bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yeast two‐hybrid screen reveals novel protein interactions of the cytoplasmic tail of lipophorin receptor in silkworm brain
Authors: Gopalapillai Ravikumar , Vasantkumar Vardhana K. , Bala Rajni , Modala Venkateswarlu , Rao Guruprasad , Kumar Vikas
Published: February 2014

The silkworm, Bombyx mori lipophorin receptor (BmLpR), is expressed as splice variants. The alternative splicing of its primary gene transcripts yields four isoforms namely, LpR1 through 4. Among these isoforms, the LpR4 is unique, expressed only in the brain and CNS and with a unique amino acid tail sequence in its cytoplasmic domain. We carried out yeast two‐hybrid screens to identify effector proteins that interact specifically with the cytoplasmic tail of LpR4 from a cDNA library derived from silkworm brain. The validity of the screen was confirmed by immunoblotting and further by co‐immunoprecipitation. We have identified 11 novel proteins that are capable of interacting with the cytoplasmic domain of LpR4 in the silkworm brain. Most of these newly identified target proteins have known functions in lipid signalling, protein kinase pathways, cell motility, and organization of cytoskeleton, neurotransmission, and neuroprotection. These findings, for the first time, demonstrate a molecular link between LpR4 and the interacting proteins that might be involved in the regulation of signalling pathways in silkworm brain. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyvalent Display of Monosaccharides on Ferritin Protein Cage Nanoparticles for the Recognition and Binding of Cell‐Surface Lectins
Authors: Kang Young Ji , Yang Hyun Ji , Jeon Sangbin , Kang Young‐Sun , Do Yoonkyung , Hong Sung You , Kang Sebyung
Published: February 2014

Carbohydrate‐lectin interactions are important in many biological events. Endogenous cell‐surface lectins are attractive markers for the recognition and targeting. Human ferritin protein cage nanoparticles (HFPCNs) are prepared as delivery nanoplatforms and two different types of monosaccharide derivatives; maleimido group terminated‐mannopyranoside and galactopyranoside. Uniform and polyvalent displays of mannoses or galactoses on the surface of HFPCNs are achieved by using site‐specific thiol‐maleimide Michael‐type addition. Mannose‐ or galactose‐displaying HFPCNs recognize and tightly bind to DC‐SIGN or ASGP‐R lectins on the surface of the mammalian cells, DCEK or HepG2 cells.
Elaboration and Characterization of Poly(4‐vinylpyridine‐co‐N,N dimethylacrylamide)/Poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylic acid) Interpolymer Complexes
Authors: Lassoued Abdelghani , Djadoun Saïd
Published: February 2014

Proton‐donor poly(styrene‐co‐methacrylic acid) containing 8 mol % of methacrylic acid (PSMA8) and poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide‐co‐4vinylpyridine) containing 20 mol % of 4‐vinylpyridine (PDMA4VP20) containing two proton accepting sites of different strength were synthesized and characterized by different techniques.

By simply mixing appropriate amounts of these copolymers in chloroform, interpolymer complexes were formed, while homogeneous phases were observed when PSMA8 was mixed to poly(N,N‐dimethyl acrylamide) or poly(4‐vinylpyridine) in the same solvent.

Due to the presence of specific interactions that occurred between the copolymers, these interpolymer complexes exhibited a single Tg in the whole composition range, higher than those calculated from the weight average values of the pure copolymers.

The Tg‐composition curves of these three systems, analyzed using Brostow et al. (BCKV) equation, confirmed from the high a0 values, obtained with PSMA8/PDMA4VP20 that the presence of 4VP units in PDMA4VP copolymers increased the average strength of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the PDMA4VP20/PSMA8 systems compared to PDMA/PSMA8 or PSMA8/P4VP blends due to a higher number and stronger efficient specific interactions.

Competing specific interactions of different strength carboxyl‐pyridine, carboxyl‐amide and carboxyl‐carboxyl that occurred within these systems were evidenced by FTIR spectroscopy.
Thermal Stability of Interpolymer Complexes Based on Poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) and Poly(styrene‐co‐itaconic Acid)
Authors: Amirouche Abiza , Abdelghani Lassoued , Said Djadoun
Published: February 2014

Phase behaviour and specific interactions that occurred between poly (styrene‐co‐4‐vinylpyridine) containing 20 mol % of 4‐vinylpyridine (PS4VP20) and poly(styrene‐co‐itaconic acid) containing 17 mol % of itaconic acid (PSIA17) were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).

Due to favourable specific interactions among others, PSIA17/PS4VP20 system is miscible in the whole composition range, as evidenced by a single glass transition temperature (Tg), observed with each initial mixture, intermediate between those of the pure components. The Tg‐composition dependence of this system fitted well the recent approach proposed by Brostow et al.(BCKV).

Copolymerization of itaconic acid with styrene improved the thermal stability of PIA. The PSIA17/PS4VP20 blends showed a better thermal stability than their corresponding pure constituents. The degradation temperatures at maximum Tdmax of these complexes are higher than those of pure constituents. Due to specific interactions that occurred between the two constituents of the blends, the anhydride amount observed with PSIA17 decreased.

