Xavier , Bossard Anne-Elisabeth , Fleyfel Maher , Hamza Lilia , Bouchemal Nadia , Adnet Frédéric , Le Moyec Laurence
Published: January 2014

Background: Combination drug therapy is often used to achieve optimal analgesia in surgery. Paracetamol can be used as one component of an analgesic regime following hepatic resection. Objective: This study was designed to investigate paracetamol and its metabolites by proton NMR spectroscopy in patient urine and to assess whether N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI, a hepatotoxic metabolite) formation is increased after liver resection. Method: We studied the excretion of acetaminophen and its metabolites by 5 patients who were operated on for partial liver resection by proton NMR spectroscopy. As an intravenous infusion 1 g of paracetamol was given over 15 min every 6 h during 48 h. The first injection was given in the operating theatre after liver resection was completed. Urine samples were collected before injection (T1) and 24 and 48 h after the first injection (T2 and T3); the samples were frozen and kept at -20°C up to the analysis by NMR spectroscopy. Results: Metabolites of the paracetamol were detected for all patients. Among the discerned metabolites, 4 were identified as metabolites of paracetamol: paracetamol glucuronide, paracetamol sulfate, N-acetyl-L-cysteinyl paracetamol (metabolite of NAPQI) and paracetamol. Their ratios, respectively, were: 46-82.9, 12.6-30.0, 0.5-5.5 and 1.43-3.54%. Conclusion: This study showed that there was no increase in the formation of toxic metabolite (NAPQI) after treatment with paracetamol in these few cases of liver resections. A larger study is necessary to confirm these results.
Taxonomic revision of the genus Chaetocnemistoptera Borgmeier (Diptera: Phoridae), with the description of five new species
Authors: AMENT DANILO CÉSAR
Published: January 2014

The Neotropical genus Chaetocnemistoptera is herein revised. Five new species are described—C. lobata, sp. nov., C. magdalena, sp. nov., C. phaeonota, sp. nov., C. pityropyga, sp. nov., C. trichopoda, sp. nov. The hypopygia of the previously described Chaetocnemistoptera palpalis (Borgmeier) and C. formosa (Borgmeier) are illustrated. The female holotype of Chaetocnemistoptera semifurcata (Borgmeier) could not be associated with any male specimen. A species identification key is provided and comments on the homology of structures and on species relationships are made.
Water mites of the genus Brachypoda Lebert, 1879 (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Aturidae) from South Korea and the Russian Far East
Authors: PEŠIĆ VLADIMIR , SEMENCHENKO KSENIA
Published: January 2014

In this study, four water mites of the genus Brachypoda (Acari: Hydrachnidia: Aturidae) are reported from South Korea and the Far East of Russia. Brachypoda (Ocybrachypoda) milicaae sp. n. (South Korea), B. (Ocybrachypoda) sokolowi sp. n. (Russia) and B. (Eubrachypoda) rossica sp. n. (Russia) are described as new for science. The latter species is the second representative of the subgenus Eubrachypoda Tuzovskij, 2004, previously known only from Lake Biwa in Japan. A new record of Brachypoda rubidata Kim & Chung, 1996, a species so far known only from a pond in Bosung (South Korea), is given.
A new Imogine species (Turbellaria: Polycladida: Stylochidae) associated with rock oysters (Saccostrea cucullata) from the Persian Gulf, with a review of the genus
Authors: MAGHSOUDLOU ABDOLVAHAB
Published: January 2014

A new species of acotylean polyclad, Imogine qeshmensis sp. nov. is described from Qeshm Island, Persian Gulf, Iran. I. qeshmensis is characterized by the number and arrangement of the tentacular, cerebral and frontal eyes, a body margin with opaque white bands and eyespots and a male genital complex with an highly muscular seminal vesicle equal in size to the prostatic vesicle.
A new Shivaphis species (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on the Chinese endemic plant, Pteroceltis tatarinowii
Authors: JIANG LIYUN , AN GUANGCHI , LI WEIWEI , QIAO GEXIA
Published: January 2014

