bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Replication-Competent Controlled Herpes Simplex Virus
Authors: Bloom David C. , Feller Joyce , McAnany Peterjon , Vilaboa Nuria , Voellmy Richard
Published: August 2015

We present the development and characterization of a replication-competent controlled herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1). Replication-essential ICP4 and ICP8 genes of HSV-1 wild-type strain 17syn+ were brought under the control of a dually responsive gene switch. The gene switch comprises (i) a transactivator that is activated by a narrow class of antiprogestins, including mifepristone and ulipristal, and whose expression is mediated by a promoter cassette that comprises an HSP70B promoter and a transactivator-responsive promoter and (ii) transactivator-responsive promoters that drive the ICP4 and ICP8 genes. Single-step growth experiments in different cell lines demonstrated that replication of the recombinant virus, HSV-GS3, is strictly dependent on an activating treatment consisting of administration of a supraphysiological heat dose in the presence of an antiprogestin. The replication-competent controlled virus replicates with an efficiency approaching that of the wild-type virus from which it was derived. Essentially no replication occurs in the absence of activating treatment or if HSV-GS3-infected cells are exposed only to heat or antiprogestin. These findings were corroborated by measurements of amounts of viral DNA and transcripts of the regulated ICP4 gene and the glycoprotein C (gC) late gene, which was not regulated. Similar findings were made in experiments with a mouse footpad infection model.

IMPORTANCE
The alphaherpesviruses have long been considered vectors for recombinant vaccines and oncolytic therapies. The traditional approach uses vector backbones containing attenuating mutations that restrict replication to ensure safety. The shortcoming of this approach is that the attenuating mutations tend to limit both the immune presentation and oncolytic properties of these vectors. HSV-GS3 represents a novel type of vector that, when activated, replicates with the efficiency of a nonattenuated virus and whose safety is derived from deliberate, stringent regulation of multiple replication-essential genes. By directing activating heat to the region of virus administration, replication is strictly confined to infected cells within this region. The requirement for antiprogestin provides an additional level of safety, ensuring that virus replication cannot be triggered inadvertently. Replication-competent controlled vectors such as HSV-GS3 may have the potential to be superior to conventional attenuated HSV vaccine and oncolytic vectors without sacrificing safety.
Nef Is Dispensable for Resistance of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Macrophages to CD8
+
T Cell Killing
Authors: Rainho Jennifer N. , Martins Mauricio A. , Cunyat Francesc , Watkins Ian T. , Watkins David I. , Stevenson Mario
Published: August 2015

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-specific CD8
+
T cells kill SIV-infected CD4
+
T cells in an major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I)-dependent manner. However, they are reportedly less efficient at killing SIV-infected macrophages. Since the viral accessory protein Nef has been shown to downregulate MHC-I molecules and enhance cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) evasion in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected CD4
+
T cells, we examined whether Nef played a role in protecting SIV-infected macrophages from killing by SIV-specific CD8
+
T cells. To explore the role of Nef in CD8
+
T cell evasion, we compared the ability of freshly sorted SIV-specific CD8
+
T cells to readily suppress viral replication or eliminate CD4
+
T cells or monocyte-derived macrophages infected with SIV variants containing wild-type (WT) or mutated
nef
genes. As expected, SIV-specific CD8
+
T cells suppressed viral replication and eliminated the majority of SIV-infected CD4
+
T cells, and this killing was enhanced in CD4
+
T cells infected with the
nef
variants. However, macrophages infected with
nef
variants that disrupt MHC-I downregulation did not promote rapid killing by freshly isolated CD8
+
T cells. These results suggest that mechanisms other than Nef-mediated MHC-I downregulation govern the resistance of SIV-infected macrophages to CD8
+
T cell-mediated killing. This study has implications for viral persistence and suggests that macrophages may afford primate lentiviruses some degree of protection from immune surveillance.

IMPORTANCE
Myeloid cells are permissive for HIV/SIV replication
in vitro
and may contribute to viral persistence
in vivo
. While many studies have been geared to understanding how CD8
+
T cells control viral replication in CD4
+
T cells, the role of these cells in controlling viral replication in macrophages is less clear. Primary, unstimulated CD8
+
T cells insignificantly suppress viral replication or eliminate SIV-infected macrophages. Since the viral Nef protein downregulates MHC-I and provides infected cells some degree of protection from CD8
+
T cell-mediated effector functions, we evaluated whether Nef may be contributing to the resistance of macrophages to CD8
+
T cell suppression. Our results suggest that Nef is not involved in protecting infected macrophages from CD8
+
T cell killing and suggest that other mechanisms are involved in macrophage evasion from CD8 surveillance.
Actin-Modulating Protein Cofilin Is Involved in the Formation of Measles Virus Ribonucleoprotein Complex at the Perinuclear Region
Authors: Koga Ritsuko , Sugita Yukihiko , Noda Takeshi , Yanagi Yusuke , Ohno Shinji
Published: August 2015

In measles virus (MV)-infected cells, the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, comprised of the viral genome and the nucleocapsid (N) protein, phosphoprotein (P protein), and large protein, assembles at the perinuclear region and synthesizes viral RNAs. The cellular proteins involved in the formation of the RNP complex are largely unknown. In this report, we show that cofilin, an actin-modulating host protein, interacts with the MV N protein and aids in the formation of the RNP complex. Knockdown of cofilin using the short hairpin RNA reduces the formation of the RNP complex after MV infection and that of the RNP complex-like structure after plasmid-mediated expression of MV N and P proteins. A lower level of formation of the RNP complex results in the reduction of viral RNA synthesis. Cofilin phosphorylation on the serine residue at position 3, an enzymatically inactive form, is increased after MV infection and the phosphorylated form of cofilin is preferentially included in the complex. These results indicate that cofilin plays an important role in MV replication by increasing formation of the RNP complex and viral RNA synthesis.

