bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PI3K inhibitors IC87114 inhibits the migration and invasion of thyroid cancer cell in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Jiang Yan , Hao Shuai , Tian Wuguo , Gao Bo , Zhang Xiaohua , Zhang Shu , Guo Lingji , Yan Jie , Luo Donglin
Published: December 2017

Thyroid cancer is currently the most common endocrine malignancies, and PI3K/Akt pathway play an important role during its initiation and development. IC87114 is an inhibitor of PI3K/Akt pathway. Little is known about the role of IC87114 in the initiation and progression of thyroid cancer. Here, we demonstrated that IC87114 significantly inhibited both the migration and invasion of thyroid cancer cells, which can be mediated by inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway. These results suggest that application of IC87114 may prove to be a particularly effective treatment for thyroid cancer.
Retracted: Analgesic effects of microRNA‐129‐5p against bone cancer pain through the EphB1/EphrinB2 signaling pathway in mice
Authors: Yu Shao‐Nan , Liu Gui‐Feng , Li Long‐Yun , Zhao Guo‐Qing , Liu Lin , Li Xue‐Feng
Published: December 2017

The study aims to investigate the analgesic effects of microRNA‐129‐5p (miR‐129‐5p) on bone cancer pain (BCP) by targeting Eph receptor B1 (EphB1) through the EphB1/EphrinB2 signaling pathway. BCP mice models were established, and C3H/HeJ female mice were classified into the normal, blank, negative control (NC), miR‐129‐5p mimics, miR‐129‐5p inhibitors, EphB1 knockout (KO), and miR‐129‐5p inhibitors + EphB1 KO groups. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were used to evaluate the miR‐129‐5p expression, and messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expressions of EphB1, p‐EphB1, EphrinB2, and p‐EphrinB2. EphB1 and EphrinB2 were highly activated in the tibias of BCP mice 7 days after the operation. EphB1 is a target gene of miR‐129‐5p. The mechanical withdrawal threshold increased in the miR‐129‐5p mimics, EphB1 KO and miR‐129‐5p inhibitors + EphB1 KO groups, but decreased in the miR‐129‐5p inhibitors group. Compared with the blank and the NC groups, the expression of miR‐129‐5p was significantly increased in the miR‐129‐5p mimics group, and the mRNA and protein expressions of EphrinB2, p‐EphrinB2, EphB1, and p‐EphB1 were significantly decreased, while in the miR‐129‐5p inhibitors group, the results were opposite (all
P < 0.05); the mRNA and protein expressions of EphrinB2, p‐EphrinB2, EphB1, and p‐EphB1 were significantly decreased in the EphB1 KO group (all
P < 0.05); the expression of miR‐129‐5p was significantly decreased in the miR‐129‐5p inhibitors + EphB1 KO group (
P < 0.05), while the mRNA and protein expressions of EphrinB2 and p‐EphrinB2 were not significantly different (
P > 0.05). The results indicated that upregulated miR‐129‐5p alleviate BCP via downregulation of the EphB1/EphrinB2 signaling pathway.
Interleukin‐4 induces a CD44high/CD49bhigh PC3 subpopulation with tumor‐initiating characteristics
Authors: Erb Holger H.H. , Guggenberger Fabian , Santer Frédéric R. , Culig Zoran
Published: December 2017

Pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines may influence proliferation, migration, invasion, and other cellular events of prostate cancer (PCa) cells. The hyaluronan receptor CD44, which is regulated by Interleukin (IL)‐4, is a prostate basal cell marker. CD44high/CD49bhigh expressing cells have been demonstrated to have tumor‐initiating characteristics. Here, we aimed to analyze the effects of long‐term IL‐4 treatment on CD44/CD49b expression, migration, proliferation, and clonogenic potential of basal‐like PCa cells. To this end PC3 cells were treated over 30 passages with 5 ng/mL IL‐4 (PC3‐IL4) resulting in an increased population of CD44high expressing cells. This was concurrent with a clonal outgrowth of cuboid‐shaped cells, with increased size and light absorbance properties. Flow cytometry revealed that the PC3‐IL4 CD44high expressing subpopulation corresponds to the CD49bhigh population. Isolation of the PC3‐IL4 CD44high/CD49bhigh subpopulation via fluorescence‐associated cell sorting showed increased migrative, proliferative, and clonogenic potential compared to the CD44low/CD49blow subpopulation. In conclusion, IL‐4 increases a PC3 subpopulation with tumor‐initiating characteristics. Thus, IL‐4, similar to other cytokines may be a regulator of tumor‐initiation and hence, may present a suitable therapy target in combination with current treatment options.
Longitudinal assessment of rabbit renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction using two‐dimensional susceptibility weighted imaging
Authors: Zhang Jing‐Gang , Xing Zhao‐Yu , Zha Ting‐Ting , Tian Xiao‐Juan , Du Ya‐Nan , Chen Jie , Xing Wei
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Previous studies indicated that two‐dimensional‐susceptibility weighted imaging (2D‐SWI) could serve as a useful biomarker for differentiating the grade of liver fibrosis.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the feasibility of 2D‐SWI in the dynamic quantification of renal fibrosis in a rabbit model.

STUDY TYPE: Longitudinal study.

