bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Psk1, an AGC kinase family member in fission yeast, is directly phosphorylated and controlled by TORC1 and functions as S6 kinase
Authors: Nakashima Akio , Otsubo Yoko , Yamashita Akira , Sato Tatsuhiro , Yamamoto Masayuki , Tamanoi Fuyuhiko 
Published: September 2012

Summary
Target of rapamycin (TOR), an evolutionarily conserved serine/threonine protein kinase, plays pivotal roles in several important cellular processes in eukaryotes. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, TOR complex 1 (TORC1), which includes Tor2 as a catalytic subunit, manages the switch between cell proliferation and differentiation by sensing nutrient availability. However, little is known about the direct target of TORC1 that plays key roles in nutrient-dependent TORC1 signaling in fission yeast. Here we report that in fission yeast, three AGC kinase family members, named Psk1, Sck1 and Sck2, which exhibit high homology with human S6K1, are phosphorylated under nutrient-rich conditions and are dephosphorylated by starvation conditions. Among these, Psk1 is necessary for phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6. Furthermore, Psk1 phosphorylation is regulated by TORC1 in nutrient-dependent and rapamycin-sensitive manners in vivo. Three conserved regulatory motifs (the activation loop, the hydrophobic and the turn motifs) in Psk1 are phosphorylated and these modifications are required for Psk1 activity. In particular, phosphorylation of the hydrophobic motif is catalyzed by TORC1 in vivo and in vitro. Ksg1, a homolog of PDK1, is also important for Psk1 phosphorylation in the activation loop and for its activity. The TORC1 components Pop3, Toc1 and Tco89, are dispensable for Psk1 regulation, but disruption of pop3+ causes an increase in the sensitivity of TORC1 to rapamycin. Taken together, these results provide convincing evidence that TORC1/Psk1/Rps6 constitutes a nutrient-dependent signaling pathway in fission yeast.
G-actin regulates the shuttling and PP1 binding of the RPEL protein Phactr1 to control actomyosin assembly
Authors: Wiezlak Maria , Diring Jessica , Abella Jasmine , Mouilleron Stephane , Way Michael , McDonald Neil Q. , Treisman Richard 
Published: September 2012

Summary
The Phactr family of PP1-binding proteins is implicated in human diseases including Parkinson’s, cancer and myocardial infarction. Each Phactr protein contains four G-actin binding RPEL motifs, including an N-terminal motif, abutting a basic element, and a C-terminal triple RPEL repeat, which overlaps a conserved C-terminus required for interaction with PP1. RPEL motifs are also found in the regulatory domains of the MRTF transcriptional coactivators, where they control MRTF subcellular localisation and activity by sensing signal-induced changes in G-actin concentration. However, whether G-actin binding controls Phactr protein function – and its relation to signalling – has not been investigated. Here, we show that Rho-actin signalling induced by serum stimulation promotes the nuclear accumulation of Phactr1, but not other Phactr family members. Actin binding by the three Phactr1 C-terminal RPEL motifs is required for Phactr1 cytoplasmic localisation in resting cells. Phactr1 nuclear accumulation is importin α-β dependent. G-actin and importin α-β bind competitively to nuclear import signals associated with the N- and C-terminal RPEL motifs. All four motifs are required for the inhibition of serum-induced Phactr1 nuclear accumulation when G-actin is elevated. G-actin and PP1 bind competitively to the Phactr1 C-terminal region, and Phactr1 C-terminal RPEL mutants that cannot bind G-actin induce aberrant actomyosin structures dependent on their nuclear accumulation and on PP1 binding. In CHL-1 melanoma cells, Phactr1 exhibits actin-regulated subcellular localisation and is required for stress fibre assembly, motility and invasiveness. These data support a role for Phactr1 in actomyosin assembly and suggest that Phactr1 G-actin sensing allows its coordination with F-actin availability.
The Tetrahymena meiotic chromosome bouquet is organized by centromeres and promotes interhomolog recombination
Authors: Loidl Josef , Lukaszewicz Agnieszka , Howard-Till Rachel A. , Koestler Tina 
Published: September 2012

