bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An automated protocol for performance benchmarking a widefield fluorescence microscope
Authors: Halter Michael , Bier Elianna , DeRose Paul C. , Cooksey Gregory A. , Choquette Steven J. , Plant Anne L. , Elliott John T.
Published: August 2014

Widefield fluorescence microscopy is a highly used tool for visually assessing biological samples and for quantifying cell responses. Despite its widespread use in high content analysis and other imaging applications, few published methods exist for evaluating and benchmarking the analytical performance of a microscope. Easy‐to‐use benchmarking methods would facilitate the use of fluorescence imaging as a quantitative analytical tool in research applications, and would aid the determination of instrumental method validation for commercial product development applications. We describe and evaluate an automated method to characterize a fluorescence imaging system's performance by benchmarking the detection threshold, saturation, and linear dynamic range to a reference material. The benchmarking procedure is demonstrated using two different materials as the reference material, uranyl‐ion‐doped glass and Schott 475 GG filter glass. Both are suitable candidate reference materials that are homogeneously fluorescent and highly photostable, and the Schott 475 GG filter glass is currently commercially available. In addition to benchmarking the analytical performance, we also demonstrate that the reference materials provide for accurate day to day intensity calibration. Published 2014 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Effects of familiar contingencies on infants' vocal behavior in new communicative contexts
Authors: Miller Jennifer L.
Published: August 2014

Recently, there has been a growing interest in understanding the mechanisms underlying vocal learning in songbirds and human infants. Research has demonstrated how contingent social feedback from social partners to immature vocalizations can play a role during vocal learning in both brown‐headed cowbirds and prelinguistic infants. Contingencies in social interactions, particularly familiar contingencies, are important in developing preferences for social partners and shaping social exchanges Bigelow and Birch [1999]. Infant Behavior & Development 22:367–382]; however, little is known about how familiar contingencies that individuals experience during communicative exchanges play a role in new contexts. The current study examined differences in caregiver response patterns to infant vocal behavior and assessed how familiar contingencies influenced infant vocal behavior in novel communicative exchanges with caregivers. Infants were systematically exposed to high and low social feedback schedules during a play session. Results revealed the frequency of caregiver responsiveness to which infants were accustomed to affected infant vocal production during novel communicative situations. Infants with high responding caregivers vocalized with more mature vocalizations and used their vocalizations differently than infants with low responding caregivers during the high, but not low, response period. Specifically, infants with high responding caregivers directed more of their vocalizations at their caregiver and looked more at their caregiver after vocalizing, an indication of anticipating contingent responding. These results suggest that infants with high responding caregivers learned the association between vocalizing and contingent responses during the novel communicative interaction. This study demonstrates the need to understand how infants who experience a variety of contingencies in everyday interactions with caregivers carry over to other interactive situations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 1518–1527, 2014.
Human fibrocytic myeloid‐derived suppressor cells express IDO and promote tolerance via Treg‐cell expansion
Authors: Zoso Alessia , Mazza Emilia M. C. , Bicciato Silvio , Mandruzzato Susanna , Bronte Vincenzo , Serafini Paolo , Inverardi Luca
Published: August 2014

By restraining T‐cell activation and promoting Treg‐cell expansion, myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and tolerogenic DCs can control self‐reactive and antigraft effector T cells in autoimmunity and transplantation. Their therapeutic use and characterization, however, is limited by their scarce availability in the peripheral blood of tumor‐free donors. In the present study, we describe and characterize a novel population of human myeloid suppressor cells, named fibrocytic MDSC, which are differentiated from umbilical cord blood precursors by 4‐day culture with FDA‐approved cytokines (recombinant human‐GM‐CSF and recombinant human‐G‐CSF). This MDSC subset, characterized by the expression of MDSC‐, DC‐, and fibrocyte‐associated markers, promotes Treg‐cell expansion and induces normoglycemia in a xenogeneic mouse model of Type 1 diabetes. In order to exert their protolerogenic function, fibrocytic MDSCs require direct contact with activated T cells, which leads to the production and secretion of IDO. This new myeloid subset may have an important role in the in vitro and in vivo production of Treg cells for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, and in either the prevention or control of allograft rejection.
Carbamylation of immunoglobulin abrogates activation of the classical complement pathway
Authors: Koro Catalin , Bielecka Ewa , Dahl‐Knudsen Anders , Enghild Jan J. , Scavenius Carsten , Brun Johan G. , Binder Veronika , Hellvard Annelie , Bergum Brith , Jonsson Roland , Potempa Jan , Blom Anna M. , Mydel Piotr
Published: August 2014

