Search

Great toenail malalignment is characterised by lateral deviation of the longitudinal axis of the nail plate with respect to the hallux, and is usually posttraumatic, iatrogenic or due to congenital malalignment of the great toenails. We present cases of great toenail malalignment with onset in adolescence or young adulthood without preceding nail surgery or acute trauma. We postulate that this may represent a late onset presentation of congenital malalignment of the great toenails.

Great toenail malalignment is characterised by lateral deviation of the longitudinal axis of the nail plate with respect to the hallux, and is usually posttraumatic, iatrogenic or due to congenital malalignment of the great toenails. We present cases of great toenail malalignment with onset in adolescence or young adulthood without preceding nail surgery or acute trauma. We postulate that this may represent a late onset presentation of congenital malalignment of the great toenails.

The aim of this work is to investigate the interaction of basal dislocations and twin boundaries with ul- trafine basal disk-shaped precipitates at the atomic scale in the peak-aged Mg-1Mn-1Nd-3Zn (wt.%) alloy. With that goal, an experimental approach consisting on micropillar compression of two grains oriented favorably for basal slip and for tensile twin activation, respectively, as well as high resolution transmis- sion electron microscopy, was put in place. First, a novel mechanism of interaction between particles and basal dislocations was observed. In particular, the movement of dislocations along basal planes led to the dissolution of the ultrathin basal precipitates in the nearby regions (within 80 nm) and to solute diffusion resulting in microsegregation of solutes at the slip lines. Hindering of basal slip due to such microsegre- gation prevented slip localization by promoting the consecutive activation of softer basal planes. Second, twin-precipitate interactions were found to be dependent on the twin boundary plane. In particular, by- passing of precipitates by coherent twin boundary segments were observed to lead to elastic rotations of the precipitate lattice, while the interaction of CTB/prismatic-basal intersections with precipitates re- sulted in precipitate shearing along prismatic planes.

Contains fulltext : 220446.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), BACKGROUND: Novel biomarkers are required to discern between breast tumors that should be targeted for treatment from those that would never become clinically apparent and/or life threatening for patients. Moreover, therapeutics that specifically target breast cancer (BC) cells with tumor-initiating capacity to prevent recurrence are an unmet need. We investigated the clinical importance of LGR5 in BC and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to explore LGR5 as a biomarker and a therapeutic target. METHODS: We stained BC (n = 401) and DCIS (n = 119) tissue microarrays with an antibody against LGR5. We examined an LGR5 knockdown ER(-) cell line that was orthotopically transplanted and used for in vitro colony assays. We also determined the tumor-initiating role of Lgr5 in lineage-tracing experiments. Lastly, we transplanted ER(-) patient-derived xenografts into mice that were subsequently treated with a LGR5 antibody drug conjugate (anti-LGR5-ADC). RESULTS: LGR5 expression correlated with small tumor size, lower grade, lymph node negativity, and ER-positivity. ER(+) patients with LGR5(high) tumors rarely had recurrence, while high-grade ER(-) patients with LGR5(high) expression recurred and died due to BC more often. Intriguingly, all the DCIS patients who later died of BC had LGR5-positive tumors. Colony assays and xenograft experiments substantiated a role for LGR5 in ER(-) tumor initiation and subsequent growth, which was further validated by lineage-tracing experiments in ER(-) /triple-negative BC mouse models. Importantly, by utilizing LGR5(high) patient-derived xenografts, we showed that anti-LGR5-ADC should be considered as a therapeutic for high-grade ER(-) BC. CONCLUSION: LGR5 has distinct roles in ER(-) vs. ER(+) BC with potential clinical applicability as a biomarker to identify patients in need of therapy and could serve as a therapeutic target for high-grade ER(-) BC.

Contains fulltext : 220446.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), BACKGROUND: Novel biomarkers are required to discern between breast tumors that should be targeted for treatment from those that would never become clinically apparent and/or life threatening for patients. Moreover, therapeutics that specifically target breast cancer (BC) cells with tumor-initiating capacity to prevent recurrence are an unmet need. We investigated the clinical importance of LGR5 in BC and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) to explore LGR5 as a biomarker and a therapeutic target. METHODS: We stained BC (n = 401) and DCIS (n = 119) tissue microarrays with an antibody against LGR5. We examined an LGR5 knockdown ER(-) cell line that was orthotopically transplanted and used for in vitro colony assays. We also determined the tumor-initiating role of Lgr5 in lineage-tracing experiments. Lastly, we transplanted ER(-) patient-derived xenografts into mice that were subsequently treated with a LGR5 antibody drug conjugate (anti-LGR5-ADC). RESULTS: LGR5 expression correlated with small tumor size, lower grade, lymph node negativity, and ER-positivity. ER(+) patients with LGR5(high) tumors rarely had recurrence, while high-grade ER(-) patients with LGR5(high) expression recurred and died due to BC more often. Intriguingly, all the DCIS patients who later died of BC had LGR5-positive tumors. Colony assays and xenograft experiments substantiated a role for LGR5 in ER(-) tumor initiation and subsequent growth, which was further validated by lineage-tracing experiments in ER(-) /triple-negative BC mouse models. Importantly, by utilizing LGR5(high) patient-derived xenografts, we showed that anti-LGR5-ADC should be considered as a therapeutic for high-grade ER(-) BC. CONCLUSION: LGR5 has distinct roles in ER(-) vs. ER(+) BC with potential clinical applicability as a biomarker to identify patients in need of therapy and could serve as a therapeutic target for high-grade ER(-) BC.