Summary
In order to form crossovers and to undergo reductional segregation during meiosis, homologous chromosomes must pair. In Tetrahymena, meiotic prophase nuclei elongate immensely, and, within the elongated nucleus, chromosomes are arranged with telomeres assembled at one pole and centromeres at the opposite pole. This organisation is an exaggerated form of the bouquet, a meiotic chromosome arrangement that is widely conserved among eukaryotes. We show that centromere function is crucial for the formation of Tetrahymena’s stretched bouquet and, thereby, for homologue pairing. This finding adds to previous reports of the importance of centromeres in chromosome pairing in budding yeast and in Drosophila. Tetrahymena’s bouquet is an ataxia telangiectasia- and RAD3-related (ATR)-dependent meiotic DNA damage response that is triggered by meiotic DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), suggesting that the bouquet is needed for DSB repair. However, in the present study we show that although homologous pairing is impeded in the absence of the bouquet, DSB repair takes place nevertheless. Moreover, recombinational DSB repair, as monitored by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, takes place only after exit from the bouquet stage. Therefore, we conclude that the bouquet is not required for DSB repair per se, but may be necessary for the alignment of homologous loci in order to promote homologous crossovers over alternative repair pathways.
MAPK phosphorylation is implicated in the adaptation to desiccation stress in nematodes
Authors: Banton Matthew C. , Tunnacliffe Alan 
Published: September 2012

Summary
Some nematodes can survive almost complete desiccation by entering an ametabolic state called anhydrobiosis requiring the accumulation of protective molecules such as trehalose and LEA proteins. However, it is not known how anhydrobiotic organisms sense and regulate the response to water loss. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are highly conserved signalling proteins that regulate adaptation to various stresses. Here, we first compared the anhydrobiotic potential of three nematode species, Caenorhabditis elegans (Maupas, 1900), Aphelenchus avenae (Bastian, 1865) and Panagrolaimus superbus (Fuchs, 1930), and then determined the phosphorylation status of the MAPKs p38, JNK and ERK during desiccation and rehydration. C. elegans was unable to undergo anhydrobiosis even after an initial phase of slow drying (preconditioning), while A. avenae did survive desiccation after preconditioning. In contrast, P. superbus withstood desiccation under rapid drying conditions, although survival rates improved with preconditioning. These results characterise C. elegans as desiccation sensitive, A. avenae as a slow desiccation strategist anhydrobiote, and P. superbus as a fast desiccation strategist anhydrobiote. Both C. elegans and A. avenae showed increased MAPK phosphorylation during drying, consistent with an attempt to mount protection systems against desiccation stress. In P. superbus, however, MAPK phosphorylation was apparent prior to water loss and then decreased on dehydration, suggesting that signal transduction pathways are constitutively active in this nematode. Inhibition of p38 and JNK in P. superbus decreased its desiccation tolerance. This is consistent with the designation of P. superbus as a fast desiccation strategist and its high level of preparedness for anhydrobiosis in the hydrated state. These findings show that MAPKs play an important role in the survival of organisms during anhydrobiosis.
Water-in-oil Microemulsion Formation with Aqueous Cn-TAB Solution and H-AOT/Isooctane Solution
Authors: Oshitani Jun , Baba Yuichi , Takashina Shiho , Yoshida Mikio , Ishida Naoyuki 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Aqueous Cn-TAB (n = 8, 10, and 12; octyl-, decyl-, and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide) solution and isooctane solution of H-AOT (hydrogen bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate) were mixed using a vortex mixer to produce a water-in-oil (W/O) microemulsion. The microemulsion was formed with the critical amount of Cn-TAB; the order of the critical amount was C12-TAB &lt; C10-TAB &lt; C8-TAB. A possible cause for the microemulsion formation was proposed based on the screening of the electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged AOT’s polar headgroups by the positively charged Cn-TAB’s polar headgroups, the hydrophobic interaction between hydrocarbon chains, and hydrated water around AOT’s polar headgroup.
Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of stenotic aortic valve area: a comparative study
Authors: Dimitriou Praxitelis , Kähäri Anders , Emilsson Kent , Thunberg Per 
Published: September 2012

