bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oro‐facial evaluation of women with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Hoyuela C. P. S. , Furtado R. N. V. , Chiari A. , Natour J. 
Published: December 2014

SummaryRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an aggressive articular autoimmune disease that causes deformities and disability. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) might be affected by this disease. Few controlled studies have evaluated bite force (BF) and oro‐facial manifestations of this disease. To characterise oro‐facial alterations in patients with RA, correlate these results with clinical and disease activity parameters and correlate BF with hand strength (HS). A cross‐sectional study of 150 women was performed, (75 RA patients (RA group) and 75 healthy individuals (control group). The presence of articular sounds, pain on palpation of masseter, temporal and TMJ lateral pole, changes in occlusion, range of mandibular motion, measurement of BF in the incisor and molar regions and assessment of HS were evaluated. In relation to oro‐facial evaluation there were statistical differences between the groups. There was correlation between BF and HS, in the RA group, this correlation was consistent in patients with natural teeth. Patients with RA had lower scores (P < 0·05) in the HAQ, DASH and OHIP‐14 questionnaires than the control group. Inverse correlations were found between BF and HAQ, but not between BF and DAS‐28, DASH and OHIP‐14 questionnaires in the RA group. The women with RA presented more signs and symptoms in the oro‐facial region and had a lower BF than the women in the control group. BF was inversely correlated with the overall function (evaluated by the HAQ) in the patients with RA, and there were correlations between BF and HS in the RA patients and in the control group.
What we still don't know about invasion genetics
Authors: Bock Dan G. , Caseys Celine , Cousens Roger D. , Hahn Min A. , Heredia Sylvia M. , Hübner Sariel , Turner Kathryn G. , Whitney Kenneth D. , Rieseberg Loren H. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractPublication of The Genetics of Colonizing Species in 1965 launched the field of invasion genetics and highlighted the value of biological invasions as natural ecological and evolutionary experiments. Here, we review the past 50 years of invasion genetics to assess what we have learned and what we still don't know, focusing on the genetic changes associated with invasive lineages and the evolutionary processes driving these changes. We also suggest potential studies to address still‐unanswered questions. We now know, for example, that rapid adaptation of invaders is common and generally not limited by genetic variation. On the other hand, and contrary to prevailing opinion 50 years ago, the balance of evidence indicates that population bottlenecks and genetic drift typically have negative effects on invasion success, despite their potential to increase additive genetic variation and the frequency of peak shifts. Numerous unknowns remain, such as the sources of genetic variation, the role of so‐called expansion load and the relative importance of propagule pressure vs. genetic diversity for successful establishment. While many such unknowns can be resolved by genomic studies, other questions may require manipulative experiments in model organisms. Such studies complement classical reciprocal transplant and field‐based selection experiments, which are needed to link trait variation with components of fitness and population growth rates. We conclude by discussing the potential for studies of invasion genetics to reveal the limits to evolution and to stimulate the development of practical strategies to either minimize or maximize evolutionary responses to environmental change.
Synthesis of mannosylinositol phosphorylceramides is involved in maintenance of cell integrity of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Morimoto Yuji , Tani Motohiro 
Published: December 2014

SummaryComplex sphingolipids play important roles in many physiologically important events in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, we screened yeast mutant strains showing a synthetic lethal interaction with loss of mannosylinositol phosphorylceramide (MIPC) synthesis and found that a specific group of glycosyltransferases involved in the synthesis of mannan‐type N‐glycans is essential for the growth of cells lacking MIPC synthases (Sur1 and Csh1). The genetic interaction was also confirmed by repression of MNN2, which encodes alpha‐1,2‐mannosyltransferase that synthesizes mannan‐type N‐glycans, by a tetracycline‐regulatable system. MNN2‐repressed sur1Δ csh1Δ cells exhibited high sensitivity to zymolyase treatment, and caffeine and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) strongly inhibited the growth of sur1Δ csh1Δ cells, suggesting impairment of cell integrity due to the loss of MIPC synthesis. The phosphorylated form of Slt2, a mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase activated by impaired cell integrity, increased in sur1Δ csh1Δ cells, and this increase was dramatically enhanced by the repression of Mnn2. Moreover, the growth defect of MNN2‐repressed sur1Δ csh1Δ cells was enhanced by the deletion of SLT2 or RLM1 encoding a downstream target of Slt2. These results indicated that loss of MIPC synthesis causes impairment of cell integrity, and this effect is enhanced by impaired synthesis of mannan‐type N‐glycans.
Residues located on membrane‐embedded flexible loops are essential for the second step of the apolipoprotein N‐acyltransferase reaction
Authors: Gélis‐Jeanvoine Sébastien , Lory Stephen , Oberto Jacques , Buddelmeijer Nienke 
Published: December 2014

