bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of multiple overloads and absorbed hydrogen on the fatigue strength of notched steel specimens
Authors: KONDO Y. , YAMANOUCHI T. 
Published: May 2010

ABSTRACTIt is well known that earthquakes can damage structures and machinery. After an earthquake, those components, which have been obviously damaged are scrapped and replaced, and most of the components which have not been obviously damaged will continue to be used even after earthquakes. However, as will be shown, the earthquake may have severely impaired the fatigue strength of such components by introducing unfavourable residual stresses and short cracks at stress raisers. In addition, if such components should contain hydrogen, an increasingly possible scenario for the hydrogen economy in the future, then it is shown that the loss of fatigue strength can be even greater. This paper explores the extent of fatigue degradation due to overloads and to absorbed hydrogen. It was shown that generation of small crack and tensile residual stress imposed by overloads caused substantial decrease of residual fatigue strength compared with that in the initial state. It was also shown that hydrogen enhanced more reduction. Hydrogen enhanced reduction in two ways. The crack generated by overloads grew deeper in hydrogen charged material. In addition to this, the reduction of ΔKth also occurred in hydrogen charged material. These two factors worked together to reduce the residual fatigue strength after multiple overloads.
Biogeochemical controls on microbial diversity in seafloor sulphidic sediments
Authors: MÜLLER M. , HANDLEY K. M. , LLOYD J. , PANCOST R. D. , MILLS R. A. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractThe ultimate fate of hydrothermal sulphides on the seafloor depends on the nature and rate of abiotic and microbially catalysed reactions where sulphide minerals are exposed to oxic seawater. This study combines organic and inorganic geochemical with microbiological measurements across a suboxic transition zone of highly altered sulphidic sediments from the Trans‐Atlantic Geotransverse hydrothermal field to characterize the reaction products and microbial communities present. There is distinct biogeochemical zonation apparent within the sediment sequence from oxic surface layers through a suboxic transition zone into the sulphide material. The microbial communities in the sediment differ significantly between the biogeochemical horizons sampled, with the identified microbes inferred to be associated with Fe and S redox cycling. In particular, Marinobacter species, organisms associated with circumneutral Fe oxidation, are dominant in a sulphide lens present in the lower core. The dominance of Marinobacter‐related sequences within the relict sulphide lens implies that these organisms play an important role in the alteration of sulphides at the seafloor once active venting has ceased.
Electrical Maintenance of IIT Bombay Hostels
Authors: Choudhari Sanjay , Gajjar Hasmukh 
Published: May 2010

The Electrical Maintenance Department (EMD) of the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) is responsible for the electrical maintenance of all hostels on campus. At present, EMD activity is outsourced to Chintamani Electrical on an annual contract. The latter puts up its resources to operate EMD. The EMD supervisor Vijay Bhogale is concerned about the productivity of the electricians because his boss, the owner of Chintamani Electrical, has pushed him several times to improve it. This case on electrical maintenance of IIT Bombay hostels explains the functioning of EMD along with relevant data to apply operations management techniques such as simulation and capacity analysis. The first step for using these techniques is to understand the situation by mapping its processes; hence, the initial part of the case throws light on this. The latter part of the case emphasizes relevant and precise data collection to apply the appropriate operations management technique. This case creates a stimulating environment for class discussion on key data, the underlying notion in the application of simulation and/or queuing model for a given situation.
Simvastatin treatment in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis receiving interferon beta 1a: a double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Togha Mansoureh , Karvigh Sanaz Ahmadi , Nabavi Masoud , Moghadam Nahid Beladi , Harirchian Mohammad Hossein , Sahraian Mohammad Ali , Enzevaei Anahita , Nourian Alireza , Ghanaati Hossein , Firouznia Kavous , Jannati Ali , Shekiba Majid 
Published: May 2010

