bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Escherichia coli O-Genotyping PCR: a Comprehensive and Practical Platform for Molecular O Serogrouping
Authors: Iguchi Atsushi , Iyoda Sunao , Seto Kazuko , Morita-Ishihara Tomoko , Scheutz Flemming , Ohnishi Makoto
Published: April 2015

The O serogrouping of pathogenic
Escherichia coli
is a standard method for subtyping strains for epidemiological studies and enhancing phylogenetic studies. In particular, the identification of strains of the same O serogroup is essential in outbreak investigations and surveillance. In a previous study, we analyzed the O-antigen biosynthesis gene cluster in all known
E. coli
O serogroups (A. Iguchi et al., DNA Res, 22:101–107, 2015,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/dnares/dsu043
). Based on those results, we have arranged 162 PCR primer pairs for the identification or classification of O serogroups. Of these, 147 pairs were used to identify 147 individual O serogroups with unique O-antigen biosynthesis genes, and the other 15 pairs were used to identify 15 groups of strains (Gp1 to Gp15). Each of these groups consisted of strains with identical or very similar O-antigen biosynthesis genes, and the groups represented a total of 35 individual O serogroups. We then used the 162 primer pairs to create 20 multiplex PCR sets. Each set contained six to nine primer pairs that amplify products of markedly different sizes. This genetic methodology (
E. coli
O-genotyping PCR) allowed for comprehensive, rapid, and low-cost typing. Validation of the PCR system using O-serogroup references and wild strains showed that the correct O serogroups were specifically and accurately identified for 100% (182/182) and 90.8% (522/575) of references and wild strains, respectively. The PCR-based system reported here might be a promising tool for the subtyping of
E. coli
strains for epidemiological studies as well as for the surveillance of pathogenic
E. coli
during outbreaks.
SAMHD1 Limits HIV-1 Antigen Presentation by Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells
Authors: Ayinde Diana , Bruel Timothée , Cardinaud Sylvain , Porrot Françoise , Prado Julia G. , Moris Arnaud , Schwartz Olivier
Published: April 2015

Monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDC) stimulate CD8
+
cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) by presenting endogenous and exogenous viral peptides via major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules. MDDC are poorly susceptible to HIV-1, in part due to the presence of SAMHD1, a cellular enzyme that depletes intracellular deoxynucleoside triphosphates (dNTPs) and degrades viral RNA. Vpx, an HIV-2/SIVsm protein absent from HIV-1, antagonizes SAMHD1 by inducing its degradation. The impact of SAMHD1 on the adaptive cellular immune response remains poorly characterized. Here, we asked whether SAMHD1 modulates MHC-I-restricted HIV-1 antigen presentation. Untreated MDDC or MDDC pretreated with Vpx were exposed to HIV-1, and antigen presentation was examined by monitoring the activation of an HIV-1 Gag-specific CTL clone. SAMHD1 depletion strongly enhanced productive infection of MDDC as well as endogenous HIV-1 antigen presentation. Time-lapse microscopy analysis demonstrated that in the absence of SAMHD1, the CTL rapidly killed infected MDDC. We also report that various transmitted/founder (T/F) HIV-1 strains poorly infected MDDC and, as a consequence, did not stimulate CTL. Vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) pseudotyping of T/F alleviated a block in viral entry and induced antigen presentation only in the absence of SAMHD1. Furthermore, by using another CTL clone that mostly recognizes incoming HIV-1 antigens, we demonstrate that SAMHD1 does not influence exogenous viral antigen presentation. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the antiviral activity of SAMHD1 impacts antigen presentation by DC, highlighting the link that exists between restriction factors and adaptive immune responses.

IMPORTANCE
Upon viral infection, DC may present antigens derived from incoming viral material in the absence of productive infection of DC or from newly synthesized viral proteins. In the case of HIV, productive infection of DC is blocked at an early postentry step. This is due to the presence of SAMHD1, a cellular enzyme that depletes intracellular levels of dNTPs and inhibits viral reverse transcription. We show that the depletion of SAMHD1 in DCs strongly stimulates the presentation of viral antigens derived from newly produced viral proteins, leading to the activation of HIV-1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). We further show in real time that the enhanced activation of CTL leads to killing of infected DCs. Our results indicate that the antiviral activity of SAMHD1 not only impacts HIV replication but also impacts antigen presentation by DC. They highlight the link that exists between restriction factors and adaptive immune responses.
Recombination of Globally Circulating Varicella-Zoster Virus
Authors: Norberg Peter , Depledge Daniel P. , Kundu Samit , Atkinson Claire , Brown Julianne , Haque Tanzina , Hussaini Yusuf , MacMahon Eithne , Molyneaux Pamela , Papaevangelou Vassiliki , Sengupta Nitu , Koay Evelyn S. C. , Tang Julian W. , Underhill Gillian S. , Grahn Anna , Studahl Marie , Breuer Judith , Bergström Tomas
Published: April 2015