Post‐translational modifications of proteins significantly affect their structure and function. The carbamylation of positively charged lysine residues to form neutral homoitrulline occurs primarily under inflammatory conditions through myeloperoxidase‐dependent cyanate (CNO−) formation. We analyzed the pattern of human IgG1 carbamylation under inflammatory conditions and the effects that this modification has on the ability of antibodies to trigger complement activation via the classical pathway. We found that the lysine residues of IgG1 are rapidly modified after brief exposure to CNO−. Interestingly, modifications were not random, but instead limited to only few lysines within the hinge area and the N‐terminal fragment of the CH2 domain. A complement activation assay combined with mass spectrometry analysis revealed a highly significant inverse correlation between carbamylation of several key lysine residues within the hinge region and N‐terminus of the CH2 domain and the proper binding of C1q to human IgG1 followed by subsequent complement activation. This severely hindered complement‐dependent cytotoxicity of therapeutic IgG1. The reaction can apparently occur in vivo, as we found carbamylated antibodies in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients. Taken together, our data suggest that carbamylation has a profound impact on the complement‐activating ability of IgG1 and reveals a pivotal role for previously uncharacterized lysine residues in this process.
Reactions of 1,3,2‐Diselenaphospholanes with Lewis Acids: Borane and (Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium and ‐iridium Dichloride
Authors: Wrackmeyer Bernd , Klimkina Elena V. , Milius Wolfgang
Published: August 2014

2‐R‐1,3,2‐Diselenaphospholanes (R = iPr, Ph) with an annelated 1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane(12) unit were treated with Lewis acids such as borane reagents (BH3 in THF, and BH3–SMe2) as well as Cp*‐rhodium and ‐iridium dichloride (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). In all cases, the adduct formation in the beginning was followed by ring expansion through insertion of the borane or Cp*MCl2 into one of the P–Se bonds accompanied by transfer of a hydrido or chlorido ligand to phosphorus. Finally, the P–R unit was displaced from the ring to give the exchange products, in which the boron or the metal had become part of the five‐membered rings. The reactions were monitored by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C, 31P, and 77Se). The proposed reaction sequences were found to be in agreement with calculated [B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p), LANL2DZ (Rh, Ir) level of theory] relative energies of optimized gas‐phase structures of the various products. The novel molecular structure of the preferred insertion product with M = Ir, R = iPr was determined by X‐ray analysis.
Correlation of fatty acid composition of virgin olive oil with thermal and physical properties
Authors: Gila Abraham , Jiménez Antonio , Beltrán Gabriel , Romero Alberto
Published: August 2014

Physical properties (dynamic viscosity and density) of virgin olive oil (VOO) from fourteen olive varieties were studied as a function of their fatty acid (FA) compositions and temperature. Moreover, for these same VOOs, were evaluated the thermal properties by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): cooling, heating, and oxidation profiles. The composition of VOO analyzed corresponded to the normal range for these varieties. Also, for all VOOs, the temperature effect on oil density decreased linearly as a temperature increased, achieved a good correlation. Arrhenius model describes the effect of temperature on viscosity showing a Newtonian behavior. Correlations between temperature of the major peak of crystallization phase (Pc) and their content in oleic and linoleic FAs were found. In addition, although a not very good correlation was observed between FA composition and viscosity, it was observed that the viscosity tends to increase with the amount of oleic acid.

Practical applications: Knowledge of thermal and physical properties of the virgin olive oils (VOOs) is essential to improve some aspects of the extraction process in olive oil mill. Therefore, the information in this work is important for many applications such as equipment design (settling and storage tanks, centrifuges, pumps, etc.).

Correlations between the oleic acid (C18:1) content of VOOs and the corresponding to (A) temperature of the major peak of crystallization phase (Pc) and (B) dynamic viscosities (µ). The aim of this work is to study not only thermal properties from thermal profiles (crystallization, melting, and oxidation curves) by DSC measurements, but also physical characterization (density and viscosity) as a function of temperature of VOOs from 14 different olive cultivars, in order to relate thermal and physical properties with chemical composition (FA). As can observed, there is a high correlation between temperature of the peak of crystallization phase, Pc, and FAs composition (C18:1). Moreover, although non good correlations between oil viscosity and fatty acid composition could be found, the viscosity tends to increase as the amount of C18:1 fatty acid.
PAIN OUT: The making of an international acute pain registry
Authors: Zaslansky R. , Rothaug J. , Chapman C.R. , Bäckström R. , Brill S. , Fletcher D. , Fodor L. , Gordon D.B. , Komann M. , Konrad C. , Leykin Y. , Pogatski‐Zahn E. , Puig M.M. , Rawal N. , Ullrich K. , Volk T. , Meissner W.
Published: August 2014

Background

About 240 million patients undergo surgery every year, worldwide. Roughly 50% of these patients report clinically significant pain. Numerous barriers impede provision of adequate management. Lack of evidence about appropriateness and effectiveness of interventions is one. A registry can provide such information, eventually facilitating better management. This paper reports the development and feasibility of PAIN OUT, the first international acute pain registry, established with funds from the European Commission, and presents preliminary analysis to illustrate the nature of investigations that registry data make possible.

Methods

On the first postoperative day, 6347 adult patients undergoing orthopaedic or general surgery, in 11 medical centres in Europe and Israel, provided Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) using a validated questionnaire. Clinical data were abstracted from the patient's chart.