IMPORTANCE
Many RNA viruses induce within infected cells the structure called the ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex in which viral RNA synthesis occurs. It is comprised of the viral genome and proteins that include the viral RNA polymerase. The cellular proteins involved in the formation of the RNP complex are largely unknown. In this report, we show that cofilin, an actin-modulating host protein, binds to the measles virus (MV) nucleocapsid protein and plays an important role in the formation of the MV RNP complex and MV RNA synthesis. The level of the phosphorylated form of cofilin, enzymatically inactive, is increased after MV infection, and the phosphorylated form is preferentially associated with the RNP complex. Our findings determined with cofilin will help us better understand the mechanism by which the RNP complex is formed in virus-infected cells and develop new antiviral drugs targeting the RNP complex.
Improvement of HIV-1 and Human T Cell Lymphotropic Virus Type 1 Replication-Dependent Vectors via Optimization of Reporter Gene Reconstitution and Modification with Intronic Short Hairpin RNA
Authors: Shunaeva Anastasia , Potashnikova Daria , Pichugin Alexey , Mishina Alexandra , Filatov Alexander , Nikolaitchik Olga , Hu Wei-Shau , Mazurov Dmitriy
Published: August 2015

Cell-to-cell transmission is an efficient mechanism to disseminate human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). However, it has been challenging to quantify the level of cell-to-cell transmission because the virus-producing cells cannot be easily distinguished from infected target cells. We have previously described replication-dependent vectors that can quantify infection events in cocultured cells. These vectors contain an antisense-oriented promoter and reporter gene interrupted by a sense-oriented intron from the human gamma-globin gene. This strategy prevents expression of the reporter gene in the transfected cells but permits its expression in target cells after infection. However, the gamma-globin intron is not efficiently removed by splicing in the aforementioned vectors, thereby reducing the level of reporter gene expression after transduction into target cells. Here, we used two approaches to improve the replication-dependent vectors. First, we improved the splicing events that remove the gamma-globin intron by optimizing the intron insertion site within the reporter gene. Second, we improved the packaging of the spliced RNA without the gamma-globin intron by targeting the intron-containing RNA via microRNA 30 (miR30)-based short hairpin RNAs. Using two optimized fluorescent reporter vectors and flow cytometry, we determined that multiply HIV-1-infected cells were generated at a higher frequency in coculture than in cell-free infection; furthermore, this increase was dependent upon viruses bearing HIV-1 Env. Compared with previously described vectors, these improved vectors can quantify the infection in lymphocytes and in primary cells with a higher sensitivity and allow the detection and quantitation of multiply infected cells, providing better tools to study retroviral cell-mediated infection.

IMPORTANCE
The human-pathogenic retroviruses HTLV-1 and HIV-1 can be transmitted more efficiently
in vivo
via direct contact of infected cells with healthy target cells than through cell-free virion-mediated infection. Despite its importance, cell-to-cell transmission has been difficult to quantify because the previously infected cells and the newly infected cells are mixed together in the same culture. In the current study, we generated vectors that are significantly improved over the previously described replication-dependent vectors. As a result, these improved vectors can efficiently detect and quantify cell-to-cell transmission or new infection events in cells in mixed culture. These luciferase- or fluorescence protein-based reporter vectors can be used to quantify and study HIV-1 or HTLV-1 cell-mediated infection in a simple one-step transfection/infection assay.
Haemoperitoneum secondary to intrahepatic gallbladder perforation
Authors: Johnston D B , Irwin G W , Epanomeritakis E
Published: August 2015

A 70-year-old man presented to the accident and emergency department with a 1-day history of right upper quadrant pain and nausea. Examination revealed mild tenderness in the right upper quadrant but no evidence of peritonism or haemodynamic instability. The patient was admitted to the general surgical ward with a diagnosis of cholecystitis and remained stable overnight. In the morning, he developed acute severe pain in the upper abdomen. Examination found him to be tachycardic, tachypnoeic and to have peritonism in the upper abdomen. An urgent CT scan demonstrated cholecystitis but also a small amount of fluid in the pelvis, with Hounsfield units suggestive of blood. The patient proceeded to laparotomy and was found to have massive haemoperitoneum secondary to intrahepatic gallbladder perforation causing liver capsule tear. Cholecystectomy was performed and the liver packed until haemostasis was achieved. The patient made an uneventful recovery.
Xanthogranulomatous cystitis with malacoplakia, leading to spontaneous intraperitoneal perforation of the urinary bladder in a 9-year-old girl
Authors: Sharma Kuldeep , Singh Vishwajeet , Gupta Saurabh , Sankhwar Satyanarayan
Published: August 2015