FTIR spectroscopy analysis confirmed qualitatively the occurrence of inter‐polymer interactions from the appearance of new bands, characteristic of associated pyridine at 1607 cm−1, pyridinium ion at 1638 cm−1 and liberated carbonyl groups of PSIA17 at 1725 cm−1. Quantitatively both fractions of liberated carbonyl and pyridinium species increased upon increasing PS4VP20 amount in the blend.
Effect of Co Ions on the Spectral Properties and Photostability of DNA
Authors: Gryn Dmytro , Yashchuk Valeriy , Sereda Elvira
Published: February 2014

The results of the optical absorption, fluorescence, phosphorescence in UV and visible spectral range, and effect of light irradiation on spectral properties of cobalt ions of different ratios interacted with DNA are studied. Quantity of Co ions varies from 1 metal ion per 500 base pairs of DNA to 2 ions per one base pair. Three important features were fixed: the shape of fluorescence and phosphorescence spectra of the DNA do not changes in presence of Co ions, but their intensity depends on the quantity of cobalt ions in solution; phosphorescence intensity decreases more rapidly than fluorescence intensity; the small increase of DNA photodegradation rate in presence of Co is observed.
Temperature‐Induced Phase Separation and Hydration in Aqueous Polymer Solutions Studied by NMR and IR Spectroscopy: Comparison of Poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam) and Acrylamide‐Based Polymers
Authors: Spěváček Jiří , Dybal Jiří
Published: February 2014

Using NMR and IR spectroscopy we compared the LCST behaviour of two types of thermoresponsive polymer systems, poly(N‐vinylcaprolactam) (PVCL) and acrylamide‐based polymers in aqueous solutions. We confirmed that during phase separation both PVCL and poly(N‐isopropylmethacrylamide) (PNIPMAm) chains undergo coil‐globule transition. At the same time some important differences were found for PVCL in comparison with PNIPMAm and poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm), especially a much lower level of dehydration of PVCL segments at temperatures above the phase transition. We assume that the origin of these differences can be in different structure of respective monomer units. From time dependences of ATR FTIR spectra it follows that the low degree of dehydration of PVCL segments is not changed with time. Small increase in the wavenumbers of the Amide I components of the hydrated PVCL carbonyl groups with time indicates that water released from PVCL mesoglobules with time, as revealed from NMR T2 measurements, might be mainly indirectly bound water.
Effects of Liquid CO2 Exposure on Semi‐Crystalline Polylactic Acid
Authors: Garancher Jean‐Philippe , Fernyhough Alan , Kirby Nigel
Published: February 2014

In this work, the effect of low temperature (approximately −50°C to −20°C) liquid CO2 treatment on the morphology of semi‐crystalline polylactic acid (PLA) was studied. This investigation was carried out by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Synchrotron wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS). Under the experimental conditions used, DSC and WAXS revealed the existence of two main crystalline structures, namely the α” crystal structure and a mesomorphic structure. The α” crystals were found to be preferentially formed at higher temperature, whereas only the mesomorphic structure was detected at lower temperature. The transition between these two morphologies was observed at around −35°C.
Phase Diagrams of PolyAcrylic Networks and Liquid Crystal E7
Authors: Boudraa K. , Dali Youcef B. , Bedjaoui L. , Bouchaour T. , Maschke U.
Published: February 2014

Equilibrium phase diagrams of polymer networks and a nematic liquid crystal blend were investigated. The polymer network used was PolyABu (poly(n‐butyl‐acrylate)), obtained by exposure to UV radiation of initial solutions composed of a reactive monomer, a small amount of a crosslinking agent, and a photoinitiator. Experimental phase diagrams were established using polarizing optical microscopy, and the results were analyzed within the predictions of the combined Flory‐Rehner theory of rubber elasticity and the Maier‐Saupe theory of nematic ordering.
Experimental Study on the Swelling Behavior of Polymer Networks in a Nematic Solvent
Authors: Bouchikhi N , Alachaher‐Bedjaoui L , Bouchaour T. , Tabieguia G.‐J. Fossi , Maschke U.
Published: February 2014

Swelling properties and phase diagrams of binary systems composed of polyacrylate networks and a low molecular mass liquid crystal (LMWLC) have been investigated. The networks were prepared by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of reactive mixtures including a monomer, a crosslinking agent and a photo‐initiator. Poly(n‐butylacrylate) networks were prepared using two crosslinking agents: 1,6‐hexanedioldiacrylate (HDDA) and a mesogenic acrylic acid 6‐(4'‐(6‐acryloyloxy‐hexyloxy)biphenyl‐4‐yl oxy) hexyl ester (AHBH). The obtained dry polyacrylates were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, and immersed in an excess of a LMWLC solvent 4‐cyano‐4'‐pentylbiphenyl (5CB), forming polymer gels. A detailed study by polarized optical microscopy allowed to determine the swelling degree of the gels and to follow the phase behavior of the solvent inside the polymer matrix in a wide range of temperature. Swelling data were used to establish the phase diagrams in terms of composition and temperature. It was found that the poly(n‐butylacrylate) network obtained with the nematic crosslinking agent show fluctuations in the region of the nematic‐isotropic transition temperature of 5CB, probably due to the presence of nematic‐nematic coupling effects between the nematic solvent and the nematic moieties of AHBH.
Erythrosine/Triethanolamine System to Elaborate Crosslinked Poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate): UV‐Photopolymerization and Swelling Studies
Authors: Hamri Salah , Bouchaour Tewfik , Maschke Ulrich
Published: February 2014