Results

Feasibility worked well. Over a period of 1 year, surveyors accrued targeted data sets and entered them into an online browser. Collaborators could receive online feedback comparing their findings about PROs against anonymized findings from other centres. Missing data for the majority of variables were low. Despite considerable variability between institutions, a large number of patients were treated according to the generic, evidence‐based recommendations we assessed. However, this was not sufficient to result in acceptable outcomes for the majority of patients.

Conclusion

The initial development of PAIN OUT has been achieved. From 2013, it continues as a not‐for‐profit academic project, open to clinicians and researchers worldwide. The International Association for Study of Pain and PAIN OUT will work together to maintain, disseminate and develop the registry.
Contemporary sample stacking in analytical electrophoresis
Authors: Malá Zdena , Šlampová Andrea , Křivánková Ludmila , Gebauer Petr , Boček Petr
Published: August 2014

This contribution is a methodological review of the publications about the topic from the last 2 years. Therefore, it is primarily organized according to the methods and procedures used in surveyed papers and the origin and type of sample and specification of analytes form the secondary structure. The introductory part about navigation in the architecture of stacking brings a brief characterization of the various stacking methods, with the description of mutual links to each other and important differences among them. The main body of the article brings a survey of publications organized according to main principles of stacking and then according to the origin and type of the sample. Provided that the paper cited gave explicitly the relevant data, information about the BGE(s) used, procedure, detector employed, and reached LOD and/or concentration effect is given. The papers where the procedure used is a combination of diverse fragments and parts of various stacking techniques are mentioned in a special section on combined techniques. The concluding remarks in the final part of the review evaluate present state of art and the trends of sample stacking in CE.
Program Trading and the Link Between the Spot and Futures Prices
Authors: Jordan Steven J. , Lee Woo‐Baik , Park Jong Won
Published: August 2014

Program trading has been identified as a mechanism that links the futures and spot markets. It has also been identified as a potential cause of market instability leading to regulations on program trading during volatile markets. Program trading halts provide a natural experiment to test the hypothesis that program trading is an important mechanism that maintains relative market pricing. This study is the first to analyze the effect of removing all program trades on the connectedness of the spot and futures markets during large market moves. The Korean regulatory environment has several unique properties that lend itself to such a study. Overall, we provide evidence that (i) the basis is unaffected when program trading is eliminated during large market moves, (ii) arbitrage exists and appears to be able to identify uninformed price moves, (iii) the data do not support the argument that halts provide a time‐out period in order for markets to reevaluate information, and (iv) there are costs associated with imposing trading halt regulations on financial markets. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 35:1133–1153, 2015
The role of the hippocampus in passive and active spatial learning
Authors: Kosaki Yutaka , Lin Tzu‐Ching Esther , Horne Murray R. , Pearce John M. , Gilroy Kerry E.
Published: August 2014

Rats with lesions of the hippocampus or sham lesions were required in four experiments to escape from a square swimming pool by finding a submerged platform. Experiments 1 and 2 commenced with passive training in which rats were repeatedly placed on the platform in one corner—the correct corner—of a pool with distinctive walls. A test trial then revealed a strong preference for the correct corner in the sham but not the hippocampal group. Subsequent active training of being required to swim to the platform resulted in both groups acquiring a preference for the correct corner in the two experiments. In Experiments 3 and 4, rats were required to solve a discrimination between different panels pasted to the walls of the pool, by swimming to the middle of a correct panel. Hippocampal lesions prevented a discrimination being formed between panels of different lengths (Experiment 3), but not between panels showing lines of different orientations (Experiment 4); rats with sham lesions mastered both problems. It is suggested that an intact hippocampus is necessary for the formation of stimulus‐goal associations that permit successful passive spatial leaning. It is further suggested that an intact hippocampus is not necessary for the formation of stimulus‐response associations, except when they involve information about length or distance. © 2014 The Authors. Hippocampus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Simple biophysically plausible model for long time constants in single neurons
Authors: Tiganj Zoran , Hasselmo Michael E. , Howard Marc W.
Published: August 2014

Recent work in computational neuroscience and cognitive psychology suggests that a set of cells that decay exponentially could be used to support memory for the time at which events took place. Analytically and through simulations on a biophysical model of an individual neuron, we demonstrate that exponentially decaying firing with a range of time constants up to minutes could be implemented using a simple combination of well‐known neural mechanisms. In particular, we consider firing supported by calcium‐controlled cation current. When the amount of calcium leaving the cell during an interspike interval is larger than the calcium influx during a spike, the overall decay in calcium concentration can be exponential, resulting in exponential decay of the firing rate. The time constant of the decay can be several orders of magnitude larger than the time constant of calcium clearance, and it could be controlled externally via a variety of biologically plausible ways. The ability to flexibly and rapidly control time constants could enable working memory of temporal history to be generalized to other variables in computing spatial and ordinal representations. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐Performance Work Systems and Teachers’ Work Performance: The Mediating Role of Quality of Working Life
Authors: Shen Jie , Benson John , Huang Binhua
Published: August 2014

