bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CK2-dependent phosphorylation of occludin regulates the interaction with ZO-proteins and tight junction integrity
Authors: Dörfel Max J , Westphal Julie K , Bellmann Christian , Krug Susanne M , Cording Jimmi , Mittag Sonnhild , Tauber Rudolf , Fromm Michael , Blasig Ingolf E , Huber Otmar 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a ubiquitously expressed Ser/Thr kinase with multiple functions in the regulation of cell proliferation and transformation. In targeting adherens and tight junctions (TJs), CK2 modulates the strength and dynamics of epithelial cell-cell contacts. Occludin previously was identified as a substrate of CK2, however the functional consequences of CK2-dependent occludin phosphorylation on TJ function were unknown.

Results
Here, we present evidence that phosphorylation of a Thr400-XXX-Thr404-XXX-Ser408 motif in the C-terminal cytoplasmic tail of human occludin regulates assembly/disassembly and barrier properties of TJs. In contrast to wildtype and T400A/T404A/S408A-mutated occludin, a phospho-mimetic Occ-T400E/T404E/S408E construct was impaired in binding to ZO-2. Interestingly, pre-phosphorylation of a GST-Occ C-terminal domain fusion protein attenuated binding to ZO-2, whereas, binding to ZO-1 was not affected. Moreover, Occ-T400E/T404E/S408E showed delayed reassembly into TJs in Ca2+-switch experiments. Stable expression of Occ-T400E/T404E/S408E in MDCK C11 cells augments barrier properties in enhancing paracellular resistance in two-path impedance spectroscopy, whereas expression of wildtype and Occ-T400A/T404A/S408A did not affect transepithelial resistance.

Conclusions
These results suggest an important role of CK2 in epithelial tight junction regulation. The occludin sequence motif at amino acids 400–408 apparently represents a hotspot for Ser/Thr-kinase phosphorylation and depending on the residue(s) which are phosphorylated it differentially modulates the functional properties of the TJ.
Single-step electrochemical functionalization of double-walled carbon nanotube (DWCNT) membranes and the demonstration of ionic rectification
Authors: Zhan Xin , Wu Ji , Chen Zhiqiang , Hinds Bruce J 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Carbon nanotube (CNT) membranes allow the mimicking of natural ion channels for applications in drug delivery and chemical separation. Double-walled carbon nanotube membranes were simply functionalized with dye in a single step instead of the previous two-step functionalization. Non-faradic electrochemical impedance spectra indicated that the functionalized gatekeeper by single-step modification can be actuated to mimic the protein channel under bias. This functional chemistry was proven by a highly efficient ion rectification, wherein the highest experimental rectification factor of ferricyanide was up to 14.4. One-step functionalization by electrooxidation of amine provides a simple and promising functionalization chemistry for the application of CNT membranes.
Myoelectrically controlled wrist robot for stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Song Rong , Tong Kai-yu , Hu Xiaoling , Zhou Wei 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundRobot-assisted rehabilitation is an advanced new technology in stroke rehabilitation to provide intensive training. Post-stroke motor recovery depends on active rehabilitation by voluntary participation of patient’s paretic motor system as early as possible in order to promote reorganization of brain. However, voluntary residual motor efforts to the affected limb have not been involved enough in most robot-assisted rehabilitation for patients after stroke. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of robot-assisted rehabilitation using myoelectric control on upper limb motor recovery.MethodsIn the present study, an exoskeleton-type rehabilitation robotic system was designed to provide voluntarily controlled assisted torque to the affected wrist. Voluntary intention was involved by using the residual surface electromyography (EMG) from flexor carpi radialis(FCR) and extensor carpi radialis (ECR)on the affected limb to control the mechanical assistance provided by the robotic system during wrist flexion and extension in a 20-session training. The system also applied constant resistant torque to the affected wrist during the training. Sixteen subjects after stroke had been recruited for evaluating the tracking performance and therapeutical effects of myoelectrically controlled robotic system.ResultsWith the myoelectrically-controlled assistive torque, stroke survivors could reach a larger range of motion with a significant decrease in the EMG signal from the agonist muscles. The stroke survivors could be trained in the unreached range with their voluntary residual EMG on the paretic side. After 20-session rehabilitation training, there was a non-significant increase in the range of motion and a significant decrease in the root mean square error (RMSE) between the actual wrist angle and target angle. Significant improvements also could be found in muscle strength and clinical scales.ConclusionsThese results indicate that robot-aided therapy with voluntary participation of patient’s paretic motor system using myoelectric control might have positive effect on upper limb motor recovery.
Polyunsaturated fatty acids in serum and homocysteine concentrations in Japanese men and women: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Kume Ayami , Kurotani Kayo , Sato Masao , Ejima Yuko , Pham Ngoc Minh , Nanri Akiko , Kuwahara Keisuke , Mizoue Tetsuya 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Supplementation studies have suggested a role of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in homocysteine metabolism, but the evidence is limited and inconsistent among studies that measured blood levels of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs. We examined the association between blood levels of PUFAs and homocysteine in Japanese men and women.