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human herpesvirus, which during primary infection typically causes varicella (chicken pox) and establishes lifelong latency in sensory and autonomic ganglia. Later in life, the virus may reactivate to cause herpes zoster (HZ; also known as shingles). To prevent these diseases, a live-attenuated heterogeneous vaccine preparation, vOka, is used routinely in many countries worldwide. Recent studies of another alphaherpesvirus, infectious laryngotracheitis virus, demonstrate that live-attenuated vaccine strains can recombine
in vivo
, creating virulent progeny. These findings raised concerns about using attenuated herpesvirus vaccines under conditions that favor recombination. To investigate whether VZV may undergo recombination, which is a prerequisite for VZV vaccination to create such conditions, we here analyzed 115 complete VZV genomes. Our results demonstrate that recombination occurs frequently for VZV. It thus seems that VZV is fully capable of recombination if given the opportunity, which may have important implications for continued VZV vaccination. Although no interclade vaccine-wild-type recombinant strains were found, intraclade recombinants were frequently detected in clade 2, which harbors the vaccine strains, suggesting that the vaccine strains have already been involved in recombination events, either
in vivo
or
in vitro
during passages in cell culture. Finally, previous partial and complete genomic studies have described strains that do not cluster phylogenetically to any of the five established clades. The additional VZV strains sequenced here, in combination with those previously published, have enabled us to formally define a novel sixth VZV clade.

IMPORTANCE
Although genetic recombination has been demonstrated to frequently occur for other human alphaherpesviruses, herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2, only a few ancient and isolated recent recombination events have hitherto been demonstrated for VZV. In the present study, we demonstrate that VZV also frequently undergoes genetic recombination, including strains belonging to the clade containing the vOKA strain.
Differential Expression of CX3CL1 in Hepatitis B Virus-Replicating Hepatoma Cells Can Affect the Migration Activity of CX3CR1
+
Immune Cells
Authors: Kondo Yasuteru , Kimura Osamu , Tanaka Yasuhito , Ninomiya Masashi , Iwata Tomoaki , Kogure Takayuki , Inoue Jun , Sugiyama Masaya , Morosawa Tatsuki , Fujisaka Yasuyuki , Shimosegawa Tooru
Published: April 2015

In addition to stellate cells and immune cells, inflamed hepatocytes and hepatoma cells express various kinds of chemokines that attract various kinds of immune cells. Previously, we reported that hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication can induce physiological stress. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of chemokines produced by HBV-infected hepatocytes and hepatoma cells. A real-time PCR array targeting genes related to chemokines and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were carried out to detect the specific chemokines produced by Huh7 cells and HepG2 cells infected with various HBV genotypes. A migration assay, flow cytometry analysis, and immunohistochemistry were carried out to analyze the candidate immune cells that can affect the immunopathogenesis of HBV infection. The expressions of CX3CL1 mRNA and protein were significantly different among HBV genotypes A, B, and C and control cells (mock) (
P
< 0.05). CD56
+
NK cells and CD8
+
T cells migrated to the hepatoma cells with HBV replication. Moreover, the migration activity of both immune cells was partially cancelled after the treatment of CX3CL1 neutralizing antibody. The expression level of NKG2D on CX3CR1
+
NK cells in HCC with HBV infection was significantly lower than that in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with HCV infection and chronic hepatitis B and C patients (
P
< 0.05). On the other hand, the frequency of PD-1
high
CX3CR1
+
CD8
+
T cells in HCC with HBV infection was significantly higher than that in HCC with HCV infection and chronic hepatitis B and C (
P
< 0.05). The expression of CX3CL1 in HBV-replicating hepatocytes and hepatoma cells could contribute to the immunopathogenesis of HBV infection.

IMPORTANCE
The progressions of the disease are significantly different among HBV genotypes. However, it has not been clear that how different HBV genotypes could induce different inflammatory responses. Here, we first report that the levels of expression of CX3CL1 mRNA and protein were significantly different among HBV genotypes A, B, and C and mock. Not only the differential expression of CX3CL1 among the genotypes but also the phenotype of CX3CR1
+
NK cells and T cells were gradually changed during the progression of the disease status. In addition to
in vitro
study, the analysis of immunohistochemistry with human samples and NOG mice with human lymphocytes and hepatoma cells supports this phenomenon. The quantification of CX3CL1 could contribute to better understanding of the disease status of HBV infection. Moreover, modifying CX3CL1 might induce an immune response appropriate to the disease status of HBV infection.
Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Elicited Different Responses after Infection with Pathogenic and Nonpathogenic Junin Virus Strains
Authors: Negrotto Soledad , Mena Hebe A. , Ure Agustin E. , Jaquenod De Giusti Carolina , Bollati-Fogolín Mariela , Vermeulen Elba M. , Schattner Mirta , Gómez Ricardo M.
Published: April 2015

The arenavirus Junin virus (JUNV) is the etiologic agent of Argentine hemorrhagic fever. We characterized the JUNV infection of human peripheral blood-derived plasmacytoid dendritic cells (hpDC), demonstrating that hpDC are susceptible to infection with the C#1 strain (attenuated) and even more susceptible to infection with the P (virulent) JUNV strain. However, hpDC elicited different responses in terms of viability, activation, maturation, and cytokine expression after infection with both JUNV strains.
A Seminomadic Population in Bangladesh with Extensive Exposure to Macaques Does Not Exhibit High Levels of Zoonotic Simian Foamy Virus Infection
Authors: Craig Karen L. , Hasan M. Kamrul , Jackson Dana L. , Engel Gregory A. , Soliven Khanh , Feeroz Mostafa M. , Wang Xiaoxing , Jones-Engel Lisa , Linial Maxine L.
Published: April 2015