This article examines the role of quality of working life (QWL) in the relationships between high‐performance work systems (HPWSs) and employee in‐role performance and extra‐role behavior. Using the data from 1,051 teachers and their immediate supervisors in 63 Chinese schools, we performed multilevel analysis to test meso‐mediation models. The results showed that HPWSs directly and indirectly influence teachers’ in‐role performance and extra‐role behavior through the mediation of QWL. These findings demonstrate that QWL is an important conduit of the relationships between HPWSs and employee work behaviors. The article concludes by discussing the implications for management and future research. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polycystin‐1 and polycystin‐2 are involved in the acquisition of aggressive phenotypes in colorectal cancer
Authors: Gargalionis Antonios N. , Korkolopoulou Penelope , Farmaki Elena , Piperi Christina , Dalagiorgou Georgia , Adamopoulos Christos , Levidou Georgia , Saetta Angelica , Fragkou Paraskevi , Tsioli Panagiota , Kiaris Hippokratis , Zizi‐Serbetzoglou Adamantia , Karavokyros Ioannis , Papavassiliou Kostas A. , Tsavaris Nikolaos , Patsouris Efstratios , Basdra Efthimia K. , Papavassiliou Athanasios G.
Published: August 2014

The polycystins PC1 and PC2 are emerging as major players in mechanotransduction, a process that influences all steps of the invasion/metastasis cascade. We hypothesized that PC1 and PC2 facilitate cancer aggressiveness. Immunoblotting, RT‐PCR, semi‐quantitative and quantitative real‐time PCR and FACS analyses were employed to investigate the effect of polycystin overexpression in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. The impact of PC1 inhibition on cancer‐cell proliferation was evaluated through an MTT assay. In vitro data were analyzed by Student's t‐test. HT29 human xenografts were treated with anti‐PC1 (extracellular domain) inhibitory antibody and analyzed via immunohistochemistry to determine the in vivo role of PC1 in CRC. Clinical significance was assessed by examining PC1 and PC2 protein expression in CRC patients (immunohistochemistry). In vivo and clinical data were analyzed by non‐parametric tests, Kaplan‐Meier curves, log‐rank test and Cox model. All statistical tests were two‐sided. PC1 overexpression promotes epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCT116 cells, while PC2 overexpression results in upregulation of the mTOR pathway in SW480 cells. PC1 inhibition causes reduced cell proliferation in CRC cells inducing tumor necrosis and suppressing EMT in HT29 tumor xenografts. In clinical study, PC1 and PC2 overexpression associates with adverse pathological parameters, including invasiveness and mucinous carcinomas. Moreover, PC1 overexpression appears as an independent prognostic factor of reduced recurrence‐free survival (HR = 1.016, p = 0.03) and lowers overall survival probability, while aberrant PC2 expression predicts poor overall survival (p = 0.0468). These results support, for the first time, a direct link between mechanosensing polycystins (PC1 and PC2) and CRC progression.
PET image reconstruction using ANN
Authors: Arunprasath Thiyagarajan , Pallikonda Rajasekaran Murugan , Kannan Subramanian
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study is to improve the positron emission tomography (PET) image quality for medical diagnosis. The statistical reconstructions on the maximum a posteriori (MAP) algorithm often results in a blurring effect, which fails to determine the toughness class in the reconstructed image. The development of new reconstruction algorithms for PET is an active field of research. In this article, artificial neural network (ANN) is proposed for replicating the output image, which is generated from the acquired projection data with the corresponding angles using the PET images. This article proposes the advantage of arranging the neural network to stock up the information of the continuous capacity. This reduces the storage space and recuperates as much sequence of the continuous quantity as possible. The performance of image quality parameters using ANN is better when compared with MAP, FBP‐NN (filtered back projection with nearest neighbor interpolation). Thus ANN provides 63% better peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) when compared with FBP‐NN and 47% better when compared to MAP. Thus, ANN is better than FBP and MAP algorithm, by providing better PSNR. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 24, 249–255, 2014
An optimal RF shielding method for MR‐PET fusion system with insertable PET
Authors: Oh Changheun , Han Yeji , Kim Dongchan , Lim Hyunkeong , Choi Yong , Cho Gyuseong , Park HyunWook
Published: August 2014

An RF shielding method is proposed to preserve the resonance frequency of an RF coil regardless of the existence of a positron emission tomography (PET) detector module, so that the RF coil can effectively operate for both simultaneous MR‐PET imaging and MR stand‐alone imaging. The RF shield between the RF coil and the PET detector module was manufactured in the form of a hollow acryl cylinder wrapped with gold‐taffeta woven tape. As we adopted a double‐layer RF shield between the RF coil and the PET detector module, it was possible to maintain the resonance frequency of the RF coil and the MR image quality was similar in both cases, with and without the insertable PET detector module. Using the insertable concept of the PET system and the RF coil with an additional double‐layer RF shield, both an MR‐PET fusion system and an MR stand‐alone system were realized. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 24, 263–269, 2014
Potential efficacy of dopamine loaded‐PVP/PAA nanogel in experimental models of Parkinsonism: Possible disease modifying activity
Authors: Rashed Engy R. , Abd El‐Rehim Hassan A. , El‐Ghazaly Mona A.
Published: August 2014