A new species of aphid in subfamily Calaphidinae, Shivaphis pteroceltis sp. n., is described from China. This aphid feeds on Pteroceltis tatarinowii, an endemic tree commonly planted as an ornamental in China and used in the production of Xuan paper. The life cycle is described, and the descriptions of fundatrices, apterous and alate viviparae, oviparae and males are provided. COI sequences have been deposited in Genbank, and the type specimens are deposited in the National Zoological Museum of China, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing and Forestry Bureau of Central District, Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province, China.
Hamacantha (Hamacantha) boomerang sp. nov. from deep-sea coral mounds at Campos Basin, SW Atlantic, and redescription of H. (H.) schmidtii (Carter, 1882) (Hamacanthidae, Poecilosclerida, Demospongiae)
Authors: HAJDU EDUARDO , CASTELLO-BRANCO CRISTIANA
Published: January 2014

There are 22 species of Hamacantha registered from all over the world, and frequently from deep-waters, only two of which had previously been reported from the SW Atlantic. Here we describe a third species for this area, Hamacantha (H.) boomerang sp. nov., collected from deep-sea coral mounds at Campos Basin (off Rio de Janeiro state). We found oxeas 271–630 µm long, diancistras in three size classes, 125–155, 45–69 and 20–29 µm, and toxas, 58–82 µm. This is the only Hamacantha combining oxeas and toxas, but the latter are very rare. The species approaches the Caribbean H. (H.) schmidtii (Carter, 1882), where we observed oxeas 390–495 µm long, and diancistras in three size classes, 109–124,  44–54 and 26–41 μm, however toxas appear to be absent. Both species are clearly distinct by micrometric values, as well as the overall morphology of the smaller diancistras, distinct from the intermediate category in the new species, but quite similar in H. (H.) schmidtii. Hamacantha (Vomerula) falcula approaches the new species very closely in microsclere dimensions and morphology, but is set apart by its styloid and smaller megascleres.
miRNA-130a regulates C/EBP-ε expression during granulopoiesis
Authors: Larsen Maria T. , Häger Mattias , Glenthøj Andreas , Asmar Fazila , Clemmensen Stine N. , Mora-Jensen Helena , Borregaard Niels , Cowland Jack B.
Published: January 2014

Key Points

miRNA-130a is expressed in myeloblasts and promyelocytes and inhibits translation of CEBPE mRNA encoding transcription factor C/EBP-ε. Regulation of CEBPE mRNA by miRNA-130a is required for timed expression of secondary granule proteins and cell cycle exit.
Clinical features of dementia with lewy bodies in 35 Chinese patients
Authors: Han Ding , Wang Qiong , Gao Zhongbao , Chen Tong , Wang Zhenfu
Published: January 2014

Objective

To investigate the clinical features of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in a Chinese population.

Methods

Computer-based online searches through China Biology Medicine disc and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were performed to collect case reports of DLB published between 1980 and 2012. Clinical characteristics were analyzed.

Results

A total of 18 studies comprising 35 patients (26 males and 9 females) were included. The mean age at onset was 67.2 ± 9.8 years. Onset was characterized by memory impairment and accounted for 58.8% of all cases, followed by parkinsonism (11.8%), visual hallucinations (8.8%), and compulsive personality disorder (2.9%). The other patients (17.6%) presented two of the three core features of DLB at onset. With disease progression, parkinsonism was reported in 100% of cases, followed by visual hallucinations (97.1%), psychiatric symptoms (85.7%), severe neuroleptic sensitivity (81.8%), fluctuating cognition (68.6%), repeated falls (40.0%), sleep disorders (22.9%), and transient loss of consciousness (17.1%). 26 patients who were subjected to Mini-Mental State Examination scored ≤ 24. 10 patients presented relative preservation of hippocampus and medial temporal lobe structures on CT/MRI scan. Occipital hypometabolism occurred in 2 of 3 patients who underwent SPECT/PET perfusion scan. 12 patients showed an increasing of slow frequency activity on EEG, prominently in frontal and temporal lobes.