A 9-year-old girl presented with sudden onset continuous abdomen pain, oliguria and constipation for 2 days. Ultrasound of the abdomen and voiding cystourethrography revealed intraperitoneal perforation of the urinary bladder. Cystoscopy showed two perforations at the dome of the bladder. Open surgical repair of the perforations was performed and biopsy was taken from their edges. Histopathological examination of biopsied material revealed malacoplakia with xanthogranulomatous cystitis. The patient was doing well at 15 months follow-up. Xanthogranulomatous cystitis with malacoplakia leading to spontaneous bladder perforation has not been reported earlier in the English literature.
Right atrial myxoma mimicking tricuspid stenosis
Authors: Şaşkın Hüseyin , Düzyol Çağrı , Özcan Kazım Serhan , Aksoy Rezan
Published: August 2015

A 62-year-old man presented to the cardiology clinic with symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling in the abdomen and legs. A pedunculated mobile mass with a short stalk in the right atrium was found to originate from the inferior vena caval opening and prolapse into the right ventricle through a tricuspid valve during diastole in echocardiography. The patient was referred to our department and surgery was planned for right atrial myxomas diagnosis. The mass with surrounding tissue was surgically removed using the cardiopulmonary bypass method. No postoperative complications were seen in the currently asymptomatic patient who is still under our follow-up schedule.
Varicella zoster virus infection is an unusual cause of splenic rupture
Authors: Clifton Laura J , Dhaliwal Kawaljit Singh , Saif Danah , Mullerat Pepe
Published: August 2015

A 22-year-old man presented with a 1-day history of severe abdominal pain. He developed a generalised vesicular rash 12 h prior to admission. On examination, he was maximally tender with peritonism in the lower abdomen. Working diagnosis was perforated appendix and a decision to investigate with CT was made, which showed intra-abdominal haemorrhage likely arising from a ruptured spleen. After a period of observation, he subsequently underwent laparotomy and emergency splenectomy. Viral PCR from vesicular fluid was positive for varicella zoster virus. Viral serology was otherwise negative.
Equine metabolic syndrome
Authors: Morgan R. , Keen J. , McGowan C.
Published: August 2015

Laminitis is one of the most common and frustrating clinical presentations in equine practice. While the principles of treatment for laminitis have not changed for several decades, there have been some important paradigm shifts in our understanding of laminitis. Most importantly, it is essential to consider laminitis as a clinical sign of disease and not as a disease in its own right. Once this shift in thinking has occurred, it is logical to then question what disease caused the laminitis. More than 90 per cent of horses presented with laminitis as their primary clinical sign will have developed it as a consequence of endocrine disease; most commonly equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Given the fact that many horses will have painful protracted and/or chronic recurrent disease, a good understanding of the predisposing factors and how to diagnose and manage them is crucial. Current evidence suggests that early diagnosis and effective management of EMS should be a key aim for practising veterinary surgeons to prevent the devastating consequences of laminitis. This review will focus on EMS, its diagnosis and management.
Biological chemistry of the carbon–sulfur bond
Authors: Honek John F.
Published: August 2015

Carbon–sulfur biological chemistry encompasses a fascinating area of biochemistry and medicinal chemistry and includes the roles that methionine and S-adenosyl-l-methionine play in cells as well as the chemistry of intracellular thiols such as glutathione. This article, based on the 2014 Bernard Belleau Award lecture, provides an overview of some of the key investigations that were undertaken in this area from a bioorganic perspective. The research has ameliorated our fundamental knowledge of several of the enzymes utilizing these sulfur-containing molecules, has led to the development of several novel 19F biophysical probes, and has explored some of the medicinal chemistry associated with these processes.
Dirac or inverse seesaw neutrino masses from gauged B–L symmetry
Authors: Ma Ernest , Srivastava Rahul
Published: August 2015

The gauged [Formula: see text] symmetry is one of the simplest and well-studied extension of Standard Model. In the conventional case, addition of three singlet right-handed neutrinos each transforming as [Formula: see text] under the [Formula: see text] symmetry renders it anomaly-free. It is usually assumed that the [Formula: see text] symmetry is spontaneously broken by a singlet scalar having two units of [Formula: see text] charge, resulting in a natural implementation of Majorana seesaw mechanism for neutrinos. However, as we discuss here, there is another simple anomaly-free solution which leads to Dirac or inverse seesaw masses for neutrinos. These new possibilities are explored along with an application to neutrino mixing with [Formula: see text] flavor symmetry.
Least Action Principle for Mem-Elements
Authors: Marszalek Wieslaw , Amdeberhan Tewodros
Published: August 2015

We study the principle of least (stationary) action for mem-elements. The least action principle allows us to derive relationships between the electrical variables for each of the six mem-elements. The principle of least action from modern physics is a natural environment to characterize mem-elements, including various one-period loops in the context of periodic circuits. The time-integrals of Lagrangian lead to the action and coaction quantities and a full characterization of mem-elements with periodic control variables.
Electrochemical determination of antioxidant properties of a series of tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives and their zinc complexes
Authors: Tesakova Mariya V. , Semeikin Aleksandr S. , Parfenyuk Vladimir I.
Published: August 2015