Background Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and echocardiography both allow assessment of aortic valve stenosis. In MR the aortic valve area (AvA) is measured using planimetry while in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) AvA is usually calculated by applying the continuity equation. Purpose To compare the measured stenotic aortic valve areas using five different MR-acquisition alternatives with the corresponding area values calculated by TTE. Material and Methods The aortic valve was imaged in 14 patients, with diagnosed aortic valve stenosis, using balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP) gradient echo (GE) and phase contrast imaging (PC). Three adjacent slices were planned to encompass the aortic valve and the aortic valve area was measured using planimetry. The two sets of complex valued images generated by the PC sequence formed three kinds of images that could be used for aortic valve area measurements: the magnitude image (PC/Mag), the modulus (PCA/M), and phase difference (PCA/P) between the two complex images, respectively. The valve area from TTE was calculated using the continuity equation. A cut-off of<1.0 cm2 was used as a criteria for severe stenosis. Results The mean area differences between the different MR acquisitions and TTE method were −0.05±0.37 cm2 (GE), −0.18±0.46 cm2 (bSSFP), 0.27-0.43 cm2 (PC/Mag), 0.15±0.32 cm2 (PCA/P), and 0.26±0.27 cm2 (PCA/M). The valve area was significantly overestimated using PCA/M that, in turn, implied a significant underestimation of the aortic valve stenosis severity compared to the assessments using TTE. Conclusion The smallest area valve difference between TTE and an MR-acquisition alternative is obtained with gradient echo images. The use of PCA/M leads to significant differences in planimetry measurements of the aortic valve orifice and the gradation of the stenosis severity compared to TTE.
Determination of 19 Cardiac Troponin I and T Assay 99th Percentile Values from a Common Presumably Healthy Population
Authors: Apple Fred S , Ler Ranka , Murakami MaryAnn M 
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND
Between-assay comparability of 99th percentiles for cardiac troponin concentrations has not been assessed systematically in a single population for a large number of assays.

METHODS
We determined 99th percentiles for 19 cardiac troponin assays in heparin plasma samples from a population of 272 and 252 presumably healthy males and females, respectively. The assays evaluated included 1 cardiac troponin T (cTnT) assay from Roche and 18 cTnI assays from Abbott, Alere, Beckman, bioMerieux, Instrumentation Laboratory, Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Singulex, Siemens, and Roche. Five of these assays were categorized as high-sensitivity, 9 as sensitive-contemporary, and 5 as point-of-care (POC) assays.

RESULTS
For high-sensitivity cTnI (hs-cTnI) assays 99th percentiles varied from 23 to 58 ng/L. At least 80% of individuals had measurable hs-cTnI, whereas only 25% had measurable high-sensitivity cTnT. All high-sensitivity cardic troponin assays had 99th percentiles that were 1.2–2.4-fold higher in males than females. For the 9 sensitive-contemporary cTnI assays, 99th percentiles varied from 12 to 392 ng/L, and only the Beckman assay gave measurable concentrations in a substantial portion of the population (35% vs ≤6% for the others). Seven of these 9 assays had 1.3–5.0-fold higher 99th percentiles for males than females. For 5 cTnI POC assays, 99th percentiles varied from &lt;10 to 40 ng/L. The Instrumentation Laboratory assay gave measurable results in 27.8% of study participants vs ≤6% for the others. Correlations were generally poor among assays.