ANIMAL MODEL

Twenty‐Four New Zealand White Rabbits including control group (n = 4); and renal fibrosis group (n = 20), by means of a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

The 3.0 T SWI using a 2D gradient‐echo sequence.

ASSESSMENT

The relative SWI signal ratio(r) of cortical and medulla (r = SIrenal/SImuscle) was longitudinally assessed before ligation and on weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 following ligation. Sirius Red staining was used to assess the degree of fibrosis in five high‐power fields.

STATISTICAL TESTS

The repeated measures of analysis of variance and linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Both the cortical and medullary r values were significantly higher in the UUO kidneys at week 2 compared with the kidneys before ligation. Over the course of UUO progression, significant changes occurred in the cortical and medullary r values in vivo and fibrosis scores in vitro (all P values < 0.05). The r values gradually decreased, while the fibrosis scores gradually increased over 8 weeks following ligation. The linear regression analysis showed a strong and significant correlation between cortical and medullary r values and the pathologic fibrosis scores (R2 = 0.91, 0.81, respectively).

DATA CONCLUSION

The SWI sequence could provide a quantitative evaluation of renal fibrosis during UUO progression.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1572–1577.
Homonuclear decoupling in the 13C indirect dimension of HSQC experiments for 13C‐enriched compounds
Authors: Brucka Marta , Sheberstov Kirill F. , Jeannerat Damien
Published: December 2017

The two most compelling methods for broadband homonuclear decoupling currently available, Zangger–Sterk (ZS) and pure shift yielded by chirp excitation (PSYCHE), were successfully adapted and tested on the 13C isotope. When applied during the indirect carbon evolution in the HSQC experiment, they both entirely eliminated the extended carbon–carbon multiplet structures observed in this dimension of a non‐decoupled HSQC spectrum of 13C‐enriched cholesterol. The optimized selective pulse modulated using novel non‐equidistant scheme for multisite refocusing (ZS) and the small flip angle saltire chirps (PSYCHE) both proved to be robust and efficient in providing decoupled spectra with a sensitivity of about 25% that of the non‐decoupled HSQC spectra with improved quality compared to earlier results.
An approximate method for solving fractional optimal control problems by the hybrid of block‐pulse functions and Taylor polynomials
Authors: Yonthanthum W. , Rattana A. , Razzaghi M.
Published: December 2017

In this paper, an efficient and accurate computational method based on the hybrid of block‐pulse functions and Taylor polynomials is proposed for solving a class of fractional optimal control problems. In the proposed method, the Riemann‐Liouville fractional integral operator for the hybrid of block‐pulse functions and Taylor polynomials is given. By taking into account the property of this operator, the solution of fractional optimal control problems under consideration is reduced to a nonlinear programming one to which existing well‐developed algorithms may be applied. The present method applies to both fractional optimal control problems with or without inequality constraints. The method is computationally very attractive and gives very accurate results. Easy implementation and simple operations are the essential features of the proposed hybrid functions. Illustrative examples are given to assess the effectiveness of the developed approximation technique.
Adduction of ammonium to polylactides to modify their dissociation behavior in collision‐induced dissociation
Authors: Chendo Christophe , Phan Trang N.T. , Rollet Marion , Gigmes Didier , Charles Laurence
Published: December 2017

Rationale

The goal of this work was to modify the dissociation pathways of polylactide (PLA) holding benzyl and hydroxyl terminations, in order to circumvent coincidence of product ions generated during collisional activation of sodiated chains, which prevented their reliable characterization.

Methods

Benzyl‐, hydroxyl‐terminated PLAs were ionized as ammonium adducts in positive ion mode electrospray and subjected to collision‐induced dissociation (CID). Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments were conducted in a quadrupole time‐of‐flight (QTOF) instrument for safe assignment of product ions based on their elemental composition derived from accurate mass measurements.

Results

Adduction of ammonium to PLAs was found to induce chain fragmentation via charge‐assisted processes, in great contrast to the charge‐remote mechanisms experienced by sodiated molecules. The main reaction produced ions containing the ω termination only, hence allowing straightforward end‐group determination. Other minor pathways were studied in detail to establish dissociation rules for ammoniated PLAs. Some reactions were found to be end‐group specific, highlighting the higher reactivity of ammonium than alkali ion adducts.

Conclusions

Changing the usually employed sodium‐cationizing agent to ammonium was shown to induce dramatic changes in the CID behavior of PLAs. This was a simple and efficient approach to address issues encountered for end‐group analysis of the particular PLA studied here.
Self‐imposed pressure or organizational norms? Further examination of the construct of workplace telepressure
Authors: Grawitch Matthew J. , Werth Paul M. , Palmer Sarah N. , Erb Kaitlyn R. , Lavigne Kristi N.
Published: December 2017

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are rapidly becoming indispensable organizational tools. Though the benefits of such technologies have been trumpeted, recent research has examined the unique pressures that may be introduced through the lens of a construct called workplace telepressure, defined as an urge for and preoccupation with quickly responding to ICTs (e.g., email). The current study further explores the workplace telepressure construct as a unique contributor to measures of workplace well‐being over and above perceived workplace demands and individual differences, introducing new constructs into the study of workplace telepressure. Furthermore, the study critically evaluates the term “telepressure” as applied to the underlying construct, as “pressure” may connote a perception of external force being placed on an individual, whereas the definition offered by past research identifies a preoccupation and urge to respond immediately to ICT messages, which may be internally generated. Finally, the ability of workplace telepressure to account for unique variance in workplace subjective well‐being measures is investigated.
Risk Factors for Central Neck Lymph Node Metastases in Micro‐ Versus Macro‐ Clinically Node Negative Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Sessa Luca , Lombardi Celestino Pio , De Crea Carmela , Tempera Serena Elisa , Bellantone Rocco , Raffaelli Marco
Published: December 2017

Background

Tumor size has been advocated as possible risk factors for occult central lymph node metastases (CNM) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. This prospective study evaluated factors that could identify patients at higher risk of occult CNM, especially comparing micro‐PTC and macro‐PTC.