Zinc complexes of a series of substituted tetraphenylporphyrins containing OH-groups in the phenyl rings were synthesized. Their antioxidant capacity was estimated in reaction of the porphyrins with 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) by cyclic voltammetry. The electron absorption spectra of the all synthesized compounds before and after the reaction with 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl were recorded. The effect of structure of the porphyrins and zinc complexes on their antioxidant capacity was discussed.
Parametric unfolding of flexural folds using palaeomagnetic vectors
Authors: Ramón Maria José , Pueyo Emilio L. , Caumon Guillaume , Briz José Luis
Published: August 2015

Providing that a primary and reliable record of the magnetic field and its reference in a deformed area exists, the incorporation of palaeomagnetic constraints in restoration methods reduces uncertainty of rotation because such constraints can be applied both before and after deformation. In this paper, we utilize palaeomagnetic data to improve an unfolding algorithm based on the parameterization of the surface using isometric constraints. This method is more robust than others based on piecewise restoration of a triangulated surface, which are dependent on the meshing and, especially, on the pin-element. A disadvantage of this approach is that parametric restoration is sensitive to the initial solution, which hampers results for complex non-coaxial or non-cylindrical structures. We show that the use of palaeomagnetism as the initial gradient of one of the parameters improves the results of the method. We use analogue models to test the method because the expected restoration result can be stated, since the initial surface is known. We study the restoration sensitivity to surface meshing and the initial palaeomagnetic orientation. All in all, the use of palaeomagnetic vectors in the studied analogue models achieves the best restoration results. The implementation of palaeomagnetic vectors is crucial to obtain reliable 3D restorations of complex structures.
Locomotor muscle fatigue is not critically regulated after prior upper body exercise
Authors: Johnson M. A. , Sharpe G. R. , Williams N. C. , Hannah R.
Published: August 2015

This study examined the effects of prior upper body exercise on subsequent high-intensity cycling exercise tolerance and associated changes in neuromuscular function and perceptual responses. Eight men performed three fixed work-rate (85% peak power) cycling tests: 1) to the limit of tolerance (CYC); 2) to the limit of tolerance after prior high-intensity arm-cranking exercise (ARM-CYC); and 3) without prior exercise and for an equal duration as ARM-CYC (ISOTIME). Peripheral fatigue was assessed via changes in potentiated quadriceps twitch force during supramaximal electrical femoral nerve stimulation. Voluntary activation was assessed using twitch interpolation during maximal voluntary contractions. Cycling time during ARM-CYC and ISOTIME (4.33 ± 1.10 min) was 38% shorter than during CYC (7.46 ± 2.79 min) ( P < 0.001). Twitch force decreased more after CYC (−38 ± 13%) than ARM-CYC (−26 ± 10%) ( P = 0.004) and ISOTIME (−24 ± 10%) ( P = 0.003). Voluntary activation was 94 ± 5% at rest and decreased after CYC (89 ± 9%, P = 0.012) and ARM-CYC (91 ± 8%, P = 0.047). Rating of perceived exertion for limb discomfort increased more quickly during cycling in ARM-CYC [1.83 ± 0.46 arbitrary units (AU)/min] than CYC (1.10 ± 0.38 AU/min, P = 0.003) and ISOTIME (1.05 ± 0.43 AU/min, P = 0.002), and this was correlated with the reduced cycling time in ARM-CYC ( r = −0.72, P = 0.045). In conclusion, cycling exercise tolerance after prior upper body exercise is potentially mediated by central fatigue and intolerable levels of sensory perception rather than a critical peripheral fatigue limit.
The Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore: Channel Formation by F-ATP Synthase, Integration in Signal Transduction, and Role in Pathophysiology
Authors: Bernardi Paolo , Rasola Andrea , Forte Michael , Lippe Giovanna
Published: August 2015

The mitochondrial permeability transition (PT) is a permeability increase of the inner mitochondrial membrane mediated by a channel, the permeability transition pore (PTP). After a brief historical introduction, we cover the key regulatory features of the PTP and provide a critical assessment of putative protein components that have been tested by genetic analysis. The discovery that under conditions of oxidative stress the F-ATP synthases of mammals, yeast, and Drosophila can be turned into Ca2+-dependent channels, whose electrophysiological properties match those of the corresponding PTPs, opens new perspectives to the field. We discuss structural and functional features of F-ATP synthases that may provide clues to its transition from an energy-conserving into an energy-dissipating device as well as recent advances on signal transduction to the PTP and on its role in cellular pathophysiology.
A Grid-Based Linear Least Squares Self-Localization Algorithm in Wireless Sensor Network
Authors: Wang Wei , Shi Haoshan , Huang Pengyu , Fang Dingyi , Chen Xiaojiang , Xiao Yun , Wu Fuping
Published: August 2015