Methods
The subjects were 496 employees (290 men and 206 women) of 2 municipal offices in Japan. Fatty acid composition in serum phospholipids and cholesterol ester (CE) was measured using gas–liquid chromatography. Multiple regression was used to calculate means of homocysteine concentrations according to PUFA tertile with adjustment for potential confounders.

Results
Serum homocysteine concentration decreased with increasing levels of total n-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in serum phospholipids and CE with adjustment for age, sex and workplace. However, only DHA in serum phospholipids remained statistically significant after additional adjustment for other potential confounders including serum folate (P-trend = 0.04). N-6 PUFAs were not significantly associated with homocysteine concentrations.

Conclusions
Higher proportion of DHA in serum phospholipids may be associated with lower homocysteine concentrations in Japanese men and women.
Giant biatrial myxoma nearly obstructing the orifice of the inferior vena cava
Authors: Choi Chang-Hu , Park Chul-Hyun , Kim Ji-Sung , Jeon Yang-Bin , Lee Jae-Ik , Park Kook-Yang 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Cardiac myxomas are the most common type of benign cardiac tumors and most of them occur in the left atrium but the biatrial myxoma is uncommon. We present a rare case of giant biatrial myxoma nearly obstructing the orifice of the inferior vena cava. A 58-year old woman presented with exertional dyspnea and intermittent chest discomfort. The non-pedunculated tumor involved most of the interatrial septum and extended from the orifice of the inferior vena cava to the displaced mitral annulus and the lower left pulmonary vein. The resected specimen weighed 76 gram and measured 80 × 40 × 30 mm. She did not complain of dyspnea or show any sign of recurrence by echocardiography during the 2-year follow-up period.
On the use of data mining for estimating carbon storage in the trees
Authors: Sanquetta Carlos Roberto , Wojciechowski Jaime , Corte Ana Paula Dalla , Rodrigues Aurélio Lourenço , Maas Greyce Charllyne Benedet 
Published: June 2013

AbstractForests contribute to climate change mitigation by storing carbon in tree biomass. The amount of carbon stored in this carbon pool is estimated by using either allometric equations or biomass expansion factors. Both of the methods provide estimate of the carbon stock based on the biometric parameters of a model tree. This study calls attention to the potential advantages of the data mining technique known as instance-based classification, which is not used currently for this purpose. The analysis of the data on the carbon storage in 30 trees of Brazilian pine (Araucaria angustifolia) shows that the instance-based classification provides as relevant estimates as the conventional methods do. The coefficient of correlation between the estimated and measured values of carbon storage in tree biomass does not vary significantly with the choice of the method. The use of some other measures of method performance leads to the same result. In contrast to the convention methods the instance-based classification does not presume any specific form of the function relating carbon storage to the biometric parameters of the tree. Since the best form of such function is difficult to find, the instance-based classification could outperform the conventional methods in some cases, or simply get rid of the questions about the choice of the allometric equations.
Inverted Y incision and trans-sacral approach in retroperitoneal aggressive angiomyxoma: a case report
Authors: Hong Dae Gy , Chong Gun Oh , Cho Young Lae , Park Il Soo , Park Ji Young , Lee Yoon Soon 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Aggressive angiomyxoma is a rare myxedematous mesenchymal tumor that mainly occurs in the female pelvis and perineum. The principle of treatment for aggressive angiomyxoma is surgical excision. The tumor can be removed by local excision alone when it occurs locally on the perineum. However, it cannot be completely excised by a perineal approach alone when it passes through the perineum and pelvic bone to extend into the retroperitoneal space.

