bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Citrulline reduces glyceroneogenesis and induces fatty acid release in visceral adipose tissue from overweight rats
Authors: Joffin Nolwenn , Jaubert Anne‐Marie , Durant Sylvie , Bastin Jean , De Bandt Jean‐Pascal , Cynober Luc , Moinard Christophe , Coumoul Xavier , Forest Claude , Noirez Philippe 
Published: October 2014

ScopeHigh‐fat diet (HFD) increases visceral adipose tissue (AT). Our aim was to evaluate whether citrulline (CIT) affected nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) metabolism in AT from HFD‐fed rats.Methods and resultsRats were fed for 8 weeks with either a control diet (CD) or HFD. Retroperitoneal AT explants were exposed to 2.5 mmol/L CIT for 24 h. We analyzed lipolysis, beta‐oxidation, glyceroneogenesis, and the expression of the key associated enzymes. CIT doubled NEFA release selectively in HFD AT. Phosphorylation of hormone‐sensitive lipase was upregulated 50 and 100% by CIT in CD and HFD AT, respectively. Under CIT, beta‐oxidation increased similarly whatever the diet, whereas glyceroneogenesis, which permits NEFA re‐esterification, was downregulated 50 and 80% in CD and HFD AT, respectively. In the latter, the important decrease in re‐esterification probably explains the rise of NEFA release. A pretreatment with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N ω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester abolished CIT effects.ConclusionThese results demonstrate direct lipolytic and antiglyceroneogenic effects of CIT on CD and HFD AT. The selective CIT‐mediated NEFA release from HFD AT was probably the consequence of the drastic decrease in glyceroneogenesis and nitric oxide was a mediator of CIT effects. These results provide evidence for a direct action of CIT on AT to reduce overweight.
Radiofrequency pulse design using nonlinear gradient magnetic fields
Authors: Kopanoglu Emre , Constable R. Todd 
Published: October 2014

PurposeAn iterative k‐space trajectory and radiofrequency (RF) pulse design method is proposed for excitation using nonlinear gradient magnetic fields.Theory and MethodsThe spatial encoding functions (SEFs) generated by nonlinear gradient fields are linearly dependent in Cartesian coordinates. Left uncorrected, this may lead to flip angle variations in excitation profiles. In the proposed method, SEFs (k‐space samples) are selected using a matching pursuit algorithm, and the RF pulse is designed using a conjugate gradient algorithm. Three variants of the proposed approach are given: the full algorithm, a computationally cheaper version, and a third version for designing spoke‐based trajectories. The method is demonstrated for various target excitation profiles using simulations and phantom experiments.ResultsThe method is compared with other iterative (matching pursuit and conjugate gradient) and noniterative (coordinate‐transformation and Jacobian‐based) pulse design methods as well as uniform density spiral and EPI trajectories. The results show that the proposed method can increase excitation fidelity.ConclusionAn iterative method for designing k‐space trajectories and RF pulses using nonlinear gradient fields is proposed. The method can either be used for selecting the SEFs individually to guide trajectory design, or can be adapted to design and optimize specific trajectories of interest. Magn Reson Med 74:826–839, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sequential expression of miR‐182 and miR‐503 cooperatively targets FBXW7, contributing to the malignant transformation of colon adenoma to adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Lihua , Sarver Aaron L , Khatri Rohini , Hajeri Praveensingh B , Kamenev Iris , French Amy J , Thibodeau Stephen N , Steer Clifford J , Subramanian Subbaya 
Published: October 2014

AbstractGenetic changes in colon cancer are known to parallel the tissue abnormalities associated with the disease, namely adenoma and adenocarcinoma. The role of microRNA dysregulation in dysplastic progression, however, is not well understood. Here, we show that miR‐182 and miR‐503 undergo sequential up‐regulation and drive the progression of colon adenoma to adenocarcinoma by cooperatively down‐regulating the tumour suppressor FBXW7. We identified that increased expression of miR‐182 is a feature of adenomas. A subsequent increase in miR‐503 expression works cooperatively with miR‐182 to induce transformation of an adenoma to adenocarcinoma. We show that introducing miR‐503 into AAC1 cells, which are derived from a benign adenoma, confers tumourigenic potential. We also demonstrated that blocking both miR‐182 and miR‐503 in HCT116 colon cancer cells resulted in increased FBXW7 expression and significantly reduced tumour size in xenograft models. We confirmed relevance of these results in patients by examining the expression levels of miR‐182 and miR‐503 in over 200 colon cancer patients with 12 year survival outcome data. Decreased patient survival was correlated with elevated expression of both miRNAs, suggesting that elevated levels of both miR‐182 and miR‐503 define a novel prognostic biomarker for colon cancer patients. In conclusion, we show that a sequential expression of miR‐182 and miR‐503 in benign adenoma cooperatively regulates the tumour suppressor FBXW7, contributing to the malignant transformation of colon adenoma to adenocarcinoma and miR‐182 and miR‐503 may prove to be novel therapeutic targets. Array data are available at: http://www.oncomir.umn.edu/ Copyright © 2014 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Beyond microstructures: Using the Kerr Effect to characterize the macrostructures of synthetic polymers
