Surface Oxide Formation during Rapid Heating of Zn-coated Press Hardening Steel

During the conventional die-quenching processing of a galvanized PHS steel, a thick ZnO layer is formed at the surface. When the heating rate is increased, the oxide at the surface is a thin Al2O3 layer. This remarkable change in surface oxide during rapid heating is due to the partial melting of the coating instead of the solidification of the coating and the formation of Fe-Zn intermetallics. In the present study, the characterization of the surface oxide formation at different heating rates is presented.X1184Ysciescopu

Relationship between Environmental Phthalate Exposure and the Intelligence of School-Age Children

BACKGROUND: Concern over phthalates has emerged because of their potential toxicity to humans. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between the urinary concentrations of phthalate metabolites and children`s intellectual functioning. METHODS: This study enrolled 667 children at nine elementary schools in five South Korean cities. A cross-sectional examination of urine phthalate concentrations was performed, and scores on neuro-psychological tests were obtained from both the children and their mothers. RESULTS: We measured mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) and mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MEOHP), both metabolites of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), and mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), a metabolite of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), in urine samples. The geometric mean (ln) concentrations of MEHP, MEOHP, and MBP were 21.3 mu g/L [geometric SD (GSD) = 2.2 mu g/L; range, 0.5-445.4], 18.0 mu g/L (GSD = 2.4; range, 0.07-291.1), and 48.9 mu g/L (GSD = 2.2; range, 2.1-1645.5), respectively. After adjusting for demographic and developmental covariates, the Full Scale IQ and Verbal IQ scores were negatively associated with DEHP metabolites but not with DBP metabolites. We also found a significant negative relationship between the urine concentrations of the metabolites of DEHP and DBP and children`s vocabulary subscores. After controlling for maternal IQ, a significant inverse relationship between DEHP metabolites and vocabulary subscale score remained. Among boys, we found a negative association between increasing MEHP phthalate concentrations and the sum of DEHP metabolite concentrations and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children vocabulary score; however, among girls, we found no significant association between these variables. CONCLUSION: Controlling for maternal IQ and other covariates, the results show an inverse relationship between phthalate metabolites and IQ scores; however, given the limitations in cross-sectional epidemiology, prospective studies are needed to fully explore these associations.This work was funded by the Eco-Technopia 21 project of Korea Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (091-081-059).Cho SC, 2010, J CHILD PSYCHOL PSYC, V51, P1050, DOI 10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02250.xKim BN, 2009, BIOL PSYCHIAT, V66, P958, DOI 10.1016/j.biopsych.2009.07.034Tanida T, 2009, TOXICOL LETT, V189, P40, DOI 10.1016/j.toxlet.2009.04.005Ghisari M, 2009, TOXICOL LETT, V189, P67, DOI 10.1016/j.toxlet.2009.05.004Barnett