bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sexually transmitted infections and HIV RNA levels in blood and anogenital compartments among Thai men who have sex with men before and after antiretroviral therapy: implication for Treatment as Prevention programme
Authors: Phanuphak Nittaya , Pattanachaiwit Supanit , Pankam Tippawan , Teeratakulpisarn Nipat , Chamnan Parinya , Pathipvanich Panita , Thongpaen Suchart , Nonenoy Siriporn , Jantarapakde Jureeporn , Pengnonyang Supabhorn , Trachunthong Deondara , Sungsing Thanthip , Parasate Kittiyaporn , Seeneewong Na Ayutthaya Sriprai , Trairat Ketmookda , Pussadee Kanitta , Lertpiriyasuwat Cheewanan , Phanuphak Praphan ,   the Thai MSM/TG Test and Treat Study Group
Published: September 2018

AbstractIntroductionSexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common among HIV‐positive men who have sex with men (MSM). There have been concerns that undiagnosed and untreated STIs could undermine efforts to use antiretroviral therapy (ART) for prevention due to genital secretion infectiousness. We evaluated the correlation between STIs and HIV RNA in anogenital compartments among HIV‐positive MSM before and after ART.MethodsMSM participants newly diagnosed with HIV were offered ART regardless of CD4 count during November 2012 to November 2015. Syphilis serology, oropharyngeal swab, rectal swab, urine collection for gonorrhoea and chlamydia nucleic acid amplification testing, and HIV RNA measurement in blood, semen and rectal samples were performed at baseline, 12 and 24 months thereafter.ResultsOf 143 HIV‐positive MSM, 16.1% had syphilis, 23.1% had gonorrhoea and 32.8% had chlamydia at baseline. Participants with STIs at baseline had higher median HIV RNA levels in blood plasma (p = 0.053), seminal plasma (p = 0.01) and rectal secretions (p = 0.002) than those without STIs. Multivariate models identified HIV RNA 100,000 to 500,000 (OR 6.74, 95% CI 2.24 to 20.28, p = 0.001) and >500,000 (OR 9.39, 95% CI 1.08 to 81.72, p = 0.04) copies/mL in blood, CD4 count <350 cells/mm3 (OR 4.20, 95% CI 1.05 to 16.70, p = 0.04) and having any STIs (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.01 to 6.80 p = 0.047) to be associated with detectable (>40 copies/mL) seminal plasma HIV RNA. Having chlamydia at any sites (OR 3.17, 95% CI 1.07 to 9.44, p = 0.04) was associated with detectable rectal HIV RNA. Incidences of syphilis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia were 13.4, 16.4 and 18.1 per 100 person‐years respectively. Nine participants had detectable HIV RNA (five in blood, one in semen, two in rectal samples and one in both blood and rectal samples) at 12 and/or 24 months after ART.ConclusionsSTIs were extremely common among HIV‐positive MSM prior to and after ART. ART effectively reduced HIV RNA in all compartments. The correlation between STIs and anogenital HIV RNA, especially prior to ART and likely until complete HIV RNA suppression from ART is achieved, points to the importance of integrating asymptomatic STIs screening into Treatment as Prevention programme for MSM.