A system composed of Erythrosine and Triethanolamine was applied as photo‐initiator for the UV‐photopolymerization of 2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate together with a crosslinking agent 1,6‐Hexanediol diacrylate, in aqueous medium. The analysis of UV‐visible and infrared spectra, which were taken at different times during polymerization/crosslinking, makes it possible to obtain useful information on the reaction mechanism. The swelling behavior of these elaborated crosslinked polymer networks in different solvents is examined. It was found that the disappearance of the Erythrosine molecule depends on the nature of the solvent. The theoretical results calculated with the Fick diffusion model show a good correlation with the swelling experiments.
Synthesis and aggregation behavior of amphiphilic nanostructures composed of carbosilane dendrimer with peripheral poly(ethylene glycol) moieties
Authors: Li Chunfang , Zhang Zhupeng , Wu Jinrong , Li Dongxiang , Hou Wanguo
Published: February 2014

Dendritic amphiphiles as novel building blocks are very important for self‐assembling in the supramolecular chemistry area. In this work, a carbosilane dendrimer with hexamethylene as the branching unit (G1) was first synthesized as a hydrophobic core and then linked with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) units as the periphery by a hydrosilylation reaction to prepare an amphiphilic dendrimer (G1‐PEG) with a yield of 27%. The aggregation behavior of G1‐PEG in water was studied with surface tension, dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy methods. The surface tension data showed that the critical aggregation concentration of such dendrimers in water is approximately 0.75 g L−1. The results of dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the aggregate size of G1‐PEG dendrimers in water is related to the concentration. Small micelles of about 10 nm were found at high concentration, large vesicles of about 100 nm were observed at low concentration, and a mixture of micelles and vesicles was found at middle concentrations. The encapsulation of G1‐PEG to a fluorescence probe verified the existence of a hydrophobic microenvironment in the aggregates at high concentrations of the amphiphilic dendrimer. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Diagnosis and management of myasthenia gravis
Authors: Sathasivam Sivakumar
Published: February 2014

Myasthenia gravis is the most common primary disorder of neuromuscular transmission and one of the most treatable neurological disorders. In this review, Dr Sathasivam examines the epidemiology, presentation, aetiology, diagnosis and treatment of myasthenia gravis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons
Post‐stroke mania: a rare but treatable presentation
Authors: Routh Rajdeep , Hill Andrew
Published: February 2014

Mania occurring for the first time in later life is uncommon; however, it can rarely occur as a consequence of stroke. Here, the authors present the case of an elderly man who developed secondary mania shortly following a haemorrhagic stroke, and who responded well to treatment with olanzapine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons
A complex case of bipolar disorder responding to combined drug therapy
Authors: Kamlana Sikandar
Published: February 2014

The aetiology of bipolar affective disorder is complex and can involve genetic, environmental, biochemical and organic factors. Here, Dr Kamlana describes a puzzling case of bipolar disorder in a patient with brain scan abnormalities, who responded well to combined treatment with mood stabilisers, an atypical antipsychotic and an SSRI together with a programme of rehabilitation. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons
Polypharmacy: tackling the reality of multiple morbidities
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: February 2014

Steve Chaplin discusses the findings of a recent report on polypharmacy that addresses the difficulty of implementing evidence‐based practice in patients with multiple morbidities.
Numerical impedance model of single‐layer organic light‐emitting diodes with uniformly distributed recombination
Authors: Wang Ying , Wen Zhanwei , Li Yao , Liu Su , Ma Dongge
Published: February 2014

The impedance model is of great importance for analyzing the transport properties of organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). We report on the numerical impedance model for bipolar drift transport in single‐layer OLEDs under the assumption of uniformly distributed recombination‐rate density in the recombination region. With the help of this model, a concise empirical formula is obtained from which the sum of electron mobility and hole mobility can be determined from the characteristic frequency of the negative differential susceptance and the capacitance at the low‐frequency limit.
Exploring the Fundamentals of Root Cause Analysis: Are We Asking the Right Questions in Defining the Problem?
Authors: Reid I. , Smyth‐Renshaw J.
Published: February 2014

The purpose of this article is to explore the dynamics of root cause analysis (RCA) and the applicability of the ‘5W + 1H’ (what, why, when where, who, how) technique, which is used by many managers in understanding a problem to define the root cause. The 5W + 1H methodology is insufficient in identifying the root cause because of the variations triggered by asking the question ‘why’. The article demonstrates that some extraordinary RCA was achieved by redefining the approach of the 5W + 1H’ methodology, as catastrophic failures were often the result of misinterpreting the ‘why’ question. Consequently, the article identifies a new domain that can be added to traditional RCA and Six Sigma projects. The article explores an alternative perspective to the problem definition in RCA. It provides a specific example and suggestions to help practitioners avoid expensive contingency plans, while conducting investigations to RCA using the refined 4W + 1H approach. Questioning the principles of RCA through a process reflective inquiry benefits both practitioners and academics. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On Phase II SPC in Cases When Normality is Invalid
Authors: Qiu Peihua , Zhang Jingnan
Published: February 2014