Methods

One hundred and eighty‐six patients were recruited. All the patients had cN0 clinically unifocal PTC and underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral prophylactic central neck dissection. Risk factors for occult CNM in micro‐ and macro‐PTC patients were evaluated.

Results

Eighty‐two patients showed CNM. The rate of CNM did not differ among different sizes cut off (≤20 mm, ≤10 mm, ≤5 mm P = NS). Significantly more pN1a than pN0 patients had pT3 tumors (35/82 vs. 26/104) (P < 0.05), extracapsular invasion (35/82 vs. 22/104) (P < 0.01) and microscopic multifocal disease (50/82 vs. 47/104) (P < 0.05). Independent risk factors for CNM were extracapsular invasion and multifocality at multivariate analysis. Risk factors for CNM in 77 micro‐PTC were extracapsular invasion (16/31 pN1 vs. 10/46 pN0, P < 0.05) and multifocality (21/31 pN1 vs. 16/46 pN0, P < 0.01). Among 109 macro‐PTC, risk factors for CNM were angioinvasion (15/51 pN1 vs. 7/58 pN0, P < 0.05) and classic PTC at the final histology (PTC vs. tall cell variant vs. follicular variant PTC) (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Risk factors for CNM can differ between micro‐ and macro‐PTC, but no preoperatively known clinical parameter is predictor of CNM in cN0 clinically unifocal PTC.
Video‐Assisted Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Oncologic Outcome in Patients with Follow‐Up ≥ 10 Years
Authors: Bellantone Rocco , Raffaelli Marco , De Crea Carmela , Sessa Luca , Traini Emanuela , Princi Pietro , Lombardi Celestino Pio
Published: December 2017

Background

Video‐assisted thyroidectomy (VAT) arisen as a valid treatment for selected patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but no data concerning long‐term oncologic outcome are available. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate the oncologic outcome of patients who underwent VAT for PTC with a follow‐up ≥ 10 years.

Methods

The medical charts of all the patients who successfully underwent VAT for PTC were reviewed. The patients with a minimum follow‐up period of 120‐months were included. Patients with unifocal PTC ≤ 1 cm, in the absence of lymph node metastases, without gross extracapsular invasion and age < 45 years were considered “low‐risk” patients and followed with ultrasound and serum thyroglobulin (sTg) on levothyroxine (LT4); the remaining patients underwent nuclear medicine evaluation.

Results

Two hundred and fifty‐seven patients, operated on between May 2000 and October 2006, were included. Postoperative complications included four transient recurrent palsies, 76 transient and 1 permanent hypocalcemia. One hundred and four low‐risk patients were followed with ultrasound and sTg on LT4. At a mean follow‐up of 136.6 months, mean sTg on LT4 was 0.1 ± 0.1 ng/ml. None of them showed recurrence. The remaining 153 patients underwent nuclear medicine evaluation. Among these 153, 62 did not undergo radioiodine ablation (RAI). At a mean follow‐up of 150.8 months, mean sTg on LT4 was 0.1 ± 0.1 ng/ml. None of them showed recurrence. The remaining 91 patients underwent RAI. Mean pre‐RAI sTg off‐LT4 was 8.3 ± 5.8 ng/ml, mean radioiodine uptake was 2.8 ± 4.4%. Among these 91, three pN1a patients developed a lateral neck node recurrence. No other recurrence was registered. At the latest follow‐up mean sTg on LT4 in this subgroup of patients was 0.1 ± 0.2 ng/ml.

Conclusions

The long‐term (≥ 10 years) oncologic outcome further demonstrates that VAT is a valid option for selected PTC patients.
Interactome Analysis of Microtubule-Targeting Agents Reveals Cytotoxicity Bases in Normal Cells
Authors: Gutiérrez-Escobar Andrés Julián , Méndez-Callejas Gina
Published: December 2017

Cancer causes millions of deaths annually and microtubule-targeting agents (MTAs) are the most commonly-used anti-cancer drugs. However, the high toxicity of MTAs on normal cells raises great concern. Due to the non-selectivity of MTA targets, we analyzed the interaction network in a non-cancerous human cell. Subnetworks of fourteen MTAs were reconstructed and the merged network was compared against a randomized network to evaluate the functional richness. We found that 71.4% of the MTA interactome nodes are shared, which affects cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell differentiation, cell cycle control, stress response, and regulation of energy metabolism. Additionally, possible secondary targets were identified as client proteins of interphase microtubules. MTAs affect apoptosis signaling pathways by interacting with client proteins of interphase microtubules, suggesting that their primary targets are non-tumor cells. The paclitaxel and doxorubicin networks share essential topological axes, suggesting synergistic effects. This may explain the exacerbated toxicity observed when paclitaxel and doxorubicin are used in combination for cancer treatment.
The Ability of Different Imputation Methods to Preserve the Significant Genes and Pathways in Cancer
Authors: Aghdam Rosa , Baghfalaki Taban , Khosravi Pegah , Saberi Ansari Elnaz
Published: December 2017