Functional and structural properties of red color‐related pigment‐binding protein from the shell of Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Pan Chuang , Ishizaki Shoichiro , Nagashima Yuji , Watabe Shugo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDA novel red color‐related pigment‐binding protein named LvPBP75 isolated from the shell of Litopenaeus vannamei has recently been identified as hemocyanin. However, information on the functional and structural properties of LvPBP75 is insufficient. This study aimed to elucidate the thermal properties and pigment‐binding ability of LvPBP75.RESULTSLvPBP75 showed significant red color change after heat treatment with high concentrations of NaCl (>0.1 mol L−1), acidic (<5) or alkaline (>9) pH values and alcohols. LvPBP75 mRNA expression analysis revealed that expression level was highest in hepatopancreas and weakest in muscle. Reconstruction and structural analysis revealed that astaxanthin could bind to hemocyanin derived from the shell of L. vannamei but not to hemocyanins derived from the hepatopancreas or hemolymph of other invertebrates. Three‐dimensional models of hemocyanin monomer displayed significant structural differences between native LvPBP75 and hemocyanin derived from shrimp hepatopancreas.CONCLUSIONThe results suggest a novel function of hemocyanin as binding with pigment and its involvement in L. vannamei shell color change. The pigment‐binding ability of hemocyanins has species and tissue specificity, and their unique structural features play an important role in binding ability. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Potential of recovered proteins from invasive green crabs (Carcinus maenas) as a functional food ingredient
Authors: Kang Bouhee , Myracle Angela D , Skonberg Denise I 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDInvasive green crabs contain high‐quality proteins that have potential as functional ingredients in formulated foods. This study evaluated the functional properties and compositional characteristics of green crab proteins recovered by isoelectric solubilization/precipitation (ISP).RESULTSMechanically separated green crab mince (control) was solubilized at pH 2 (PP2) and pH 10 (PP10), then proteins were precipitated at pH 5.5 and subsequently dried. Yield of recovered protein powder was approximately 1.5 times higher for PP2 than for PP10. Compared with the control (230 g kg−1), ash content was reduced in PP2 (54 g kg−1) and PP10 (23 g kg−1) samples. PP2 contained predominantly large‐molecular‐weight proteins, while small‐molecular‐weight proteins were distributed in PP10. With regard to functional properties, at pH 7 and 8, solubility of PP10 was significantly higher than that of PP2. At pH 7.5, PP10 exhibited significantly higher emulsifying activity (1482 m2 g−1) than PP2 (858 m2 g−1) and the control (958 m2 g−1). PP2 showed statistically higher gelation activity and had higher L* value than PP10 and the control.CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that recovered green crab proteins have functional properties potentially useful for formulated foods, and that these functional properties can be modified by the solubilization pH during the recovery process. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A simple 1H NMR based assay of total capsaicinoid levels in Capsicum using signal suppression in non‐deuterated solvent
Authors: Woodman Timothy J , Negoescu Eduard 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe heat of Capsicum fruits is routinely assayed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine capsaicin (CA) and dihydrocapsaicin (DHC) levels. The assay can be time consuming, with each HPLC run typically lasting 10 min. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is eminently suitable for quantification of fruit extracts, although it has been largely ignored for quantitative chilli analysis. The present study describes a novel approach using solvent suppression in protic solvent (i.e. non‐deuterated) to quantify total capsaicinoid levels in chilli extracts.RESULTSUsing solvent suppression techniques and maleic acid as an internal standard, capsaicinoid content in a series of accurately weighed standard samples was determined over a range between 40 and 720 ppm (0.13–2.35 mmolar) with high accuracy and precision. The measurement was linear over the entire range. This method was subsequently used with ten authentic Capsicum samples (seven chinense, two annuum and one baccatum) and showed an excellent correlation with the HPLC data.CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study confirm that NMR in non‐deuterated solvent can provide a rapid and robust assessment of the pungency of capsicum fruits. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Subsurface sources contribute substantially to fine‐grained suspended sediment transported in a tropical West African watershed in Burkina Faso
Authors: Rode Michael , op de Hipt Felix , Collins Adrian L. , Zhang Yusheng , Theuring Philipp , Schkade Uwe‐Karsten , Diekkrüger Bernd 
Published: September 2018

AbstractIncreasing watershed sediment yields is an important problem in Africa, but the sources of these sediment yields have only very rarely been investigated. This study therefore aims to discriminate subsurface and surface sources of fine‐grained sediments in a representative mesoscale (580 km2) West African savanna watershed. We used a sediment source fingerprinting approach for source apportionment including geochemical and radionuclide (137Cs, 210Pbex, and 7Be) composite signatures where 7Be was used as a tracer for the first time in the African environment. Two field campaigns were conducted collecting a total of 258 geochemical and 66 isotope samples. We found that subsurface source categories, dominantly river bank, contributed an unexpected high share of 43% (geochemistry) and 45% (radionuclides) to the sampled fine‐grained sediments. Pairwise comparison of the averaged frequency distributions for predicted source proportions using five geochemical signatures with the frequency distribution generated using the single radionuclide signature suggested that the two distributions are not statistically different. Extrapolating our measured contribution of subsurface erosion to areas with similar yields in comparable environmental settings, we can assume that subsurface sources are an important component of sediment loss across large areas of West Africa. Subsurface erosion, primarily associated with bank rather than gully erosion, is likely to increase in the future with projected rises in run‐off due to land use and climate change. Source tracing studies need to be undertaken more widely across Africa to help mitigation planning for sediment‐related and land degradation problems.