Conventional statistical process control (SPC) charts require the normality assumption on the process response distribution. In reality, this assumption is often invalid. In such cases, it has been well demonstrated in the literature that results from control charts using the normality assumption may not be reliable in the sense that their actual false alarm rates could be substantially larger or smaller than the assumed false alarm rate. In this paper, we explore one natural solution to the phase II SPC problem in cases when the normality assumption is invalid, which tries to define a transformation based on an in‐control dataset, so that the transformed process response distribution is close to normal, and thus, the conventional SPC charts can be applied to the transformed phase II data. This approach is compared with several alternative approaches in the literature, and some practical guidelines are provided regarding the use of all relevant control charts. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unpaired electrons, spin polarization, and bond orders in radicals from the 2‐RDM in orbital spaces: Basic notions and testing calculations
Authors: Karafiloglou Padeleimon , Kyriakidou Katerina
Published: February 2014

Adopting the second‐order reduced density matrix level, the conventional α‐ and β‐spin populations in radicals are split into paired and unpaired or electropon (referring to the simultaneous occurrence of an electron and a hole of opposite spins in an orbital) populations. This analysis gives the possibility to distinguish the (un)favorable for chemical bonding electronic interactions by means of positive or negative Coulomb and/or Fermi correlations of two electropons. To overcome the conceptual difficulties originated from the subtle superposition of unpaired electrons due to spin density and those responsible for chemical bonding, we use the notion of properly unpaired electrons. The quantity describing this notion provides a global picture for the ability of electrons of a given orbital to form covalent bonds with the electrons of all remaining orbitals. More detailed information, concerning the behavior of electrons in two distinct target orbitals, is obtained by means of the two‐electropon correlations. As shown, the boundary values of the used quantities are physically meaningful, and the whole theory is tested from various points of view concerning: localized and delocalized radical centers, orthogonal and nonorthogonal orbitals, uncorrelated and correlated levels, Coulomb and Fermi correlations. We also check the electropon based analysis by investigating the spin polarization effects and bond orders in radicals. The tests are achieved for well‐known radicals, and to preserve the stability of the numerical results and the invariance of the obtained conceptual pictures, we used natural basis sets introduced within the natural bond orbital methodology. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensible: IP‐layer dynamic bandwidth management for DVB‐RCS network subdomains
Authors: Gentile Aniello , Luglio Michele , Manzo Maurizio , Zampognaro Francesco
Published: February 2014

Broadband communication via satellite systems finds applications in several contexts where other technologies are not available or economically not convenient. Examples are remote areas, disaster struck areas, or vessels/ships.

The scarce availability and the high cost of the bandwidth impose to improve flexibility in bandwidth management and dynamic allocation, especially on the shared return link. Typically, this capability is available only to the satellite operator (SO).

An innovative dynamic bandwidth management of satellite capacity for the return link has been developed and prototyped as an Internet protocol‐based solution. This solution allows small operators renting bandwidth from the satellite operator and providing services to final customers, managing the permanently assigned resources in a flexible and efficient way.

The scope of the paper is to illustrate this technique to achieve the dynamic bandwidth management for a subgroup of satellite terminals (subdomain) by using a centralized controller and distributed software with IP shaping capabilities, without interacting with the satellite operator.

This approach has been applied in particular to a satellite maritime ship owner, which is thus able to dynamically distribute capacity among satellite terminals installed onboard of its ship fleet as required, as a network operator. The presented results are the outputs of simulations performed with the NS2 simulator and tests by using real hardware. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spontaneous Structuration in Coacervate‐Based Protocells by Polyoxometalate‐Mediated Membrane Assembly
Authors: Williams David S. , Patil Avinash J. , Mann Stephen
Published: February 2014

Molecularly crowded, polyelectrolyte/ribonucleotide‐enriched membrane‐free coacervate droplets are transformed into membrane‐bounded sub‐divided vesicles by using a polyoxometalate‐mediated surface‐templating procedure. The coacervate to vesicle transition results in reconstruction of the coacervate micro‐droplets into novel three‐tiered micro‐compartments comprising a semi‐permeable negatively charged polyoxometalate/polyelectrolyte outer membrane, a sub‐membrane coacervate shell, and an internal aqueous lumen. We demonstrate that organic dyes, ssDNA, magnetic nanoparticles and enzymes can be concentrated into the interior of the micro‐compartments by sequestration into the coacervate micro‐droplets prior to vesicle formation. The vesicle‐encapsulated proteins are inaccessible to proteases in the external medium, and can be exploited for the spatial localization and coupling of two‐enzyme cascade reactions within single or between multiple populations of hybrid vesicles dispersed in aqueous media.
Strength and stiffness of shear‐loaded fastenings for metal members and sheeting using fastening screws and rivets
Authors: Misiek Thomas , Käpplein Saskia
Published: February 2014

