A Global Vertical Land Movement Data Set from a Combination of Global Navigation Satellite System Solutions

Coastal sea-level measurements by tide gauges provide the longest instrumental records of sea-levels with some stretching from the 19th century to present. The derived mean sea-level (MSL) records provide sea-level relative to a nearby tide gauge benchmark (TGBM), which allows for the continuation of this record in time after, for example, equipment modifications. Any changes in the benchmark levels induced by vertical land movements (VLM) affect the MSL records and hence the computed sea-levels. In the past, MSL records affected by VLM were often excluded from further analyses or the VLM were modelled using numerical models of the glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) process. Over the last two decades Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), in particular Global Positioning System (GPS), measurements at or close to tide gauges and the development of the associated processing strategies, have made it possible to obtain estimates of VLM in a geocentric reference system, such as the International Terrestrial Reference Frame release 2008 (ITRF2008) that approach the required accuracy for sea-level studies. Furthermore, the GPS-derived VLM estimates have been shown to improve estimates of sea-level change compared to those using the aforementioned GIA models as these models cannot predict local subsidence or uplift. The International GNSS Service (IGS) Tide Gauge Benchmark Monitoring (TIGA) Working Group has recently re-processed the global GNSS data set from its archive (1000+ stations for 1995-2014) to provide VLM estimates tuned for the sea-level community. To achieve this, five TIGA Analysis Centers (TAC) contributed their reprocessed global GPS network solutions to the WG, all employing the latest bias models and processing strategies in accordance with the second re-processing compaign (repro2) of the IGS. These individual solutions were then combined by the TIGA Combination Center (TCC) to produce, for the first time, a TIGA combined solution (Release 0.99). This combined solution allows an evaluation of each individual TAC solution while also providing a means to gauge the quality and reliability of the combined solution, which is generally regarded as superior to the individual TAC solutions. Using time series analysis methods, estimates of VLM can then be derived from the daily position estimates, which are sub-sequentially employed to investigate coastal sea-levels. In this study, we show results from the evaluation of the relevant solutions, provide an evaluation of the TIGA VLM estimates and give examples of their impact on sea-level estimates for selected tide gauges from around the world. The TAC and TIGA combined solutions, as well as the derived VLM data sets are available from the IGS TIGA WG and will be accessible through SONEL (www.sonel.org) in the near future

Hydrogel-based treatments for spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by damage resulting in dysfunction of the spinal cord. Hydrogels are common biomaterials that play an important role in the treatment of SCI. Hydrogels are biocompatible, and some have electrical conductivity that are compatible with spinal cord tissues. Hydrogels have a high drug-carrying capacity, allowing them to be used for SCI treatment through the loading of various types of active substances, drugs, or cells. We first discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of the human spinal cord and briefly discuss SCI and its treatment. Then, we describe different treatment strategies for SCI. We further discuss the crosslinking methods and classification of hydrogels and detail hydrogel biomaterials prepared using different processing methods for the treatment of SCI. Finally, we analyze the future applications and limitations of hydrogels for SCI. The development of biomaterials opens up new possibilities and options for the treatment of SCI. Thus, our findings will inspire scholars in related fields and promote the development of hydrogel therapy for SCI

Characterization of the Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) Interactome Reveals Novel Binding Partners in Human Cancer Cells

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a highly conserved housekeeping protein present in eukaryotic organisms. It is involved in regulating many fundamental processes and plays a critical role in tumor reversion and tumorigenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that TCTP plays a role in the regulation of cell fate determination and is a promising therapeutic target for cancer. To decipher the exact mechanisms by which TCTP functions and how all these functions are integrated, we analyzed the interactome of TCTP in HeLa cells by coimmuno­precipitation (IP) and mass spectrometry (MS). A total of 98 proteins were identified. We confirmed the in vitro and in vivo association of TCTP with six of the identified binding proteins using reciprocal IP and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis, respectively. Moreover, TCTP interacted with Y-box-binding protein 1 (YBX1), and their interaction was localized to the N-terminal region of TCTP and the 1–129 amino acid (aa) residues of YBX1. The YBX1 protein plays an important role in cell proliferation, RNA splicing, DNA repair, drug resistance, and stress response to extracellular signals. These data suggest that the interaction of TCTP with YBX1 might cooperate or coordinate their functions in the control of diverse regulatory pathways in cancer cells. Taken together, our results not only reveal a large number of TCTP-associated proteins that possess pleiotropic functions, but also provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of TCTP in tumorigenesis

Characterization of the Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) Interactome Reveals Novel Binding Partners in Human Cancer Cells

Translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP) is a highly conserved housekeeping protein present in eukaryotic organisms. It is involved in regulating many fundamental processes and plays a critical role in tumor reversion and tumorigenesis. Increasing evidence suggests that TCTP plays a role in the regulation of cell fate determination and is a promising therapeutic target for cancer. To decipher the exact mechanisms by which TCTP functions and how all these functions are integrated, we analyzed the interactome of TCTP in HeLa cells by coimmuno­precipitation (IP) and mass spectrometry (MS). A total of 98 proteins were identified. We confirmed the in vitro and in vivo association of TCTP with six of the identified binding proteins using reciprocal IP and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis, respectively. Moreover, TCTP interacted with Y-box-binding protein 1 (YBX1), and their interaction was localized to the N-terminal region of TCTP and the 1–129 amino acid (aa) residues of YBX1. The YBX1 protein plays an important role in cell proliferation, RNA splicing, DNA repair, drug resistance, and stress response to extracellular signals. These data suggest that the interaction of TCTP with YBX1 might cooperate or coordinate their functions in the control of diverse regulatory pathways in cancer cells. Taken together, our results not only reveal a large number of TCTP-associated proteins that possess pleiotropic functions, but also provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of TCTP in tumorigenesis

The 3 May 2006 (M<inf>w</inf> 8.0) and 19 March 2009 (M<inf>w</inf> 7.6) Tonga earthquakes: Intraslab compressional faulting below the megathrust

The Tonga subduction zone is among the most seismically active regions and has the highest plate convergence rate in the world. However, recorded thrust events confidently located on the plate boundary have not exceeded Mw 8.0, and the historic record suggests low seismic coupling along the arc. We analyze two major thrust fault earthquakes that occurred in central Tonga in 2006 and 2009. The 3 May 2006 Mw 8.0 event has a focal mechanism consistent with interplate thrusting, was located west of the trench, and caused a moderate regional tsunami. However, long-period seismic wave inversions and finite-fault modeling by joint inversion of teleseismic body waves and local GPS static offsets indicate a slip distribution centered ~65km deep, about 30km deeper than the plate boundary revealed by locations of aftershocks, demonstrating that this was an intraslab event. The aftershock locations were obtained using data from seven temporary seismic stations deployed shortly after the main shock, and most lie on the plate boundary, not on either nodal plane of the deeper main shock. The fault plane is ambiguous, and investigation of compound rupture involving coseismic slip along the megathrust does not provide a better fit, although activation of megathrust faulting is responsible for the aftershocks. The 19 March 2009 Mw 7.6 compressional faulting event occurred below the trench; finite-fault and W-phase inversions indicate an intraslab, ~50km deep centroid, with ambiguous fault plane. This event also triggered small megathrust faulting. There continues to be a paucity of large megathrust earthquakes in Tonga

Malaria parasites and related haemosporidians cause mortality in cranes: a study on the parasites diversity, prevalence and distribution in Beijing Zoo

Abstract Background Malaria parasites and related haemosporidian parasites are widespread and may cause severe diseases in birds. These pathogens should be considered in projects aiming breeding of birds for purposes of sustained ex situ conservation. Cranes are the ‘flagship species’ for health assessment of wetland ecosystems, and the majority of species are endangered. Malaria parasites and other haemosporidians have been reported in cranes, but the host-parasite relationships remain insufficiently understood. Morbidity of cranes due to malaria has been reported in Beijing Zoo. This study report prevalence, diversity and distribution of malaria parasites and related haemosporidians in cranes in Beijing Zoo and suggest simple measures to protect vulnerable individuals. Methods In all, 123 cranes (62 adults and 61 juveniles) belonging to 10 species were examined using PCR-based testing and microscopic examination of blood samples collected in 2007–2014. All birds were maintained in open-air aviaries, except for 19 chicks that were raised in a greenhouse with the aim to protect them from bites of blood-sucking insects. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was used to identify the closely related avian haemosporidian parasites. Results Species of Plasmodium (5 lineages), Haemoproteus (1) and Leucocytozoon (2) were reported. Malaria parasites predominated (83% of all reported infections). The overall prevalence of haemosporidians in juveniles was approximately seven-fold higher than in adults, indicating high susceptibility of chicks and local transmission. Juvenile and adult birds hosted different lineages of Plasmodium, indicating that chicks got infection from non-parent birds. Plasmodium relictum (pSGS1) was the most prevalent malaria parasite. Mortality was not reported in adults, but 53% of infected chicks died, with reports of co-infection with Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon species. All chicks maintained in the greenhouse were non-infected and survived. Species of Leucocytozoon were undetectable by commonly used PCR protocol, but readily visible in blood films. Conclusion Crane chicks often die due to malaria and Leucocytozoon infections, which they likely gain from wild free-living birds in Beijing Zoo. Molecular diagnostics of crane Leucocytozoon parasites needs improvement. Because the reported infections are mainly chick diseases, the authors recommend maintaining of juvenile birds in vector-free facilities until the age of approximately 6 months before they are placed in open-air aviaries