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of simvastatin (40 mg/day) as an adjuvant therapy to interferon beta (IFNb 1a, 30 µg once weekly) in relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis patients, compared with placebo. Methods: We enrolled 85 patients with relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis (71% female) who were already receiving IFNb 1a (Avonex), with Expanded Disability Status Scale score of less than 5.0. The patients were assigned (in random and double-blinded fashion) into the two groups of simvastatin and placebo. All patients continued to receive their current IFNb treatment. The outcome measures were total relapse rate, Expanded Disability Status Scale score, and the number of gadolinium-enhanced (Gd+) and new T2 lesions in magnetic resonance imaging after a 1-year follow-up. We used Mann—Whitney and one-way multivariate analysis of variances to analyze the data. Results: Four patients in the placebo and two in the simvastatin group prematurely withdrew from the study due to experiencing two attacks. The total attack number in the simvastatin group was significantly lower than placebo group (moderate effect size r = 0.29) ( p = 0.01). The final Expanded Disability Status Scale scores were lower in the simvastatin group (1.01 ± 1.40, mean ± SD) than in the placebo group (1.73 ± 1.49, mean ± SD), but this difference was not significant after controlling the baseline Expanded Disability Status Scale score ( p = 0.07). In the simvastatin group, the mean ± SD of gadolinium-enhanced and new T2 lesions were 0.66 ± 1.18 and 3.39 ± 3.55, respectively, (compared with 0.74 ± 1.21 and 3.39 ± 3.55 in the placebo group). Although there was a decreasing trend in lesions on magnetic resonance imaging, this difference was not statistically significant ( p = 0.62). The combination therapy was safe and well tolerated, and no serious adverse effect was noted. Conclusion: Our study supports the safety and efficacy of simvastatin as an add-on therapy to INFb 1a in patients with relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00668343. This interventional study provides Class I evidence stating that adding simvastatin 40 mg/day to IFNb 1a 30 µg a week in patients with relapsing—remitting multiple sclerosis may reduce the relapse rate (moderate effect size r = 0.29) ( p = 0.01) compared with treatment with IFNb 1a alone.
XIAP deficiency: a unique primary immunodeficiency best classified as X-linked familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and not as X-linked lymphoproliferative disease
Authors: Marsh Rebecca A. , Madden Lisa , Kitchen Brenda J. , Mody Rajen , McClimon Brad , Jordan Michael B. , Bleesing Jack J. , Zhang Kejian , Filipovich Alexandra H. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractX-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) deficiency, caused by BIRC4 mutations, is described to cause X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) phenotypes. However, compared with XLP caused by SLAM-Associated Protein deficiency (SH2D1A mutation), XIAP deficiency was originally observed to be associated with a high incidence of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and a lack of lymphoma, suggesting that classification of XIAP deficiency as a cause of XLP may not be entirely accurate. To further characterize XIAP deficiency, we reviewed our experience with 10 patients from 8 unrelated families with BIRC4 mutations. Nine of 10 patients developed HLH by 8 years of age. Most patients presented in infancy, and recurrent HLH was common. There were no cases of lymphoma. Lymphocyte defects thought to contribute to HLH development in SLAM-Associated Protein deficiency were not observed in XIAP deficiency. We conclude that XIAP deficiency is a unique primary immunodeficiency that is more appropriately classified as X-linked familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.
Paucity and preferential suppression of transgenes in late replication domains of the D. melanogaster genome
Authors: Babenko Vladimir N , Makunin Igor V , Brusentsova Irina V , Belyaeva Elena S , Maksimov Daniil A , Belyakin Stepan N , Maroy Peter , Vasil'eva Lyubov A , Zhimulev Igor F 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
Eukaryotic genomes are organized in extended domains with distinct features intimately linking genome structure, replication pattern and chromatin state. Recently we identified a set of long late replicating euchromatic regions that are underreplicated in salivary gland polytene chromosomes of D. melanogaster.