Conclusions

DLB often strikes elderly individuals. Its clinical core features are dementia, fluctuating cognition, recurrent visual hallucinations and spontaneous features of parkinsonism. Neuropsychological, neuroimaging and EEG examinations may improve the diagnostic accuracy and discriminate DLB from other dementias.
High-volume hemofiltration for septic acute kidney injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Clark Edward , Molnar Amber O , Joannes-Boyau Olivier , Honoré Patrick M , Sikora Lindsey , Bagshaw Sean M
Published: January 2014

Introduction

High-volume hemofiltration (HVHF) is an attractive therapy for the treatment of septic acute kidney injury (AKI). Small experimental and uncontrolled studies have suggested hemodynamic and survival benefits at higher doses of HVHF than those used for the high-intensity arms of the RENAL and ATN studies. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of high-volume hemofiltration (HVHF) compared with standard-volume hemofiltration (SVHF) for septic AKI.

Methods

A systematic review and meta-analysis of publications between 1966 and 2013 was performed. The review was limited to randomized-controlled trials that compared HVHF (effluent rate greater than 50 ml/kg per hour) versus SVHF in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock. The primary outcome assessed was 28-day mortality. Other outcomes assessed were recovery of kidney function, lengths of ICU and hospital stays, vasopressor dose reduction, and adverse events.

Results

Four trials, including 470 total participants, were included. Pooled analysis for 28-day mortality did not show any meaningful difference between HVHF compared with SVHF (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.45 to 1.29). No included studies reported statistically significant differences between groups for any of the secondary outcomes. Adverse events, including hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia, were more commonly observed in HVHF-treated patients, although reporting was inconsistent across studies.

Conclusions

Insufficient evidence exists of a therapeutic benefit for routine use of HVHF for septic AKI, other than on an experimental basis. Given the logistic challenges related to patient recruitment along with an incomplete understanding of the biologic mechanisms by which HVHF may modify outcomes, further trials should focus on alternative extracorporeal therapies as an adjuvant therapy for septic AKI rather than HVHF.
Global target mRNA specification and regulation by the RNA-binding protein ZFP36
Authors: Mukherjee Neelanjan , Jacobs Nicholas C , Hafner Markus , Kennington Elizabeth A , Nusbaum Jeffrey D , Tuschl Thomas , Blackshear Perry J , Ohler Uwe
Published: January 2014

Background

ZFP36, also known as tristetraprolin or TTP, and ELAVL1, also known as HuR, are two disease-relevant RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) that both interact with AU-rich sequences but have antagonistic roles. While ELAVL1 binding has been profiled in several studies, the precise in vivo binding specificity of ZFP36 has not been investigated on a global scale. We determined ZFP36 binding preferences using cross-linking and immunoprecipitation in human embryonic kidney cells, and examined the combinatorial regulation of AU-rich elements by ZFP36 and ELAVL1.

Results

Targets bound and negatively regulated by ZFP36 include transcripts encoding proteins necessary for immune function and cancer, and transcripts encoding other RBPs. Using partial correlation analysis, we were able to quantify the association between ZFP36 binding sites and differential target RNA abundance upon ZFP36 overexpression independent of effects from confounding features. Genes with increased mRNA half-lives in ZFP36 knockout versus wild-type mouse cells were significantly enriched for our human ZFP36 targets. We identified thousands of overlapping ZFP36 and ELAVL1 binding sites, in 1,313 genes, and found that ZFP36 degrades transcripts through specific AU-rich sequences, representing a subset of the U-rich sequences ELAVL1 interacts with to stabilize transcripts.

