Variability in organ-specific EGFR mutational spectra in tumour epithelium and stroma may be the biological basis for differential responses to tyrosine kinase inhibitors

Organ-specific differences in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutational spectra and frequencies were found in lung cancer and sporadic and BRCA1/2-related breast cancers. Additionally, we found a high frequency of EGFR mutations in the tumour stroma of these invasive breast carcinomas. Those organ-specific mutational spectra and potential targets in the cancer-associated stroma might influence the efficacy of TKI therapy

Muscle precursor cells in the developing limbs of two isopods (Crustacea, Peracarida): an immunohistochemical study using a novel monoclonal antibody against myosin heavy chain

In the hot debate on arthropod relationships, Crustaceans and the morphology of their appendages play a pivotal role. To gain new insights into how arthropod appendages evolved, developmental biologists recently have begun to examine the expression and function of Drosophila appendage genes in Crustaceans. However, cellular aspects of Crustacean limb development such as myogenesis are poorly understood in Crustaceans so that the interpretative context in which to analyse gene functions is still fragmentary. The goal of the present project was to analyse muscle development in Crustacean appendages, and to that end, monoclonal antibodies against arthropod muscle proteins were generated. One of these antibodies recognises certain isoforms of myosin heavy chain and strongly binds to muscle precursor cells in malacostracan Crustacea. We used this antibody to study myogenesis in two isopods, Porcellio scaber and Idotea balthica (Crustacea, Malacostraca, Peracarida), by immunohistochemistry. In these animals, muscles in the limbs originate from single muscle precursor cells, which subsequently grow to form multinucleated muscle precursors. The pattern of primordial muscles in the thoracic limbs was mapped, and results compared to muscle development in other Crustaceans and in insects

Effect of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer laminate configuration on the behavior of strengthened reinforced concrete beams

This paper presents test results of 18 small-scale reinforced concrete specimens of strengthened beams using carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The specimens were instrumented with strain gauges in a region where cracks in the concrete were preformed to monitor the variation of strains throughout testing. Results indicate that there can be a very large variation in the measured strains in the composites depending, not only on the location of the cracks, but also on the configuration used to bond the composites to the surface of the elements. The interface shear stresses generated at failure of the beams are compared with two existing analytical models. Additionally, the stress level in the composites was determined for all the strengthened specimens from the experimental data. The calculated stress in the composites reached between 20 and 43% of the CFRP rupture stress. The information presented in this paper provides information that can be used to validate or modify current design procedures of strengthened beams using composites

Hysteretic Behavior of bridge columns with FRP-Jacketed lap splices designed for moderate ductility enhancement

This paper presents test results of six specimens representing older bridge columns with inadequate reinforcement detailing consisting of short lap splices at the base and widely spaced transverse reinforcement. Four of these specimens were rehabilitated using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) jackets of two different composite materials (carbon and aramid) to avoid premature failure of the lapped bars after a limited number of postyield cycles. The test results indicate that thin FRP jackets can be used to avoid failure of short lap splices at moderate displacement ductilities. Displacement capacities consistent with expected demands in regions of moderate or low seismicity were achieved after jacket retrofitting. The hysteretic behavior of rehabilitated columns was assessed with emphasizing issues related to variation of stiffness and damping ratio as a function of ductility demand for this class of columns. Equations that account for the effect of axial load level on estimates of effective stiffness and damping as a function of displacement ductility are proposed for this class of columns

Experimental Behavior of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) Sheets Attached to Concrete Surfaces Using CFRP Anchors

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite sheets have gained popularity as a viable strengthening technique for existing reinforced concrete structures. The efficiency of the strengthening system largely depends on adequate bond between FRP sheets and the concrete substrate. In recent years, techniques to anchor FRP sheets have been proposed in applications that have limited distance to develop FRP sheet strength. One promising technique consists of fabricating and bonding FRP anchors during the FRP sheet saturation and embedding them into predrilled holes in the concrete substrate. This paper presents experimental results highlighting the complex behavior between FRP sheets and anchors. The primary failure modes that the sheet-anchor system can experience are identified. The experiments identify the main variables that influence the FRP anchor-sheet system behavior. This research contributes to the needed experimental database that will aid in future development of design recommendations of this anchorage system