Deciphering important genes and pathways from incomplete gene expression data could facilitate a better understanding of cancer. Different imputation methods can be applied to estimate the missing values. In our study, we evaluated various imputation methods for their performance in preserving significant genes and pathways. In the first step, 5% genes are considered in random for two types of ignorable and non-ignorable missingness mechanisms with various missing rates. Next, 10 well-known imputation methods were applied to the complete datasets. The significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) method was applied to detect the significant genes in rectal and lung cancers to showcase the utility of imputation approaches in preserving significant genes. To determine the impact of different imputation methods on the identification of important genes, the chi-squared test was used to compare the proportions of overlaps between significant genes detected from original data and those detected from the imputed datasets. Additionally, the significant genes are tested for their enrichment in important pathways, using the ConsensusPathDB. Our results showed that almost all the significant genes and pathways of the original dataset can be detected in all imputed datasets, indicating that there is no significant difference in the performance of various imputation methods tested. The source code and selected datasets are available on http://profiles.bs.ipm.ir/softwares/imputation_methods/.
DETERMINANTS OF WEANLING THOROUGHBRED AUCTION PRICES
Authors: HANSEN CHARLOTTE R. , STOWE C. JILL
Published: December 2017

Determinants of prices of 1,302 weanling Thoroughbreds sold at the 2010 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale are investigated. A hedonic pricing model is adopted to identify price determinants, and the corresponding marginal values of those determinants are estimated. Prices were responsive to pedigree quality variables, including the sire's stud fee, the stage of the sire's breeding career, and whether the dam or the dam's progeny had earned “black type.” In addition, individual weanling characteristics such as gender, age, state of birth, and sale placement influenced price. Results can be used as a decision tool by both buyers and sellers.
Alluvial fan depositional records from north and south-facing catchments in semi-arid montane terrain
Authors: Poulos Michael J. , Pierce Jennifer L.
Published: December 2017

Valley asymmetry reflects differences in landform evolution with aspect; however, few studies assess rates and timing of asymmetric erosion. In south-central Idaho, we combine alluvial fan volume reconstructions with radiocarbon deposit dating to compare the source-catchment normalized fan deposition rates of catchments incised into north (n=5) and south-facing (n=3) valleys, which differ during the late Holocene from 7.7 to 10.1 mm/ka, respectively, but are not significantly different. South-facing catchments produced 1.3× more fan sediment per unit source-area during the late Holocene, whereas over the last 10 Ma they have evolved to be 2.1× larger with 2.8× greater eroded volumes and 7.6° gentler slopes (24.5° versus 32.1°, average). Late Holocene differences in sediment yields with aspect cannot fully explain differences in landforms. Potential bias in sediment deposition and/or remobilization cannot fully explain the similarity of erosion rates during the late Holocene. Valley asymmetry appears to have developed primarily during different conditions. While valley asymmetry development may be quicker during glacial climates, development is likely accelerated early in a valley’s history, such as during initial valley incision, because asymmetric degradation serves as a negative feedback that reduces aspect-related differences in erosion and drives valleys towards steady state.
Nuanced Accountability: Voter Responses to Service Delivery in Southern Africa
Authors: de Kadt Daniel , Lieberman Evan S.
Published: December 2017

Various theories of democratic governance posit that citizens should vote for incumbent politicians when they provide good service, and vote for the opposition when service delivery is poor. But does electoral accountability work as theorized, especially in developing country contexts? Studying Southern African democracies, where infrastructural investment in basic services has expanded widely but not universally, we contribute a new empirical answer to this question. Analyzing the relationship between service provision and voting, we find a surprising negative relationship: improvements in service provision predict decreases in support for dominant party incumbents. Though stronger in areas where opposition parties control local government, the negative relationship persists even in those areas where local government is run by the nationally dominant party. Survey data provide suggestive evidence that citizen concerns about corruption and ratcheting preferences for service delivery may be driving citizen attitudes and behaviors. Voters may thus be responsive to service delivery, but perhaps in ways that are more nuanced than extant theories previously recognized.
Elements of a comprehensive theory of infant imitation
Authors: Meltzoff Andrew N.
Published: December 2017

Imitation is central to human development. Imitation involves mapping between the perception and production of actions. Imitation after delays implicates preverbal memory. Imitation of people informs us about infants' processing of social events. A comprehensive theory needs to account for the origins, mechanisms, and functions of imitation. Neonatal imitation illuminates how the initial state engenders and supports rapid social learning.
Social exclusion of people with severe mental illness in Switzerland: results from the Swiss Health Survey
Authors: Richter D. , Hoffmann H.
Published: December 2017

Aims.