Conclusions

ZFP36-RNA target specificities in vivo are quantitatively similar to previously reported in vitro binding affinities. ZFP36 and ELAVL1 bind an overlapping spectrum of RNA sequences, yet with differential relative preferences that dictate combinatorial regulatory potential. Our findings and methodology delineate an approach to unravel in vivo combinatorial regulation by RNA-binding proteins.
Activins and Inhibins in Endocrine and Other Tumors
Authors: Risbridger Gail P. , Schmitt Jacqueline F. , Robertson David M.
Published: January 2014

Inhibin and activin are members of the TGFβ superfamily of growth and differentiation factors. They were first identified as gonadal-derived regulators of pituitary FSH and were subsequently assigned multiple actions in a wide range of tissues. More recently, the inhibin α subunit was considered as a tumor suppressor based on functional studies employing transgenic mouse models. This review evaluates the functional and molecular evidence that the inhibin α subunit is a tumor suppressor in endocrine cancers. The evaluation highlights the discrepant results from the human and mouse studies, as well as the differences between endocrine tumor types. In addition, we examine the evidence that the activin-signaling pathway is tumor suppressive and identify organ-specific differences in the actions and putative roles of this pathway in endocrine tumors. In summary, there is a considerable body of evidence to support the role of inhibins and activins in endocrine-related tumors. Future studies will define the mechanisms by which inhibins and activins contribute to the process of initiation, promotion, or progression of endocrine-related cancers.
Vascular Endothelial Estrogen Receptor α Is Modulated by Estrogen Status and Related to Endothelial Function and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Healthy Women
Authors: Gavin Kathleen M. , Seals Douglas R. , Silver Annemarie E. , Moreau Kerrie L.
Published: January 2014

Context and Objective

Estrogen receptor α (ERα), a potent transcription factor expressed in vascular endothelial cells, plays a key role in regulating vascular function and health. We determined whether vascular endothelial cell expression of ERα is influenced by estrogen status and is related to vascular endothelial function in healthy women.

Methods

ERα protein expression was measured (quantitative immunofluorescence) in endothelial cells from peripheral veins of 16 healthy, premenopausal women during the early follicular (EF) and late follicular (LF) phases of the menstrual cycle and 17 estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women. Endothelial-dependent dilation (EDD; brachial artery flow-mediated dilation) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and activation were also measured in a subgroup of women.

Results

In premenopausal women (n = 10), ERα expression was 30% lower (P < 0.001) during the EF (low estrogen) compared with the LF (high estrogen) phase of the menstrual cycle. In postmenopausal women, ERα expression was 33% lower (P < 0.001) compared with the LF phase of the menstrual cycle in premenopausal women. ERα expression was strongly related (r = 0.67; P < 0.001) to EDD, which was reduced in postmenopausal women. ERα abundance was positively related to expression of eNOS (r = 0.54; P = 0.009; n = 21) and ser1177 phosphorylated eNOS (r = 0.59; P = 0.006; n = 20).

Conclusions

These results provide the first evidence that expression of ERα in vascular endothelial cells is modulated by estrogen status and may be a key determinant of vascular endothelial function in healthy pre- and postmenopausal women. ERα expression may influence vascular endothelial function in women by affecting protein levels and activation of eNOS.
The TRH Gene Is Regulated by Thyroid Hormone at the Level of Transcription in Vivo
Authors: Sugrue Michelle L. , Vella Kristen R. , Morales Crystal , Lopez Marisol E. , Hollenberg Anthony N.
Published: January 2014

The expression of the TRH gene in the paraventricular nucleus (PVH) of the hypothalamus is required for the normal production of thyroid hormone (TH) in rodents and humans. In addition, the regulation of TRH mRNA expression by TH, specifically in the PVH, ensures tight control of the set point of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Although many studies have assumed that the regulation of TRH expression by TH is at the level of transcription, there is little data available to demonstrate this. We used two in vivo model systems to show this. In the first model system, we developed an in situ hybridization (ISH) assay directed against TRH heteronuclear RNA to measure TRH transcription directly in vivo. We show that in the euthyroid state, TRH transcription is present both in the PVH and anterior/lateral hypothalamus. In the hypothyroid state, transcription is activated in the PVH only and can be shut off within 5 h by TH. In the second model system, we employed transgenic mice that express the Cre recombinase under the control of the genomic region containing the TRH gene. Remarkably, TH regulates Cre expression in these mice in the PVH only. Taken together, these data affirm that TH regulates TRH at the level of transcription in the PVH only and that genomic elements surrounding the TRH gene mediate its regulation by T3. Thus, it should be possible to identify the elements within the TRH locus that mediate its regulation by T3 using in vivo approaches.
Granulosa Cell-expressed BMPR1A and BMPR1B have Unique Functions in Regulating Fertility but Act Redundantly to Suppress Ovarian Tumor Development
Authors: Edson Mark A. , Clementi Caterina , Nalam Roopa L. , Franco Heather L. , DeMayo Francesco J. , Lyons Karen M. , Pangas Stephanie A. , Matzuk Martin M.
Published: January 2014