Cyclodextrin‐Based Macromolecular Systems as Cholesterol‐Mopping Therapeutic Agents in Niemann–Pick Disease Type C
Authors: Puglisi Antonino , Yagci Yusuf 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOver the last decade, cyclodextrins (CDs) have gained considerable attention as a potential therapeutic intervention in the treatment of the rare genetic condition Niemann–Pick type C disease (NPC). However, the oligosaccharide in its monomeric form suffers from serious side effects, especially from a pharmacokinetic and biodistribution standpoint. CD‐based macromolecular systems hold great promise to overcome such limitations and might provide an improved therapeutic approach in reducing cholesterol accumulation in NPC. In the present article, the latest developments and synthetic strategies in the preparation of CD‐containing polymers as cholesterol‐mopping therapeutic agents in NPC are summarized.
Resting‐state basal ganglia network codes a motor musical skill and its disruption From dystonia
Authors: Kita Kahori , Rokicki Jaroslav , Furuya Shinichi , Sakamoto Takashi , Hanakawa Takashi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackground: Musician's dystonia critically impacts professional musicians' careers as they may lose musical skills, which have been acquired through long and intensive training. Yet the pathophysiology of musician's dystonia and its link to the neural mechanisms supporting musical skills is poorly understood. We tested if resting‐state functional connectivity might reflect an aspect of musical skill linked to the pathophysiology of musician's dystonia. We also tested a second hypothesis that the region with altered resting‐state functional connectivity might be correlated with a quantitative measure of musical skills.Methods: We studied 21 patients with musician's dystonia affecting their hands and 34 healthy musicians, using resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging and behavioral assessment. We tested between‐group differences of resting‐state functional connectivity throughout the whole brain using independent component analysis.Results: We found abnormal basal ganglia resting‐state functional connectivity in the putamina of patients with musician's dystonia compared with those of healthy musicians (P = 0.035 corrected for multiple comparisons). We also found that the temporal precision of keystrokes was correlated with basal ganglia functional connectivity in the putamina of healthy pianists (r = 0.72, P = 0.0005), but not in pianists with musician's dystonia (r = −0.11, P = 0.64).Conclusions: We show that abnormalities of the putamen exist even at rest in musician's dystonia, whereas putaminal abnormality has previously been reported during a task. Moreover, basal ganglia resting‐state functional connectivity in the putamen represented training levels in healthy musicians, and its disruption was associated with musician's dystonia. This novel finding hints at the pathophysiological mechanisms by which musician's dystonia follows extensive musical training. © 2018 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
An mGlu4‐Positive Allosteric Modulator Alleviates Parkinsonism in Primates
Authors: Charvin Delphine , Di Paolo Therese , Bezard Erwan , Gregoire Laurent , Takano Akihiro , Duvey Guillaume , Pioli Elsa , Halldin Christer , Medori Rossella , Conquet François 
Published: September 2018

ABSTRACTBackground: Levodopa remains the gold‐standard treatment for PD. However, it becomes less effective as the disease progresses and produces debilitating side effects, such as motor fluctuations and l‐dopa‐induced dyskinesia. Modulation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 represents a promising antiparkinsonian approach in combination with l‐dopa, but it has not been demonstrated in primates.Objective: We studied whether a novel positive allosteric modulator of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 4, PXT002331 (foliglurax), could reduce parkinsonism in primate models.Methods: We assessed the therapeutic potential of PXT002331 in three models of MPTP‐induced parkinsonism in macaques. These models represent three different stages of disease evolution: early stage and advanced stage with and without l‐dopa‐induced dyskinesia.Results: As an adjunct to l‐dopa, PXT002331 induced a robust and dose‐dependent reversal of parkinsonian motor symptoms in macaques, including bradykinesia, tremor, posture, and mobility. Moreover, PXT002331 strongly decreased dyskinesia severity, thus having therapeutic efficacy on both parkinsonian motor impairment and l‐dopa‐induced dyskinesia. PXT002331 brain penetration was also assessed using PET imaging in macaques, and pharmacodynamic analyses support target engagement in the therapeutic effects of PXT002331.Conclusions: This work provides a demonstration that a positive allosteric modulator of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 can alleviate the motor symptoms of PD and the motor complications induced by l‐dopa in primates. PXT002331 is the first compound of its class to enter phase IIa clinical trials. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Calibration of methylene‐referenced lipid‐dissolved xenon frequency for absolute MR temperature measurements
Authors: Antonacci Michael A. , Zhang Le , Degan Simone , Erdmann Detlev , Branca Rosa T. 