This study aimed to investigate the ability of dopamine (DA)‐loaded polyvinylpyrrolidone‐poly(acrylic acid) (PVP/PAAc) nanogel [synthesized by gamma (γ) radiation‐induced template polymerization] [Nano‐DA] to deliver DA across the blood brain barrier, and to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the acute and subchronic administration of Nano‐DA in modulating motor activity and/or the biochemical changes in rat brain; induced by different models of Parkinsonism. In this respect, (PVP/PAAc) nanogel was synthesized by gamma radiation‐induced polymerization of acrylic acid (AAc) in an aqueous solution of PVP as a template polymer, and then, it was used as a nano‐drug carrier for DA. The PVP/PAAc and (PVP/PAAc loaded‐DA nanogel particles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, and field emission‐scanning electron microscopy. The loaded gel was administered in different doses and dosing regimens to Parkinsonian rats, and the catalepsy score and striatal DA levels were assessed. Then, the potential disease‐modifying activity of this form of DA was investigated, through the assessment of the improvement in mitochondrial function, following the subchronic administration of Nano‐DA to Parkinsonian rats. Significant disease‐modifying effects were observed upon the administration of Nano‐DA; in addition to normalization in their motor activity. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 1713–1720, 2015.
Therapeutic apheresis in Asia: AnIndonesia single center experience
Authors: Triyono Teguh , Vrielink Hans
Published: August 2014

In developing countries, like Indonesia, apheresis is still a relative new procedure. Nowadays, therapeutic apheresis procedures are performed in the field of hematology and neurology, especially in the teaching hospitals in Indonesia. Therapeutic apheresis procedure, that is, leukocytapheresis, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), and thrombocytapheresis are already performed. In the period 2009–2013, 204 apheresis procedures in 137 patients to reduce the leukocytes, 72 TPE procedures in 17 patients, and 14 thrombocyte reductions were performed in the Sardjito hospital, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. In the future, to improve the therapeutic apheresis implementation, it is important to increase the insurance coverage and also should be considered to introduce the apheresis medicine into the curriculum of appropriate physician programs in Indonesia. Especially in Indonesia, a lot of efforts are still being needed to improve implementation of therapeutic apheresis. J. Clin. Apheresis 30:139–140, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Molecular sensing using armchair graphene nanoribbon
Authors: Rezapour Mohammad Reza , Rajan Arunkumar Chitteth , Kim Kwang S.
Published: August 2014

In molecular electronics, the conductance strongly depends on the frontier energy levels and spatial orientations of molecules. Utilizing these features, we investigate the electron transport characteristics of conjugated molecules attached on an armchair graphene nanoribbon. The resulting sharp reduction in the transmission which represents molecular fingerprints and the change of the transmission depending on the molecular orientation, are examined in accordance with a unified picture of the Fano–Anderson model. These characteristics, being unique for each molecule, would be applicable to molecular recognition and configurational analysis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of overt and occult hepatitis B virus infection among HTLV‐1 positive healthy carriers in the Northeast of Iran; An HTLV‐I endemic area
Authors: Chenari Maryam , Norouzi Mehdy , Ghalichi Leila , Rezaee Abdolrahim , Yari Atefe , Alavian Seyed Moayed , Jazayeri Seyed Mohammad
Published: August 2014

To date, no studies have provided data on hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence among asymptomatic, healthy human T‐lymphotropic virus (HTLV‐I) positive carriers. This sero‐ and molecular epidemiology study was performed on patients in the Northeast of Iran, which is an endemic area for HTLV‐I infection. A total of 109 sera were collected from HTLV‐I positive healthy carriers who were admitted to Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad City. All were tested for HBV serology and subsequently, real time PCR was carried out on the samples, regardless of the results of the serology. Standard PCR and direct sequencing were applied on positive samples. All cases were negative for HBsAg, Anti‐HBc, and anti‐HBs were positive in 34 (31.1%), and 35 (32%) individuals, respectively. There were 19 (17.4%) cases that were positive only for anti‐HBs, and they had already received HBV vaccine. 16 (15%) were positive for both anti‐HBs and anti‐HBc, indicating a past‐resolved HBV infection. 18 (16.5%) were isolated as anti‐HBc, and 56 (51.3%) were negative for all HBV serological markers. Only one subject (0.9%) had detectable HBV DNA (2153 copy/ml), and assigned as being an occult HBV infection. The low prevalence of HBsAg, despite the high percentage of anti‐HBc positive cases, might be related to the suppression effect of HTLV‐I on surface protein expression. The low prevalence of HBV infection among HTLV‐I positive healthy carriers from an endemic region, indicates that the epidemiology of HTLV‐I and HBV coinfection is related to the endemicity of HBV in that region, rather than HTLV‐I endemicity. J. Med. Virol. 86:1861–1867, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stage‐specific metabolization of triacylglycerols during seed germination of Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.)
Authors: Chandrasekaran Umashankar , Liu Aizhong
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

A detailed study was carried out on Sacha Inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) to investigate the mobilization of storage lipids during seed germination.