Authors: Gurarslan Rana , Hardrict Shauntrece , Roy Debashish , Galvin Casey , Hill Megan R. , Gracz Hanna , Sumerlin Brent S. , Genzer Jan , Tonelli Alan 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThe macrostructures of synthetic polymers are essentially the complete molecular chain architectures, including the types and amounts of constituent short‐range microstructures, such as the regio‐ and stereosequences of the inserted monomers, the amounts and sequences of monomers found in co‐, ter‐, and tetra‐polymers, branching, inadvertent, and otherwise, etc. Currently, the best method for characterizing polymer microstructures uses high field, high resolution 13C‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy observed in solution. However, even 13C‐NMR is incapable of determining the locations or positions of resident polymer microstructures, which are required to elucidate their complete macrostructures. The sequences of amino acid residues in proteins, or their primary structures, cannot be characterized by NMR or other short‐range spectroscopic methods, but only by decoding the DNA used in their syntheses or, if available, X‐ray analysis of their single crystals. Similarly, there are currently no experimental means to determine the sequences or locations of constituent microstructures along the chains of synthetic macromolecules. Thus, we are presently unable to determine their macrostructures. As protein tertiary and quaternary structures and their resulting ultimate functions are determined by their primary sequence of amino acids, so too are the behaviors and properties of synthetic polymers critically dependent on their macrostructures. We seek to raise the consciousness of both synthetic and physical polymer scientists and engineers to the importance of characterizing polymer macrostructures when attempting to develop structure–property relations. To help achieve this task, we suggest using the electrical birefringence or Kerr effects observed in their dilute solutions. The molar Kerr constants of polymer solutes contributing to the birefringence of their solutions, under the application of a strong electric field, are highly sensitive to both the types and locations of their constituent microstructures. As a consequence, we may begin to characterize the macrostructures of synthetic polymers by means of the Kerr effect. To simplify implementation of the Kerr effect to characterize polymer macrostructures, we suggest that NMR first be used to determine the types and amounts of constituent microstructures present. Subsequent comparison of observed Kerr effects with those predicted for different microstructural locations along the polymer chains can then be used to identify the most likely macrostructures. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 155–166
Performance of three‐dimensional power Doppler angiography as third‐step assessment in differential diagnosis of adnexal masses
Authors: Utrilla‐Layna J. , Alcázar J. L. , Aubá M. , Laparte C. , Olartecoechea B. , Errasti T. , Juez L. , Mínguez J. Á. , Guerriero S. , Jurado M. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the contribution of three‐dimensional (3D) power Doppler angiography (3D‐PDA) to the differential diagnosis of adnexal masses.MethodsThis was a prospective study in women diagnosed with a persistent adnexal mass and subsequently scheduled for surgery in a tertiary university hospital. All women were evaluated by transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound according to a predetermined three‐step protocol, with transabdominal ultrasound being performed in some cases. First, morphological evaluation of the mass was performed using gray‐scale ‘pattern recognition’ (first step). Lesions diagnosed as having a benign pattern were considered as being at low risk of malignancy whereas tumors with solid components, ascites and/or signs of carcinomatosis were considered as being at high risk of malignancy. In both cases no further test was performed and a decision regarding clinical management, either for follow‐up or surgery, was taken. Tumors with solid components but without signs of ascites or carcinomatosis were considered as being at intermediate risk of malignancy. These lesions were assessed by two‐dimensional (2D) PDA to evaluate tumor vascularity (color score) (second step). Solid tumors with a color score of 1 or 2 were considered as benign and no further test was performed, while tumors with a color score of 2, 3 or 4 within solid components or a color score of 3 or 4 in the case of a solid tumor were considered as malignant. The latter group underwent 3D‐PDA assessment (third step). Vascularization index (VI) was calculated in a 1‐mL sphere of the most vascularized area of the tumor. When a VI ≥ 24.015% was found, the tumor was considered as malignant. All masses were removed surgically and definitive histological diagnosis was used as the gold standard. Sensitivity and specificity for each strategy were calculated and compared. In the case of bilateral tumors, only the more suspicious one was used for analysis.ResultsA total of 367 adnexal masses diagnosed in 367 women (mean age, 46.5 (range, 18–80) years) were evaluated during the study period. Of these, 86 masses were malignant and 281 were benign. The sensitivity and specificity for each assessment strategy were as follows: one‐step, 97.7% and 78.6%; two‐step, 94.2% and 97.9% (P < 0.001 for specificity when compared with that of one‐step); three‐step, 90.7% and 98.9% (not statistically significant when compared with that of two‐step).ConclusionsThe addition of 2D‐PDA in the differential diagnosis of an adnexal mass significantly increases specificity while sensitivity remains high; however performing subsequent 3D‐PDA does not provide additional information or further improve diagnostic performance subsequent to 2D‐PDA. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Accuracy of ultrasonography performed by examiners with varied training and experience in predicting specific pathology of adnexal masses
Authors: Sayasneh A. , Kaijser J. , Preisler J. , Smith A. A. , Raslan F. , Johnson S. , Husicka R. , Ferrara L. , Stalder C. , Ghaem‐Maghami S. , Timmerman D. , Bourne T. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo assess the diagnostic performance of subjective assessment by Level II ultrasound examiners in predicting the specific histology of adnexal masses.MethodsThe women included in this prospective multicenter cross‐sectional study were older than 16 years of age and had at least one adnexal mass. They underwent transvaginal sonography (TVS) performed by Level II examiners, all of whom were familiar with the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis (IOTA) group definitions of ultrasound features of ovarian masses. The final outcome was histology. Specific diagnoses were categorized into 16 groups. Agreement between subjective assessment and final histology was measured using unweighted kappa coefficients. Sensitivities and specificities were obtained for subjective assessment.ResultsOf the 1279 women who underwent TVS, 313 were included in the final analysis. Overall agreement (16 × 16 table) between subjective assessment and histology was moderate, with a Cohen's kappa coefficient of 0.59 (95% CI, 0.53–0.65). The specificity of subjective assessment ranged between 91% and 100% for all histological subgroups. Highest sensitivities were achieved in the diagnosis of simple cysts (100% (95% CI, 61–100%)), hydrosalpinges (100% (95% CI, 34–100%)), mature teratomas (88% (95% CI, 74–96%)), endometriomas (75% (95% CI, 61–85%)), ovarian fibromas (88% (95% CI, 47–100%)), tubo‐ovarian abscesses (88% (95% CI, 47–100%)) and serous cystadenocarcinomas (82% (95% CI, 66–93%)). Serous cystadenomas were misdiagnosed most commonly (40.5%). The sensitivity of subjective assessment in diagnosing adnexal torsion was 54% (95% CI, 25–81%); the 17 confirmed and/or suspected cases of adnexal torsion were not included in the 313 cases examined and analyzed for diagnostic performance.ConclusionOverall, subjective assessment by Level II examiners was good for the detection of simple cysts, endometriomas, mature teratomas, hydrosalpinges, fibroma, tubo‐ovarian abscess and serous cystadenocarcinomas. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
A dual-tube model for gas dynamics in fractured nanoporous shale formations
Authors: Lunati I. , Lee S. H. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractGas flow through fractured nanoporous shale formations is complicated by a hierarchy of structural features (ranging from nanopores to microseismic and hydraulic fractures) and by several transport mechanisms that differ from the standard viscous flow used in reservoir modelling. In small pores, self-diffusion becomes more important than advection; also, slippage effects and Knudsen diffusion might become relevant at low densities. We derive a nonlinear effective diffusion coefficient that describes the main transport mechanisms in shale-gas production. In dimensionless form, this coefficient depends only on a geometric factor (or dimensionless permeability) and on the kinetic model that describes the gas. To simplify the description of the complex structure of fractured shales, we observe that the production rate is controlled by the flow from the shale matrix (which has the smallest diffusivity) into the fracture network, which is assumed to produce instantaneously. Therefore, we propose to model the flow in the shale matrix and estimate the production rate with a simple bundle-of-dual-tubes model (BoDTM), in which each tube is characterized by two diameters (one for transport and the other for storage). The solution of a single tube is approximately self-similar at early time, but not at late time, when the gas flux decays exponentially owing to the finite length of the tube. To construct a BoDTM, a reliable estimate of the joint statistics of the matrix-porosity parameters is required. This can be either inferred from core measurements or postulated on the basis of somea prioriassumptions when information from laboratory and field measurements is scarce. By comparison with field production data from the Barnett shale-gas field, we demonstrate that BoDTM can be calibrated to estimate structural parameters of the shale formation and to predict the cumulative production of shale gas. Our framework has enough flexibility to construct models of increasing complexity that can be employed in the presence of a complex dataset or when more information is available.