Case presentation
A 34-year-old Asian woman presented with a rapidly growing left perineal mass and swelling in the left gluteal region. The swelling was associated with a mild, dull pain in the left gluteal region. In the present case of bulky aggressive angiomyxoma extending to the perineum and retroperitoneal space, the authors made an inverted Y incision through the buttock, removed the coccyx and lower portion of the sacrum, and excised the retroperitoneal mass and perineal lesion through a perineal approach.

Conclusion
The inverted Y incision and trans-sacral approach can provide easy access to deep retroperitoneal aggressive angiomyxoma and reduce damage to neighboring organs.
Autophagy lessens ischemic liver injury by reducing oxidative damage
Authors: Sun Kai , Xie Xuqin , Liu Yan , Han Zhipeng , Zhao Xue , Cai Ning , Zhang Shanshan , Song Jianrui , Wei Lixin 
Published: June 2013

Abstract

Background
Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion is a multi-factorial process which causes liver injury. It is reported that ischemia alone is sufficient to induce liver injury. Nutrient deprivation is a crucial factor impacting ischemic injury of the liver. Therefore, we explored the role of autophagy in ischemia through using hepatic ischemia rat model in vivo and nutrient-free model in vitro.

Results
We found that both ischemia in vivo and nutrient deprivation in vitro activated autophagy, inhibition of which aggravated ischemia- or nutrient deficiency-induced injury. In the nutrient-free condition, autophagy inhibition enhanced liver cell necrosis but not apoptosis by promoting reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and antioxidant NAC could reverse this trend. Inhibition of autophagy also resulted in the increase of the percentage of necrotic cell but not apoptotic cell in the ischemia-treated rat livers. Further studies showed that under nutrient deprivation, autophagy inhibition promoted mitochondrial ROS generation, which further aggravated mitochondria damage. These changes formed a “vicious cycle” that accelerated the process of cell necrosis. Autophagy inhibition also increased mitochondrial oxidative stress during hepatic ischemia, and antioxidant could suppress the aggravation of ischemia-induced liver damage in the co-treatment of autophagy inhibitor.