SummaryApolipoprotein N‐acyltransferase (Lnt) is an essential membrane‐bound enzyme that catalyzes the third and last step in the post‐translational modification of bacterial lipoproteins. In order to identify essential residues implicated in substrate recognition and/or binding we screened for non‐functional variants of Lnt obtained by error‐prone polymerase chain reaction in a complementation assay using a lnt depletion strain. Mutations included amino acid substitutions in the active site and of residues located on flexible loops in the catalytic periplasmic domain. All, but one mutation, led to the formation of the thioester acyl‐enzyme intermediate and to the accumulation of apo‐Lpp, suggesting that these residues are involved in the second step of the reaction. A large cytoplasmic loop contains a highly conserved region and two hydrophobic segments. Accessibility analysis to alkylating reagents of substituted cysteine residues introduced in this region demonstrated that the hydrophobic segments do not completely span the membrane. Two residues in the highly conserved cytoplasmic region were shown to be essential for Lnt function. Together, our data suggest that amino acids located on flexible cytoplasmic and periplasmic loops, predicted to be membrane embedded, are required for efficient N‐acylation of lipoproteins.
Small regulatory RNAs and the fine‐tuning of plant–bacteria interactions
Authors: Harfouche Lamia , Haichar Feth el Zahar , Achouak Wafa 
Published: December 2014

SummarySmall regulatory RNAs (sRNAs) play a key role in many physiological and adaptive responses in bacteria. Faced with rapidly changing environments, it is more advantageous for bacteria to use sRNA‐mediated responses than regulation by protein transcriptional factors, as sRNAs act at the post‐transcriptional level and require less energy and time for their synthesis and turnover. The use of RNA deep sequencing has provided hundreds of sRNA candidates in different bacterial species that interact with plants. Here, we review the most recent results for the involvement of bacterial sRNAs in beneficial as well as deleterious plant–bacteria interactions. We describe the current view for the role of sRNAs, which are suggested to improve competition for both niches and resources in plant‐interacting bacteria. These sRNAs also help plant‐associated bacteria individually adapt to the rapidly changing conditions to which they are exposed, during different stages of this interaction.
Expression of Steroid Hormone Receptors in the Genital Structures of a True Hermaphrodite Pug Dog
Authors: Bartel C , Meyer F , Schäfer‐Somi S , Walter I 
Published: December 2014