CONSTITUTIONALIZING RELIGION: THE PYRRHIC SUCCESS OF RELIGIOUS RIGHTS IN POSTCOLONIAL SRI LANKA
Authors: Schonthal Benjamin 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis article argues for a different reading of the history of law and religion in independent Sri Lanka, one that does not associate the persistence of religious tension with the failure of law, but, somewhat counterintuitively, with the legalization of religion in the first instance. I argue that it is not law's failure that adds to the intensity of religious tensions on the island, but its pyrrhic success. Sri Lanka's success in drafting, ratifying, and deploying legal regimes of religious rights has led to the further ossification of the very conflicts they were intended to arbitrate. Through a condensed overview of the history of debating, drafting, and adjudicating constitutional religious rights in Sri Lanka, this article demonstrates how, in turning to law to resolve religious disputes, Sri Lankans have deepened and hardened the very lines of conflict that those laws were meant to resolve.
Distinct temperature sensitivity of soil carbon decomposition in forest organic layer and mineral soil
Authors: Xu Wenhua , Li Wei , Jiang Ping , Wang Hui , Bai Edith 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe roles of substrate availability and quality in determining temperature sensitivity (Q10) of soil carbon (C) decomposition are still unclear, which limits our ability to predict how soil C storage and cycling would respond to climate change. Here we determined Q10 in surface organic layer and subsurface mineral soil along an elevation gradient in a temperate forest ecosystem. Q10 was calculated by comparing the times required to respire a given amount of soil C at 15 and 25°C in a 350-day incubation. Results indicated that Q10 of the organic layer was 0.22–0.71 (absolute difference) higher than Q10 of the mineral soil. Q10 in both the organic layer (2.5–3.4) and the mineral soil (2.1–2.8) increased with decreasing substrate quality during the incubation. This enhancement of Q10 over incubation time in both layers suggested that Q10 of more labile C was lower than that of more recalcitrant C, consistent with the Arrhenius kinetics. No clear trend of Q10 was found along the elevation gradient. Because the soil organic C pool of the organic layer in temperate forests is large, its higher temperature sensitivity highlights its importance in C cycling under global warming.
Anomalous refraction of airborne sound through ultrathin metasurfaces
Authors: Tang Kun , Qiu Chunyin , Ke Manzhu , Lu Jiuyang , Ye Yangtao , Liu Zhengyou 
Published: October 2014

AbstractSimilar to their optic counterparts, acoustic components are anticipated to flexibly tailor the propagation of sound. However, the practical applications, e.g. for audible sound with large wavelengths, are frequently hampered by the issue of device thickness. Here we present an effective design of metasurface structures that can deflect the transmitted airborne sound in an anomalous way. This flat lens, made of spatially varied coiling-slit subunits, has a thickness of deep subwavelength. By elaborately optimizing its microstructures, the proposed lens exhibits high performance in steering sound wavefronts. Good agreement has been demonstrated experimentally by a sample around the frequency 2.55 kHz, incident with a Gaussian beam at normal or oblique incidence. This study may open new avenues for numerous daily life applications, such as controlling indoor sound effects by decorating rooms with light metasurface walls.