Simian foamy viruses (SVF) are ubiquitous in nonhuman primates (NHP). SFV can be zoonotically transmitted to humans who either work with or live commensally with NHP. We analyzed the blood of 45 Bangladeshi performing monkey owners (an ethnic group called the Bedey) for SFV infection. Surprisingly, a PCR assay failed to detect SFV infection in any of these participants. This is in contrast to our previously reported infection rate of about 5% among Bangladeshi villagers.
Heterogeneous Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein M Facilitates Enterovirus Infection
Authors: Jagdeo Julienne M. , Dufour Antoine , Fung Gabriel , Luo Honglin , Kleifeld Oded , Overall Christopher M. , Jan Eric
Published: April 2015

Picornavirus infection involves a dynamic interplay of host and viral protein interactions that modulates cellular processes to facilitate virus infection and evade host antiviral defenses. Here, using a proteomics-based approach known as TAILS to identify protease-generated neo-N-terminal peptides, we identify a novel target of the poliovirus 3C proteinase, the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein M (hnRNP M), a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling RNA-binding protein that is primarily known for its role in pre-mRNA splicing. hnRNP M is cleaved
in vitro
by poliovirus and coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) 3C proteinases and is targeted in poliovirus- and CVB3-infected HeLa cells and in the hearts of CVB3-infected mice. hnRNP M relocalizes from the nucleus to the cytoplasm during poliovirus infection. Finally, depletion of hnRNP M using small interfering RNA knockdown approaches decreases poliovirus and CVB3 infections in HeLa cells and does not affect poliovirus internal ribosome entry site translation and viral RNA stability. We propose that cleavage of and subverting the function of hnRNP M is a general strategy utilized by picornaviruses to facilitate viral infection.

IMPORTANCE
Enteroviruses, a member of the picornavirus family, are RNA viruses that cause a range of diseases, including respiratory ailments, dilated cardiomyopathy, and paralysis. Although enteroviruses have been studied for several decades, the molecular basis of infection and the pathogenic mechanisms leading to disease are still poorly understood. Here, we identify hnRNP M as a novel target of a viral proteinase. We demonstrate that the virus subverts the function of hnRNP M and redirects it to a step in the viral life cycle. We propose that cleavage of hnRNP M is a general strategy that picornaviruses use to facilitate infection.
Inefficient Codon Usage Impairs mRNA Accumulation: the Case of the v-FLIP Gene of Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus
Authors: Bellare Priya , Dufresne Andrew , Ganem Don
Published: April 2015

Latent Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) genomes encode a homolog of cellular FLICE-inhibitory proteins (termed v-FLIP) that activates NF-κB and can trigger important proinflammatory and antiapoptotic changes in latently infected cells. The protein is present at very low levels in infection and has generally been difficult to efficiently express in recombinant vectors. Here we show that codon usage in the v-FLIP gene is strikingly suboptimal. Optimization of codon use in expression vectors, as expected, restores efficient protein expression. Surprisingly, however, it also dramatically increases the steady-state level of v-FLIP mRNA, at least in part by increasing mRNA stability. When codon-optimized v-FLIP sequences are reintroduced into intact KSHV genomes, the resulting virus expresses readily detectable monocistronic v-FLIP mRNAs that are undetectable in wild-type (WT) infection by blot hybridization, suggesting that such RNAs are in fact transcribed in WT infection but fail to accumulate. The overexpression of v-FLIP by codon-optimized latent genomes results in a 5- to 7-fold decrement in virus production following lytic induction, indicating that maximizing NF-κB signaling is deleterious to induction. These studies provide a clear explanation for the evolution of inefficient codon usage in this gene and point to a strong connection between translational efficiency and RNA accumulation in mammalian cells.

IMPORTANCE
This study reports that inefficient codon usage in a herpesviral gene is strikingly correlated with the inability of its mRNA to accumulate in cells; correction of efficient translatability restores RNA abundance. A similar correlation has been reported in yeast species, but the mechanisms operating in mammalian cells appear substantially different.
Intraoperative and Postoperative Anaesthetic and Analgesic Effect of Multipoint Transcutaneous Electrical Acupuncture Stimulation Combined with Sufentanil Anaesthesia in Patients Undergoing Supratentorial Craniotomy
Authors: Liu Xing , Li Shuqin , Wang Baoguo , An Lixin , Ren Xiujun , Wu Haifeng
Published: April 2015

Objectives

To investigate the anaesthetic and analgesic effect of multipoint transcutaneous electrical acupuncture stimulation (TEAS) during supratentorial tumour resection for postoperative recovery and side effects.

Methods

In a blinded clinical trial, 92 patients scheduled for supratentorial craniotomy under general anaesthesia were randomly allocated into either a multipoint TEAS (n=46) or a sham TEAS group (n=46). All patients received total intravenous anaesthesia (TIVA) with propofol and sufentanil. The target concentration of sufentanil was adjusted and recorded according to mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and bispectral index (BIS). Patients in the TEAS group received TEAS 30 min before anaesthesia induction and this was maintained throughout the operation at four pairs of acupuncture points. Postoperative pain, recovery and side effects were evaluated.

Results

Eighty-eight patients completed the study. Continuous monitoring of MAP, HR and BIS showed stable values with no significant differences between the two groups (p>0.05). Sufentanil target plasma concentration in TEAS patients was significantly lower at some time points during supratentorial craniotomy, and total sufentanil consumption was significantly higher in the sham group (p<0.05). Postoperative recovery and pain were significantly improved by TEAS (p<0.001), without the postoperative side effects.