Results
Here we demonstrate that these underreplicated regions (URs) have a low density of P-element and piggyBac insertions compared to the genome average or neighboring regions. In contrast, Minos-based transposons show no paucity in URs but have a strong bias to testis-specific genes. We estimated the suppression level in 2,852 stocks carrying a single P-element by analysis of eye color determined by the mini-white marker gene and demonstrate that the proportion of suppressed transgenes in URs is more than three times higher than in the flanking regions or the genomic average. The suppressed transgenes reside in intergenic, genic or promoter regions of the annotated genes. We speculate that the low insertion frequency of P-elemen ts and piggyBac s in URs partially results from suppression of transgenes that potentially could prevent identification of transgenes due to complete suppression of the marker gene. In a similar manner, the proportion of suppressed transgenes is higher in loci replicating late or very late in Kc cells and these loci have a lower density of P-elements and piggyBac insertions. In transgenes with two marker genes suppression of mini-white gene in eye coincides with suppression of yellow gene in bristles.

Conclusions
Our results suggest that the late replication domains have a high inactivation potential apparently linked to the silenced or closed chromatin state in these regions, and that such inactivation potential is largely maintained in different tissues.
Association between EGF +61 G/A and glioma risk in a Chinese population
Authors: Wang Shujie , Zhao Yao , Ruan Zhenchao , Chen Hongyan , Fan Weiwei , Chen Juxiang , Wu Qihan , Qian Ji , Zhang Tianbao , Huang Yan , Lu Daru 
Published: May 2010

AbstractBackgroundEpidermal growth factor (EGF) is critical in cancer process. EGF and EGF receptor (EGFR) interaction plays a pivotal role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and tumorigenesis of epithelial tissues. Variations of the EGF +61G/A (rs4444903) may lead to an alteration in EGF production and/or activity, which can result in individual susceptibility to brain glioma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential association between EGF +61G/A and brain glioma in a Chinese population.MethodsIn this study, we analyzed single nucleotide polymorphism of EGF +61G/A in 677 patients with glioma and 698 gender- and age-matched controls. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-ligation detection reaction (PCR-LDR) method.ResultsThe A allele (minor Allele) was 33.0% in cases and 27.3% in controls. The additive model was more powerful to reveal the association in our study than that of recessive and dominant model. Our data showed the genotype G/A and A/A was associated with increased risk for glioma (adjusted OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.17-1.87, p = 0.001 for G/A, adjusted OR = 1.81, 95%CI: 1.20-2.72, p = 0.005 for A/A, respectively), and for glioblastoma (adjusted OR = 1.51, 95%CI: 1.06-2.17, p = 0.024 and adjusted OR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.34-4.15, p = 0.003, respectively). The A allele significantly increased glioma risk (OR = 1.31, 95%CI: 1.11-1.55, p = 0.001). The additive model (G/G vs G/A vs A/A) showed that both G/A and A/A genotype increased glioma risk (adjusted OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.17-1.66, p = 0.0002).G/A and A/A genotypes or EGF +61 A allele increased risk in both low and high WHO grade glioma. Non-smokers with G/A and A/A genotype showed increased glioma risk compared with G/G genotype (adjusted OR = 1.72, 95%CI: 1.29-2.30, p = 0.0002 and adjusted OR = 1.81, 95%CI: 1.10-2.99, p = 0.020, respectively). This association was not found in ever- or current-smokers.ConclusionsOur study indicated that G/A and A/A genotypes or EGF +61 A allele were associated with higher glioma risk in Chinese. This is in contrast with previous studies which reported G allele as a risk factor of glioma in Caucasian. The role of EGF +61 A/G polymorphism in glioma susceptibility needs further investigation.
Use of ER/PR/HER2 subtypes in conjunction with the 2007 St Gallen Consensus Statement for early breast cancer
Authors: Bauer Katrina , Parise Carol , Caggiano Vincent 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
The 2007 St Gallen international expert consensus statement describes three risk categories and provides recommendations for treatment of early breast cancer. The set of recommendations on how to best treat primary breast cancer is recognized and used by clinicians worldwide. We now examine the variability of five-year survival of the 2007 St Gallen Risk Classifications utilizing the ER/PR/HER2 subtypes.