People with severe mental illness (SMI) have a high risk of living socially excluded from the mainstream society. Policy initiatives and health systems aim to improve the social situation of people who suffer from mental health disabilities. The aim of this study was to explore the extent of social exclusion (employment and income, social network and social activities, health problems) of people with SMI in Switzerland.

Methods.

Data from the Swiss Health Survey 2012 were used to compare the social exclusion magnitude of people with SMI with those suffering from severe physical illness, common mental illness and the general population.

Results.

With the exception of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, we found a gradient of social exclusion that showed people with SMI to be more excluded than the comparison groups. Loneliness and poverty were widespread among people with SMI. Logistic regression analyses on each individual exclusion indicator revealed that people with SMI and people with severe physical illness were similarly excluded on many indicators, whereas people with common mental illness and the general population were much more socially included.

Conclusions.

In contrast to political and health system goals, many people with SMI suffer from social exclusion. Social policy and clinical support should increase the efforts to counter exclusionary trends, especially in terms of loneliness and poverty.
Resolution of habitat-associated ecogenomic signatures in bacteriophage genomes and application to microbial source tracking
Authors: Ogilvie Lesley A , Nzakizwanayo Jonathan , Guppy Fergus M , Dedi Cinzia , Diston David , Taylor Huw , Ebdon James , Jones Brian V
Published: December 2017

Just as the expansion in genome sequencing has revealed and permitted the exploitation of phylogenetic signals embedded in bacterial genomes, the application of metagenomics has begun to provide similar insights at the ecosystem level for microbial communities. However, little is known regarding this aspect of bacteriophage associated with microbial ecosystems, and if phage encode discernible habitat-associated signals diagnostic of underlying microbiomes. Here we demonstrate that individual phage can encode clear habitat-related ‘ecogenomic signatures’, based on relative representation of phage-encoded gene homologues in metagenomic data sets. Furthermore, we show the ecogenomic signature encoded by the gut-associated ɸB124-14 can be used to segregate metagenomes according to environmental origin, and distinguish ‘contaminated’ environmental metagenomes (subject to simulated in silico human faecal pollution) from uncontaminated data sets. This indicates phage-encoded ecological signals likely possess sufficient discriminatory power for use in biotechnological applications, such as development of microbial source tracking tools for monitoring water quality.
Alternative NHEJ pathway proteins as components of MYCN oncogenic activity in human neural crest stem cell differentiation: implications for neuroblastoma initiation
Authors: Newman Erika A. , Chukkapalli Sahiti , Bashllari Daniela , Thomas Tina T. , Van Noord Raelene A. , Lawlor Elizabeth R. , Hoenerhoff Mark J. , Opipari Anthony W. , Opipari Valerie P.
Published: December 2017

Neuroblastoma is a cancer of neural crest stem cell (NCSC) lineage. Signaling pathways that regulate NCSC differentiation have been implicated in neuroblastoma tumorigenesis. This is exemplified by MYCN oncogene targets that balance proliferation, differentiation, and cell death similarly in normal NCSC and in high-risk neuroblastoma. Our previous work discovered a survival mechanism by which MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma circumvents cell death by upregulating components of the error-prone non-canonical alternative nonhomologous end-joining (alt-NHEJ) DNA repair pathway. Similar to proliferating stem cells, high-risk neuroblastoma cells have enhanced DNA repair capacity, overcoming DNA damage with higher repair efficiency than somatic cells. Adequate DNA maintenance is required for lineage protection as stem cells proliferate and during tumor progression to overcome oncogene-induced replication stress. On this basis, we hypothesized that alt-NHEJ overexpression in neuroblastoma is a cancer cell survival mechanism that originates from DNA repair systems of NCSC, the presumed progenitor cell of origin. A human NCSC model was generated in which inducible MYCN triggered an immortalized phenotype capable of forming metastatic neuroectodermal tumors in mice, resembling human neuroblastoma. Critical alt-NHEJ components (DNA Ligase III, DNA Ligase I, and Poly [ADP-ribose polymerase 1]) were highly expressed in normal early NCSC, and decreased as cells became terminally differentiated. Constitutive MYCN expression maintained high alt-NHEJ protein expression, preserving the expression pattern of the immature neural phenotype. siRNA knockdown of alt-NHEJ components reversed MYCN effects on NCSC proliferation, invasion, and migration. DNA Ligase III, Ligase I, and PARP1 silencing significantly decreased neuroblastoma markers expression (TH, Phox2b, and TRKB). These results utilized the first human NCSC model of neuroblastoma to uncover an important link between MYCN and alt-NHEJ expression in developmental tumor initiation, setting precedence to investigate alt-NHEJ repair mechanics in neuroblastoma DNA maintenance.
Pyridoxine 5′-phosphate oxidase is a novel therapeutic target and regulated by the TGF-β signalling pathway in epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Zhang Lingyun , Zhou Daibing , Guan Wencai , Ren Weimin , Sun Wenwen , Shi Jimin , Lin Qunbo , Zhang Jinguo , Qiao Tiankui , Ye Yulong , Wu Yun , Zhang Yaning , Zuo Xulei , Connor Kristin L , Xu Guoxiong
Published: December 2017