Conclusions

Multipoint TEAS at both proximal and distal points combined with TIVA can significantly decrease intraoperative sufentanil requirements, increase pain relief on postoperative day 1 and improve postoperative recovery of patients during supratentorial tumour resection, with no significant increase of side effects. These findings suggest that multipoint TEAS may be clinically effective as an adjunct to analgesia in intraoperative anaesthesia and postoperative pain treatment and may speed recovery.

Trial Registration Number

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number ChiCTR-TRC-10001078).
Survival in patients with breast cancer with bone metastasis: a Danish population-based cohort study on the prognostic impact of initial stage of disease at breast cancer diagnosis and length of the bone metastasis-free interval
Authors: Cetin Karynsa , Christiansen Christian Fynbo , Sværke Claus , Jacobsen Jacob Bonde , Sørensen Henrik Toft
Published: April 2015

Objectives

Since population-based data on prognostic factors affecting survival in patients with breast cancer with bone metastasis (BM) are currently limited, we conducted this nationwide retrospective cohort study to examine the prognostic role of disease stage at breast cancer diagnosis and length of BM-free interval (BMFI).

Setting

Denmark.

Participants

2427 women with a breast cancer diagnosis between 1997 and 2011 in the Danish Cancer Registry and a concurrent or subsequent BM diagnosis in the Danish National Registry of Patients.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Survival (crude) based on Kaplan-Meier method and mortality risk (crude and adjusted for age, year of diagnosis, estrogen receptor status and comorbidity) based on Cox proportional hazards regression analyses by stage of disease at breast cancer diagnosis and by length of BMFI (time from breast cancer to BM diagnosis), following patients from BM diagnosis until death, emigration or until 31 December 2012, whichever came first.

Results

Survival decreased with more advanced stage of disease at the time of breast cancer diagnosis; risk of mortality during the first year following a BM diagnosis was over two times higher for those presenting with metastatic versus localised disease (adjusted HR=2.12 (95% CI 1.71 to 2.62)). With respect to length of BMFI, survival was highest in women with a BMFI <1 year (ie, in those who presented with BM at the time of breast cancer diagnosis or were diagnosed within 1 year). However, among patients with a BMFI ≥1 year, survival increased with longer BMFI (1-year survival: 39.9% (95% CI 36.3% to 43.6%) for BMFI 1 to <3 years and 52.6% (95% CI 47.4% to 57.6%) for BMFI ≥5 years). This pattern was also observed in multivariate analyses.

Conclusions

Stage of disease at breast cancer diagnosis and length of BMFI appear to be important prognostic factors for survival following BM.
A minimally invasive technique for decompression of Chiari malformation type I (DECMI study): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hu Yu , Liu Jiagang , Chen Haifeng , Jiang Shu , Li Qiang , Fang Yuan , Gong Shuhui , Wang Yuelong , Huang Siqing
Published: April 2015

Introduction

Chiari malformation type I (CM-I) is a congenital hindbrain anomaly that requires surgical decompression in symptomatic patients. Posterior fossa decompression with duraplasty (PFDD) has been widely practiced in Chiari decompression, but dural opening carries a high risk of surgical complications. A minimally invasive technique, dural splitting decompression (DSD), preserves the inner layer of the dura without dural opening and duraplasty, potentially reducing surgical complications, length of operative time and hospital stay, and cost. If DSD is non-inferior to PFDD in terms of clinical improvement, DSD could be an alternative treatment modality for CM-I. So far, no randomised study of surgical treatment of CM-I has been reported. This study aims to evaluate if DSD is an effective, safe and cost-saving treatment modality for adult CM-I patients, and may provide evidence for using the minimally invasive procedure extensively.

Methods and analysis

DECMI is a randomised controlled, single-masked, non-inferiority, single centre clinical trial. Participants meeting the criteria will be randomised to the DSD group and the PFDD group in a 1:1 ratio. The primary outcome is the rate of clinical improvement, which is defined as the complete resolution or partial improvement of the presenting symptoms/signs. The secondary outcomes consist of the incidence of syrinx reduction, postoperative morbidity rates, reoperation rate, quality of life (QoL) and healthcare resource utilisation. A total of 160 patients will be included and followed up at 3 and 12 months postoperatively.

Ethics and dissemination

The study protocol was approved by the Biological and Medical Ethics Committee of West China Hospital. The findings of this trial will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and presented at scientific conferences.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR-TRC-14004099.
The lingering effects of a busted myth — false time limits in stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Sun Yao , Boots Joanne , Zehr E. Paul
Published: April 2015

It was once falsely believed that neurological and functional recovery after stroke occurred only in the first 6 months after lesion. The perception of this “6-month myth” continues to negatively impact the attitudes of patients towards their rehabilitation and on the clinicians and therapists making optimal training plans. Here we briefly outline some evidence that debunked the 6-month myth, where the concept of this temporal limit may have originated, and the lingering misunderstanding that individuals with stroke reach a plateau of recovery after 6 months even with rehabilitation training. We present evidence that significant functional improvement can occur years after stroke when rehabilitation training is applied. We frame the concepts of active and passive neurological recovery and that active neurological recovery continues far beyond any temporal limit. Because the effects of this busted 6-month myth persist, we aim to remind active physicians, therapists, exercise professionals, and those with stroke to continuously seek opportunities for active rehabilitation training. Meanwhile, trained and certified exercise professionals can play critical roles in facilitating rehabilitative training for community-dwelling stroke survivors.
Comparing size-limit and quota policies to increase economic yield in a lobster fishery
Authors: McGarvey Richard , Punt André E. , Matthews Janet M. , Feenstra John E. , Gardner Caleb , Burch Paul , Hartmann Klaas , Linnane Adrian
Published: April 2015