ContentsHermaphroditism is a rare and a not well‐understood disordered sexual development (DSD) in dogs. The objective of the study was to analyse the sex steroid hormone receptor (STHR) expression patterns in the internal genital structures, because the responsiveness of the different tissue types to the steroid hormones may have a key role in pathological alterations based on DSDs. Furthermore, the adhesion molecule β‐catenin was investigated by means of immunohistochemistry because of its important role in development, tissue integrity and disease. Molecular sexing was performed via PCR targeting DBX/DBY genes to identify the pug dog as a true XX hermaphrodite. The portions of uterine tissue revealed comparable expression patterns for STHRs as investigated in normal female reproductive tissue. In the male parts, β‐catenin showed strong expression in the Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules; this was in contrast to normal testicular tissue. Likewise, the layers of smooth muscle actin‐positive cells surrounding the seminiferous tubules were reduced in the hermaphrodite. The results of this study deepen the knowledge of tissue characteristics in a hermaphrodite dog and highlight the importance of early diagnosis because the STH responsiveness in maldeveloped reproductive tissue might lead to serious problems for the dog.
Inclined K–Ar illite age spectra in brittle fault gouges: effects of fault reactivation and wall‐rock contamination
Authors: Torgersen Espen , Viola Giulio , Zwingmann Horst , Henderson Iain H. C. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractK–Ar clay fraction ages of brittle faults often vary with grain size, decreasing in the finer size fractions, producing an inclined age–grain‐size spectrum. K–Ar ages and mineralogical characterization of gouges from two normal faults in the Kongsberg silver mines, southern Norway, suggest that inclined spectra derived from brittle fault rocks reflect the mixing of inherited components with authigenic mineral phases. The ages of the coarsest and finest fractions constrain faulting at c. 260–270 Ma and reactivation around 200–210 Ma, respectively. This study demonstrates how wall‐rock contamination influences the K–Ar age of the coarsest size fractions and that authigenic illite and K‐feldspar can crystallize synkinematically under equivalent conditions and thus yield the same K–Ar ages.
Relocation of cryopreserved umbilical cord blood samples using a high‐capacity dry shipper to a new laboratory: a cord blood banking experience
Authors: Thiagarajah Kalaivani , Wong Chee‐Yin , Vijayan Vickneswary Veera , Ooi Ghee‐Chien , Ng Mei‐Theng , Cheong Soon‐Keng , Then Kong‐Yong 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundProcessed umbilical cord blood (UCB) must be stored at cryogenic temperature at all times to maintain the quality and viability of the cells. However, a challenge is presented in the form of moving a large number of cryopreserved UCB samples to a new location. In this report, we share our experience on relocating more than 100,000 units of cryopreserved UCB samples stored in 12 liquid nitrogen freezers (LNFs) to our new laboratory.Study Design and MethodsFor quality control purposes, 2 weeks before relocation, donor UCB samples were processed, cryopreserved, and stored in each LNF. On relocation day, half of the samples were retrieved to determine total nucleated cell count, percentage of CD34+ cells, and cell viability as controls for later comparison. UCB samples were transferred into dry shippers before being relocated to the new laboratory. Upon arrival, LNFs were serviced before transferring UCB samples back into its original location within the LNF. The remaining donor UCB samples were retrieved and analyzed for the same tests mentioned.ResultsWe found no significant differences in pre‐ and postrelocation values of the tests performed.ConclusionAll UCB samples were successfully relocated into the new laboratory without affecting the quality.
Risk factors for retrovirus and hepatitis virus infections in accepted blood donors
Authors: Custer Brian , Kessler Debra , Vahidnia Farnaz , Leparc German , Krysztof David E. , Shaz Beth , Kamel Hany , Glynn Simone , Dodd Roger Y. , Stramer Susan L. ,   NHLBI Retrovirus Epidemiology Donor Study‐II (REDS‐II)
Published: December 2014

BackgroundRisk factor surveillance among infected blood donors provides information on the effectiveness of eligibility assessment and is critical for reducing risk of transfusion‐transmitted infection.Study Design and MethodsAmerican Red Cross, Blood Systems, Inc., New York Blood Center, and OneBlood participated in a case‐control study from 2010 to 2013. Donors with serologic and nucleic acid testing (NAT) or NAT‐only confirmed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or serology‐confirmed human T‐lymphotropic virus (HTLV) infections (cases) and donors with false‐positive results (controls) were interviewed for putative behavioral and demographic risks. Frequencies and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) from multivariable logistic regression analyses for each exposure in cases compared to controls are reported.ResultsIn the study, 196 HIV, 292 HBV, 316 HCV, and 198 HTLV cases, and 1587 controls were interviewed. For HIV, sex with an HIV+ person (AOR, 132; 95% confidence interval [CI], 27‐650) and male‐male sex (AOR, 62; 95% CI, 27‐140) were primary risk factors. For HBV, first‐time donor status (AOR, 16; 95% CI, 10‐27), sex with an injection drug user (IDU; AOR, 11; 95% CI, 5‐28), and black race (AOR, 11; 95% CI, 6‐19) were primary. For HCV, IDU (AOR, 42; 95% CI, 13‐136), first time (AOR, 18; 95% CI, 10‐30), and a family member with hepatitis (AOR, 15; 95% CI, 6‐40) were primary. For HTLV, sex with an IDU (AOR, 22; 95% CI, 10‐48), 55 years old or more (AOR, 21; 95% CI, 8‐52], and first time (AOR, 15; 95% CI, 9‐24) were primary.ConclusionsDespite education efforts and risk screening, individuals with deferrable risks still donate; they may fail to understand or ignore or do not believe they have risk. Recipients have potential transfusion‐transmitted infection risk because of nondisclosure by donors.
Activity of cytochrome P450 1A2 in relation to hepatic iron accumulation in transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassaemia major patients
Authors: Shteyer E. , Nitzan I. , Godfarb A. , Hemed N. , Revel‐Vilk S. 
Published: December 2014

BackgroundCytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) is a cytochrome enzyme with a pivotal role in hepatic drug metabolism. Data from CYP1A2(−/−) mouse suggest that CYP1A2 plays a role in aspects of hepatic iron toxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the activity of CYP1A2 in relation to hepatic iron load in patients with transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassaemia major.MethodsThe 13C‐methacetin continuous breath test was performed on 30 consecutive patients with transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassaemia major. CYP1A2 activity was measured by the rate at which the 13C substrate is metabolized and exhaled expressed as percentage dose recovery (PDR) per hour. CYP1A2 activity was correlated with clinical and laboratory parameters and hepatic iron accumulation by T2* magnetic resonance imaging (T2*MRI).ResultsCytochrome P450 1A2 activity in patients with transfusion‐dependent β‐ thalassaemia major was positivity correlated with plasma ferritin levels. No correlation was found with age, duration and amount of red blood cell transfusion and type of iron chelation therapy. Low CYP1A2 activity was negatively associated with hepatic iron accumulation (T2*MRI ≤ 6·3 ms); adjusted odds ratio (OR; 95% CI) for hepatic iron accumulation in patients with low CYP1A2 activity was 0·047 (0·003–0·72; P = 0·021). Of the six patients with decreased activity of CYP1A2, five had no hepatic iron accumulation and one had mild hepatic iron accumulation by T2*MRI.ConclusionActivity of CYP1A2 is associated with hepatic iron accumulation in patients with transfusion‐depended β‐thalassaemia major. Further studies are needed to assess the exact role of CYP1A2 in iron metabolism in human.
Integration of Shape Memory Alloy Wires in Fiber Reinforced Polymers for Endless Crash Absorber Structures
Authors: Nissle Sebastian , Hübler Moritz , Gurka Martin , Schmeer Sebastian , Voll Nikolai 
Published: December 2014

Today in most cases crash absorber elements are made of metals. Those materials absorb the energy during a crash event by ductile plastification, as e.g. by buckling. Fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) offer due to their heterogenic structure several failure mechanisms for energy absorption under compressive load, such as fiber-break, matrix-break, delamination, fiber pull-out, fiber-matrix-interphase failure and friction processes. This in combination with the low density leads to significantly better specific energy absorption of FRP absorbers (50 J/g to 200 J/g FRP, 20 J/g steel, 40 J/g aluminum). But in case of tensile load fiber reinforced polymers break brittle and the energy absorption level is low. Today as a consequence of rising energy costs FRP with their good specific mechanic properties are used more and more also for crash relevant structures as in automobiles and aircrafts. For this applications a good crash behavior in both cases, compressive and tensile loading, is important. The integration of metal elements in FRP-structures offers the possibility to improve the tensile crash behavior of fiber reinforced polymers as the metal elements can prevent a catastrophic failure of the structure in case of FRP-break and distributes the load during tensile deformation on a larger FRP volume. The integration of shape memory alloys (SMA) with their pseudoplastic martensitic detwinning plateau allows for manufacturing of an “endless” crash absorber in case of tensile load. Required is a well dimensioned structure of shape memory alloys, e.g. a wire mesh, the FRP component and their interface. Doing so, it is possible to get huge number of breaks in the SMA reinforced FRP. The pseudoplastic detwinning plateau and the huge strain hardening of the SMA material ensure that after a FRP-break and the drop of the force level associated therewith the force level in the whole structure raises again so that another FRP-break is initiated. Also the reinforcement prevents a complete failure of the structure.
In this contribution we present a theoretical extrapolation of the behavior of these new hybrid structures under tensile loading, give an estimation of their potential and demonstrate a first experimental validation of this new concept.
Experimental Analysis of Self-Folding SMA-Based Sheet Design for Simulation Validation
Authors: Powledge Aaron C. , Hartl Darren J. , Malak Richard J. 
Published: December 2014