Methods
Using the population-based California Cancer Registry, 114,786 incident cases of Stages 1-3 invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 2000 and 2006 were identified. Cases were assigned to Low, Intermediate, or High Risk categories. Five-year-relative survival was computed for the three St Gallen risk categories and for the ER/PR/HER2 subtypes for further differentiation.

Results and Discussion
There were 9,124 (13%) cases classified as Low Risk, 44,234 (65%) cases as Intermediate Risk, and 14,340 (21%) as High Risk. Within the Intermediate Risk group, 33,735 (76%) were node-negative (Intermediate Risk 2) and 10,499 (24%) were node-positive (Intermediate Risk 3). For the High Risk group, 6,149 (43%) had 1 to 3 positive axillary lymph nodes (High Risk 4) and 8,191 (57%) had four or more positive lymph nodes (High Risk 5).
Using five-year relative survival as the principal criterion, we found the following: a) There was very little difference between the Low Risk and Intermediate Risk categories; b) Use of the ER/PR/HER2 subtypes within the Intermediate and High Risk categories separated each into a group with better five-year survival (ER-positive) and a group with worse survival (ER-negative), irrespective of HER2-status; c) The heterogeneity of the High Risk category was most evident when one examined the ER/PR/HER2 subtypes with four or more positive axillary lymph nodes; (d) HER2-positivity did not always translate to worse survival, as noted when one compared the triple positive subtype (ER+/PR+/HER2+) to the triple negative subtype (ER-/PR-/HER2-); and (e) ER-negativity appeared to be a stronger predictor of poor survival than HER2-positivity.

Conclusion
The use of ER/PR/HER2 subtype highlights the marked heterogeneity of the Intermediate and High Risk categories of the 2007 St Gallen statements. The use of ER/PR/HER2 subtypes and correlation with molecular classification of breast cancer is recommended.
High yield expression of an AHL-lactonase from Bacillus sp. B546 in Pichia pastoris and its application to reduce Aeromonas hydrophila mortality in aquaculture
Authors: Chen Ruidong , Zhou Zhigang , Cao Yanan , Bai Yingguo , Yao Bin 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background

Aeromonas hydrophila is a serious pathogen and can cause hemorrhagic septicemia in fish. To control this disease, antibiotics and chemicals are widely used which can consequently result in "superbugs" and chemical accumulation in the food chain. Though vaccine against A. hydrophila is available, its use is limited due to multiple serotypes of this pathogen and problems of safety and efficacy. Another problem with vaccination is the ability to apply it to small fish especially in high numbers. In this study, we tried a new way to attenuate the A. hydrophila infection by using a quorum quenching strategy with a recombinant AHL-lactonase expressed in Pichia pastoris.

Results
The AHL-lactonase (AiiAB546) from Bacillus sp. B546 was produced extracellularly in P. pastoris with a yield of 3,558.4 ± 81.3 U/mL in a 3.7-L fermenter when using 3-oxo-C8-HSL as the substrate. After purification with a HiTrap Q Sepharose column, the recombinant homogenous protein showed a band of 33.6 kDa on SDS-PAGE, higher than the calculated molecular mass (28.14 kDa). Deglycosylation of AiiAB546 with Endo H confirmed the occurrence of N-glycosylation. The purified recombinant AiiAB546 showed optimal activity at pH 8.0 and 20°C, exhibited excellent stability at pH 8.0-12.0 and thermal stability at 70°C, was firstly confirmed to be significantly protease-resistant, and had wide substrate specificity. In application test, when co-injected with A. hydrophila in common carp, recombinant AiiAB546 decreased the mortality rate and delayed the mortality time of fish.

