bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Detection of Plasmodium Species by High-Resolution Melt Analysis of DNA from Blood Smears Acquired in Southwestern Uganda
Authors: Kassaza Kennedy , Operario Darwin J. , Nyehangane Dan , Coffey K. C. , Namugosa Mary , Turkheimer Lena , Ojuka Patrick , Orikiriza Patrick , Mwanga-Amumpaire Juliet , Byarugaba Frederick , Bazira Joel , Guler Jennifer L. , Moore Christopher C. , Boum Yap 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

Microscopic diagnosis of malaria using Giemsa-stained blood smears is the standard of care in resource-limited settings. These smears represent a potential source of DNA for PCR testing to confirm
Plasmodium
infections or for epidemiological studies of archived samples. Therefore, we assessed the use of DNA extracts from stained blood smears for the detection of
Plasmodium
species using real-time PCR. We extracted DNA from archived blood smears and corresponding red blood cell pellets collected from asymptomatic children in southwestern Uganda in 2010. We then performed real-time PCR followed by high-resolution melting (HRM) to identify
Plasmodium
species, and we compared our results to those of microscopy. We analyzed a total of 367 blood smears and corresponding red blood cell pellets, including 185 smears (50.4%) that were positive by microscopy. Compared to microscopy, PCR-HRM analysis of smear DNA had a sensitivity of 93.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.2 to 96.2%) and a specificity of 96.7% (95% CI, 93.0 to 98.8%), and PCR-HRM analysis of pellet DNA had a sensitivity of 100.0% (95% CI, 98.0 to 100.0%) and a specificity of 94.0% (95% CI, 89.4 to 96.9%). Identification of positive PCR-HRM results to the species level revealed
Plasmodium falciparum
(92.0%),
Plasmodium ovale
(5.6%), and
Plasmodium malariae
(2.4%). PCR-HRM analysis of DNA extracts from Giemsa-stained thick blood smears or corresponding blood pellets had high sensitivity and specificity for malaria diagnosis, compared to microscopy. Therefore, blood smears can provide an adequate source of DNA for confirmation of
Plasmodium
species infections and can be used for retrospective genetic studies.
Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Neurons Are Highly Permissive for Varicella-Zoster Virus Lytic Infection
Authors: Sadaoka Tomohiko , Schwartz Cindi L. , Rajbhandari Labchan , Venkatesan Arun , Cohen Jeffrey I. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTVaricella-zoster virus (VZV) is highly cell associated when grown in culture and has a much higher (4,000- to 20,000-fold increased) particle-to-PFU ratioin vitrothan herpes simplex virus (HSV). In contrast, VZV is highly infectiousin vivoby airborne transmission. Neurons are major targets for VZVin vivo; in neurons, the virus can establish latency and reactivate to produce infectious virus. Using neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC) and cell-free wild-type (WT) VZV, we demonstrated that neurons are nearly 100 times more permissive for WT VZV infection than very-early-passage human embryonic lung cells or MRC-5 diploid human fibroblasts, the cells used for vaccine production or virus isolation. The peak titers achieved after infection were ∼10-fold higher in human neurons than in MRC-5 cells, and the viral genome copy number-to-PFU ratio for VZV in human neurons was 500, compared with 50,000 for MRC-5 cells. Thus, VZV may not necessarily have a higher particle-to-PFU ratio than other herpesviruses; instead, the cells previously used to propagate virusin vitromay have been suboptimal. Furthermore, based on electron microscopy, neurons infected with VZV produced fewer defective or incomplete viral particles than MRC-5 cells. Our data suggest that neurons derived from hESC may have advantages compared to other cells for studies of VZV pathogenesis, for obtaining stocks of virus with high titers, and for isolating VZV from clinical specimens.IMPORTANCEVaricella-zoster virus (VZV) causes chickenpox and shingles. Cell-free VZV has been difficult to obtain, both forin vitrostudies and for vaccine production. While numerous cells lines have been tested for their ability to produce high titers of VZV, the number of total virus particles relative to the number of viral particles that can form plaques in culture has been reported to be extremely high relative to that in other viruses. We show that VZV grows to much higher titers in human neurons than in other cell typesin vitroand that the number of total virus genomes relative to the number of viral particles that can form plaques in culture is much lower in human neurons than other cultured cells. These findings indicate that human neurons may be useful for studying VZVin vitro, for growing preparations of virus with high titers, and for isolating the virus from human samples.
Distinct Roles of Cellular ESCRT-I and ESCRT-III Proteins in Efficient Entry and Egress of Budded Virions of Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus
Authors: Yue Qi , Yu Qianlong , Yang Qi , Xu Ye , Guo Ya , Blissard Gary W. , Li Zhaofei 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery is necessary for budding of many enveloped viruses. Recently, it was demonstrated that Vps4, the key regulator for recycling of the ESCRT-III complex, is required for efficient infection by the baculovirus Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). However, ESCRT assembly, regulation, and function are complex, and little is known regarding the details of participation of specific ESCRT complexes in AcMNPV infection. In this study, the core components of ESCRT-I (Tsg101 and Vps28) and ESCRT-III (Vps2B, Vps20, Vps24, Snf7, Vps46, and Vps60) were cloned from
Spodoptera frugiperda
. Using a viral complementation system and RNA interference (RNAi) assays, we found that ESCRT-I and ESCRT-III complexes are required for efficient entry of AcMNPV into insect cells. In cells knocking down or overexpressing dominant negative (DN) forms of the components of ESCRT-I and ESCRT-III complexes, entering virions were partially trapped within the cytosol. To examine only egress, cells were transfected with the double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting an individual ESCRT-I or ESCRT-III gene and viral bacmid DNA or viral bacmid DNA that expressed DN forms of ESCRT-I and ESCRT-III components. We found that ESCRT-III components (but not ESCRT-I components) are required for efficient nuclear egress of progeny nucleocapsids. In addition, we found that several baculovirus core or conserved proteins (Ac11, Ac76, Ac78, GP41, Ac93, Ac103, Ac142, and Ac146) interact with Vps4 and components of ESCRT-III. We propose that these viral proteins may form an “egress complex” that is involved in recruiting ESCRT-III components to a virus egress domain on the nuclear membrane.