Conclusions
Taken together, our results suggested that autophagy suppressed ischemic liver injury by reducing ROS-induced necrosis. This finding will contribute to the development of the therapeutic strategy about the pre-treatment of liver surgery.
High resolution micrograph synthesis using a parametric texture model and a particle filter
Authors: Tipireddy Ramakrishna , Ghanem Roger , Ghosh Somnath , Paquet Daniel 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe present a methodology for synthesizing high resolution micrographs from low resolution ones using a parametric texture model and a particle filter. Information contained in high resolution micrographs is relevant to the accurate prediction of microstructural behavior and the nucleation of instabilities. As these micrographs may be tedious and uneconomical to obtain over an extended spatial domain, we propose a statistical approach for interpolating fine details over a whole computational domain starting with a low resolution prior and high resolution micrographs available only at a few spatial locations. As a first step, a small set of high resolution micrographs are decomposed into a set of multi-scale and multi-orientation subbands using a complex wavelet transform. Parameters of a texture model are computed as the joint statistics of the decomposed subbands. The synthesis algorithm then generates random micrographs satisfying the parameters of the texture model by recursively updating the gray level values of the pixels in the input micrograph. A density-based Monte Carlo filter is used at each step of the recursion to update the generated micrograph, using a low resolution micrograph at that location as a measurement. The process is continued until the synthesized micrograph has the same statistics as those from the high resolution micrographs. The proposed method combines a texture synthesis procedure with a particle filter and produces good quality high resolution micrographs.
The Issue of Compulsory Contracts between Providers and Clients of Public Services or Essential Commodities in the Law of Iran
Authors: Sedaghati Ali 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
Nowadays a major change in interactions and concepts like independence has led to a transformation in the law of contracts. A clear example can be observed in the continuing expansion of compulsion into contracts (conclusion of compulsory contracts). In the modern law, the phenomenon of compulsory contract is considered to be inevitable, and the law of Iran is no exception. On the account of the fact that this concept has not undergone in-depth analyses neither in Iranian law system nor among the jurists, the study of this system of law in regard to its capacity to accept this phenomenon would be probably a challenging issue. Direct reference to law so as to infer an obligation to enter a contract or resort to one in order to conclude the existence of a type of implied term creating such an obligation is the subject matter of this study.
Multistep Optimization and Residue Disposal Study for Electrochemical Treatment of Textile Wastewater Using Aluminum Electrode
Authors: Singh Seema , Srivastava Vimal Chandra , Mall Indra Deo 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
This paper reports multistep optimization studies on electrochemical (EC) treatment of textile wastewater containing three dyes namely basic orange 30, basic violet 16 and basic green 4 using an aluminum electrode. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color removal efficiencies were maximized in a batch EC experimental reactor. In first step, Plackett–Burman (PB) design was used to sort most effective factors amongst the various factors namely current density (j), time (t), electrode gap (g), temperature (T), initial pH (pHo) and NaCl salt concentration (m) that affected the removal efficiency. In the next step, steepest accent/descent method and Box–Behnken (BB) design methods were utilized to evaluate the optimum electrochemical conditions. In BB design, three operational parameters, namely j: 117.64–196.07 A/m2; t: 150–210 min and pHo: 3.5–5.5 were taken as input parameter whereas COD removal (Y1) and color removal (Y2) were taken as responses of the system. At the optimum operating conditions of j = 185.30 A/m2, t190 min and pHo 5, more than 70.5% COD and 98.2% color removal efficiencies were observed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy of aluminum electrodes, scum and sludge has been carried out to understand the EC mechanism.
Reforming of Glycerol into Bio-Crude: A Parametric Study
Authors: Tymchyshyn Matthew , Yuan Zhongshun , Xu Chunbao (Charles) 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe reforming of glycerol was investigated using a micro-reactor in the presence of MoCoP/zeolite catalyst. The parameters which were investigated include initial hydrogen pressure, reaction temperature, residence time, and feedstock concentration. The liquid products were separated into water-soluble components and bio-oil by liquid-liquid extraction with water and ethyl acetate. The bio-oil, gaseous products, char, and unreacted glycerol were quantified relative to the initial mass of glycerol feed. The composition of the bio-oil was determined by GC/MS. The optimum conditions for the reforming of glycerol into bio-crude in the presence of MoCoP/zeolite catalyst were found to be: 300°C reaction temperature, 5 MPa initial hydrogen pressure, 60 min reaction time, and 100% glycerol feed. While dilution of the glycerol feedstock with water had a negative effect on bio-oil yield, reforming of pure glycerol produced the highest bio-oil yield (40 wt.% at 300°C, 1 h, and 5 MPa H2). The amount of char deposited on the catalyst decreased with extended reaction time, increased reaction temperature, and elevated initial hydrogen pressure.