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have diverse roles in development and reproduction. Although several BMPs are produced by oocytes, thecal cells, and granulosa cells of developing follicles, the in vivo functions of most of these ligands are unknown. BMP signals are transduced by multiple type I and type II transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) family receptors, and of the type I receptors, BMP receptor 1A (BMPR1A) and BMP receptor 1B (BMPR1B) are known to be expressed in rodent granulosa cells. Female mice homozygous null for Bmpr1b are sterile due to compromised cumulus expansion, but the function of BMPR1A in the ovary is unknown. To further decipher a role for BMP signaling in mouse granulosa cells, we deleted Bmpr1a in the granulosa cells of the ovary and found Bmpr1a conditional knockout females to be subfertile with reduced spontaneous ovulation. To explore the redundant functions of BMP receptor signaling in the ovary, we generated Bmpr1a Bmpr1b double mutant mice, which developed granulosa cell tumors that have evidence of increased TGFβ and hedgehog signaling. Thus, similar to SMAD1 and SMAD5, which have redundant roles in suppressing granulosa cell tumor development in mice, two type I BMP receptors, BMPR1A and BMPR1B, function together to prevent ovarian tumorigenesis. These studies support a role for a functional BMP signaling axis as a tumor suppressor pathway in the ovary, with BMPR1A and BMPR1B acting downstream of BMP ligands and upstream of BMP receptor SMADs.
Obesity-Linked Variants of Melanocortin-4 Receptor Are Misfolded in the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Can Be Rescued to the Cell Surface by a Chemical Chaperone
Authors: Granell Susana , Mohammad Sameer , Ramanagoudr-Bhojappa Ramanagouda , Baldini Giulia
Published: January 2014

Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in the brain where it controls food intake. Many obesity-linked MC4R variants are poorly expressed at the plasma membrane and are retained intracellularly. We have studied the intracellular localization of four obesity-linked MC4R variants, P78L, R165W, I316S, and I317T, in immortalized neurons. We find that these variants are all retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), are ubiquitinated to a greater extent than the wild-type (wt) receptor, and induce ER stress with increased levels of ER chaperones as compared with wt-MC4R and appearance of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein. Expression of the X-box-binding-protein-1 with selective activation of a protective branch of the unfolded protein response did not have any effect on the cell surface expression of MC4R-I316S. Conversely, the pharmacological chaperone 4-phenyl butyric acid (PBA) increased the cell surface expression of wt-MC4R, MC4R-I316S, and I317T by more than 40%. PBA decreased ubiquitination of MC4R-I316S and prevented ER stress induced by expression of the mutant, suggesting that the drug functions to promote MC4R folding. MC4R-I316S rescued to the cell surface is functional, with a 52% increase in agonist-induced cAMP production, as compared with untreated cells. Also direct inhibition of wt-MC4R and MC4R-I316S ubiquitination by a specific inhibitor of the ubiquitin-activating enzyme 1 increased by approximately 40% the expression of the receptors at the cell surface, and the effects of PBA and ubiquitin-activating enzyme 1 were additive. These data offer a cell-based rationale that drugs that improve MC4R folding or decrease ER-associated degradation of the receptor may function to treat some forms of hereditary obesity.