CONCLUSIONS
Among cardiac troponin assays 99th percentile concentrations appear to differ. High-sensitivity assays provide measurable cardiac troponin results in a substantially greater fraction of presumably healthy individuals.
The Value of Ultrasound in Detecting Extra-Axillary Regional Node Involvement in Patients With Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Iyengar Puneeth , Strom Eric A. , Zhang Yu-Jing , Whitman Gary J. , Smith Benjamin D. , Woodward Wendy A. , Yu Tse-Kuan , Buchholz Thomas A. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe the ways in which regional ultrasound has contributed to more accurate staging in a population of locally advanced breast cancer patients.Explain how regional nodal information leads to changes in radiation therapy portals and total doses.Discuss the role of regional ultrasound in reflecting a truer level of disease burden in locally advanced breast cancer patients before therapies, including neoadjuvant chemotherapy, may limit knowledge of disease extent and consequently affect radiation treatment planning.
CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com
Assessment of the regional lymphatics is important for accurate staging and treatment of breast cancer patients. We sought to determine the role of regional ultrasound in providing clinically relevant information. We retrospectively analyzed data from patients who were treated curatively in 1996–2006 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for clinical stage III breast cancer. We compared differences in regional lymph node staging based on ultrasound versus mammography and physical examination in the 865 of 1,200 patients who had external-beam radiation as part of their treatment and regional ultrasound studies as part of their initial evaluation. Ultrasound uniquely identified additional lymph node involvement beyond the level I or II axilla in 37% of the patients (325 of 865), leading to a change in clinical nodal stage. Ninety-one percent of these abnormalities that could be biopsied (266 or 293) were confirmed to contain disease. The sites of additional regional nodal disease were: infraclavicular disease, 32% (275 of 865); supraclavicular disease, 16% (140 of 865); and internal mammary disease, 11% (98 of 865). All patients with involvement in the extra-axillary regional nodal basins received a radiation boost to the involved areas ≥10 Gy. Thus, over one third of patients with advanced breast cancer had their radiation plan altered by the ultrasound findings. Regional ultrasound evaluation in patients with advanced breast cancer commonly revealed abnormalities within and beyond the axilla, which changed the clinical stage of disease and the radiation treatment strategy. Therefore, regional ultrasound is beneficial in the initial staging evaluation for such patients.
Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Children with CKD
Authors: Brady Tammy M. , Schneider Michael F. , Flynn Joseph T. , Cox Christopher , Samuels Joshua , Saland Jeffrey , White Colin T. , Furth Susan , Warady Bradley A. , Mitsnefes Mark 
Published: September 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
In adults, increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) as assessed by ultrasonography is a valid predictor of cardiovascular events. Children with CKD are known to be at increased cardiovascular risk. This study sought to identify cardiovascular risk factors associated with increased cIMT in children with CKD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements
This was a cross-sectional analysis of cIMT obtained after 12 months of follow-up of 101 children aged 2–18 years with mild to moderate CKD (median GFR 42.9 ml/min per 1.73 m2) in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children cohort study enrolled between April 2005 and September 2009 and 97 healthy pediatric controls between January 2003 and December 2008. An average of six standardized B-mode ultrasound measurements constituted the overall cIMT measurement.

Results
The median cIMT was 0.43 mm (interquartile range, 0.38–0.48) compared with 0.41 mm in healthy controls (P=0.03 for difference). After multivariable adjustment, the median cIMT was 0.02 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01–0.05) larger than that of the healthy controls. In a multivariable linear regression analysis, dyslipidemia and hypertension were associated with 0.05 mm (95% CI, 0.01–0.08) and 0.04 mm (95% CI, 0.003–0.08) greater mean cIMT, respectively. Body mass index, CKD etiology, GFR, birth weight, pubertal status, calcium, phosphorus, sex, and race were not associated with cIMT.

Conclusions
cIMT is significantly elevated among children with CKD, as is the prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors. Of these risk factors, hypertension and dyslipidemia are significantly associated with increased cIMT.
IRCS: Valuing Ethics at the Expense of Inventory
Authors: Long James H. , Mertins Lasse , Searcy DeWayne L. 
Published: September 2012

ABSTRACT:
Lisa Martin, the newly promoted controller at International Retail Computer Solutions (IRCS), faces an ethical dilemma. According to her calculations, the company should record a substantial inventory impairment loss. However, top management at IRCS is concerned that Martin's proposed inventory impairment adjustment will place the company in violation of an important debt covenant, which would allow the bank to call IRCS's $10 million note. Should Martin insist on keeping her original inventory impairment adjustment? Or should she be a team player and revise the adjustment downward to prevent a debt covenant violation? As students respond to the case questions, they are exposed to a realistic scenario requiring them to think critically about the underlying accounting issues and to consider the ethical implications of Martin's actions. In addition, the case requires them to apply an ethical framework (the AICPA's Code of Professional Conduct) to determine the ethical course of action.
Dilatometric Characterization of Foundry Sands
Authors: Břuska M. , Beňo J. , Cagala M , Jasinková V 
Published: September 2012