Conversion Enhancement of Fixed-Bed Reactors Using Two-Dimensional Hollow Cylindrical Catalyst Pellet
Authors: Asif Mohammad 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The key challenge in the operation of any industrial fixed-bed heterogeneous reactor is to enhance the conversion level while keeping the pressure-drop low. Towards this end, the use of finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellets instead of spherical ones is proposed here. The absence of the pellet core helps to lower the effect of the internal mass transport resistance besides providing a greater surface area. Another equally important advantage is a lower pressure-drop due to the higher bed void fraction associated with hollow pellets. A rigorous model of the heterogeneous fixed-bed reactor containing finite hollow cylindrical catalyst pellet is presented here accounting for the concentration gradients both in the axial as well as the radial directions, thus, resulting in a two-dimensional partial differential equation for the solid catalytic phase.
Hydrodynamic and Mass Transfer Characteristics in a Large-Scale Slurry Bubble Column Reactor for Gas Mixtures in Actual Fischer–Tropsch Cuts
Authors: Sehabiague Laurent , Morsi Badie I. 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The hydrodynamics (gas holdup, Sauter mean bubble diameter, d
32) and the overall volumetric liquid-side mass transfer coefficients (kLa) were measured in a large-scale (0.29 m ID, 3 m high) slurry bubble column reactor (SBCR) for He/N2 gaseous mixtures, as surrogates for syngas, in three different Fisher–Tropsch (F-T) products (liquid paraffins mixture, light F-T cut and heavy F-T cut) in the presence and absence of three different solids (spent iron oxides catalyst, alumina powder and Puralox alumina). The effects of pressure (10–30 bar), temperature (up to 500 K), superficial gas velocity (0.14–0.26 m/s), solid concentration (0–20 vol.%) and gas density on these design parameters were investigated. The experimental data revealed that increasing the reactor pressure or gas density increased the gas holdup and decreased d
32, by increasing the population of the small gas bubbles, which increased the overall kLa values for all the gas mixtures used in the three F-T cuts under most of the operating conditions employed. Increasing temperature increased the gas holdup in the three F-T cuts, except for N2-light F-T cut, where the gas holdup values remained almost constant from 400 to 500 K. Increasing the slurry concentration decreased the gas holdup and increased d
32, mainly for gaseous mixtures with high He mole fractions, which decreased the overall kLa under all conditions used. Increasing the gas superficial velocities (UG
) increased the gas holdup and kLa values, even though d
32 was found to increase or decrease with increasing UG
. Increasing the He mole fraction in the He/N2 gaseous mixture at constant pressure led to low gas holdup and high d
32 which decreased kLa values, and under similar operating conditions, kLa values of He as a single gas were always lower than those of N2 as a single gas. Increasing the He mole fraction in the He/N2 gaseous mixture at constant density, however, was found to have negligible effect on the gas holdup, d
32 and subsequently on the overall kLa. The gas holdup, the overall kLa and the population of the small gas bubbles for N2 in the liquid paraffins mixture were greater than those in the light F-T cut. Operating the SBCR with the heavy F-T cut resulted in the lowest gas holdup and the largest gas bubbles size which led to the lowest gas–liquid interfacial area and consequently, the lowest kLa values. Also, under the operating conditions investigated, the behavior of overall kLa for the gases used in the three F-T cuts in the presence and absence of the three solids employed was controlled by that of the gas–liquid interfacial area (a). Using the data obtained, two novel empirical correlations for predicting the gas holdup and the overall kLa for gases specifically in F-T cuts are proposed.
Correlations between Molecular Descriptors from Various Volatile Organic Compounds and Photocatalytic Oxidation Kinetic Constants
Authors: Raillard Cécile , Héquet Valérie , Gao Bifen , Choi Heyok , Dionysiou Dionysios D. , Marvilliers Arnaud , Illien Bertrand 
Published: June 2013

Abstract
The photocatalytic oxidation of seven typical indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is experimentally investigated using novel nanocrystalline TiO2 dip-coated catalysts. Not only the role of hydrophilicity of the reactants but also other physico-chemical properties and molecular descriptors are studied and related to kinetic and equilibrium constants. The main objective of this work consists in establishing simple relationships that will be useful to deepen the understanding of gas-phase heterogeneous photocatalytic mechanisms and for the prediction of degradation rates of these VOCs using an indoor air treatment process.