© 2020, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature. This paper combines gravity data collected from airborne, shipborne and terrestrial surveys and those derived from satellite altimetry to determine a high-resolution gravimetric and hybrid geoid model (on a 30” × 30″ grid) in and around Taiwan. Some 6000 new land gravity values at a 0.03-mGal precision make a notable contribution to the geoid modeling. Shipborne gravity data in waters 20 km offshore Taiwan were collected to improve the coastal geoid precision. In a circular area of 50 km around each of the five major tide gauges in Taiwan, gravity data were measured to improve vertical datum connections between Taiwan and its four offshore islands. Height anomalies were computed first and then converted to geoid heights. At > 2000 benchmarks, we obtained measured geoid heights to assess the gravimetric-only geoid and to create a hybrid geoid. Our assessments and formal errors from least-squares collocation indicate few cm of standard deviations for both geoid models, but the gravimetric geoid has mean differences of up to 20 cm with the measured geoidal heights. The hybrid geoid is used in RTK-VBS orthometric heighting, achieving a 5-cm precision. The gravimetric geoid is used to determine the relative differences in the ocean’s mean dynamic topography (MDT) between Taiwan and the four offshore islands, which are also compared with those from oceanic and altimetric methods for estimating MDT. Differences in MDT help to identify 41.7 cm and 54.1 cm offsets in the current vertical datums of Penghu and Lanyu islands. In a low-lying, flood-prone region of southern Taiwan, the hybrid geoid improves LiDAR mapping of sub-zero elevation zones by 20 cm, corresponding to 70 years of sea level rise at an assumed rate of 0.286 cm/yr.

Contains fulltext : 215827.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Metastasis, the main cause of cancer-related death, has traditionally been viewed as a late-occurring process during cancer progression. Using the MMTV-PyMT luminal B breast cancer model, we demonstrate that the lung metastatic niche is established early during tumorigenesis. We found that matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is an important component of the metastatic niche early in tumorigenesis and promotes circulating tumor cells to colonize the lungs. Blocking active MMP9, using a monoclonal antibody specific to the active form of gelatinases, inhibited endogenous and experimental lung metastases in the MMTV-PyMT model. Mechanistically, inhibiting MMP9 attenuated migration, invasion, and colony formation and promoted CD8(+) T cell infiltration and activation. Interestingly, primary tumor burden was unaffected, suggesting that inhibiting active MMP9 is primarily effective during the early metastatic cascade. These findings suggest that the early metastatic circuit can be disrupted by inhibiting active MMP9 and warrant further studies of MMP9-targeted anti-metastatic breast cancer therapy.

Great toenail malalignment is characterised by lateral deviation of the longitudinal axis of the nail plate with respect to the hallux, and is usually post-traumatic, iatrogenic or due to congenital malalignment of the great toenails. We present cases of great toenail malalignment with onset in adolescence or young adulthood without preceding nail surgery or acute trauma. We postulate that this may represent a late-onset presentation of congenital malalignment of the great toenails.Copyright © 2019 The Australasian College of Dermatologists

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts. Skin ulceration is a rare manifestation of tissue-invasive disease, with the anogenital region being the most typical site of involvement. We present a case of CMV ulceration on the right leg occurring 16 years following renal transplantation and 1 year after adjuvant radiotherapy for a Marjolin ulcer at this site. We suggest radiotherapy may provide a mechanism for local reactivation of the virus in the skin of seropositive patients.Copyright © 2018 The Australasian College of Dermatologists

Great toenail malalignment is characterised by lateral deviation of the longitudinal axis of the nail plate with respect to the hallux, and is usually post-traumatic, iatrogenic or due to congenital malalignment of the great toenails. We present cases of great toenail malalignment with onset in adolescence or young adulthood without preceding nail surgery or acute trauma. We postulate that this may represent a late-onset presentation of congenital malalignment of the great toenails.Copyright © 2019 The Australasian College of Dermatologists

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts. Skin ulceration is a rare manifestation of tissue-invasive disease, with the anogenital region being the most typical site of involvement. We present a case of CMV ulceration on the right leg occurring 16 years following renal transplantation and 1 year after adjuvant radiotherapy for a Marjolin ulcer at this site. We suggest radiotherapy may provide a mechanism for local reactivation of the virus in the skin of seropositive patients.Copyright © 2018 The Australasian College of Dermatologists

Contains fulltext : 215827.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Metastasis, the main cause of cancer-related death, has traditionally been viewed as a late-occurring process during cancer progression. Using the MMTV-PyMT luminal B breast cancer model, we demonstrate that the lung metastatic niche is established early during tumorigenesis. We found that matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is an important component of the metastatic niche early in tumorigenesis and promotes circulating tumor cells to colonize the lungs. Blocking active MMP9, using a monoclonal antibody specific to the active form of gelatinases, inhibited endogenous and experimental lung metastases in the MMTV-PyMT model. Mechanistically, inhibiting MMP9 attenuated migration, invasion, and colony formation and promoted CD8(+) T cell infiltration and activation. Interestingly, primary tumor burden was unaffected, suggesting that inhibiting active MMP9 is primarily effective during the early metastatic cascade. These findings suggest that the early metastatic circuit can be disrupted by inhibiting active MMP9 and warrant further studies of MMP9-targeted anti-metastatic breast cancer therapy.