Pyridoxine 5′-phosphate oxidase (PNPO) is an enzyme that converts pyridoxine 5′-phosphate into pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), an active form of vitamin B6 implicated in several types of cancer. However, the role of PNPO and its regulatory mechanism in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) are unknown. In the present study, PNPO expression in human ovarian tumour tissue and its association with the clinicopathological features of patients with EOC were examined. Further, the biological function of PNPO in EOC cells and in xenograft was evaluated. We demonstrated for the first time that PNPO was overexpressed in human EOC. Knockdown of PNPO induced EOC cell apoptosis, arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase, decreased cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Xenografts of PNPO-shRNA-expressing cells into the nude mouse attenuated tumour growth. PNPO at mRNA and protein levels in EOC cells was decreased after transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) treatment. The inhibitory effect of TGF-β1 on PNPO expression was abolished in the presence of SB-431542, a TGF-β type I receptor kinase inhibitor. Moreover, we found that TGF-β1-mediated PNPO expression was at least in part through the upregulation of miR-143-3p. These data indicate a mechanism underlying PNPO regulation by the TGF-β signalling pathway. Furthermore, PLP administration reduced PNPO expression and decreased EOC cell proliferation, suggesting a feedback loop between PLP and PNPO. Thus, our findings reveal that PNPO can serve as a novel tissue biomarker of EOC and may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Copper Nanowires through Oriented Mesoporous Silica: A Step towards Protected and Parallel Atomic Switches
Authors: Ai Yong , Smida Hassiba , Ghilane Jalal , Vilà Neus , Ghanbaja Jaafar , Walcarius Alain , Lacroix Jean Christophe
Published: December 2017

The formation of copper atomic contacts has been investigated. Copper nanowires were grown by electrochemical deposition, in the scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) configuration, from a platinum microelectrode to an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate. Self-termination leaves copper filaments between the two electrodes with an atomic point contact at the ITO electrode. Histogram analysis shows that the conductance of this contact is close to, or less than, 1 G0. Atomic contacts were also fabricated on ITO electrodes covered with vertically-aligned mesoporous silica films. Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy images show that copper filaments occupy individual isolated nanopores. Contacts generated on bare ITO break down rapidly in sodium salicylate, whereas those generated in ITO/nanopores are unaffected; the nanopores protect the copper filaments. Finally, atomic switch behaviour was obtained using these ITO and ITO/nanopores electrodes.
Kv4.3 Modulates the Distribution of hERG
Authors: Zhao Xiao-Jing , Zhu Chao , Tian Liu-Yang , Fu Yi-Cheng , Zhang Yu , Chen Xi , Huang Yun , Li Yang
Published: December 2017

This study examines the interaction between hERG and Kv4.3. The functional interaction between hERG and Kv4.3, expressed in a heterologous cell line, was studied using patch clamp techniques, western blot, immunofluorescence, and co-immunoprecipitation. Co-expression of Kv4.3 with hERG increased hERG current density (tail current after a step to +10 mV: 26 ± 3 versus 56 ± 7 pA/pF, p < 0.01). Kv4.3 co-expression also increased the protein expression and promoted the membrane localization of hERG. Western blot showed Kv4.3 increased hERG expression by Hsp70. hERG and Kv4.3 co-localized and co-immunoprecipitated in cultured 293 T cells, indicating physical interactions between hERG and Kv4.3 proteins in vitro. In addition, Hsp70 interacted with hERG and Kv4.3 respectively, and formed complexes with hERG and Kv4.3. The α subunit of Ito Kv4.3 can interact with and modify the localization of the α subunit of IKr hERG, thus providing potentially novel insights into the molecular mechanism of the malignant ventricular arrhythmia in heart failure.
Earliest known lepisosteoid extends the range of anatomically modern gars to the Late Jurassic
Authors: Brito Paulo M. , Alvarado-Ortega Jésus , Meunier François J.
Published: December 2017

Lepisosteoids are known for their evolutionary conservatism, and their body plan can be traced at least as far back as the Early Cretaceous, by which point two families had diverged: Lepisosteidae, known since the Late Cretaceous and including all living species and various fossils from all continents, except Antarctica and Australia, and Obaichthyidae, restricted to the Cretaceous of northeastern Brazil and Morocco. Until now, the oldest known lepisosteoids were the obaichthyids, which show general neopterygian features lost or transformed in lepisosteids. Here we describe the earliest known lepisosteoid (Nhanulepisosteus mexicanus gen. and sp. nov.) from the Upper Jurassic (Kimmeridgian – about 157 Myr), of the Tlaxiaco Basin, Mexico. The new taxon is based on disarticulated cranial pieces, preserved three-dimensionally, as well as on scales. Nhanulepisosteus is recovered as the sister taxon of the rest of the Lepisosteidae. This extends the chronological range of lepisosteoids by about 46 Myr and of the lepisosteids by about 57 Myr, and fills a major morphological gap in current understanding the early diversification of this group.
Molecular cloning and functional characterisation of an H+-pyrophosphatase from Iris lactea
Authors: Meng Lin , Li Shanshan , Guo Jingya , Guo Qiang , Mao Peichun , Tian Xiaoxia
Published: December 2017