Aminoacetone oxidase from Streptococcus oligofermentans belongs to a new three-domain family of bacterial flavoproteins
Authors: Molla Gianluca , Nardini Marco , Motta Paolo , D’Arrigo Paola , Panzeri Walter , Pollegioni Loredano 
Published: October 2014

The aaoSo gene from Streptococcus oligofermentans encodes a 43 kDa flavoprotein, aminoacetone oxidase (SoAAO), which was reported to possess a low catalytic activity against several different L-amino acids; accordingly, it was classified as an L-amino acid oxidase. Subsequently, SoAAO was demonstrated to oxidize aminoacetone (a pro-oxidant metabolite), with an activity ~25-fold higher than the activity displayed on L-lysine, thus lending support to the assumption of aminoacetone as the preferred substrate. In the present study, we have characterized the SoAAO structure–function relationship. SoAAO is an FAD-containing enzyme that does not possess the classical properties of the oxidase/dehydrogenase class of flavoproteins (i.e. no flavin semiquinone formation is observed during anaerobic photoreduction as well as no reaction with sulfite) and does not show a true L-amino acid oxidase activity. From a structural point of view, SoAAO belongs to a novel protein family composed of three domains: an α/β domain corresponding to the FAD-binding domain, a β-domain partially modulating accessibility to the coenzyme, and an additional α-domain. Analysis of the reaction products of SoAAO on aminoacetone showed 2,5-dimethylpyrazine as the main product; we propose that condensation of two aminoacetone molecules yields 3,6-dimethyl-2,5-dihydropyrazine that is subsequently oxidized to 2,5-dimethylpyrazine. The ability of SoAAO to bind two molecules of the substrate analogue O-methylglycine ligand is thought to facilitate the condensation reaction. A specialized role for SoAAO in the microbial defence mechanism related to aminoacetone catabolism through a pathway yielding dimethylpyrazine derivatives instead of methylglyoxal can be proposed.
Balanced BPF design of substrate‐integrated waveguide cavity using hybrid microstrip/slot feed for CM suppression
Authors: Chen Meng‐Yu , Hong Wanchu , Ho Min‐Hua 
Published: October 2014

A dual‐mode balanced bandpass filter (BPF) design with an excellent common‐mode (CM) rejection performance is presented. The balanced filter is composed of coupled substrate‐integrated waveguide (SIW) cavities and a hybrid microstrip/slot feed. The cavities are of a square shape to produce two degenerated resonance modes, TE102 and TE201, for dual‐mode operation. The hybrid microstrip/slot feed is developed to suppress the unwanted CM signals in both the in‐band and out‐band regions. The measured CM signal rejection levels are over 50 dB. A experiment was conducted to verify this novel balanced BPF design.
Variable density turbulence tunnel facility
Authors: Bodenschatz E. , Bewley G. P. , Nobach H. , Sinhuber M. , Xu H. 
Published: October 2014

The Variable Density Turbulence Tunnel at the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization in Göttingen, Germany, produces very high turbulence levels at moderate flow velocities, low power consumption, and adjustable kinematic viscosity between 10−4 m2/s and 10−7 m2/s. The Reynolds number can be varied by changing the pressure or flow rate of the gas or by using different non-flammable gases including air. The highest kinematic viscosities, and hence lowest Reynolds numbers, are reached with air or nitrogen at 0.1 bar. To reach the highest Reynolds numbers the tunnel is pressurized to 15 bars with the dense gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). Turbulence is generated at the upstream ends of two measurement sections with grids, and the evolution of this turbulence is observed as it moves down the length of the sections. We describe the instrumentation presently in operation, which consists of the tunnel itself, classical grid turbulence generators, and state-of-the-art nano-fabricated hot-wire anemometers provided by Princeton University [M. Vallikivi, M. Hultmark, S. C. C. Bailey, and A. J. Smits, Exp. Fluids 51, 1521 (2011)]. We report measurements of the characteristic scales of the flow and of turbulent spectra up to Taylor Reynolds number Rλ ≈ 1600, higher than any other grid-turbulence experiment. We also describe instrumentation under development, which includes an active grid and a Lagrangian particle tracking system that moves down the length of the tunnel with the mean flow. In this configuration, the properties of the turbulence are adjustable and its structure is resolvable up to Rλ ≈ 8000.