Published: September 2018

PurposeAbsolute MR temperature measurements are currently difficult because they require precalibration procedures specific for tissue types and conditions. Reference of the lipid‐dissolved 129Xe resonance frequency to temperature‐insensitive methylene protons (rLDX) has been proposed to remove the effect of macro‐ and microscopic susceptibility gradients to obtain absolute temperature information. The scope of this work is to evaluate the rLDX chemical shift (CS) dependence on lipid composition to estimate the precision of absolute temperature measurements in lipids.MethodsNeat triglycerides, vegetable oils, and samples of freshly excised human and rodent adipose tissue (AT) are prepared under 129Xe atmosphere and studied using high‐resolution NMR. The rLDX CS is measured as a function of temperature. 1H spectra are also acquired and the consistency of methylene‐referenced water proton and rLDX CS values are compared in human AT.ResultsAlthough rLDX CS shows a dependence on lipid composition, in human and rodent AT samples the rLDX shows consistent CS values with a similar temperature dependence (–0.2058 ± 0.0010) ppm/°C × T (°C) + (200.15 ± 0.03) ppm, enabling absolute temperature measurements with an accuracy of 0.3°C. Methylene‐referenced water CS values present variations of up to 4°C, even under well‐controlled conditions.ConclusionsThe rLDX can be used to obtain accurate absolute temperature measurements in AT, opening new opportunities for hyperpolarized 129Xe MR to measure tissue absolute temperature.
Thermokinetic Analysis and Performance Evaluation of Guanidinium Azotetrazolate Based Gas Generating Composition for Testing of Solid Rocket Motor Nozzle Closures
Authors: Harikrishnan Erezhath Shani , Hariharanath Bodagala , Vineeth Gayathri Muraleedharanpillai , Purushothaman Pokkan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA gas generating composition (GGC) was designed with Guanidinium azotetrazolate (GZT) as fuel and Ammonium perchlorate (AP) as an oxidizer for burst testing of nozzle closure at rig level, simulating solid rocket motor ignition transient and propellant flame temperature. EXPLO5 software code was used for formulation studies. The selected GGC formulation was subjected to thermokinetic analysis for understanding the thermal decomposition behaviour as well as evaluating kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of decomposition.The non‐isothermal kinetic parameters of the composition over the extent of conversion were determined using two isocoversional methods viz; Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS). GGC in pellet form was fired using a pyrotechnic pressure generating device (PPG) in test rig level with nozzle closure. The nozzle closure was burst opened at a pressure of 0.985 MPa with a pressurization rate of 10.3 MPa s−1.
Jensen's alpha and the market‐timing puzzle
Authors: Bunnenberg Sebastian , Rohleder Martin , Scholz Hendrik , Wilkens Marco 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTheory predicts that market‐timing activities bias Jensen's alpha (JA). However, empirical studies have failed to find consistent evidence of this bias. We tackle this puzzle in a nested model analysis and show that the bias contains an exogenous market component that is unrelated to market‐timing skill. In a comprehensive empirical analysis of US mutual funds, we find that the timing‐induced bias in JA is mainly driven by this market component, which is uncorrelated with measured timing activities. Measures of total performance that allow for timing activities are virtually identical to JA, even if timing activities are present in the evaluated fund. Hence, we conclude that JA is a sufficient measure of total performance.
Lithography‐Free Electrochemical Patterning of Conductive Substrates with Metal Oxides
Authors: Jones Evan C. , Nocera Daniel G. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractReactive interface patterning promoted by lithographic electrochemistry serves as a facile method for generating submicron structures on conductive substrates. A binary‐potential step applied to a metal layer with a resist overlayer allows silicon to be patterned with metal oxides. In this study, the role and influence of the resist overlayer on the uniformity of pattern formation are examined. The ability of the resist to detach from the underlying metal is a critical determinant of pattern geometry. By choosing an appropriate resist, large patterns with submicron precision are generated quickly by the application of the binary‐potential steps. From this information, a lithography‐free approach to generating identical patterns is achieved with simple resists such as that furnished from a lacquer–water emulsion, thus greatly simplifying the patterning of silicon with metal oxide catalysts.