RESULTS

Thin layer chromatography analysis of the total lipids showed a rapid decline in the triacylglycerol (TAG) and diacylglycerol (DAG) contents after the early stages (3–10 days after imbibition (DAI)) followed by a steady breakdown during the later stages (20 and 30 DAI) of germination. Trace amounts of monoacylglycerols (MAG) were identified during the final stage (30 DAI). Further, gas chromatography analysis showed an increase in the major unsaturated fatty acid (linoleic and linolenic) content from 3 to 10 DAI followed by a slow decline. In addition, the major saturated fatty acid (palmitic and oleic) content showed a decrease during the early stages (3–10 DAI) and an increase during the later stages (20 and 30 DAI).

CONCLUSION

The present study provides the first report on the metabolization of TAG along with fatty acid changes during the seed germination of Sacha Inchi. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Quality testing of human albumin by capillary electrophoresis using thermally cross‐linked poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)‐coated fused‐silica capillary
Authors: Tan Lin , Zheng Xiajun , Chen Lijuan , Wang Yanmei
Published: August 2014

To detect the quality of medicinal human albumin by capillary electrophoresis, we produced a fused‐silica capillary coated with thermally cross‐linked poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) to prohibit protein adsorption. This type of capillary was easily obtained by injecting an aqueous poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) solution into a fused‐silica capillary and thermally annealing it at 200°C. Notably, stable and low electro‐osmotic flow was obtained in the poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)‐coated capillary at pH 2.20–9.00, and the separation of a mixture of four basic proteins indicated that the poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)‐coated capillary exhibits excellent repeatability and separation efficiency; moreover, the separation of these four basic proteins could even be achieved at pH 7.00. The protein recovery percentage of human serum albumin in a single‐protein solution and a mixed blood proteins solution was determined to be 97.03 and 95.40% in the poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)50–3 (representing the concentration of the capillary‐injected poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) aqueous solution, 50 mg/mL, and thermal annealing time, 3 h) capillary, respectively. Based on these results, we used the poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)50–3‐coated capillary to quantify the protein content of human albumin, and the results obtained from run to run, day to day and capillary to capillary demonstrated that the coated capillary could be used for quality testing commercially available human albumin.
Diaphragmatic Hernia After Liver Transplantation in Children: Case Series and Review of The Literature
Authors: Cortes Miriam , Tapuria Niteen , Khorsandi Shirin Elizabeth , Ibars Eugenia Pareja , Vilca-Melendez Hector , Rela Mohamed , Heaton Nigel D.
Published: August 2014

A diaphragmatic hernia (DH) is a rare complication of pediatric liver transplantation (LT), with multiple factors implicated in the pathophysiology. It is a potentially life-threatening condition in the absence of early recognition and surgical treatment. A DH after LT has been reported in 16 patients in 7 case series. We report 10 cases from our institution and review the published literature to understand the underlying pathophysiology. The study sample included all children (<18 years of age) who underwent LT from October 1989 to August 2013 at our center and subsequently presented with a DH. Among 4433 LT procedures performed in this time period, 1032 were for children. Ten DH cases were recognized, and risk factors were assessed. The mean age at diagnosis was 4.9 years, all patients with a DH received left lateral segment split grafts, and the mean graft weight was 248 ± 41 g with a mean graft-to-recipient body weight ratio (GBWR) of 3% ± 1.22% (range = 1.7%-5.0%). The mean cold ischemia time was 510.7 ± 307.6 minutes (range = 60–900 minutes). Six patients had a primary abdominal muscle closure, 3 had a temporary Silastic mesh closure, and 1 had a skin closure only. Postoperative ascites and pleural effusion did not appear to be significant risk factors. All 10 children presented with a right posterolateral DH, with 1 also having a left DH. The small bowel was herniated in the majority. All patients underwent prompt surgical intervention without complications. An early age, a split graft, and a high GBWR may be risk factors for a DH. A high index of suspicion and prompt surgical intervention minimize complications. Liver Transpl 20:1429–1435, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
Generalized holomorphic orthogonal function systems over infinite cylinders
Authors: Morais J. , Kou K. I. , Le H. T.
Published: August 2014

In this paper we construct two distinct generalized holomorphic orthogonal function systems over infinite cylinders in
. Explicit representation formulae and properties of the obtained basis functions are given. As an application, we present some plot simulations that illustrate the results of this work. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three‐body abrasive wear behavior of short jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Mishra Vivek , Biswas Sandhyarani
Published: August 2014