The paper deals with the strength and stiffness of fastenings with fastening screws or rivets in thin‐walled sheeting and sections. After a brief review of the design equations given in some codes, an additional proposal is given. A further review covers the stiffness equations from both codes and research papers, and concludes with a recommendation for applications.
Tarsal Coalitions: Radiographic, CT, and MR Imaging Findings
Authors: Lawrence David A. , Rolen Michael F. , Haims Andrew H. , Zayour Zakaria , Moukaddam Hicham A.
Published: February 2014

Background

Tarsal coalitions affect up to 13% of the population and can be a cause of chronic ankle and hindfoot pain. They can be subdivided as osseous, cartilaginous, or fibrous types, each with unique radiographic, CT, and MR imaging findings. In particular, MR imaging offers the unique ability to determine the exact type of tarsal coalition that is present as well as whether any associated soft tissue abnormalities are present.

Questions/Purposes

The purposes of this paper were to (1) review the anatomy of the hindfoot; (2) review the radiographic, CT, and MR imaging findings of tarsal coalitions; and (3) review the imaging appearance of the specific types of tarsal coalitions.

Methods

Online searches were performed using Google Scholar with the search criteria of “tarsal coalition,” “hindfoot anatomy,” and “subtalar coalition,” and limiting the searches to papers published in the last 10 years in major radiology journals.

Results

The anatomy of the hindfoot is complex but essential to understand. There are various radiographic, CT, and MR imaging findings that can be consistently noted in cases of tarsal coalition. The specific types of tarsal coalition demonstrate characteristic imaging findings.

Conclusions

Knowledge of the normal anatomy of the foot, in particular the hindfoot, combined with the knowledge of the imaging characteristics of different histologic subtypes of coalitions (osseous, cartilaginous, and fibrous) is essential for interpreting radiographic, CT, and MR images of the ankle and foot.
Reductions in C‐reactive protein in older adults with type 2 diabetes are related to improvements in body composition following a randomized controlled trial of resistance training
Authors: Mavros Yorgi , Kay Shelley , Simpson Kylie A. , Baker Michael K. , Wang Yi , Zhao Ren R. , Meiklejohn Jacinda , Climstein Mike , O'Sullivan Anthony J. , de Vos Nathan , Baune Bernhard T. , Blair Steven N. , Simar David , Rooney Kieron , Singh Nalin A. , Fiatarone Singh Maria A.
Published: February 2014

Background

Reductions in skeletal muscle mass and increased adiposity are key elements in the aging process and in the pathophysiology of several chronic diseases. Systemic low grade inflammation associated with obesity has been shown to accelerate the age‐related decline in skeletal muscle. The aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of 12 months of progressive resistance training (PRT) on systemic inflammation, and whether reductions in systemic inflammation were associated with changes in body composition. We hypothesized that reductions in systemic inflammation following 12 months of PRT in older adults with type 2 diabetes would be associated with reductions in adiposity and increases in skeletal muscle mass.

Methods

Participants (n = 103) were randomized to receive either PRT or sham‐exercise, 3 days a week for 12 months. C‐reactive protein (CRP) was used to assess systemic inflammation. Skeletal muscle mass and total fat mass were determined using bioelectrical impedance.

Results

Twelve months of PRT tended to reduce CRP compared to sham exercise (β = −0.25, p = 0.087). Using linear mixed‐effects models, the hypothesized relationships between body composition adaptations and CRP changes were significantly stronger for skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.04) and tended to be stronger for total fat mass (p = 0.07) following PRT when compared to sham‐exercise. Using univariate regression models, stratified by group allocation, reductions in CRP were associated with increases in skeletal muscle mass (p = 0.01) and reductions in total fat mass (p = 0.02) in the PRT group, but not in the sham‐exercise group (p = 0.87 and p = 0.32, respectively).

Conclusions

We have shown for the first time that reductions in systemic inflammation in older adults with type 2 diabetes following PRT were associated with increases in skeletal muscle mass. Furthermore, reductions in CRP were associated with reductions in adiposity, but only when associated with PRT. Lifestyle interventions aimed at reducing systemic inflammation in older adults with type 2 diabetes should therefore incorporate anabolic exercise such as PRT to optimize the anti‐inflammatory benefits of favorable body composition adaptations.
ATM kinase promotes both caspase‐8 and caspase‐9 activation during TNF‐α‐induced apoptosis of HeLa cells
Authors: Liu Linhua , Yim Hyungshin , Choi Jae Hyuk , Kim Seung-Tak , Jin Yinghua , Lee Seung Ki
Published: February 2014

In this study, we show that atraxia telangiectasia mutated kinase (ATM) activity is generally upregulated by different apoptotic stimuli, i.e. TNF‐α, TRAIL, paclitaxel, or UV. Apoptotic progression is markedly attenuated by siATM‐RNA through down regulation of caspase‐8 and caspase‐9 in parallel with decreases in FLIP‐S (short form of cellular FLICE inhibitory protein) protein levels and Bid cleavage. In addition, ATM activity is upregulated through t‐Cdc6 while caspase‐8 and caspase‐9 activities increase. Taken together, we suggest that ATM regulates caspase‐8 activation by influencing levels of FLIP‐S, ATM kinase activity is upregulated by t‐Cdc6, and increased ATM activity plays an essential role in the amplification of apoptosis in TNF‐α‐stimulated HeLa cells.
RBM10 regulates alternative splicing
Authors: Inoue Akira , Yamamoto Naoki , Kimura Masatsugu , Nishio Koji , Yamane Hideo , Nakajima Koichi
Published: February 2014