Leveraging Titanium to Enable Silicon Anodes in Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Lee Pui‐Kit , Tahmasebi Mohammad H. , Ran Sijia , Boles Steven T. , Yu Denis Y. W. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractSilicon is a promising anode material for lithium‐ion batteries because of its high gravimetric/volumetric capacities and low lithiation/delithiation voltages. However, it suffers from poor cycling stability due to drastic volume expansion (>300%) when it alloys with lithium, leading to structural disintegration upon lithium removal. Here, it is demonstrated that titanium atoms inside the silicon matrix can act as an atomic binding agent to hold the silicon atoms together during lithiation and mend the structure after delithiation. Direct evidence from in situ dilatometry of cosputtered silicon–titanium thin films reveals significantly smaller electrode thickness change during lithiation, compared to a pure silicon thin film. In addition, the thickness change is fully reversible with lithium extraction, and ex situ post‐mortem microscopy shows that film cracking is suppressed. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy measurements indicate that the Si–Ti interaction remains intact after cycling. Optimized Si–Ti thin films can deliver a stable capacity of 1000 mAh g−1 at a current of 2000 mA g−1 for more than 300 cycles, demonstrating the effectiveness of titanium in stabilizing the material structure. A full cell with a Si–Ti anode and LiFePO4 cathode is demonstrated, which further validates the readiness of the technology.
Super‐Resolution Tracking of Mitochondrial Dynamics with An Iridium(III) Luminophore
Authors: Chen Qixin , Jin Chengzhi , Shao Xintian , Guan Ruilin , Tian Zhiqi , Wang Chenran , Liu Fei , Ling Peixue , Guan Jun‐Lin , Ji Liangnian , Wang Fengshan , Chao Hui , Diao Jiajie 
Published: September 2018

AbstractCombining luminescent transition metal complex with super‐resolution microscopy is an excellent strategy for the long‐term visualization of the dynamics of subcellular structures in living cells. However, it remains unclear whether iridium(III) complexes are applicable for a particular type of super‐resolution technique, structured illumination microscopy (SIM), to image subcellular structures. Herein, an iridium(III) dye, to track mitochondrial dynamics in living cells under SIM is described. The dye demonstrates excellent specificity and photostability and satisfactory cell permeability. While using SIM to image mitochondria, an ≈80 nm resolution is achieved that allows the clear observation of the structure of mitochondrial cristae. The dye is used to monitor and quantify mitochondrial dynamics relative to lysosomes, including fusion involved in mitophagy, and newly discovered mitochondria–lysosome contact (MLC) under different conditions. The MLC remains intact and fusion vanishes when five receptors, p62, NDP52, OPTN, NBR1, and TAX1BP1, are knocked out, suggesting that these two processes are independent.
Air‐Stable and Self‐Driven Perovskite Photodiodes with High On/Off Ratio and Swift Photoresponse
Authors: Yan Yajie , Wu Qingqing , Zhao Yuhang , Chen Shoumian , Hu Shaojian , Zhu Jianjun , Huang Jia , Liang Ziqi 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRecent years have witnessed rapid developments in organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites, among which 2D Ruddlesden–Popper (RP) perovskites stand out due to their outstanding ambient stability. In photodetector applications, 2D RP perovskites are mostly limited to lateral device configuration because of their preferred in‐plane charge transportation within quantum well structures. In this work, the low‐temperature solution construction of 2D RP perovskite‐based photodiodes in vertical device architecture is demonstrated. The paradigm phenylethylamine (PEA) spacer cation‐based 2D perovskites are fabricated and optimized by exploiting a combination of a NH4Cl additive and dimethyl sulfoxide solvent (DMSO) solvent. They show increased crystallinity, extended photoluminescence lifetimes, and importantly a generation of 3D phases embedded within 2D perovskites, which efficiently promotes charge transfer. As a result, the photodetectors exhibit a high on/off ratio up to 2 × 104, a large photocurrent of 0.34 mA cm−2, and rapid rise (5.8 ms) and decay time (4.6 ms). Of critical importance is the outstanding film/device stabilities demonstrated by storage in air (at 25 °C with 60% relative humidity) for 15 days as well as under UV illumination for 1.5 h and after 1500 bending cycles on flexible substrate.