In present investigation, the three‐body abrasive wear behavior of short jute fiber reinforced epoxy composites was studied. The effect of various parameters such as fiber loading, sliding velocity, normal load, and abrasive size on the abrasive wear rate of composite has been analyzed. Abrasive wear study has been carried out using a dry sand/rubber wheel abrasion tester. The abrasive wear and friction characteristics of these composites are analyzed successfully using Taguchi orthogonal array and analysis of variance. The experimental study reveals that sliding velocity, fiber loading, and abrasive size have greater influence on the specific wear rate of the composites. The results show that the specific wear rate of the composites decreases with the increase in sliding velocity whereas, with the increase in normal load the specific wear rate increases. The study also revealed that the coefficient of friction of the composites increases up to a certain value than decreases with the increase in normal load as well as sliding velocity. The worn surfaces of the abraded specimens were examined using SEM to understand the mechanism involved in material removal. POLYM. COMPOS., 270–278, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers
Transitional care for young people with diabetes: a national registry is urgently needed
Authors: Rea Rustam
Published: August 2014

Young people with diabetes require specialised and personalised care as they make the transition from children's services to adult services. Getting the right care at this stage of their lives gives them the best chance of avoiding longer‐term complications and remaining within the health service. Many policy documents and guidelines have been issued highlighting the importance of diabetes care during these years but little evidence exists as to what should constitute that care and how it should be provided. Few interventions have been evaluated and there are no national data comparing the effectiveness of transition services across the country. A national register of diabetes transition services and agreed measures of quality would enable paediatric and adult services to evaluate and improve the care they provide for this important group of young people. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Calculation of Decomposition Products from Components of Gunpowder by using ReaxFF Reactive Force Field Molecular Dynamics and Thermodynamic Calculations of Equilibrium Composition
Authors: Jensen Tomas L. , Moxnes John F. , Unneberg Erik , Dullum Ove
Published: August 2014

The major combustion products from munitions containing nitro‐based propellants are water, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and nitrogen. In addition, compounds including hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, methane, nitrogen oxides, benzene, acrylonitrile, toluene, furan, aromatic amines, benzopyrene, and various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are detected in minor concentrations. The literature shows that the thermodynamic prediction of the major decomposition products agrees fairly well with the measurements. However, poor agreement is found for the minor species. We have studied the thermal decomposition products of the main gunpowder ingredients. Each of the components nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, and the nitrate ester stabilizers diphenylamine and ethyl centralite were thermally decomposed with ReaxFF reactive force field molecular dynamics and equilibrium thermodynamics. The molecular dynamics results for the major decomposition products from nitrocellulose were partly consistent with measurements. Compared to the thermodynamic calculations, the molecular dynamics simulations agreed considerably better with experimental results for minor species like hydrogen cyanide. The nitrate ester stabilizers are the main sources for ammonia and aromatic combustion products, whereas hydrogen cyanide is produced from nitrocellulose as well as from the stabilizers when gunpowder is combusted.
Binding mode analysis of a major T3SS translocator protein PopB with its chaperone PcrH from Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Banerjee Anindyajit , Dey Supratim , Chakraborty Abhijit , Datta Aohona , Basu Abhishek , Chakrabarti Saikat , Datta Saumen
Published: August 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram‐negative pathogen uses a specialized set of Type III secretion system (T3SS) translocator proteins to establish virulence in the host cell. An understanding of the factors that govern translocation by the translocator protein–chaperone complex is thus of immense importance. In this work, experimental and computational techniques were used to probe into the structure of the major translocator protein PopB from P. aeruginosa and to identify the important regions involved in functioning of the translocator protein. This study reveals that the binding sites of the common chaperone PcrH, needed for maintenance of the translocator PopB within the bacterial cytoplasm, which are primarily localized within the N‐terminal domain. However, disordered and flexible residues located both at the N‐ and C‐terminal domains are also observed to be involved in association with the chaperone. This intrinsic disorderliness of the terminal domains is conserved for all the major T3SS translocator proteins and is functionally important to maintain the intrinsically disordered state of the translocators. Our experimental and computational analyses suggest that a “disorder‐to‐order” transition of PopB protein might take place upon PcrH binding. The long helical coiled‐coil part of PopB protein perhaps helps in pore formation while the flexible apical region is involved in chaperone interaction. Thus, our computational model of translocator protein PopB and its binding analyses provide crucial functional insights into the T3SS translocation mechanism. Proteins 2014; 82:3273–3285. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Concerted action of target‐site mutations and high EPSPS activity in glyphosate‐resistant junglerice (Echinochloa colona) from California
Authors: Alarcón‐Reverte Rocío , García Alejandro , Watson Susan B , Abdallah Ibrahim , Sabaté Sebastián , Hernández María J , Dayan Franck E , Fischer Albert J
Published: August 2014

BACKGROUND

Echinochloa colona is an annual weed affecting field crops and orchards in California. An E. colona population carrying a mutation in the EPSPS gene endowing resistance to glyphosate, the most widely used non‐selective herbicide, was recently identified in the Northern Sacramento Valley of California. Plants from this population, from a suspected glyphosate‐resistant (GR) population, and from one susceptible (S) population collected in the Northern Sacramento Valley of California, were used to generate three GR and one S selfed lines to study possible mechanisms involved in glyphosate resistance.