RBM10, originally called S1‐1, is a nuclear RNA‐binding protein with domains characteristic of RNA processing proteins. It has been reported that RBM10 constitutes spliceosome complexes and that RBM5, a close homologue of RBM10, regulates alternative splicing of apoptosis‐related genes, Fas and cFLIP. In this study, we examined whether RBM10 has a regulatory function in splicing similar to RBM5, and determined that it indeed regulates alternative splicing of Fas and Bcl‐x genes. RBM10 promotes exon skipping of Fas pre‐mRNA as well as selection of an internal 5′‐splice site in Bcl‐x pre‐mRNA. We propose a consensus RBM10‐binding sequence at 5′‐splice sites of target exons and a mechanistic model of RBM10 action in the alternative splicing.
Mcp1p tracks microtubule plus ends to destabilize microtubules at cell tips
Authors: Zheng Fan , Li Tianpeng , Cheung Martin , Syrovatkina Viktoriya , Fu Chuanhai
Published: February 2014

Microtubule plus ends are dynamically regulated by a wide variety of proteins for performing diverse cellular functions. Here, we show that the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe uncharacterized protein mcp1p is a microtubule plus‐end tracking protein which depends on the kinesin‐8 klp6p for transporting along microtubules towards microtubule plus ends. In the absence of mcp1p, microtubule catastrophe and rescue frequencies decrease, leading to an increased dwell time of microtubule plus ends at cell tips. Thus, these findings suggest that mcp1p may synergize with klp6p at microtubule plus‐ends to destabilize microtubules.
Role of neuregulin‐1β in dexamethasone‐enhanced surfactant synthesis in fetal type II cells
Authors: King George , Maker Garth L. , Berryman David , Trengove Robert D. , Cake Max H.
Published: February 2014

It is well established that glucocorticoids elevate the production of fibroblast‐pneumocyte factor (FPF), which induces type II cells to synthesize surfactant phospholipids. FPF, however, has not been identified and it is not clear whether it is a single factor or a complex mixture of factors. In this study it has been shown that, when lung fibroblasts are exposed to dexamethasone, the concentration of neuregulin‐1β (NRG1β) in conditioned medium is elevated 2‐fold (P< 0.05), even though NRG1β gene expression is unaffected. This, together with the finding that exposure of type II cells to NRG1β directly stimulates by 3‐fold the rate of phospholipid synthesis (P< 0.05), suggests that NRG1β is a component of FPF that promotes lung development.
Valencene oxidase CYP706M1 from Alaska cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis)
Authors: Cankar Katarina , van Houwelingen Adèle , Goedbloed Miriam , Renirie Rokus , de Jong René M. , Bouwmeester Harro , Bosch Dirk , Sonke Theo , Beekwilder Jules
Published: February 2014

(+)‐Nootkatone is a natural sesquiterpene ketone used in grapefruit and citrus flavour compositions. It occurs in small amounts in grapefruit and is a major component of Alaska cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis) heartwood essential oil. Upon co‐expression of candidate cytochrome P450 enzymes from Alaska cedar in yeast with a valencene synthase, a C. nootkatensis valencene oxidase (CnVO) was identified to produce trans‐nootkatol and (+)‐nootkatone. Formation of (+)‐nootkatone was detected at 144 ± 10 μg/L yeast culture. CnVO belongs to a new subfamily of the CYP706 family of cytochrome P450 oxidases.
Characterization of bacterial NMN deamidase as a Ser/Lys hydrolase expands diversity of serine amidohydrolases
Authors: Sorci Leonardo , Brunetti Lucia , Cialabrini Lucia , Mazzola Francesca , Kazanov Marat D. , D'Auria Sabato , Ruggieri Silverio , Raffaelli Nadia
Published: February 2014

NMN deamidase (PncC) is a bacterial enzyme involved in NAD biosynthesis. We have previously demonstrated that PncC is structurally distinct from other known amidohydrolases. Here, we extended PncC characterization by mutating all potential catalytic residues and assessing their individual roles in catalysis through kinetic analyses. Inspection of these residues’ spatial arrangement in the active site, allowed us to conclude that PncC is a serine‐amidohydrolase, employing a Ser/Lys dyad for catalysis. Analysis of the PncC structure in complex with a modeled NMN substrate supported our conclusion, and enabled us to propose the catalytic mechanism.
Fine‐tuned broad binding capability of human lipocalin‐type prostaglandin D synthase for various small lipophilic ligands
Authors: Kume Satoshi , Lee Young-Ho , Nakatsuji Masatoshi , Teraoka Yoshiaki , Yamaguchi Keisuke , Goto Yuji , Inui Takashi
Published: February 2014