Contains fulltext : 215827.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), Metastasis, the main cause of cancer-related death, has traditionally been viewed as a late-occurring process during cancer progression. Using the MMTV-PyMT luminal B breast cancer model, we demonstrate that the lung metastatic niche is established early during tumorigenesis. We found that matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is an important component of the metastatic niche early in tumorigenesis and promotes circulating tumor cells to colonize the lungs. Blocking active MMP9, using a monoclonal antibody specific to the active form of gelatinases, inhibited endogenous and experimental lung metastases in the MMTV-PyMT model. Mechanistically, inhibiting MMP9 attenuated migration, invasion, and colony formation and promoted CD8(+) T cell infiltration and activation. Interestingly, primary tumor burden was unaffected, suggesting that inhibiting active MMP9 is primarily effective during the early metastatic cascade. These findings suggest that the early metastatic circuit can be disrupted by inhibiting active MMP9 and warrant further studies of MMP9-targeted anti-metastatic breast cancer therapy.

All drugs used in aquaculture must be approved by the government agency responsible for veterinary medicine; prudent use of antibiotics under veterinary supervision is critical in ensuring safety of aquaculture products. The international production of farmed turtle, considered a cultured aquatic species, has been growing continuously but control of bacteria proliferation in turtle farms requires frequent use of antimicrobials. In the present investigation, the residue depletion and withdrawal period of quinolone antibacterial oxolinic acid (OXO) was evaluated in Chinese softshell turtle Pelodiscus sinensis, after repeated (once daily for 5 days) oral doses of medicated feed containing OXO, at the dose of 30 and 60 mg/kg body weight (bw). Muscle and liver tissues were collected at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40, 44, and 48 days posttreatment, and OXO was quantified using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) method. According to the test preparation record, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for OXO were estimated at 0.03 and 0.1 µg/g, respectively. Considering a maximum residue level (MRL) of 0.1 µg/g for OXO in muscle in European Union (EU) legislative framework, the longest withdrawal period of 72 days was calculated on the basis of a safety span (corresponding to 50% of the time point when at which residues fall below the MRL) added to the depletion time (48 days). These results may be helpful not only for the establishment of public policies regarding the use of OXO for turtle farming but also to producers for proper handling to ensure safe consumption.

Contains fulltext : 190944.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), BACKGROUND: Drugs and vaccines that can interrupt the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum will be important for malaria control and elimination. However, models for early clinical evaluation of candidate transmission-blocking interventions are currently unavailable. Here, we describe a new model for evaluating malaria transmission from humans to Anopheles mosquitoes using controlled human malaria infection (CHMI). METHODS: Seventeen healthy malaria-naive volunteers underwent CHMI by intravenous inoculation of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes to initiate blood-stage infection. Seven to eight days after inoculation, participants received piperaquine (480 mg) to attenuate asexual parasite replication while allowing gametocytes to develop and mature. Primary end points were development of gametocytemia, the transmissibility of gametocytes from humans to mosquitoes, and the safety and tolerability of the CHMI transmission model. To investigate in vivo gametocytocidal drug activity in this model, participants were either given an experimental antimalarial, artefenomel (500 mg), or a known gametocytocidal drug, primaquine (15 mg), or remained untreated during the period of gametocyte carriage. RESULTS: Male and female gametocytes were detected in all participants, and transmission to mosquitoes was achieved from 8 of 11 (73%) participants evaluated. Compared with results in untreated controls (n = 7), primaquine (15 mg, n = 5) significantly reduced gametocyte burden (P = 0.01), while artefenomel (500 mg, n = 4) had no effect. Adverse events (AEs) were mostly mild or moderate. Three AEs were assessed as severe - fatigue, elevated alanine aminotransferase, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase - and were attributed to malaria infection. Transaminase elevations were transient, asymptomatic, and resolved without intervention. CONCLUSION: We report the safe and reproducible induction of P. falciparum gametocytes in healthy malaria-naive volunteers at densities infectious