RESULTS

Based on the amount of glyphosate required to kill 50% of the plants (LD50), GR lines were 4–9‐fold more resistant than S plants and accumulated less shikimate after glyphosate treatment. GR and S lines did not differ in glyphosate absorption, translocation or metabolism. A different target‐site mutation was found in each of two of the GR lines corresponding to Pro106Thr and Pro106Ser substitutions; the mutations were found in different homoeologous EPSPS genes. No mutation was found in the third GR line, which exhibited 1.4‐fold higher basal EPSPS activity and a fivefold greater LD50 than S plants. Quantitative RT‐PCR revealed that GR lines had similar or lower EPSPS expression than S plants.

CONCLUSION

It is demonstrated that individuals with different glyphosate resistance mechanisms can coexist in the same population, individuals from different populations may carry different resistance mechanisms and different mechanisms can act in concert within single E. colona plants. However, other plant factors or resistance mechanisms appear to modulate plant expression of EPSPS sensitivity to glyphosate. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Capillary‐Assisted Fabrication of Biconcave Polymeric Microlenses from Microfluidic Ternary Emulsion Droplets
Authors: Nisisako Takasi , Ando Takuya , Hatsuzawa Takeshi
Published: August 2014

In this study, a simple capillary‐based approach for producing biconcave polymeric microlenses with uniform size and shape from ternary emulsion droplets is presented. Monodisperse ternary emulsion droplets (0.6–4.0 nL) are produced which contain a photocurable segment of an acrylate monomer and two non‐curable segments of silicone oil (SO) by using a microfluidic sheath‐flowing droplet generator on a glass chip. The curvature radius of the interfaces separating the droplet segments, as well as the droplet size, and production rate can be flexibly varied by changing the flow conditions of the organic and aqueous phases. Subsequently, off‐chip suspension photopolymerization yields non‐spherical polymeric microparticles with two spherical concave surfaces templated by two SO segments at random positions. By ultraviolet light irradiation of ternary droplets with two SO segments trapped by the interior wall of a cylindrical microcapillary (internal diameter: 130 μm), biconcave microlenses can be produced with two spherical concave surfaces with a common lens axis. The produced lenses are suitable for use as optical diverging lenses.
Surface Tailoring of Nanoparticles via Mixed‐Charge Monolayers and Their Biomedical Applications
Authors: Liu Xiangsheng , Li Huan , Jin Qiao , Ji Jian
Published: August 2014

The recent convergence of nanomaterials and medicine has provided an expanding horizon for people to achieve encouraging advances in many biomedical applications such as cancer diagnosis and therapy. However, to realize desirable functions in the rather complex biological systems, a suitable surface coating is greatly in need for nanoparticles (NPs), regardless of the species. In this review, a recently developed surface modification strategy is highlighted—mixed‐charge monolayers—with an emphasis on the nanointerfaces of inorganic NPs. Two typical mixed‐charge gold NPs (AuNPs) prepared from surface modifications with different combinations of oppositely charged alkanethiols are shown as detailed examples to discuss how the mixed‐charge monolayer can help NPs meet the criteria for in vitro and in vivo biomedical applications, including those critical issues like colloidal stability, nonfouling properties, and smart responses (pH‐sensitivity) for tumor targeting.
Bond and anchorage of embedded steel reinforcement in fib Model Code 2010
Authors: Cairns John
Published: August 2014

This paper describes the changes to design provisions for embedded steel reinforcement in the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures 2010. The changes introduce new coefficients for steel grade and clear spacing between bars, and extend the range of concrete strengths covered. The way in which the contribution of hooks or anchorages is calculated has been revised and the contribution of end bearing to laps and anchorages of compression bars is recognized. The revised rules represent a move away from a distinction between laps and anchorages per se towards a distinction based on the presence or absence of transverse pressure perpendicular to the bar axis within the bond length. The benefits of staggering laps with only a proportion of bars lapped at a section are also reviewed. Finally, the potential impact of lap and anchorage performance on structural robustness is discussed, and it is concluded that this can only be achieved if bar yield precedes splitting mode bond failures.
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis and its role in cognition
Authors: Oomen Charlotte A. , Bekinschtein Pedro , Kent Brianne A. , Saksida Lisa M. , Bussey Timothy J.
Published: August 2014

Adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) has intrigued neuroscientists for decades. Several lines of evidence show that adult‐born neurons in the hippocampus are functionally integrated and contribute to cognitive function, in particular learning and memory processes. Biological properties of immature hippocampal neurons indicate that these cells are more easily excitable compared with mature neurons, and demonstrate enhanced structural plasticity. The structure in which adult‐born hippocampal neurons are situated—the dentate gyrus—is thought to contribute to hippocampus function by disambiguating similar input patterns, a process referred to as pattern separation. Several ideas about AHN function have been put forward; currently there is good evidence in favor of a role for AHN in pattern separation. This function of AHN may be understood within a ‘representational‐hierarchical’ view of brain organization. WIREs Cogn Sci 2014, 5:573–587. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1304

This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Memory

Neuroscience > Cognition

Neuroscience > Plasticity