The goal of this research is to experimentally characterize the capabilities of a concept for a self-folding reconfigurable sheet for use in origami-inspired engineering design and to use this characterization to validate simulations of physics-based models of the sheet. The sheet consists of an active, self-morphing laminate that contains two shape memory alloy (SMA) mesh layers and a passive compliant medium between these layers. The SMA layers are thermally actuated, allowing bending to occur in both positive and negative directions to create soft hill and valley folds. These folds are completely reversible, allowing the structure to fold and unfold without permanent deformation. Unlike past work on self-folding structures, these sheets can have folds along any line, be subsequently unfolded, and then be folded again in a new way.
To explore the effect of changing design parameters on the performance metrics of the sheet, it is desirable to use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations instead of relying on time consuming experiments. Such models have been created incorporating user material subroutines (UMATs) in an FEA solver such as Abaqus to capture material behavior, but these must now be validated against experimental data to establish how well they match experimental performance. The primary performance metric of the sheet was chosen to be the radius of curvature measured perpendicularly to the line of heating. Both experiment and simulation focus on the radius of curvature achieved by the sheet for a given set of design parameters and actuation path. The goal of validation is to achieve a desirable level of agreement and repeatability in these results.
To measure the deformation and curvature in the sheet as it actuates, a 3D Digital Image Correlation (3D DIC) system is employed to track the movement of points along the surface of the sample as it is heated to a temperature above the transformation temperature of the SMA and allowed to fully actuate. These tools are utilized for a number of samples so that validation of the sheet encompasses multiple values for each of the primary design parameters.
Integrated Design Optimization of Dielectric Elastomer Actuators in High-Performance Switchgear
Authors: Price Aaron D. , Ask Anna 
Published: December 2014

Although the performance of stacked dielectric elastomers has been demonstrated experimentally, improved simulation tools are required to accurately predict their dynamic performance in demanding applications in the power and automation industries. This investigation presents an integrated design optimization system that elucidates the relationship between various design variables and resulting electromechanical system performance in the context of a dielectric elastomer actuator driven electrical contactor.
The system comprises several specially developed software modules that interact to automatically determine an optimal design. The core module consists of a user material subroutine that models electro-viscoelastic elastomers, the development of which is presented herein. This material behavior is then integrated within a coupled multi-body simulation implemented in the ABAQUS commercial finite element software. This module captures the mechanical dynamics of the switchgear for a given actuator design candidate. Finally, a fully-integrated multi-objective optimization workflow that automatically generates and evaluates design candidates is presented.
An Experimental Assessment of the Thermo-Elastic Response in Acrylic Elastomers and Natural Rubbers for Application on Electroactive Polymer Transducers
Authors: Berselli Giovanni , Vertechy Rocco , Fontana Marco , Pellicciari Marcello 
Published: December 2014

Dielectric Elastomers (DEs) are deformable dielectrics, which are currently used as active materials in mechatronic transducers, such as actuators, sensors and generators. Nonetheless, at the present state of the art, the industrial exploitation of DE-based devices is still hampered by the irregular electro-mechanical behavior of the employed materials, also due to the unpredictable effects of environmental changes in real world applications. In many cases, DE transducers are still developed via trial-and-error procedures rather than through a well-structured design practice, one reason being the lack of experimental data along with reliable constitutive parameters of many potential DE materials.
Therefore, in order to provide the practicing engineer with some essential information, an open-access database for DE materials has been recently created and presented in [1]. Following the same direction, this paper addresses the temperature effect on the visco-hyperelastic behavior of two DE candidates, namely a natural rubber (ZRUNEK A1040) and a well-known acrylic elastomer (3M VHB 4905). Measurements are performed on pure shear specimens placed in a climactic chamber. Experimental stress-strain curves are then provided, which makes it possible to predict hyperelasticity, plasticity, viscosity, and Mullins effect as function of the environmental temperature. Properties of these commercial elastomeric membranes are finally entered in the database and made available to the research community.