To advance economic and sustainability objectives in a lobster fishery, four broadly different management policies were evaluated: minimum and maximum size limits, constant catch quotas, and quota set yearly in proportion to the previous year’s catch per unit effort (CPUE). The performance of each policy was evaluated based on its discounted economic yield, together with egg production, catch, and catch stability. Maximum size limits performed poorly for all indicators. Raising the minimum size increased economic yield by improving yield-per-recruit. Output controls, both constant and dynamic, uniformly outperformed size limits, leading to substantially higher economic yield and egg production. A dynamic harvest control rule, setting quota in proportion to the previous year’s catch rate, achieved the highest economic yield, catch, and egg production over 20 years. The optimal (30%) exploitation rate under this policy produced a 182% improvement in economic yield compared with a baseline strategy of only minimum size, but led to a mean year-to-year change in quota of 11.5% in response to yearly variable recruitment. This quota-setting management regime is straightforward to implement, using only catch rate as input. When absolute exploitation rate estimates are not available, this quota-setting harvest control rule can be constructed using only a target level of effort.
A nonperturbative method for the Yang–Mills Lagrangian
Authors: Jora Renata
Published: April 2015

Using the properties of the partition function for a Yang–Mills theory we compute simple relations among the renormalization constants. In the particular case of the background gauge field method we obtain that the all orders beta function for the gauge coupling constant contains only the first two orders coefficients different than zero and thus corresponds to the 't Hooft scheme.
Study of the magnetic and structural properties ofAl–Crcodoped Y-type hexaferrite prepared via sol–gel auto-combustion method
Authors: Mirzaee O. , Mohamady R. , Ghasemi A. , Farzin Y. Alizad
Published: April 2015

Nanostructure of Y-type hexaferrite with composition of Sr2Ni2Alx/2Crx/2Fe12-xO22(where x are 0, 0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4 and 3) were prepared by sol–gel auto-combustion method. The influence of Al and Cr doping on the structural and magnetic properties has been investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirm phase formation of Y-type hexaferrite. The microstructure and morphology of prepared samples were studied by high resolution field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) which shows the hexagonal shape for all of the samples. Magnetic properties were characterized using vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The magnetic results revealed that by increasing the Al and Cr to the structure, the coercivity was also increased from 840 Oe to 1160 Oe. Moreover it has been shown that with addition of dopants, saturation magnetization (Ms) and remnant magnetization (Mr) were decreased from 39.61 emu/g to 30.11 emu/g and from 17.51 emu/g to 14.62 emu/g, respectively, due to the entrance of nonmagnetic ions into Fe3+sites.
Photon added coherent states for nonharmonic oscillators in a nonlinear Kerr medium
Authors: Al-Rajhi M. A.
Published: April 2015

In this paper, we construct the photon-added anharmonic oscillators coherent states (PA-AOCSs) using generalized Heisenberg algebras. Klauders minimal set of conditions required to obtain the coherent states are satisfied. The statistical properties of these states are investigated through the Mandel's parameter in terms of the variables involved in the states. It is shown that these coherent states are useful for describing the states of real and ideal lasers in terms of different parameters. These features make these states good candidatures for implementation of schemes in different tasks of quantum optics and information.
Novel diffusions of interstitial atoms in II–VI compounds zinc selenide
Authors: Chen Li An , Jiang En Hai , Zhu Xing Feng , Chen Ling Fu
Published: April 2015

The diffusion plays an important role in many applications when the impurities are employed to tune the semiconductor's electrical or optical properties, which make it essential to understand theoretically the microscopic mechanisms governing how dopant defects diffuse. Using first-principles calculations, we compare the diffusion behaviors and migration barriers of interstitial Cu , Ag , and Au atoms in II–VI compounds ZnSe . We consider interstitial diffusion mechanisms and calculate the corresponding activation energies. For noble atoms, we find that the interstitial mediated mechanism is the dominant one. We also find that the relative size of dopant atoms and constituent atoms of II–VI compounds is an important factor affecting the diffusion behaviors. The coupling in ZnSe between Cu d levels and unoccupied host s levels is not as strong as that in CdTe .
Sesquicentennial of the presentation by James Clerk Maxwell of his paper "A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field" to the Royal Society of London
Authors: Qadir Asghar , Mason D. P.
Published: April 2015

James Clerk Maxwell is generally regarded as the greatest contributor to the development of Physics in the time between Newton and Einstein. His most important contributions are the Kinetic Theory of Gases and Electromagnetism which is the unified theory of Electricity and Magnetism. Although his major work on Electromagnetism was published in 1865 it was read at a meeting of the Royal Society of London in 1864. The sesquicentennial of the theory correctly falls in 2014. In this article that event is celebrated. Parts of his early and professional life are described. Aspects of his many contributions are discussed but mainly we concentrate on his contributions through thermal and electromagnetic Physics.
What symmetries can do for you
Authors: Nucci M. C.
Published: April 2015