JH, 2009, AM J PSYCHIAT, V166, P909, DOI 10.1176/appi.ajp.2009.08081251Kim Y, 2009, NEUROTOXICOLOGY, V30, P564, DOI 10.1016/j.neuro.2009.03.012Engel SM, 2009, NEUROTOXICOLOGY, V30, P522, DOI 10.1016/j.neuro.2009.04.001Kamrin MA, 2009, J TOXICOL ENV HEAL B, V12, P157, DOI 10.1080/10937400902729226Brown JS, 2009, SCHIZOPHRENIA BULL, V35, P256, DOI 10.1093/schbul/sbm147Bellinger DC, 2008, NEUROTOXICOLOGY, V29, P828, DOI 10.1016/j.neuro.2008.04.005Wolff MS, 2008, ENVIRON HEALTH PERSP, V116, P1092, DOI 10.1289/ehp.11007van Neerven S, 2008, PROG NEUROBIOL, V85, P433, DOI 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2008.04.006Hatch EE, 2008, ENVIRON HEALTH-GLOB, V7, DOI 10.1186/1476-069X-7-27Zevalkink J, 2008, J GENET PSYCHOL, V169, P72Kolarik B, 2008, ENVIRON HEALTH PERSP, V116, P98, DOI 10.1289/ehp.10498SATHYANARAYANA S, 2008, CURR PROBL PEDIAT AD, V38, P34KHO YL, 2008, J ENV HLTH SCI, V34, P271Huang PC, 2007, HUM REPROD, V22, P2715, DOI 10.1093/humrep/dem205Janjua NR, 2007, ENVIRON SCI TECHNOL, V41, P5564, DOI 10.1021/es0628755Meeker JD, 2007, ENVIRON HEALTH PERSP, V115, P1029, DOI 10.1289/ehp.9852Fromme H, 2007, INT J HYG ENVIR HEAL, V210, P21, DOI 10.1016/j.ijheh.2006.09.005Xu Y, 2007, ARCH TOXICOL, V81, P57, DOI 10.1007/s00204-006-0143-8Pereira C, 2007, ACTA HISTOCHEM, V109, P29, DOI 10.1016/j.acthis.2006.09.008Hauser R, 2006, EPIDEMIOLOGY, V17, P682, DOI 10.1097/01.ede.0000235996.89953.d7Zhu DF, 2006, BRAIN, V129, P2923, DOI 10.1093/brain/awl215Andrade AJM, 2006, TOXICOLOGY, V227, P185, DOI 10.1016/j.tox.2006.07.022Lottrup G, 2006, INT J ANDROL, V29, P172, DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2005.00642.xBreous E, 2005, MOL CELL ENDOCRINOL, V244, P75, DOI 10.1016/j.mce.2005.06.009Wenzel A, 2005, MOL CELL ENDOCRINOL, V244, P63, DOI 10.1016/j.mce.2005.02.008Kato K, 2005, ANAL CHEM, V77, P2985, DOI 10.1021/ac0481248Tanaka T, 2005, FOOD CHEM TOXICOL, V43, P581, DOI 10.1016/j.fct.2005.01.001Duty SM, 2005, HUM REPROD, V20, P604, DOI 10.1093/humrep/deh656Kota BP, 2005, PHARMACOL RES, V51, P85, DOI 10.1016/j.phrs.2004.07.012Hays T, 2005, CARCINOGENESIS, V26, P219, DOI 10.1093/carcin/bgh285Hauser R, 2004, ENVIRON HEALTH PERSP, V112, P1734, DOI 10.1289/ehp.7212Bornehag CG, 2004, ENVIRON HEALTH PERSP, V112, P1393, DOI 10.1289/ehp.7187Ishido M, 2004, J NEUROCHEM, V91, P69, DOI 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2004.02696.xMink PJ, 2004, EPIDEMIOLOGY, V15, P385, DOI 10.1097/01.ede.0000128402.86336.7eBellinger DC, 2004, EPIDEMIOLOGY, V15, P383, DOI 10.1097/01.ede.0000129525.15064.a4Shea KM, 2003, PEDIATRICS, V111, P1467Tanaka T, 2002, FOOD CHEM TOXICOL, V40, P1499, DOI 10.1016/S0278-6915(02)00073-XHoppin JA, 2002, ENVIRON HEALTH PERSP, V110, P515SATTLER JM, 2001, ASSESSMENT CHILDRENRice D, 2000, ENVIRON HEALTH PERSP, V108, P511Bellinger DC, 2000, NEUROTOXICOL TERATOL, V22, P133LIM YR, 2000, KOR J CLIN PSYCHOL, V19, P563Braissant O, 1998, ENDOCRINOLOGY, V139, P2748Peters JM, 1997, CARCINOGENESIS, V18, P2029Baldini IM, 1997, PROG NEURO-PSYCHOPH, V21, P925Roberts RA, 1997, FUND APPL TOXICOL, V38, P107PARK KS, 1996, DEV KEDI WISC INDIVIMONZANI F, 1993, CLIN INVESTIGATOR, V71, P367SILVERSTEIN AB, 1990, J CLIN PSYCHOL, V46, P333HINTON RH, 1986, ENVIRON HEALTH PERSP, V70, P195KIM MK, 1986, SEOUL J PSYCHIAT, V11, P194KAUFMAN AS, 1976, CONTEMP EDUC PSYCHOL, V1, P1801