Contains fulltext : 190944.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access), BACKGROUND: Drugs and vaccines that can interrupt the transmission of Plasmodium falciparum will be important for malaria control and elimination. However, models for early clinical evaluation of candidate transmission-blocking interventions are currently unavailable. Here, we describe a new model for evaluating malaria transmission from humans to Anopheles mosquitoes using controlled human malaria infection (CHMI). METHODS: Seventeen healthy malaria-naive volunteers underwent CHMI by intravenous inoculation of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes to initiate blood-stage infection. Seven to eight days after inoculation, participants received piperaquine (480 mg) to attenuate asexual parasite replication while allowing gametocytes to develop and mature. Primary end points were development of gametocytemia, the transmissibility of gametocytes from humans to mosquitoes, and the safety and tolerability of the CHMI transmission model. To investigate in vivo gametocytocidal drug activity in this model, participants were either given an experimental antimalarial, artefenomel (500 mg), or a known gametocytocidal drug, primaquine (15 mg), or remained untreated during the period of gametocyte carriage. RESULTS: Male and female gametocytes were detected in all participants, and transmission to mosquitoes was achieved from 8 of 11 (73%) participants evaluated. Compared with results in untreated controls (n = 7), primaquine (15 mg, n = 5) significantly reduced gametocyte burden (P = 0.01), while artefenomel (500 mg, n = 4) had no effect. Adverse events (AEs) were mostly mild or moderate. Three AEs were assessed as severe - fatigue, elevated alanine aminotransferase, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase - and were attributed to malaria infection. Transaminase elevations were transient, asymptomatic, and resolved without intervention. CONCLUSION: We report the safe and reproducible induction of P. falciparum gametocytes in healthy malaria-naive volunteers at densities infectious

Background and aims Current clinical decision rules for pulmonary embolism are based on adult populations and have not been validated in children. The objective was to identify and evaluate clinical features for a first lifetime episode of pulmonary embolism in children presenting to the emergency department. Materials and methods We present a case-control study of children (<= 18 years) presenting to the emergency department of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne between November 2007 and February 2015. Children with radiologically proven pulmonary embolism formed the case group, whilst children in whom there was a clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism but negative diagnostic imaging formed the control group. Charts, electronic medical and imaging records of both cases and controls were reviewed and analysed. Results There were a total of 50 patients in this study (11 cases and 39 controls). Current or recent (within three months) use of the oral contraceptive pill was the most significant risk factor in our study (odds ratio 14.667, 95% confidence interval 3.001-71.678, P < 0.001). Most other features failed to discriminate between cases and controls, although there was a trend towards increased heart rate in cases. Conclusions Pulmonary embolism is perhaps the most common presenting spontaneous venous thromboembolism in the community and teenage girls on the oral contraceptive pill are most at-risk amongst children. The clinical signs and symptoms are often non-specific. Additional larger studies are required to determine the significance and magnitude of potential clinical predictors identified in this study. This may lead to derivation of a paediatric-specific pre-test probability tool.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Background and aims Current clinical decision rules for pulmonary embolism are based on adult populations and have not been validated in children. The objective was to identify and evaluate clinical features for a first lifetime episode of pulmonary embolism in children presenting to the emergency department. Materials and methods We present a case-control study of children (<= 18 years) presenting to the emergency department of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne between November 2007 and February 2015. Children with radiologically proven pulmonary embolism formed the case group, whilst children in whom there was a clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism but negative diagnostic imaging formed the control group. Charts, electronic medical and imaging records of both cases and controls were reviewed and analysed. Results There were a total of 50 patients in this study (11 cases and 39 controls). Current or recent (within three months) use of the oral contraceptive pill was the most significant risk factor in our study (odds ratio 14.667, 95% confidence interval 3.001-71.678, P < 0.001). Most other features failed to discriminate between cases and controls, although there was a trend towards increased heart rate in cases. Conclusions Pulmonary embolism is perhaps the most common presenting spontaneous venous thromboembolism in the community and teenage girls on the oral contraceptive pill are most at-risk amongst children. The clinical signs and symptoms are often non-specific. Additional larger studies are required to determine the significance and magnitude of potential clinical predictors identified in this study. This may lead to derivation of a paediatric-specific pre-test probability tool.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[EN] This study investigated the mechanisms controlling hair follicle development in the Rex rabbit. The Agilent rabbit gene expression microarray was used to determine differentially expressed genes in Rex rabbit foetuses with different wool densities. The expression patterns of selected differentially-expressed genes were further investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Compared to low wool density rabbits, 1342 differentially expressed probes were identified in high wool density rabbits, including 950 upregulated probes and 392 downregulated probes. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the most upregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to receptors and the most downregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to DNA binding molecules. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the differentially expressed probes were mainly involved in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Eph signalling pathways. The results also suggest that transforming growth factor-beta 1, growth hormone receptor, and the keratin-associated protein 6.1 genes, as well as the Shh and Eph signalling pathways, may be involved in the regulation of hair follicle developmental in Rex rabbits.

[EN] This study investigated the mechanisms controlling hair follicle development in the Rex rabbit. The Agilent rabbit gene expression microarray was used to determine differentially expressed genes in Rex rabbit foetuses with different wool densities. The expression patterns of selected differentially-expressed genes were further investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Compared to low wool density rabbits, 1342 differentially expressed probes were identified in high wool density rabbits, including 950 upregulated probes and 392 downregulated probes. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the most upregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to receptors and the most downregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to DNA binding molecules. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the differentially expressed probes were mainly involved in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Eph signalling pathways. The results also suggest that transforming growth factor-beta 1, growth hormone receptor, and the keratin-associated protein 6.1 genes, as well as the Shh and Eph signalling pathways, may be involved in the regulation of hair follicle developmental in Rex rabbits.