Several applications of Lie symmetries and its generalisation are presented: from turning butterflies into tornados, to its applications in epidemics, population dynamics, and ultimately converting classical problems into the quantum realm. Applications of nonclassical symmetries are also illustrated.
Stochastic symmetries of Wick type stochastic ordinary differential equations
Authors: Ünal Gazanfer
Published: April 2015

We consider Wick type stochastic ordinary differential equations with Gaussian white noise. We define the stochastic symmetry transformations and Lie equations in Kondratiev space [Formula: see text]. We derive the determining system of Wick type stochastic partial differential equations with Gaussian white noise. Stochastic symmetries for stochastic Bernoulli, Riccati and general stochastic linear equation in [Formula: see text] are obtained. A stochastic version of canonical variables is also introduced.
The hard edge tacnode process and the hard edge Pearcey process with non-intersecting squared Bessel paths
Authors: Delvaux Steven , Vető Bálint
Published: April 2015

A system of non-intersecting squared Bessel processes is considered which all start from one point and they all return to another point. Under the scaling of the starting and ending points when the macroscopic boundary of the paths touches the hard edge, a limiting critical process is described in the neighborhood of the touching point which we call the hard edge tacnode process. We derive its correlation kernel in an explicit new form which involves Airy type functions and operators that act on the direct sum of L2(ℝ+) and a finite-dimensional space. As the starting points of the squared Bessel paths are set to 0, a cusp in the boundary appears. The limiting process is described near the cusp and it is called the hard edge Pearcey process. We compute its multi-time correlation kernel which extends the existing formulas for the single-time kernel. Our pre-asymptotic correlation kernel involves the ratio of two Toeplitz determinants which are rewritten using a Borodin–Okounkov type formula.
TLR2 and TLR9 contribute to alcohol-mediated liver injury through induction of CXCL1 and neutrophil infiltration
Authors: Roh Yoon Seok , Zhang Bi , Loomba Rohit , Seki Ekihiro
Published: April 2015

Although previous studies reported the involvement of the TLR4-TRIF pathway in alcohol-induced liver injury, the role of TLR2 and TLR9 signaling in alcohol-mediated neutrophil infiltration and liver injury has not been elucidated. Since alcohol binge drinking is recognized to induce more severe form of alcohol liver disease, we used a chronic-binge ethanol-feeding model as a mouse model for early stage of alcoholic hepatitis. Whereas a chronic-binge ethanol feeding induced alcohol-mediated liver injury in wild-type mice, TLR2- and TLR9-deficient mice showed reduced liver injury. Induction of neutrophil-recruiting chemokines, including Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Cxcl5, and hepatic neutrophil infiltration were increased in wild-type mice, but not in TLR2- and TLR9-deficient mice. In vivo depletion of Kupffer cells (KCs) by liposomal clodronate reduced liver injury and the expression of Il1b, but not Cxcl1, Cxcl2, and Cxcl5, suggesting that KCs are partly associated with liver injury, but not neutrophil recruitment, in a chronic-binge ethanol-feeding model. Notably, hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) produce high amounts of CXCL1 in ethanol-treated mice. The treatment with TLR2 and TLR9 ligands synergistically upregulated CXCL1 expression in hepatocytes. Moreover, the inhibitors for CXCR2, a receptor for CXCL1, and MyD88 suppressed neutrophil infiltration and liver injury induced by chronic-binge ethanol treatment. Consistent with the above findings, hepatic CXCL1 expression was highly upregulated in patients with alcoholic hepatitis. In a chronic-binge ethanol-feeding model, the TLR2 and TLR9-dependent MyD88-dependent pathway mediates CXCL1 production in hepatocytes and HSCs; the CXCL1 then promotes neutrophil infiltration into the liver via CXCR2, resulting in the development of alcohol-mediated liver injury.
Why do movements drift in the dark? Passive versus active mechanisms of error accumulation
Authors: Cameron Brendan D. , de la Malla Cristina , López-Moliner Joan
Published: April 2015

When vision of the hand is unavailable, movements drift systematically away from their targets. It is unclear, however, why this drift occurs. We investigated whether drift is an active process, in which people deliberately modify their movements based on biased position estimates, causing the real hand to move away from the real target location, or a passive process, in which execution error accumulates because people have diminished sensory feedback and fail to adequately compensate for the execution error. In our study participants reached back and forth between two targets when vision of the hand, targets, or both the hand and targets was occluded. We observed the most drift when hand vision and target vision were occluded and equivalent amounts of drift when either hand vision or target vision was occluded. In a second experiment, we observed movement drift even when no visual target was ever present, providing evidence that drift is not driven by a visual-proprioceptive discrepancy. The observed drift in both experiments was consistent with a model of passive error accumulation in which the amount of drift is determined by the precision of the sensory estimate of movement error.
Frequency of gamma oscillations in humans is modulated by velocity of visual motion
Authors: Orekhova Elena V. , Butorina Anna V. , Sysoeva Olga V. , Prokofyev Andrey O. , Nikolaeva Anastasia Yu. , Stroganova Tatiana A.
Published: April 2015