Self-localization is one of the key technologies in the wireless sensor networks (WSN). Some traditional self-localization algorithms can provide a reasonable positioning accuracy only in a uniform and dense network, while for a nonuniform network the performance is not acceptable. In this paper, we presented a novel grid-based linear least squares (LLS) self-localization algorithm. The proposed algorithm uses the grid method to screen the anchors based on the distribution characteristic of a nonuniform network. Furthermore, by taking into consideration the quasi-uniform distribution of anchors in the area, we select suitable anchors to assist the localization. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can greatly enhance the localization accuracy of the anonymous nodes and impose less computation burden compared to traditional Trilateration and Multilateration.
Frontal Cryosectioning: An Improved Protocol for Sectioning Large Areas of Fibrous Scaffolds
Authors: Grey Casey P. , Simpson David G.
Published: August 2015

Fibrous tissue engineering scaffolds, such as those produced by electrospinning, cannot achieve their clinical potential until deep cell‐scaffold interactions are understood. Even the most advanced imaging techniques are limited to capturing data at depths of 100 µm due to light scatter associated with the fibers that compose these scaffolds. Conventional cross‐sectional analysis provides information on relatively small volumes of space and frontal sections are difficult to generate. Current understanding of cellular penetration into fibrous scaffolds is limited predominantly to the scaffold surface. Although some information is available from cross‐sections, sections vary in quality, can distort spatial scaffold properties, and offer virtually no spatial cues as to what scaffold properties instigate specific cellular responses. Without the definitive ability to understand how cells interact with the architecture of an entire scaffold it is difficult to justify scaffold modifications or in‐depth cell penetration analyses until appropriate techniques are developed. To address this limitation we have developed a cryosectioning protocol that makes it possible to obtain serial frontal sections from electrospun scaffolds. Microscopic images assembled into montage images from serial sections were then used to create three‐dimensional (3D) models of cellular infiltration throughout the entire scaffold.
The Influence of an EPS Concrete Buffer Layer Thickness on Debris Dams Impacted by Massive Stones in the Debris Flow
Authors: Yu Xianbin , Chen Xiaoqing , Zhao Wanyu , Chen Jiangang
Published: August 2015

The failure of debris dams impacted by the massive stones in a debris flow represents a difficult design problem. Reasonable materials selection and structural design can effectively improve the resistance impact performance of debris dams. Based on the cushioning properties of expanded polystyrene (EPS) concrete, EPS concrete as a buffer layer poured on the surface of a rigid debris dam was proposed. A three-dimensional numerical calculation model of an EPS concrete buffer layer/rigid debris dam was established. The single-factor theory revealed change rules for the thickness of the buffer layer concerning the maximal impact force of the rigid debris dam surface through numerical simulation. Moreover, the impact force-time/history curves under different calculation conditions for the rigid debris dam surface were compared. Simulation results showed that the EPS concrete buffer layer can not only effectively extend the impact time of massive stones affecting the debris dam but also reduce the impact force of the rigid debris dam caused by massive stones in the debris flow. The research results provide theoretical guidance for transferring the energy of the massive stone impact, creating a structural design and optimizing debris dams.
Effect of Spacing Regimes on Growth, Yield, and Wood Properties ofTectona grandisat Longuza Forest Plantation, Tanzania
Authors: Zahabu Eliakimu , Raphael Tumaini , Chamshama Shabani Athumani Omari , Iddi Said , Malimbwi Rogers Ernest
Published: August 2015

This study examined the effects of planting spacing on growth, yield, and wood properties of teak planted at square spacing regimes of 2 m, 3 m, and 4 m at Longuza Forest Plantation, Tanzania. To achieve this, tree, stand, and wood properties were studied at age of 14 years. Results showed that diameter at breast height and total height increased with increasing spacing. Mean annual increment increased significantly with increasing spacing while spacing did not have significant effect on total volume production and basal area. Basic density is also not affected by spacing while heartwood proportion increases as planting spacing increases. All studied wood properties (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, compression strength tangential to grain, and shear tangential to the grain) except cleavage tangential to grain were not significantly affected by increasing spacing. It is recommended to use the spacing of 3 × 3 m, but if thinning can be done before onset of competition at 5 years, the currently used spacing of 2.5 × 2.5 m can still be used. However, the use of a spacing of 4 × 4 m can give at least 50% heartwood at shorter rotation age of 30 years.
Extracellular Vesicles from MSC Modulate the Immune Response to Renal Allografts in a MHC Disparate Rat Model
Authors: Koch M. , Lemke A. , Lange C.
Published: August 2015

Application of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) has been proposed for solid organ transplantation based on their potent immunomodulatory effects. Since side effects from the injection of large cells cannot be excluded, the hypothesis rises that extracellular vesicles (EV) may cause immunomodulatory effects comparable to MSC without additional side effects. We used MSC-derived EV in a rat renal transplant model for acute rejection. We analysed peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), kidney function, graft infiltrating cells, cytokines in the graft, and alloantibody development in animals without (allo) and with EV application (allo EV). There was no difference in kidney function and in the PBL subpopulation including Tregs between allo and allo EV. In the grafts T- and B-cell numbers were significantly higher and NK-cells lower in the allo EV kidneys compared to allo. TNF-αtranscription was lower in allo EV grafts compared to allo; there was no difference regarding IL-10 and in the development of alloantibodies. In conclusion, the different cell infiltrates and cytokine transcription suggest distinct immunomodulatory properties of EV in allotransplantation. While the increased T- and B-cells in the allo EV grafts may represent a missing or negative effect on the adaptive immune system, EV seem to influence the innate immune system in a contrary fashion.
Trend Change Study of Climate Variables in Xin’anjiang-Fuchunjiang Watershed, China
Authors: Zaman Muhammad , Fang Guohua , Mehmood Kashif , Saifullah Muhammad
Published: August 2015