[EN] This study investigated the mechanisms controlling hair follicle development in the Rex rabbit. The Agilent rabbit gene expression microarray was used to determine differentially expressed genes in Rex rabbit foetuses with different wool densities. The expression patterns of selected differentially-expressed genes were further investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Compared to low wool density rabbits, 1342 differentially expressed probes were identified in high wool density rabbits, including 950 upregulated probes and 392 downregulated probes. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the most upregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to receptors and the most downregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to DNA binding molecules. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the differentially expressed probes were mainly involved in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Eph signalling pathways. The results also suggest that transforming growth factor-beta 1, growth hormone receptor, and the keratin-associated protein 6.1 genes, as well as the Shh and Eph signalling pathways, may be involved in the regulation of hair follicle developmental in Rex rabbits.

[EN] This study investigated the mechanisms controlling hair follicle development in the Rex rabbit. The Agilent rabbit gene expression microarray was used to determine differentially expressed genes in Rex rabbit foetuses with different wool densities. The expression patterns of selected differentially-expressed genes were further investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Compared to low wool density rabbits, 1342 differentially expressed probes were identified in high wool density rabbits, including 950 upregulated probes and 392 downregulated probes. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the most upregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to receptors and the most downregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to DNA binding molecules. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the differentially expressed probes were mainly involved in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Eph signalling pathways. The results also suggest that transforming growth factor-beta 1, growth hormone receptor, and the keratin-associated protein 6.1 genes, as well as the Shh and Eph signalling pathways, may be involved in the regulation of hair follicle developmental in Rex rabbits.

[EN] This study investigated the mechanisms controlling hair follicle development in the Rex rabbit. The Agilent rabbit gene expression microarray was used to determine differentially expressed genes in Rex rabbit foetuses with different wool densities. The expression patterns of selected differentially-expressed genes were further investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Compared to low wool density rabbits, 1342 differentially expressed probes were identified in high wool density rabbits, including 950 upregulated probes and 392 downregulated probes. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the most upregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to receptors and the most downregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to DNA binding molecules. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the differentially expressed probes were mainly involved in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Eph signalling pathways. The results also suggest that transforming growth factor-beta 1, growth hormone receptor, and the keratin-associated protein 6.1 genes, as well as the Shh and Eph signalling pathways, may be involved in the regulation of hair follicle developmental in Rex rabbits.

[EN] This study investigated the mechanisms controlling hair follicle development in the Rex rabbit. The Agilent rabbit gene expression microarray was used to determine differentially expressed genes in Rex rabbit foetuses with different wool densities. The expression patterns of selected differentially-expressed genes were further investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Compared to low wool density rabbits, 1342 differentially expressed probes were identified in high wool density rabbits, including 950 upregulated probes and 392 downregulated probes. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the most upregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to receptors and the most downregulated differentially expressed probes belonged to DNA binding molecules. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the differentially expressed probes were mainly involved in the sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Eph signalling pathways. The results also suggest that transforming growth factor-beta 1, growth hormone receptor, and the keratin-associated protein 6.1 genes, as well as the Shh and Eph signalling pathways, may be involved in the regulation of hair follicle developmental in Rex rabbits.

Pteridophytes, http://name.umdl.umich.edu/IC-HERB00IC-X-1186960%5DMICH-V-1186960, https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/i/image/api/thumb/herb00ic/1186960/MICH-V-1186960/!250,250, The University of Michigan Library provides access to these materials for educational and research purposes. Some materials may be protected by copyright. If you decide to use any of these materials, you are responsible for making your own legal assessment and securing any necessary permission. If you have questions about the collection, please contact the Herbarium professional staff: herb-dlps-help@umich.edu. If you have concerns about the inclusion of an item in this collection, please contact Library Information Technology: libraryit-info@umich.edu., https://www.lib.umich.edu/about-us/policies/copyright-policy

Item does not contain fulltext, Transfer function analysis (TFA) is a frequently used method to assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation (CA) using spontaneous oscillations in blood pressure (BP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV). However, controversies and variations exist in how research groups utilise TFA, causing high variability in interpretation. The objective of this study was to evaluate between-centre variability in TFA outcome metrics. 15 centres analysed the same 70 BP and CBFV datasets from healthy subjects (n=50 rest; n=20 during hypercapnia); 10 additional datasets were computer-generated. Each centre used their in-house TFA methods; however, certain parameters were specified to reduce a priori between-centre variability. Hypercapnia was used to assess discriminatory performance and synthetic data to evaluate effects of parameter settings. Results were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test and logistic regression. A large non-homogeneous variation was found in TFA outcome metrics between the centres. Logistic regression demonstrated that 11 centres were able to distinguish between normal and impaired CA with an AUC>0.85. Further analysis identified TFA settings that are associated with large variation in outcome measures. These results indicate the need for standardisation of TFA settings in order to reduce between-centre variability and to allow accurate comparison between studies. Suggestions on optimal signal processing methods are proposed.