TNF-alpha differentially modulates subunit levels of respiratory electron transport complexes of ER/PR plus ve/-ve breast cancer cells to regulate mitochondrial complex activity and tumorigenic potential

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is an immunostimulatory cytokine that is consistently high in the breast tumor microenvironment (TME); however, its differential role in mitochondrial functions and cell survival in ER/PR +ve and ER/PR −ve breast cancer cells is not well understood. Methods: In the current study, we investigated TNF-α modulated mitochondrial proteome using high-resolution mass spectrometry and identified the differentially expressed proteins in two different breast cancer cell lines, ER/PR positive cell line; luminal, MCF-7 and ER/PR negative cell line; basal-like, MDA-MB-231 and explored its implication in regulating the tumorigenic potential of breast cancer cells. We also compared the activity of mitochondrial complexes, ATP, and ROS levels between MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 in the presence of TNF-α. We used Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) webserver to analyze the correlation between TNF-α and mitochondrial proteins in basal and luminal breast cancer patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the correlation between mitochondrial protein expression and survival of breast cancer patients. Results: The proteome analysis revealed that TNF-α differentially altered the level of critical proteins of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes both in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, which correlated with differential assembly and activity of mitochondrial ETC complexes. The inhibition of the glycolytic pathway in the presence of TNF-α showed that glycolysis is indispensable for the proliferation and clonogenic ability of MDA-MB-231 cells (ER/ PR −ve) as compared to MCF-7 cells (ER/PR +ve). The TIMER database showed a negative correlation between the expressions of TNF-α and key regulators of mitochondrial OXPHOS complexes in basal breast vs lobular carcinoma. Conversely, patient survival analysis showed an improved relapse-free survival with increased expression of identified proteins of ETC complexes and survival of the breast cancer patients. Conclusion: The evidence presented in our study convincingly demonstrates that TNF-α regulates the survival and proliferation of aggressive tumor cells by modulating the levels of critical assembly factors and subunits involved in mitochondrial respiratory chain supercomplexes organization and function. This favors the rewiring of mitochondrial metabolism towards anaplerosis to support the survival and proliferation of breast cancer cells. Collectively, the results strongly suggest that TNF-α differentially regulates metabolic adaptation in ER/PR +ve (MCF- 7) and ER/PR −ve (MDA-MB-231) cells by modulating the mitochondrial supercomplex assembly and activity

Expression, Localization, and Phosphorylation of Akt1 in Benign and Malignant Thyroid Lesions

The serine/threonine protein kinase Akt is a key molecule in the phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase pathway that is often overactivated in human cancers. Three Akt isoforms (Akt1, Akt2, Akt3) have been identified in human cells and they show different distribution and have non-redundant functions. The aim of this study was to determine whether the expression, phosphorylation, and localization of Akt1 isoform in human thyroid malignant lesions are different from those in benign lesions. Nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions were isolated from tissue samples and Western blot method was used to detect Akt1 presence in both cellular fractions. Akt1 expression was also assessed by ELISA method. To estimate Akt1 phosphorylation, kinase was immunoprecipitated from cell lysates and tested with anti-phospho-Akt antibodies. The Akt1 expression in majority of thyroid cancer samples was significantly higher than in benign lesions (p < 0.05). Akt1 both in differentiated cancers (follicular and papillary) and benign lesions was localized mainly in cytoplasmic fraction. In two of three anaplastic cancer samples Akt1 was predominantly localized in nucleus. The ratio of phosphorylated Akt1 to total Akt1 was lower in cancers than in non-neoplastic lesions and adenomas. Thus, although Akt1 seems to be overexpressed in thyroid neoplasms, its high phosphorylation is not characteristic for thyroid cancers

Prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia: a report of two cases

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: Gynecomastia is defined as the presence of excessive breast tissue in males, which can appear unilateral or bilateral. Bilateral gynecomastia is frequently found in the neonatal period, early in puberty, and with increasing age. Prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia in the absence of endocrine abnormalities is extremely rare, with only a few cases in literature. METHODS: We report the cases of two otherwise healthy boys of 8 and 11 years old with unilateral breast masses. No abnormalities were found on ultrasonography and all endocrine parameters were within normal limits. Treatment consisted of peripheral liposuction followed by subcutaneous partial resection of the gland, conducted through an infra-areolar incision. Results : Microscopy of the subcutaneous mastectomy specimen revealed gynecomastia without signs of malignancy. Postoperative course of both patients was uncomplicated, with no signs of recurrence of breast tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Atypical presentations of gynecomastia are often not recognized, with little attention to breast development in prepubertal non-obese children. Since prepubertal gynecomastia could be a sign of possible underlying diseases, a thorough examination and further research is recommended. If there is no causal treatment, surgical resection is the therapy of first choice. Peripheral liposuction and surgical resection of the gland tissue are the mainstay of treatment. In summary, we describe two cases of prepubertal unilateral gynecomastia with a normal endocrine workup. Further research is needed to establish the pathophysiologic mechanisms of prepubertal gynecomastia, since underlying etiology in most cases remains unclear

Protective effect of breastfeeding with regard to children’s behavioral and cognitive problems

BACKGROUND: Breastfeeding has been associated with a lower risk for behavioral problems in childhood. However, it is uncertain whether these associations are mediated by the mother’s or child’s IQ. We examined the association between breastfeeding and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other behavioral problems in childhood and assessed the role of the child’s IQ and the mother’s IQ in generating this association. FINDINGS: The current study included 874 children (8-11 years) recruited from schools in five Korean cities. Mothers were asked about nursing, and the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and behavioral problems were compared between children who were breastfed and those who were not breastfed. After adjusting for age, gender, area of residence, and yearly family income, a lack of breastfeeding was associated with increased internalizing, externalizing, and overall behavioral problems as well as the diagnosis of ADHD. These associations weakened but mostly remained significant after adjusting for child’s IQ and maternal IQ. In addition, a lack of breastfeeding was associated with low child’s IQ and this association weakened, but remained significant even after adjusting for maternal IQ and the diagnosis of ADHD. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that there is a protective effect of breastfeeding on childhood behavioral outcomes with a partial mediation of this effect by the child’s IQ, and there is a positive effect of breastfeeding on childhood intelligence with a partial mediation of this effect by the child’s attention problem