The hydrophobic cavity of lipocalin‐type prostaglandin D synthase (L‐PGDS) has been suggested to accommodate various lipophilic ligands through hydrophobic effects, but its energetic origin remains unknown. We characterized 18 buffer‐independent binding systems between human L‐PGDS and lipophilic ligands using isothermal titration calorimetry. Although the classical hydrophobic effect was mostly detected, all complex formations were driven by favorable enthalpic gains. Gibbs energy changes strongly correlated with the number of hydrogen bond acceptors of ligand. Thus, the broad binding capability of L‐PGDS for ligands should be viewed as hydrophilic interactions delicately tuned by enthalpy–entropy compensation using combined effects of hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions.
Just Call Me Dad: Health and Social Benefits to Fathers and their Children
Authors: Fleming Joseph , King Andrew , Hunt Tara
Published: February 2014

In the past 20 years, social change and expectations for both maternal and paternal responsibilities have highlighted the need for services for families to better understand the role of a father in family relationships. In Australia, as well as internationally, there have been many contested understandings about what constitutes ‘good fathering’ in research, social media and in the political sphere. More specifically, there has also been an emerging trend to understand the challenging task of recruiting and maintaining men's involvement in child and family services programmes, particularly those fathers who are deemed a risk to children and mothers, violent or have been separated from their children. That many child and family/welfare services have exercised dedicated effort to work with fathers is still a relatively recent phenomenon, and has only emerged following criticism that services have been too geared towards working only with mothers. Despite this increasing interest, there is still ongoing need for more research to be undertaken in Australia. An important area of focus is the views of professionals about their perception and engagement of fathers, particularly the views of fathers who are described as being absent from family-based services. The purpose of this article is to report briefly on a study undertaken to examine how child and family welfare workers engage fathers in their work. First, this paper will describe some of the social and health benefits to fathers and their children, focusing on the key role of attachment through play. Research into effective service delivery involving fathers will then be presented, concluding with key practice factors necessary for fathers to be involved in family life.
The Service Environment in Relationship-based Practice: “It's Like a Community”
Authors: Reimer Elizabeth C.
Published: February 2014

The family service work environment has been linked to the parent–worker relationship (relationship) for many years. However, there is still much to understand about how the working environment and these relationships are connected. This paper reports on a small-scale qualitative study exploring the story of eight relationships between parents and family workers in four rurally based family services in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Hermeneutics provided a way of examining the dynamics of the relationships, as it enabled an in-depth exploration and interpretation of the participants’ perspectives of how they experienced and understood the relationship. It became apparent that the work environment is an important influence on the relationship. New insights that emerged include the important role that staff not directly involved in the relationship (such as other family workers, supervisors, and administration and other professional staff) may play in assisting relationships. They also include the way in which flexible service delivery options support parent feelings of comfort, readiness to change, reciprocity, a sense of ownership to the service and need for support outside of planned appointments (both during and after intervention has ceased). These all support the development and maintenance of such relationships.
“It takes me a little longer to get angry now”: Homeless children traumatised by family violence reflect on an animal therapy group
Authors: Mudaly Neerosh , Graham Amanda , Lewis Nerys
Published: February 2014

Children who experience ongoing abuse, violence and homelessness often develop social, emotional, health and behavioural problems which are frequently manifested in trauma-based behaviours including self harming and suicidal behaviours, aggressive and criminal behaviours, and drug and alcohol problems. These children often do not engage with traditional therapeutic services. Their persistent fear associated with fleeing the violence and their subsequent transient living situations prevents them from engaging with professionals.

An innovative therapeutic program using animals in an activity based group setting was implemented by a family violence housing and support agency to engage these children. As part of its commitment to improving responses to children this agency funded a preliminary, independent evaluation of the program.

The objective of this evaluation was to obtain feedback from the children who had attended the group on their experiences of the animal therapy group. This paper reports on the children’s views of the benefits of the group.

“. . . .and when we’re holding the animals, makes you feel more calmer and stuff” (13-year-old girl)
Young People's Experiences of Receiving Individual Packages of Care in South Australia
Authors: Ogilvy Ryan , Riggs Damien W.
Published: February 2014

The aim of this study was to explore the role that professional foster care – and specifically Individual Packages of Care (IPC) in South Australia – plays in providing an alternative care option for young people who are unable to live with their birth parents due to issues of abuse or neglect, but who also, due to behavioural concerns, are not well suited to a traditional foster care placement. Participants in the study were nine young people who had previously lived in an IPC placement. The findings highlight participants’ experiences of living in the context of an IPC placement, experiences that were at times challenging, but which also provided opportunities for growth and positive change that may not have been possible in a traditional foster care placement.
Charting the decline in spontaneous writing in Alzheimer's disease: a longitudinal study
Authors: Forbes-McKay Katrina , Shanks Mike , Venneri Annalena
Published: February 2014

Objective

This study aims to document the nature and progression of the spontaneous writing impairment observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) over a 12-month period using both a cross-sectional and prospective longitudinal design.

Methods

Thirty-one minimal–moderate AD patients and 30 controls matched for age and socio-cultural background completed a simple and complex written description task at baseline. The AD patients then had follow-up assessments at 6 and 12 months.