Item does not contain fulltext, Transfer function analysis (TFA) is a frequently used method to assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation (CA) using spontaneous oscillations in blood pressure (BP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV). However, controversies and variations exist in how research groups utilise TFA, causing high variability in interpretation. The objective of this study was to evaluate between-centre variability in TFA outcome metrics. 15 centres analysed the same 70 BP and CBFV datasets from healthy subjects (n=50 rest; n=20 during hypercapnia); 10 additional datasets were computer-generated. Each centre used their in-house TFA methods; however, certain parameters were specified to reduce a priori between-centre variability. Hypercapnia was used to assess discriminatory performance and synthetic data to evaluate effects of parameter settings. Results were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test and logistic regression. A large non-homogeneous variation was found in TFA outcome metrics between the centres. Logistic regression demonstrated that 11 centres were able to distinguish between normal and impaired CA with an AUC>0.85. Further analysis identified TFA settings that are associated with large variation in outcome measures. These results indicate the need for standardisation of TFA settings in order to reduce between-centre variability and to allow accurate comparison between studies. Suggestions on optimal signal processing methods are proposed.

Item does not contain fulltext, Transfer function analysis (TFA) is a frequently used method to assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation (CA) using spontaneous oscillations in blood pressure (BP) and cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV). However, controversies and variations exist in how research groups utilise TFA, causing high variability in interpretation. The objective of this study was to evaluate between-centre variability in TFA outcome metrics. 15 centres analysed the same 70 BP and CBFV datasets from healthy subjects (n=50 rest; n=20 during hypercapnia); 10 additional datasets were computer-generated. Each centre used their in-house TFA methods; however, certain parameters were specified to reduce a priori between-centre variability. Hypercapnia was used to assess discriminatory performance and synthetic data to evaluate effects of parameter settings. Results were analysed using the Mann-Whitney test and logistic regression. A large non-homogeneous variation was found in TFA outcome metrics between the centres. Logistic regression demonstrated that 11 centres were able to distinguish between normal and impaired CA with an AUC>0.85. Further analysis identified TFA settings that are associated with large variation in outcome measures. These results indicate the need for standardisation of TFA settings in order to reduce between-centre variability and to allow accurate comparison between studies. Suggestions on optimal signal processing methods are proposed.

In recent years, China has undoubtedly undergone a dramatic process of urban growth and transformation. Apart from its speed and scope, what is less recognized is that these processes are confronting the Chinese planning institutions with new and unexpected demands almost on daily basis. In reference to the increasing importance of private investments and developments within Chinese urbanization, a new balance between public planning and private developments, between top down and bottom up approaches is required which is able to generate both, a reliable and responsible framework for long-term urban development and a flexible system of implementation that meets the needs of changing conditions and new demands. The starting point of this research is to investigate to what extent the evolution of urban planning has developed after the opening up of reform, under the state-led and market-driven modes of Chinese reformation. Another focus, then, is studying how the different modes and various actors have influenced urban planning, through cumulative research based on analyses of the respective political and economic changes within initial reformation, in general, and planning, in particular. This study investigates the conditions, approaches and results of contemporary urban planning in China by analysing the developments in one of the fastest growing cities of the country: Shenzhen, located in the Pearl River Delta, can be regarded as an almost newly constructed city with approximately 300.000 inhabitants in 1980 and reaching 10.47 million in 2011. During a relatively short period of development the degree of acceleration and scope of an entirely unexpected growth forced local planning authorities to constantly readapt to changing conditions and new demands. Investigating the contemporary urban transformation and urban development processes in China can allow us to outline the new planning culture of contemporary China as related to its historical roots and traditional, Urbanism, Architecture and The Built Environment

In recent years, China has undoubtedly undergone a dramatic process of urban growth and transformation. Apart from its speed and scope, what is less recognized is that these processes are confronting the Chinese planning institutions with new and unexpected demands almost on daily basis. In reference to the increasing importance of private investments and developments within Chinese urbanization, a new balance between public planning and private developments, between top down and bottom up approaches is required which is able to generate both, a reliable and responsible framework for long-term urban development and a flexible system of implementation that meets the needs of changing conditions and new demands. The starting point of this research is to investigate to what extent the evolution of urban planning has developed after the opening up of reform, under the state-led and market-driven modes of Chinese reformation. Another focus, then, is studying how the different modes and various actors have influenced urban planning, through cumulative research based on analyses of the respective political and economic changes within initial reformation, in general, and planning, in particular. This study investigates the conditions, approaches and results of contemporary urban planning in China by analysing the developments in one of the fastest growing cities of the country: Shenzhen, located in the Pearl River Delta, can be regarded as an almost newly constructed city with approximately 300.000 inhabitants in 1980 and reaching 10.47 million in 2011. During a relatively short period of development the degree of acceleration and scope of an entirely unexpected growth forced local planning authorities to constantly readapt to changing conditions and new demands. Investigating the contemporary urban transformation and urban development processes in China can allow us to outline the new planning culture of contemporary China as related to its historical roots and traditional, Urbanism, Architecture and The Built Environment

Constructs carrying visual reporter genes coupled with efficient promoters could facilitate the process of identification and selection of stable transformants in recalcitrant crops. Here, a novel construct utilizing a ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase (RbcS) promoter combined with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene to initiate very high expression of GFP in florist's chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat.) was described. Based on this expression cassette, a new regeneration protocol using leaf discs as explants was developed for the Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Chrysanthemum genotype ‘1581’, and a transformation efficiency of 7% was obtained. The expression of two different GFP constructs targeted to either cytosol or plastids was compared in transgenic lines. Both GFP constructs were expressed at such a high level that the green fluorescence dominated red fluorescence in the leaf tissues, allowing easy observation and microdissection of transformed tissues even without a GFP filter. Under normal light, plants with GFP targeted to plastids had a light green phenotype deriving from the high GFP expression. Quantitative reverse transcriptional PCR analysis showed that the plastid targeted construct with intron had significantly higher steady state transcript levels of GFP mRNA. This novel expression cassette may allow direct visual selection of transformed tissues independent of antibiotic selection in a wide range of plant species