This study emphasizes the precipitation and the maximum and minimum temperature trend and presents the results of study in temporal and spatial scales, after performing statistical analysis of the Xin’anjiang-Fuchunjiang watershed. Statistical Mann Kendall and Theil Sen techniques were used to determine the trend and its magnitude, respectively, and for determining the start and abrupt change in the trend, Sequential Mann Kendall test has been performed. Furthermore, statistical tests were performed to determine the overall trend in the area at a regional basis. For the removal of the serial effect of the data, prewhitening technique is applied. In this study, statistical tests were performed at 1901–2013 precipitation and temperature series and then after detection of the change year precipitation data were divided into two different scenarios of 1901–1960 period and 1961–2013 period. The results showed that precipitation trend is insignificant while maximum and minimum temperature have increased during 1901–2013 period except for some stations of autumn and summer seasons.
Astronomy and Climate-Earth System: Can Magma Motion under Sun-Moon Gravitation Contribute to Paleoclimatic Variations and Earth’s Heat?
Authors: Joseph Wang Zhiren , Lin Xiaopei
Published: August 2015

Paleoclimate data have yielded variations with periods of ~23, ~40, and ~100 ky. Thermodynamic changes resulting from orbital eccentricity, obliquity, and precession have been ascribed as the cause of the variations although processes within the oceans and atmosphere may have too short memory to explain such variations. In this work, the dynamics of Sun-Moon gravitation (SMG) were explored for a rotating Earth and were determined to have a long memory in magma, a mostly ignored geophysical fluid with a mass ~3,400 times that of the atmosphere plus the oceans. Using the basic motion and gravitation (including obliquity) of the Sun and the Moon, we determined that SMG-induced magma motion could produce paleoclimatic variations with multiple periods (e.g., ~23, ~40, ~80, and ~100 ky), with considerable power for Earth’s heat. Such “reproducible” power could possibly maintain an energetic Earth against collapse, radioactivity, and cooling.
Enteroscopic Diagnosis and Management of Small Bowel Diverticular Hemorrhage: A Multicenter Report from the Taiwan Association for the Study of Small Intestinal Diseases
Authors: Chen Yang-Yuan , Chiu Cheng-Tang , Hsu Chen-Ming , Chen Tsung-Hsing , Chiu Yi-Chun , Chu Yen-Chang , Chang Chen-Wang , Wang Hsiu-Po , Wu Deng-Chyang , Huang Tien-Yu , Yen Hsu-Heng
Published: August 2015

Small bowel diverticulum is a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis and treatment of small bowel diverticular hemorrhage is clinically challenging before the development of deep enteroscopy. In this multicenter study from the Taiwan Association for the Study of Small Intestinal Diseases (TASSID), 608 patients underwent deep enteroscopy for obscure gastrointestinal bleeding during January 2004 and April 2010 from eight medical centers in Taiwan. Small bowel diverticular hemorrhage account for 7.89% of obscure gastrointestinal bleeding in this study. Most of the patients received endoscopic therapy with an initial hemostasis rate of 85.71% and rebleeding rate of 20%. In this large case series investigating the enteroscopic management of small intestinal diverticular hemorrhage, we found that, as to patients with peptic ulcer hemorrhage, most of these patients can be successfully managed by endoscopic therapy before surgery in the era of deep enteroscopy.
Effects of Laser Peripheral Iridotomy in Subgroups of Primary Angle Closure Based on Iris Insertion
Authors: Yun Sung-Cheol , Hong Ji Wook , Sung Kyung Rim , Lee Jin Young
Published: August 2015

Purpose. To investigate the effect of laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in subgroups of primary angle closure based on iris insertion configuration.Methods. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) images were obtained before and two weeks after LPI. Qualitative classification of angle closure eyes according to iris insertion (basal insertion group (BG) and nonbasal insertion group (NBG)) was performed. Anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens vault (LV), iris curvature, iris area, iris thickness (IT750), and angle opening distance (AOD750) 750 microns from scleral spur were calculated. Uni- and multivariate regression analysis was carried out to evaluate factors associated with AOD750before and after LPI.Results. Ninety-two eyes of 92 subjects were categorized as NBG (39 eyes) or BG (53 eyes). The mean change after LPI was not significantly different between two groups in all parameters. In both groups, AOD750was affected by ACD (p<0.001,p=0.044) before LPI. AOD750was affected by LV (p=0.012) in NBG, but by ACD (p<0.001) and IT750(p=0.039) in BG after LPI.Conclusions. The outcomes of LPI are not significantly different between angle closure subgroups with different iris insertions. However, factors affecting AOD750show differences between two subgroups after LPI.
Mg Doping Effect on the Microstructural and Optical Properties of ZnO Nanocrystalline Films
Authors: Young San-Lin , Kao Ming-Cheng , Chen Hone-Zern , Shih Neng-Fu , Kung Chung-Yuan , Chen Chun-Han
Published: August 2015