Tonoplast H+-pyrophosphatases (VPs) mediate vacuolar Na+ sequestration, a process important for salt tolerance of plants. The function of VP in the highly drought- and salt-tolerant perennial Iris lactea under salt stress is unclear. Here, we isolated IlVP from I. lactea and investigated its function in transgenic tobacco. IlVP was found to comprise 771 amino acid residues and showed 88% similarity with Arabidopsis AtVP1. IlVP was mainly expressed in shoots and was up-regulated by salt stress. Overexpression of IlVP enhanced growth of transgenic tobacco plants compared with wild-type (WT) plants exposed to salt stress. Transgenic plants accumulated higher quantities of Na+ and K+ in leaves, stems, and roots under salt stress, which caused higher leaf relative water content and decreased cell membrane damage compared with WT plants. Overall, IlVP encoding a tonoplast H+-pyrophosphatase can reduce Na+ toxicity in plant cells through increased sequestration of ions into vacuoles by enhanced H+-pyrophosphatase activity.
Increased plasma IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 levels in chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Lin Wei , Zhou Qiongyan , Liu Chunbo , Ying Mengxia , Xu Suling
Published: December 2017

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is considered in a subset of patients to be an autoimmune disorder. Interleukin(IL)-17, IL-31, and IL-33 are involved in some immune response. The aim of this study was to quantify plasma IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 levels in CSU patients and to examine their relationships with disease severity. Plasma IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 concentration were measured in 51 CSU patients and 20 healthy subjects (HCs). Plasma IL-17 (P < 0.001), IL-31 (P < 0.001), and IL-33 (P < 0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in CSU patients when compared with those of HCs. Concerning UAS7, severe group of CSU patients had significantly higher IL-17 levels than the moderate and mild groups (P = 0.028 and 0.007, respectively), and significantly higher IL-33 concentrations than the mild group (P = 0.026). Regarding only pruritus, severe group of patients had significantly higher IL-31 levels than the mild group (P = 0.003). The IL-33 levels in the total IgE positive group were significantly higher than that of negative group (P = 0.010). Our results showed higher plasma levels of IL-17, IL-31, and IL-33 among CSU patients which may highlight a functional role of these cytokines in the pathogenesis of CSU.
Effects of polysaccharides from purple sweet potatoes on immune response and gut microbiota composition in normal and cyclophosphamide treated mice
Authors: Tang Chao , Sun Jian , Zhou Bo , Jin Changhai , Liu Jun , Kan Juan , Qian Chunlu , Zhang Nianfeng
Published: December 2017

Three polysaccharides were extracted from purple sweet potatoes and then administered to normal and cyclophosphamide treated mice by gavage.
Aqueous solution behaviour and solubilisation properties of octadecyl cationic gemini surfactants and their comparison with their amide gemini analogues
Authors: Woch J. , Iłowska J. , Hordyjewicz-Baran Z. , Arabasz S. , Kaczmarczyk B. , Grabowski R. , Libera M. , Dworak A. , Trzebicka B.
Published: December 2017

The aggregation behaviour of octadecyl gemini surfactants in water was related to the behaviour of their amide group containing analogues.
Control of non‐linear systems based on interval observer design
Authors: He Zhongwei , Xie Wei
Published: December 2017

This study develops a Luenberger‐like interval observer design methodology for a class of non‐linear systems with bounded uncertainties. First, a simple procedure is given to find a positive representation that provides a method to guarantee the existence of observer gain by means of the matrix theory. Then, based on interval observer design, the gain of feedback controllers for non‐linear systems is presented in terms of a linear matrix inequality formulation. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Consensus controllers for general integrator multi‐agent systems: analysis, design and application to autonomous surface vessels
Authors: Ye Fei , Dong Hongli , Lu Yu , Zhang Weidong
Published: December 2017

This study addresses the distributed and consensus control problems for multi‐agent systems with general integrator dynamics and undirected topology. First, based on the frequency domain description of linear multi‐agent systems, a sufficient and necessary condition is imposed on each controller to achieve consensus. Second, both and optimal controllers are computed analytically according to the corresponding performance indices. The novel controllers not only can optimise the reference tracking performance but also has a simple tuning way to trade off the nominal performance and robustness. Finally, by application to the formation control of autonomous surface vessels shows the effectiveness of the proposed two control strategies.
Networked and distributed predictive control of non‐linear systems subject to asynchronous communication
Authors: Zhou Yuanqiang , Li Dewei , Lu Jianbo , Xi Yugeng , Cen Lihui
Published: December 2017

The asynchronous communication always exists in networked control systems that consist of interconnected heterogeneous subsystems. To improve the closed‐loop performance, a networked and distributed predictive controller is developed for such a system in this study. At each time instant, a virtual trajectory generator for the interconnected agents with guaranteed error bounds is proposed to implement the receding horizon optimisation. Then, a dual‐mode strategy is designed for the asynchronous distributed model predictive control to make effective use of computational resources. Conditions for ensuring the feasibility of the proposed algorithm and the stabilisation of the closed‐loop networked control systems are developed, respectively. Finally, a simulation example of a set of coupled Van der Pol oscillators is presented to illustrate the results.
Parameter estimation for systems with structural uncertainties based on quantised inputs and binary‐valued output observations
Authors: Guo Jin , Diao Jing‐Dong
Published: December 2017