Nineteen novel full-ORF alpha-gliadin genes and 32 pseudogenes containing at least one stop codon were cloned and sequenced from three Aegilops tauschii accessions (T15, T43 and T26) and two bread wheat cultivars (Gaocheng 8901 and Zhongyou 9507). Analysis of three typical alpha-gliadin genes (Gli-At4, Gli-G1 and Gli-Z4) revealed some InDels and a considerable number of SNPs among them. Most of the pseudogenes were resulted from C to T change, leading to the generation of TAG or TAA in-frame stop codon. The putative proteins of both Gli-At3 and Gli-Z7 genes contained an extra cysteine residue in the unique domain II. Analysis of toxic epitodes among 19 deduced alpha-gliadins demonstrated that 14 of these contained 1-5 T cell stimulatory toxic epitopes while the other 5 did not contain any toxic epitopes. The glutamine residues in two specific ployglutamine domains ranged from 7 to 27, indicating a high variation in length. According to the numbers of 4 T cell stimulatory toxic epitopes and glutamine residues in the two ployglutamine domains among the 19 alpha-gliadin genes, 2 were assigned to chromosome 6A, 5 to chromosome 6B and 12 to chromosome 6D. These results were consistent with those from wheat cv. Chinese Spring nulli-tetrasomic and phylogenetic analysis. Secondary structure prediction showed that all alpha-gliadins had high content of beta-strands and most of the alpha-helixes and beta-strands were present in two unique domains. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that alpha-gliadin genes had a high homology with gamma-gliadin, B-hordein, and LMW-GS genes and they diverged at approximate 39 MYA. Finally, the five alpha-gliadin genes were successfully expressed in E. coli, and their expression amount reached to the maximum after 4 h induced by IPTG, indicating that the alpha-gliadin genes can express in a high level under the control of T-7 promoter.

To ensure the quality of the Ph.D. research the Department introduced a special procedure for periodic evaluation: after a period of nine months the potential Ph.D. candidates are asked to present their research design, theoretical framework and methodological approach to the members of the Department and to an external review, drawn up by the professors of the Department and by external reviewer. Depending on the assessment of the review group, the candidates will have the opportunity to continue their research at the Department. In the mean time the (public) review sessions developed into an important element for the scientific debate of the Department. The sessions became a meeting point for the whole Department to discuss new research issues and new methodological approaches and to develop new research collaborations. In this framework the external members of the review group are playing an important role. Their critics form a mirror for the scientific standards of the Department as well as for the scientific (and social) relevancy of the research issues. With the publication of the this book we want to offer to a broader public the opportunity to deal with this debate. The different contributions are based on the papers the Ph.D. candidates prepared for the reviews and have been updatedas a result of the remarks of the peer group and the discussion during the review sessions. As a result the contributions are reflecting the ongoing efforts to redefine the discipline of urbanism under globally changing conditions. The review sessions of the department started in 2004. This book presents the results of the sessions that took place late 2007 and throughout much of 2008., Urbanism, Architecture

To ensure the quality of the Ph.D. research the Department introduced a special procedure for periodic evaluation: after a period of nine months the potential Ph.D. candidates are asked to present their research design, theoretical framework and methodological approach to the members of the Department and to an external review, drawn up by the professors of the Department and by external reviewer. Depending on the assessment of the review group, the candidates will have the opportunity to continue their research at the Department. In the mean time the (public) review sessions developed into an important element for the scientific debate of the Department. The sessions became a meeting point for the whole Department to discuss new research issues and new methodological approaches and to develop new research collaborations. In this framework the external members of the review group are playing an important role. Their critics form a mirror for the scientific standards of the Department as well as for the scientific (and social) relevancy of the research issues. With the publication of the this book we want to offer to a broader public the opportunity to deal with this debate. The different contributions are based on the papers the Ph.D. candidates prepared for the reviews and have been updatedas a result of the remarks of the peer group and the discussion during the review sessions. As a result the contributions are reflecting the ongoing efforts to redefine the discipline of urbanism under globally changing conditions. The review sessions of the department started in 2004. This book presents the results of the sessions that took place late 2007 and throughout much of 2008., Urbanism, Architecture

Al based alloy powders (Al₈₅Ni₅Y₆Co₂Fe₂) are produced by spray atomization method. High energy ball milling is done to modify the surface topology and particle size for better electrochemical performance. X ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were conducted to characterize the microstructure of the alloys after ball milling. It is found that 5 hours ball milling gives the minimum crystallization and structure change. Thin film sample is also deposited on stainless steel substrate by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method for electrochemical test. The capacity and reversibility for different samples are compared and discussed. A capacity of 200mAh/g is obtained for the battery with thin film sample as anode and a capacity of 140mAh/g is obtained for that with electrode from powder sample. Both of the batteries give up to 94% capacity retention after 20 cycles., Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