Transparent Zn1−xMgxO (x = 0.01, 0.03, and 0.05) nanocrystalline films were prepared by sol‐gel method followed by thermal annealing treatment of 700°C. Mg doping effect on the microstructural and optical properties of the Zn1−xMgxO films is investigated. From SEM images of all films, mean sizes of uniform spherical grains increase progressively. Pure wurtzite structure is obtained from the results of XRD. Grain sizes increase from 34.7 nm for x = 0.01 and 37.9 nm for x = 0.03 to 42.1 nm for x = 0.05 deduced from the XRD patterns. The photoluminescence spectra of the films show a strong ultraviolet emission and a weak visible light emission peak. The enhancement of ultraviolet emission and reduction of visible emission are observed due to the increase of Mg doping concentration and the corresponding decrease of oxygen vacancy defects. Besides, the characteristics of the dark/photo currents with n‐Zn1−xMgxO/n‐Si heterojunction are studied for photodetector application.
Computational Investigation of the Electronic and Optical Properties of Planar Ga-Doped Graphene
Authors: Creange Nicole , Constantin Costel , Zhu Jian-Xin , Balatsky Alexander V. , Haraldsen Jason T.
Published: August 2015

We simulate the optical and electrical responses in gallium-doped graphene. Using density functional theory with a local density approximation, we simulate the electronic band structure and show the effects of impurity doping (0–3.91%) in graphene on the electron density, refractive index, optical conductivity, and extinction coefficient for each doping percentage. Here, gallium atoms are placed randomly (using a 5-point average) throughout a 128-atom sheet of graphene. These calculations demonstrate the effects of hole doping due to direct atomic substitution, where it is found that a disruption in the electronic structure and electron density for small doping levels is due to impurity scattering of the electrons. However, the system continues to produce metallic or semimetallic behavior with increasing doping levels. These calculations are compared to a purely theoretical 100% Ga sheet for comparison of conductivity. Furthermore, we examine the change in the electronic band structure, where the introduction of gallium electronic bands produces a shift in the electron bands and dissolves the characteristic Dirac cone within graphene, which leads to better electron mobility.
Turkish Version of the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties
Authors: Batmaz Sedat , Kocbiyik Sibel , Yuncu Ozgur Ahmet
Published: August 2015

Cognitive distortions are interrelated with all layers of cognitions, and they may be part of the treatment once they are accessed, identified, labeled, and changed. From both a research and a clinical perspective, it is of utmost importance to disentangle cognitive distortions from similar constructs. Recently, the Cognitive Distortions Questionnaire (CD-Quest), a brief and comprehensive measure, was developed to assess both the frequency and the intensity of cognitive distortions. The aim of the present study was to assess the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of the CD-Quest in a psychiatric outpatient sample. Demographic and clinical data of the participants were analyzed by descriptive statistics. For group comparisons, Student’st-test was applied. An exploratory principal components factor analysis was performed, followed by an oblique rotation. To assess the internal consistency of the scale Cronbach’sαwas computed. The correlation coefficient was calculated for test-retest reliability over a 4-week period. For concurrent validity, bivariate Pearson correlation analyses were conducted with the measures of mood severity and negatively biased cognitions. The results revealed that the scale had excellent internal consistency, good test-retest reliability, unidimensional factor structure, and evidence of concurrent and discriminant validity.
Antiatherogenic and Cardioprotective Effects of Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) Juice in Aging Rats
Authors: Daskalova Elena , Delchev Slavi , Peeva Yulia , Vladimirova-Kitova Lyudmila , Kratchanova Maria , Kratchanov Christo , Denev Petko
Published: August 2015

Age-related diseases are a social problem of global significance and their prevention by natural products is a research area of particular interest. The present study is an approach to counteract the risk factors for atherosclerosis arising in the aging process by supplementation of chokeberry juice. It employed a model of healthy adult rats monitored for a number of somatometric, serum lipidogram, and histopathological parameters, related to risk factors and their response to supplementation with antioxidant-rich chokeberry juice. The results were used to calculate different atherogenic and cardioprotective indices, and all results were compared to those of young healthy rats. Chokeberry juice proved an extremely rich source of polyphenols resulting in very high antioxidant activity. Treatment withAroniajuice significantly lowered the proatherogenic low-density lipoprotein fraction of the animals studied and led to a 16.5% decrease in their total cholesterol. Atherogenic indices inAronia-supplemented animals clearly showed lower atherogenic risk and cardioprotective indices indicated protection of the cardiovascular system. Besides that, chokeberry juice retarded the age-related changes in the aortic wall and can be recommended as a prophylactic tool for healthy aging.
Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters: Synthesis and Recent Biological Application
Authors: Qu Xiaochao , Li Yichen , Li Lei , Wang Yanran , Liang Jingning , Liang Jimin
Published: August 2015

Fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been extensively studied due to their unique construction and distinctive properties, which place them between single metal atoms and larger nanoparticles. The dimension of AuNCs is comparable to the Fermi wavelength of electrons, which lead to size‐dependent fluorescence and other molecule‐like properties. In this review, we summarize various synthesis strategies of fluorescent AuNCs and recent advances of biological applications such as biosensing, biolabeling, and bioimaging. The synthetic methods are considered as two routes: “Atoms to Clusters” and “Nanoparticles to Clusters.” The surface functionalization of AuNCs is described as the precondition for making future bioapplications possible, which can eventually influence their stability, biocompatibility, and other properties. And then we focus on the recent advances of AuNCs‐based applications in biological sensing, biolabeling, and bioimaging and finally discuss the current challenges of AuNCs in controllable synthesis and biological application.
Developing Pedagogical Content Knowledge: Lessons Learned from Intervention Studies
Authors: Evens Marie , Elen Jan , Depaepe Fien
Published: August 2015

Pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) is generally accepted as positively impacting teaching quality and student learning. Therefore, research on PCK development in (prospective) teachers is highly relevant. Based on a search in three databases (ERIC, PsycInfo, and Web of Science), a systematic review is conducted on intervention studies aiming at PCK development. The research questions are threefold: (1) How are the studies designed? (2) How are the interventions designed? and (3) What elements of interventions contribute to PCK development? The results show that most intervention studies are conducted in math and science education and use a qualitative methodology. Reflection, PCK courses, contact with other teachers, and experiences in educational practice are typically part of effective interventions. The review enables the identification of clear guidelines that may strengthen future research on stimulating PCK.
Magnetization Reversal and Specific Loss Power of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Cellular Environment Evaluated by AC Hysteresis Measurement
Authors: Ota Satoshi , Yamada Tsutomu , Takemura Yasushi
Published: August 2015

The effect of intracellular hyperthermia induced by magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) has been evaluated using a theoretical model. In this study, magnetization reversal of MNPs in the cellular environment under an AC magnetic field was evaluated on the basis of measured AC hysteresis loops. The specific and intrinsic loss powers—SLP and ILP—were also estimated from the area of AC hysteresis loops. The measured samples were a liquid sample dispersed in water, a fixed sample mixed with an epoxy bond, and a cellular sample. In the cellular environment, the rotations of particles and magnetic moments were inhibited by particle‐cell and dipole‐dipole interactions, respectively. The heat dissipation of the MNPs in the cellular environment was lower than that of the liquid and fixed samples. Moreover, the SLP in a single cell was estimated. The temperature increase of a single cell was calculated on the basis of the conventional theoretical model and the SLP measured in a single cell.
The Research of Temperature Compensation for Thermopile Sensor Based on Improved PSO-BP Algorithm
Authors: Li Yuanjiang , Li Yuehua , Li Feng , Zhao Bin , Li QingQing
Published: August 2015

When thermopile sensor is used for safety monitoring of equipment in industrial environments, particularly for measuring the thermal radiation information of device, the measured result of this kind of sensor is usually affected by ambient temperature due to its unique structure. An improved PSO-BP algorithm is proposed for temperature compensation of thermopile sensor and correcting the error in the condition of the system accuracy requirements reduced by temperature. The core of improved PSO-BP algorithm is to improve the certainty of initial weights and thresholds that belonged to BP neural network and then train the samples by using BP neural network for enhancing the generalization ability and stability of system. The experimental results show that the proposed PSO-BP network outperforms other similar algorithms with faster convergence speed, lower errors, and higher accuracy.
Continuous Finite Element Methods of Molecular Dynamics Simulations
Authors: Tang Qiong , Liu Luohua , Zheng Yujun
Published: August 2015

Molecular dynamics simulations are necessary to perform very long integration times. In this paper, we discuss continuous finite element methods for molecular dynamics simulation problems. Our numerical results aboutABdiatomic molecular system andA2Btriatomic molecules show that linear finite element and quadratic finite element methods can better preserve the motion characteristics of molecular dynamics, that is, properties of energy conservation and long-term stability. So finite element method is also a reliable method to simulate long-time classical trajectory of molecular systems.
On Minimum-Latency Broadcast in Multichannel Duty-Cycled Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Jiao Xianlong , Xiao Weidong , Ge Bin , Chen Yuli
Published: August 2015

Broadcast has critical significance for wide application of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Minimum-latency broadcast (MLB) studies how to devise a broadcast schedule, which can achieve minimum broadcast latency with no signal interference. In multichannel duty-cycled WSNs, nodes can exploit multiple channels to communicate and periodically fall asleep after working for some time. Nevertheless, most solutions to the MLB problem either focus on nonsleeping scenarios or only exploit one single channel. Therefore, we investigate the MLB problem in multichannel duty-cycled WSNs in this paper and call this problem as MLBCD problem. We prove that MLBCD problem is NP-hard. We propose a new concept of active interference graph (AIG). Based on AIG, we present one novel approximation broadcast algorithm called NAB to solve the MLBCD problem. We prove that our proposed NAB algorithm achieves provable performance guarantee. The results of our extensive evaluations show that NAB algorithm can significantly improve the broadcast latency.