This study investigates the parameter estimation with general quantised inputs and binary‐valued output observations for systems with structural uncertainties of the time‐dependent bias and the non‐linear model mismatch. Combining the empirical‐measure‐based technique and the least‐squares optimisation, an identification algorithm is proposed by use of the output threshold information and the distribution function of the system noise. It is shown that the estimate of the unknown parameter can be sandwiched in between two constructed auxiliary sequences, whose limits are just a lower bound of the limit inferior of the algorithm and an upper bound of the limit superior, respectively. Moreover, probabilistic estimation error bounds are given. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate the main theoretical results.
Normal curvature‐induced variational model for image restoration
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Xiao Liang , Li Tao
Published: December 2017

In this study, a novel normal curvature‐induced variational model which involves a higher‐order regulariser based on the normal curvature prior information of image surface is proposed for image restoration. Furthermore, the authors derive a preferably equivalent formulation for the proposed normal curvature‐induced higher‐order regulariser. Then, they design an efficient algorithm to solve the proposed model by using the famous alternating direction method of multipliers technique. Finally, they assess the performance of the proposed method on both natural images and biomedical cell images by comparing it with the famous fast total variation (TV) method, fractional‐order TV method and Hessian‐nuclear‐norm regularisation method. Specifically, the proposed method can achieve better and more balanced results in terms of peak‐signal‐to‐noise ratio, convergence rate and restoration quality.
Genetic algorithm‐based analysis of wind‐driven parallel operated self‐excited induction generators supplying isolated loads
Authors: Raj Ramachandran Essaki , Kamalakannan Chinaraj , Karthigaivel Ramasamy
Published: December 2017

A procedure based on genetic algorithm (GA) has been formulated for the performance predetermination of wind‐driven self‐excited induction generators (SEIGs) operating in parallel and supplying common loads. Both static and induction motor (IM) loads have been considered. The GA technique has also been applied for the evaluation of the excitation capacitor required for obtaining a desired terminal voltage for a given speed and load. This technique is also used for the predetermination of the upper and lower limits of the rotor speed of any SEIG in the parallel set up, to keep all the machines in the generating mode. The necessity of the terminal voltage equality of all the parallel operating machines serves as one of the factors in the formation and minimisation of the objective function, leading to the solution for the unknown magnetising reactances and core loss resistances of the various induction machines and the common frequency of operation of the set‐up. Experimental results obtained on the SEIGs have been furnished and they are shown to be in close agreement with predetermined values using the GA method. The analysis developed herein will be useful in forming AC and DC microgrids, fed by several SEIGs.
Inertial response analysis of PMSG‐based WECS with VSG control
Authors: Xi Jiangbei , Geng Hua , Yang Geng , Ma Shaokang
Published: December 2017

The inertial response of permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)‐based wind energy conversion system (WECS) with virtual synchronous generator (VSG) control (WECS‐VSG) is analysed in this paper. The differences between WECS‐VSG and synchronisation generator (SG) are focused. For SG, the input active power is constant during inertial response stage. However, due to the control coupling between VSG and the other control function of WECS, the VSG active power reference value will change during the same stage. In order to understand the problem physically, the effective inertia of the WECS‐VSG is deduced from the perspective of output equivalence. Based on the analyses of effective inertia, the authors know that the control coupling in WECS‐VSG will weaken the VSG inertial response ability. Therefore it is a must to improve the WECS‐VGS control realisation in the future study. All the analyses in this paper are verified by simulation results.
Enhanced AC voltage and frequency control on offshore MMC station for wind farm
Authors: Jing Yiran , Li Rui , Xu Lie , Wang Yi
Published: December 2017

For high voltage direct current transmission systems based on a modular multilevel converter (MMC) for connecting large offshore wind farms, the offshore alternating current (AC) voltage is regulated by the offshore MMC station and stable offshore AC voltage and frequency are important for the stable wind power generation and transmission. This study proposes an enhanced AC voltage and frequency control strategy of the offshore MMC for wind farm integration, where an additional frequency loop is used to improve its AC voltage and frequency controllability. The proposed scheme considers the working principle of the phase locked loop where the measured q ‐axis voltage drives the frequency output for the generated AC voltage. Thus, the output of the proposed frequency loop sets the q ‐axis voltage reference and feeds to the AC voltage loop to regulate the offshore AC frequency. Compared with conventional approach where no frequency loop is used and the converter simply produces the output as per the offline phase information, the proposed strategy can tightly control the AC voltage of the offshore network, which contributes to a stable transmission of the offshore wind energy. Simulation results in normal operation and during symmetrical fault confirm the feasibility of the proposed control scheme.
Exploration of a DC wind farm integrated by variable‐speed squirrel cage induction generator (SCIGs)
Authors: Fu Jianfeng , Song Guobing , Gong Yu
Published: December 2017

Nowadays, the present wind farm topology still faces some economic and reliability problems, such as the long distance delivery cost, cable reactive current, too many power electronics devices, and so on. Taking into account the reliability and economy, this study presents a topology that high‐voltage variable‐speed squirrel cage wind turbines are directly integrated into the DC collecting line, then an equipped DC–DC converter at the terminal of wind farm boosts the DC voltage and feeds out the DC power to regional wind‐energy DC collection centre. After the topology of DC wind farm is determined, this study designs field‐oriented control and hysteresis modulation to achieve maximum power point tracking target. After that, collecting line fault characters are analysed and the reference for protection scheme is summarised. The simulation and verification here are based on Simulink platform.