Gamma oscillations are generated in networks of inhibitory fast-spiking (FS) parvalbumin-positive (PV) interneurons and pyramidal cells. In animals, gamma frequency is modulated by the velocity of visual motion; the effect of velocity has not been evaluated in humans. In this work, we have studied velocity-related modulations of gamma frequency in children using MEG/EEG. We also investigated whether such modulations predict the prominence of the “spatial suppression” effect (Tadin D, Lappin JS, Gilroy LA, Blake R. Nature 424: 312-315, 2003) that is thought to depend on cortical center-surround inhibitory mechanisms. MEG/EEG was recorded in 27 normal boys aged 8–15 yr while they watched high-contrast black-and-white annular gratings drifting with velocities of 1.2, 3.6, and 6.0°/s and performed a simple detection task. The spatial suppression effect was assessed in a separate psychophysical experiment. MEG gamma oscillation frequency increased while power decreased with increasing velocity of visual motion. In EEG, the effects were less reliable. The frequencies of the velocity-specific gamma peaks were 64.9, 74.8, and 87.1 Hz for the slow, medium, and fast motions, respectively. The frequency of the gamma response elicited during slow and medium velocity of visual motion decreased with subject age, whereas the range of gamma frequency modulation by velocity increased with age. The frequency modulation range predicted spatial suppression even after controlling for the effect of age. We suggest that the modulation of the MEG gamma frequency by velocity of visual motion reflects excitability of cortical inhibitory circuits and can be used to investigate their normal and pathological development in the human brain.
Clinical and Breed Characteristics of Idiopathic Head Tremor Syndrome in 291 Dogs: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Shell Linda G. , Berezowski John , Rishniw Mark , Nibblett Belle M. , Kelly Patrick
Published: April 2015

Objective. To establish signalment and phenomenology of canine idiopathic head tremor syndrome (IHTS), an episodic head movement disorder of undetermined pathogenesis.Design. Retrospective case series.Animals. 291 dogs with IHTS diagnosed between 1999 and 2013.Procedures. Clinical information was obtained from an online community of veterinary information aggregation and exchange (Veterinary Information Network, 777 W Covell Boulevard, Davis, CA 95616) and conducted with their approval. Information on breed, sex, age of onset, tremor description, mentation during the event, effect of distractions and drugs, diagnostics, presence of other problems, and outcome was analyzed.Results. IHTS was found in 24 pure breeds. Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, and Doberman Pinschers comprised 69%; mixed breeds comprised 17%. Average onset age was 29 months (range: 3 months to 12 years). First episode occurred before 48 months of age in 88%. Vertical (35%), horizontal (50%), and rotational (15%) movements were documented. Possible trigger events were found in 21%. Mentation was normal in 93%. Distractions abated the tremor in 87%. Most dogs did not respond to antiepileptic drugs.Conclusions and Clinical Relevance. This retrospective study documents IHTS in many breeds including Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, and mixed breeds.
A Method of Vehicle Route Prediction Based on Social Network Analysis
Authors: Ye Ning , Wang Zhong-qin , Malekian Reza , Zhang Ying-ya , Wang Ru-chuan
Published: April 2015

A method of vehicle route prediction based on social network analysis is proposed in this paper. The difference from proposed work is that, according to our collected vehicles’ past trips, we build a relationship model between different road segments rather than find the driving regularity of vehicles to predict upcoming routes. In this paper, firstly we depend on graph theory to build an initial road network model and modify related model parameters based on the collected data set. Then we transform the model into a matrix. Secondly, two concepts from social network analysis are introduced to describe the meaning of the matrix and we process it by current software of social network analysis. Thirdly, we design the algorithm of vehicle route prediction based on the above processing results. Finally, we use the leave-one-out approach to verify the efficiency of our algorithm.
MapReduce Based Personalized Locality Sensitive Hashing for Similarity Joins on Large Scale Data
Authors: Wang Jingjing , Lin Chen
Published: April 2015

Locality Sensitive Hashing (LSH) has been proposed as an efficient technique for similarity joins for high dimensional data. The efficiency and approximation rate of LSH depend on the number of generated false positive instances and false negative instances. In many domains, reducing the number of false positives is crucial. Furthermore, in some application scenarios, balancing false positives and false negatives is favored. To address these problems, in this paper we propose Personalized Locality Sensitive Hashing (PLSH), where a new banding scheme is embedded to tailor the number of false positives, false negatives, and the sum of both. PLSH is implemented in parallel using MapReduce framework to deal with similarity joins on large scale data. Experimental studies on real and simulated data verify the efficiency and effectiveness of our proposed PLSH technique, compared with state-of-the-art methods.
A Multiconstrained QoS Aware MAC Protocol for Cluster-Based Cognitive Radio Sensor Networks
Authors: Pritom Mir Mehedi Ahsan , Sarker Sujan , Razzaque Md. Abdur , Hassan Mohammad Mehedi , Hossain M. Anwar , Alelaiwi Abdulhameed
Published: April 2015

Traditional wireless sensor networks (WSNs) work over the unlicensed spectrum, and as the spectrum becomes increasingly crowded, they suffer from uncontrolled interference. Recently, cognitive radio based sensor networks (CRSNs) have been envisioned as a promising type of implementation that provides quality-of-service (QoS) features for data transmissions. However, key challenges remain in designing energy-efficient medium access control techniques that can achieve QoS. In this paper, we have developed a multiconstrained QoS aware MAC protocol, MQ-MAC, for a cluster based CRSN. In MQ-MAC, a data channel and a backup channel are assigned to a secondary user by the respective cluster head by using dynamic channel priorities. The user device can switch to the backup channel when a primary user appears to be operating over the data channel. Member nodes of a cluster are also prioritized with respect to the urgency of their generated data packets. Performance evaluations, carried out in NS-3 simulator, show that the proposed MQ-MAC protocol offers better performance than existing MAC protocols for CRSN.
Efficient Reverse Skyline Processing over Sliding Windows in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Min Jun-Ki
Published: April 2015