Al based alloy powders (Al₈₅Ni₅Y₆Co₂Fe₂) are produced by spray atomization method. High energy ball milling is done to modify the surface topology and particle size for better electrochemical performance. X ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were conducted to characterize the microstructure of the alloys after ball milling. It is found that 5 hours ball milling gives the minimum crystallization and structure change. Thin film sample is also deposited on stainless steel substrate by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method for electrochemical test. The capacity and reversibility for different samples are compared and discussed. A capacity of 200mAh/g is obtained for the battery with thin film sample as anode and a capacity of 140mAh/g is obtained for that with electrode from powder sample. Both of the batteries give up to 94% capacity retention after 20 cycles., Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

This paper presents a numerical solution of a buoyancy-induced how and phase-change heat transfer in a vertical porous channel heated symmetrically along its vertical walls. A multiphase mixture model that accounts for complex, interacting physical phenomena such as phase change, capillary action, buoyancy-induced flour convection in the subcooled liquid and multi-dimensional effects was used. It is found that for both single and the two-phase flow with a rather low vapor fraction, the induced mass flux increases as the applied heat flux is increased. However, as the vapor fraction is increased, the numerical results show that the induced mass flux drops drastically and remains approximately constant afterwards. This result agrees qualitatively with our previous experimental study on phase-change heat transfer in a heated vertical porous tube (Zhao et al., 1998. ASME Journal of Heat Transfer, 121(3) 646-652). In this paper, the underlying mechanism leading to this interesting behavior is explained based on the liquid saturation distributions as well as the velocity fields for both vapor and liquid in the porous column. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

This paper presents a numerical solution of a buoyancy-induced how and phase-change heat transfer in a vertical porous channel heated symmetrically along its vertical walls. A multiphase mixture model that accounts for complex, interacting physical phenomena such as phase change, capillary action, buoyancy-induced flour convection in the subcooled liquid and multi-dimensional effects was used. It is found that for both single and the two-phase flow with a rather low vapor fraction, the induced mass flux increases as the applied heat flux is increased. However, as the vapor fraction is increased, the numerical results show that the induced mass flux drops drastically and remains approximately constant afterwards. This result agrees qualitatively with our previous experimental study on phase-change heat transfer in a heated vertical porous tube (Zhao et al., 1998. ASME Journal of Heat Transfer, 121(3) 646-652). In this paper, the underlying mechanism leading to this interesting behavior is explained based on the liquid saturation distributions as well as the velocity fields for both vapor and liquid in the porous column. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

DUE TO COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTATION AT ASTON UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES WITH PRIOR ARRANGEMENT

This paper presents a numerical solution of a buoyancy-induced how and phase-change heat transfer in a vertical porous channel heated symmetrically along its vertical walls. A multiphase mixture model that accounts for complex, interacting physical phenomena such as phase change, capillary action, buoyancy-induced flour convection in the subcooled liquid and multi-dimensional effects was used. It is found that for both single and the two-phase flow with a rather low vapor fraction, the induced mass flux increases as the applied heat flux is increased. However, as the vapor fraction is increased, the numerical results show that the induced mass flux drops drastically and remains approximately constant afterwards. This result agrees qualitatively with our previous experimental study on phase-change heat transfer in a heated vertical porous tube (Zhao et al., 1998. ASME Journal of Heat Transfer, 121(3) 646-652). In this paper, the underlying mechanism leading to this interesting behavior is explained based on the liquid saturation distributions as well as the velocity fields for both vapor and liquid in the porous column. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fan, Heckman and Wand (1995) proposed locally weighted kernel polynomial regression methods for generalized linear models and quasilikelihood functions. When the covariate variables are missing at random, we propose a weighted estimator based on the inverse selection probability weights. Distribution theory is derived when the selection probabilities are estimated nonparametrically. We show that the asymptotic variance of the resulting nonparametric estimator of the mean function in the main regression model is the same as that when the selection probabilities are known, while the biases are generally different. This is different from results in parametric problems, where it is known that estimating weights actually decreases asymptotic variance. To reconcile the difference between the parametric and nonparametric problems, we obtain a second-order variance result for the nonparametric case. We generalize this result to local estimating equations. Finite sample performance is examined via simulation studies. The proposed method is demonstrated via an analysis of data from a casecontrol study.

Fan, Heckman and Wand (1995) proposed locally weighted kernel polynomial regression methods for generalized linear models and quasilikelihood functions. When the covariate variables are missing at random, we propose a weighted estimator based on the inverse selection probability weights. Distribution theory is derived when the selection probabilities are estimated nonparametrically. We show that the asymptotic variance of the resulting nonparametric estimator of the mean function in the main regression model is the same as that when the selection probabilities are known, while the biases are generally different. This is different from results in parametric problems, where it is known that estimating weights actually decreases asymptotic variance. To reconcile the difference between the parametric and nonparametric problems, we obtain a second-order variance result for the nonparametric case. We generalize this result to local estimating equations. Finite sample performance is examined via simulation studies. The proposed method is demonstrated via an analysis of data from a casecontrol study.