Dilatometric Characterization of Foundry Sands
The goal of this contribution is summary of physical - chemistry properties of usually used foundry silica and no - silica sands in Czech foundries. With the help of dilatometry analysis theoretical assumptions of influence of grain shape and size on dilatation value of sands were confirmed. Determined was the possibility of dilatometry analysis employment for preparing special (hybrid) sands with lower and/or more linear character of dilatation.
Gating Systems for Sizeable Castings from Al Alloys Cast into Ceramic Moulds
Authors: Stachovec I. , Horáček M. , Zemčík L. , Kolda V. , Horenský J. 
Published: September 2012

Gating Systems for Sizeable Castings from Al Alloys Cast into Ceramic Moulds
In contrast to casting to conventional non-reusable "sand" moulds, for which calculating technique for an optimum design of the gating system is comparatively well-developed, a trial-and-error method is applied mostly for casting to ceramic shell moulds made by the investment casting technology. A technologist selects from gating systems of several types (that are standardized by the foundry mostly) on the basis of experience. However, this approach is not sustainable with ever growing demands on quality of castings and also the economy of their fabrication as well as with new types of complex sizeable castings introduced to the production gradually (by new customers from the aircraft industry above all) any more. The simulation software may be used as a possible tool for making the process of optimising gating systems more effective.
Microstructure and Microhardness of Ti6Al4V Alloy Treated by GTAW SiC Alloying
Authors: Bochnowski W. 
Published: September 2012

Microstructure and Microhardness of Ti6Al4V Alloy Treated by GTAW SiC Alloying
In this work, the change of the structure and microhardness of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy after remelting and remelting with SiC alloing by electric arc welding (GTAW method) was studied. The current intensity equal 100 A and fixed scan speed rate equal 0,2 m/min has been used to remelting surface of the alloy. Change of structure were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy. Microhardness test showed, that the remelting of the surface does not change the hardness of the alloy. Treated by GTAW SiC alloying leads to the formation of hard (570 HV0, 1) surface layer with a thickness of 2 mm. The resulting surface layer is characterized by diverse morphology alloyed zone. The fracture of alloy after conventional heat treatment, similarly to fracture after remelting with GTAW is characterized by extremely fine dimples of plastic deformation. In the alloyed specimens the intergranular and crystalline fracture was identified.
Individualized Behavioral Assessments and Maternal Ratings of Mastery Motivation in Mental Age–Matched Toddlers With and Without Motor Delay
Authors: Wang Pei-Jung , Morgan George A. , Hwang Ai-Wen , Liao Hua-Fang 
Published: September 2012

BackgroundMastery motivation is a precursor of future developmental outcomes. Evidence about whether toddlers with motor delay have lower mastery motivation is inconclusive.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to examine differences between mental age–matched toddlers with and without motor delay on various mastery motivation indicators.DesignA mental age– and sex-matched case-control study was performed.MethodsTwenty-two children with motor delay, aged 23 to 47 months, and 22 children who were developing typically, aged 15 to 29 months, were recruited. Persistence and mastery pleasure were measured with behavioral tasks that were moderately challenging for each child and with maternal ratings using the Dimensions of Mastery Questionnaire (DMQ). The DMQ was rated by each child's mother based on her perception of her child's motivation. Two types of structured tasks (a puzzle and a cause-effect toy selected to be moderately challenging for each child) were administered in a laboratory setting and recorded on videos. Paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to examine group differences in persistence and mastery pleasure (α=.007, 2-tailed).ResultsChildren with motor delay were rated lower on DMQ persistence than the typically developing group, but they did not show significantly lower persistence on the structured tasks. There were no significant differences in mastery pleasure between the 2 groups on either measure.LimitationsLarge within-sample variability on the tasks and small sample size makes subgroup analysis (eg, different severities) difficult.ConclusionsToddlers with motor delay did not show lower persistence and pleasure when given tasks that were moderately challenging; however, their mothers tended to view them as having lower motivation. Clinicians and parents should provide appropriately challenging tasks to increase children's success and motivation.