The effect Akt2 deletion on tumor development in Pten+/− mice

The serine/threonine kinase Akt is frequently activated in human cancers and is considered an attractive therapeutic target. However, the relative contributions of the different Akt isoforms to tumorigenesis, and the effect of their deficiencies on cancer development are not well understood. We had previously shown that Akt1 deficiency is sufficient to markedly reduce the incidence of tumors in Pten+/− mice. Particularly, Akt1 deficiency inhibits endometrial carcinoma and prostate neoplasia in Pten+/− mice. Here, we analyzed the effect of Akt2 deficiency on the incidence of tumors in Pten+/− mice. Relative to Akt1, Akt2 deficiency had little-to-no effect on the incidence of prostate neoplasia, endometrial carcinoma, intestinal polyps and adrenal lesions in Pten+/− mice. However, Akt2 deficiency significantly decreased the incidence of thyroid tumors in Pten+/−, which correlates with the relatively high level of Akt2 expression in the thyroid. Thus, unlike Akt1 deletion, Akt2 deletion is not sufficient to markedly inhibit tumorigenesis in Pten+/− mice in most tested tissues. The relatively small effect of Akt2 deletion on the inhibition of tumorigenesis in Pten+/− mice could be explained, in part, by an insufficient decrease in total Akt activity, due to the relatively lower Akt2 versus Akt1 expression, and relatively high blood insulin levels in Pten+/−Akt2−/− mice. The relatively high blood insulin levels in Pten+/−Akt2−/− mice may elevate the activity of Akt1, and possibly Akt3, thus, limiting the reduction of total Akt activity and preventing this activity from dropping to a threshold level required to inhibit tumorigenesis

Revealing heterogeneous nucleation of primary Si and eutectic Si by AlP in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys

The heterogeneous nucleation of primary Si and eutectic Si can be attributed to the presence of AlP. Although P, in the form of AlP particles, is usually observed in the centre of primary Si, there is still a lack of detailed investigations on the distribution of P within primary Si and eutectic Si in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys at the atomic scale. Here, we report an atomic-scale experimental investigation on the distribution of P in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys. P, in the form of AlP particles, was observed in the centre of primary Si. However, no significant amount of P was detected within primary Si, eutectic Si and the Al matrix. Instead, P was observed at the interface between the Al matrix and eutectic Si, strongly indicating that P, in the form of AlP particles (or AlP ‘patch’ dependent on the P concentration), may have nucleated on the surface of the Al matrix and thereby enhanced the heterogeneous nucleation of eutectic Si. The present investigation reveals some novel insights into heterogeneous nucleation of primary Si and eutectic Si by AlP in hypereutectic Al-Si alloys and can be used to further develop heterogeneous nucleation mechanisms based on adsorption

Efficient and accurate greedy search methods for mining functional modules in protein interaction networks

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Most computational algorithms mainly focus on detecting highly connected subgraphs in PPI networks as protein complexes but ignore their inherent organization. Furthermore, many of these algorithms are computationally expensive. However, recent analysis indicates that experimentally detected protein complexes generally contain Core/attachment structures.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this paper, a Greedy Search Method based on Core-Attachment structure (GSM-CA) is proposed. The GSM-CA method detects densely connected regions in large protein-protein interaction networks based on the edge weight and two criteria for determining core nodes and attachment nodes. The GSM-CA method improves the prediction accuracy compared to other similar module detection approaches, however it is computationally expensive. Many module detection approaches are based on the traditional hierarchical methods, which is also computationally inefficient because the hierarchical tree structure produced by these approaches cannot provide adequate information to identify whether a network belongs to a module structure or not. In order to speed up the computational process, the Greedy Search Method based on Fast Clustering (GSM-FC) is proposed in this work. The edge weight based GSM-FC method uses a greedy procedure to traverse all edges just once to separate the network into the suitable set of modules.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The proposed methods are applied to the protein interaction network of S. cerevisiae. Experimental results indicate that many significant functional modules are detected, most of which match the known complexes. Results also demonstrate that the GSM-FC algorithm is faster and more accurate as compared to other competing algorithms.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Based on the new edge weight definition, the proposed algorithm takes advantages of the greedy search procedure to separate the network into the suitable set of modules. Experimental analysis shows that the identified modules are statistically significant. The algorithm can reduce the computational time significantly while keeping high prediction accuracy.</p