Results

Cross-sectional comparisons indicated that minimal–moderate AD patients produced more semantic paraphasias, phonological paraphasias, and empty and indefinite phrases, whilst producing fewer pictorial themes, repairing fewer errors, and producing shorter and less complex sentences than controls. The two groups could not be distinguished on visual paraphasias. Longitudinal follow-up, however, suggested that visual processing deteriorates over time, where the prevalence of visual errors increased over 12 months.

Discussion

The findings suggest that the deterioration of writing skills observed in the spontaneous writings of AD patients shows a pattern of impairment dominated by semantic errors with a secondary impairment in phonological processing, which is later joined by a disruption of visuospatial and graphomotor processing.
Gamma-Ray Burst Jets and their Radio Observations
Authors: Granot Jonathan , van der Horst Alexander J.
Published: February 2014

Radio observations play a key role in studying the jets that power GRBs, the most luminous cosmic explosions. They are crucial for determining the GRB jet energy, the external density, and the microphysical parameters of relativistic collisionless shocks, from afterglow broadband modeling. Radio image size measurements are rare, but provide extremely useful information. The “radio flare” peaking after ~1 day helps constrain the magnetisation and magnetic-field structure of GRB outflows. This review discusses the current observational and modeling status, focusing on the afterglow and outlining prompt radio emission searches, along with recent theoretical progress in GRB jet dynamics, focusing on magnetic acceleration, jet propagation inside a massive star progenitor (for long GRBs), the reverse shock, and the late afterglow. Great progress has been made in our understanding of magnetic acceleration, collimation and later sideways expansion of GRB jets, with interesting implications for the prompt, reverse shock, and afterglow emission. We outline how theory and observations were combined to study GRB jet physics and their immediate environment. Finally, potential paths are suggested for combining theory and observations to achieve greater progress, and some prospects for the future are discussed in light of the expected improvements in observational capabilities and theoretical advances.
A review of vitamin A equivalency of β-carotene in various food matrices for human consumption
Authors: Van Loo-Bouwman Carolien A. , Naber Ton H. J. , Schaafsma Gertjan
Published: February 2014

Vitamin A equivalency of β-carotene (VEB) is defined as the amount of ingested β-carotene in μg that is absorbed and converted into 1 μg retinol (vitamin A) in the human body. The objective of the present review was to discuss the different estimates for VEB in various types of dietary food matrices. Different methods are discussed such as mass balance, dose–response and isotopic labelling. The VEB is currently estimated by the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) as 12:1 in a mixed diet and 2:1 in oil. For humans consuming β-carotene dissolved in oil, a VEB between 2:1 and 4:1 is feasible. A VEB of approximately 4:1 is applicable for biofortified cassava, yellow maize and Golden Rice, which are specially bred for human consumption in developing countries. We propose a range of 9:1–16:1 for VEB in a mixed diet that encompasses the IOM VEB of 12:1 and is realistic for a Western diet under Western conditions. For a ‘prudent’ (i.e. non-Western) diet including a variety of commonly consumed vegetables, a VEB could range from 9:1 to 28:1 in a mixed diet.
Examining the Use of Amnesties and Pardons as a Response to Internal Armed Conflict
Authors: Reiter Andrew G
Published: February 2014

The use of amnesty for human rights violations has been heavily criticised on legal, ethical and political grounds. Yet amnesties have been the most popular transitional justice mechanisms over the past four decades, particularly in the context of internal armed conflict. States justify these amnesties by claiming they are important tools to secure peace. But how successful is amnesty in accomplishing these goals? This article seeks to answer this question by analysing the use and effectiveness of 236 amnesties used in internal armed conflicts worldwide since 1970. The article first creates a typology of the use of amnesty in the context of internal armed conflict. It then qualitatively examines the impact on peace of each type of amnesty. The article finds that most amnesties granted in the context of internal armed conflict have no demonstrable impact on peace and security. Yet amnesties granted as carrots to entice the surrender of armed actors occasionally succeed in bringing about the demobilisation of individual combatants or even entire armed groups. More importantly, amnesties extended as part of a peace process are effective in initiating negotiations, securing agreements, and building the foundation for long-lasting peace.
Amicus CuriaeParticipation Before Regional Human Rights Bodies in Africa
Authors: Viljoen Frans , Abebe Adem Kassie
Published: February 2014

A solid stream of cases have been submitted to the quasi-judicial and judicial treaty monitoring bodies making up the African regional human rights system, namely the African Commission, the African Children's Rights Committee and the African Human Rights Court, and also to sub-regional courts in Africa. Allowingamicus curiaebriefs to supplement the parties' pleadings can enhance the soundness of the factual and legal findings of these bodies, especially given their institutional and practical constraints. Thus far, the use ofamicus curiaeinterventions before the African regional human rights bodies has been negligible. In order to ensure greater participation byamici, this article suggests that the possibility ofamicusintervention should be unequivocally provided for under each of the applicable legal regimes, that the grounds for accepting or rejecting interventions should be clearly articulated, and that access to information about pending cases should be provided routinely.