Conclusions
Our results not only indicate the possibility of mass-production of AHL-lactonase at low cost, but also open up a promising foreground of application of AHL-lactonase in fish to control A. hydrophila disease by regulating its virulence. To our knowledge, this is the first report on heterologous expression of AHL-lactonase in P. pastoris and attenuating A. hydrophila virulence by co-injection with AHL-lactonase.
Characterization of a naturally-occurring p27 mutation predisposing to multiple endocrine tumors
Authors: Molatore Sara , Kiermaier Eva , Jung Christian B , Lee Misu , Pulz Elke , Höfler Heinz , Atkinson Michael J , Pellegata Natalia S 
Published: May 2010

Abstract

Background
p27Kip1 (p27) is an important negative regulator of the cell cycle and a putative tumor suppressor. The finding that a spontaneous germline frameshift mutation in Cdkn1b (encoding p27) causes the MENX multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome in the rat provided the first evidence that Cdkn1b is a tumor susceptibility gene for endocrine tumors. Noteworthy, germline p27 mutations were also identified in human patients presenting with endocrine tumors. At present, it is not clear which features of p27 are crucial for this tissue-specific tumor predisposition in both rats and humans. It was shown that the MENX-associated Cdkn1b mutation causes reduced expression of the encoded protein, but the molecular mechanisms are unknown. To better understand the role of p27 in tumor predisposition and to characterize the MENX animal model at the molecular level, a prerequisite for future preclinical studies, we set out to assess the functional properties of the MENX-associated p27 mutant protein (named p27fs177) in vitro and in vivo.

Results

In vitro, p27fs177 retains some properties of the wild-type p27 (p27wt) protein: it localizes to the nucleus; it interacts with cyclin-dependent kinases and, to lower extent, with cyclins. In contrast to p27wt, p27fs177 is highly unstable and rapidly degraded in every phase of the cell-cycle, including quiescence. It is in part degraded by Skp2-dependent proteasomal proteolysis, similarly to p27wt. Photobleaching studies showed reduced motility of p27fs177 in the nucleus compared to p27wt, suggesting that in this compartment p27fs177 is part of a multi-protein complex, likely together with the degradation machinery. Studies of primary rat newborn fibroblasts (RNF) established from normal and MENX-affected littermates confirmed the rapid degradation of p27fs177 in vivo which can be rescued by Bortezomib (proteasome inhibitor drug). Overexpression of the negative regulators microRNA-221/222 plays no role in regulating the amount of p27fs177 in RNFs and rat tissues.

Conclusion
Our findings show that reduced p27 levels, not newly acquired properties, trigger tumor formation in rats, similarly to what has been observed in mice. The molecular characteristics of p27fs177 establish MENX as a useful preclinical model to evaluate compounds that inhibit p27 degradation for their efficacy against endocrine tumors.
Evaluation of the Stress-Energy Methodology to Predict Transmitted Shock through Expanded Foam Cushions
Authors: Singh J. , Ignatova L. , Olsen E. , Singh P. 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Mechanical stresses experienced by packages in the distribution environment include shock and vibration amongst several others. The destructive effects of these hazards can typically be restricted by using cushioning materials to help protect fragile goods during distribution. ASTM D1596 is the conventional standard used to determine shock absorbing performance of a cushioning material for a given combination of static loading, thickness, and drop height. This industry-accepted standard, however, requires significant amounts of transmitted shock data and can be expensive with respect to costs associated with testing and materials amongst others. Alternate stress-energy-based methodologies, developed in the past decade, recommending a considerable reduction in the number of drop tests while providing the ability to predict transmitted shock for any drop height, static loading as well as cushion thickness, are evaluated in this study for their stated accuracy. Based upon an in-depth evaluation of dynamic cushion curves for closed cell moldable foams generated using ASTM D1596, this research evaluates the accuracy of the proposed methodology in relation to the prediction of transmitted shock. Results show that the stress-energy methods while saving time in predicting transmitted shock, produce higher degrees of error than the ±5 % previously stated. In addition, they cannot predict behavior of cushions, and transmitted shock at high drop heights and static loadings with thin cushions, where only the measured values are accurate.