Owning to the proliferation of cost-effective sensors, there has been an increased growth in a number of applications of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In addition, the skyline operator as well as its variants such as the dynamic skyline and reverse skyline operator has attracted increasing attention since those are useful for multicriteria decision making applications. Since the energy efficiency is utmost important issue to prolong the network lifetime, in this paper, we proposed efficient algorithms to process a reverse skyline query over a sliding window in WSN environments. We first devise our algorithm for the data stream environments and extend it to WSN environments. To compute the reverse skyline, we partition the data space into several orthants with respect to a query point. And, in each orthant, we compute the reverse skyline independently using two buffers. In our experiment study, we demonstrate that our algorithm is much better than other algorithms.
Impact of Atmospheric Microparticles on the Development of Oxidative Stress in Healthy City/Industrial Seaport Residents
Authors: Golokhvast Kirill , Vitkina Tatyana , Gvozdenko Tatyana , Kolosov Victor , Yankova Vera , Kondratieva Elena , Gorkavaya Anna , Nazarenko Anna , Chaika Vladimir , Romanova Tatyana , Karabtsov Alexander , Perelman Juliy , Kiku Pavel , Tsatsakis Aristidis
Published: April 2015

Atmospheric microsized particles producing reactive oxygen species can pose a serious health risk for city residents. We studied the responses of organisms to microparticles in 255 healthy volunteers living in areas with different levels of microparticle air pollution. We analyzed the distribution of microparticles in snow samples by size and content. ELISA and flow cytometry methods were employed to determine the parameters of the thiol-disulfide metabolism, peroxidation and antioxidant, genotoxicity, and energy state of the leukocytes. We found that, in the park areas, microparticles with a size of 800 μm or more were predominant (96%), while in the industrial areas, they tended to be less than 50 μm (93%), including size 200–300 nm (7%). In the industrial areas, we determined the oxidative modification of proteins (21% compared to the park areas,p≤0.05) and DNA (12%,p≤0.05), as well as changes in leukocytes’ energy potential (53%,p≤0.05). An increase in total antioxidant activity (82%,p≤0.01) and thiol-disulfide system response (thioredoxin increasing by 33%,p≤0.01; glutathione, 30%,p≤0.01with stable reductases levels) maintains a balance of peroxidation-antioxidant processes, protecting cellular and subcellular structures from significant oxidative damage.
Significant Depletion of CD4+T Cells Occurs in the Oral Mucosa during Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection with the Infected CD4+T Cell Reservoir Continuing to Persist in the Oral Mucosa during Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: George Jeffy , Wagner Wendeline , Lewis Mark G. , Mattapallil Joseph J.
Published: April 2015

Human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV and SIV) infections are characterized by manifestation of numerous opportunistic infections and inflammatory conditions in the oral mucosa. The loss of CD4+T cells that play a critical role in maintaining mucosal immunity likely contributes to this process. Here we show that CD4+T cells constitute a minor population of T cells in the oral mucosa and display a predominantly central memory phenotype mirroring other mucosal sites such as the rectal mucosa. Chronic SIV infection was associated with a near total depletion of CD4+T cells in the oral mucosa that appear to repopulate during antiretroviral therapy (ART). Repopulating CD4+T cells harbored a large fraction of Th17 cells suggesting that ART potentially reconstitutes oral mucosal immunity. However, a minor fraction of repopulating CD4+T cells harbored SIV DNA suggesting that the viral reservoir continues to persist in the oral mucosa during ART. Therapeutic approaches aimed at obtaining sustainable CD4+T cell repopulation in combination with strategies that can eradicate the latent viral reservoir in the oral mucosa are essential for better oral health and long-term outcome in HIV infected patients.
Viral Agents of Diarrhea in Young Children in Two Primary Health Centers in Edo State, Nigeria
Authors: Imade Paul Erhunmwunse , Eghafona Nosakhare Odeh
Published: April 2015

Enteric viruses have been shown to be responsible for diarrhea among children during their early childhood. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of rotavirus, adenovirus, and norovirus infection in young children with diarrhea in two primary health centers in Edo State, Nigeria. A total of 223 stool specimens were collected from children aged 0–36 months with clinical signs of diarrhea and 59 apparently healthy age-matched children as control. These specimens were investigated for three viral agents using immunochromatographic technique (ICT). The overall results showed that at least one viral agent was detected in 95/223 (42.6%) of the children with diarrhea while the control had none. The prevalence of rotavirus was 28.3%, adenovirus 19.3%, and norovirus 3.6%. There was a significant association between age group and infection (P<0.0001). Seasonal pattern of enteric viruses was not statistically significant (P=0.17). The overall coinfection rate was 7.6% and rotavirus-adenovirus coinfection had the highest with 5.4%. Rotavirus was the most prevalent viral agent. Coinfections are not uncommon among the population studied. The most commonly associated clinical symptom of viral diarrhea in this study was vomiting. Viral diagnostic tests are advocated for primary health care facilities in this locality.