IMPORTANCE
The ESCRT system is hijacked by many enveloped viruses to mediate budding and release. Recently, it was found that Vps4, the key regulator of the cellular ESCRT machinery, is necessary for efficient entry and egress of Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV). However, little is known about the roles of specific ESCRT complexes in AcMNPV infection. In this study, we demonstrated that ESCRT-I and ESCRT-III complexes are required for efficient entry of AcMNPV into insect cells. The components of ESCRT-III (but not ESCRT-I) are also necessary for efficient nuclear egress of progeny nucleocapsids. Several baculovirus core or conserved proteins were found to interact with Vps4 and components of ESCRT-III, and these interactions may suggest the formation of an “egress complex” involved in the nuclear release or transport of viral nucleocapsids.
Low-temperature sintered Li2(MnxTi1−x)O3microwave dielectric ceramics with adjustable τf
Authors: Liu Cheng , Zhang Huaiwu , Su Hua , Li Jie , Liao Yulong , Jia Lijun , Li Yuanxun 
Published: October 2017

B2O3–Bi2O3–SiO2–ZnO (BBSZ) glass-modified Li2(Mn[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text])O3ceramics were fabricated via a solid-state reaction route. Pure phase and dense crystal morphology were obtained at 900[Formula: see text]C. Suitable amount of Mn[Formula: see text]-ion substitution could adjust the [Formula: see text] value of the Li2(Mn[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text])O3system to near zero. Among all of the Li2(Mn[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text])O3samples, the sample with x = 0.9 (marked as BL9 in this paper) possessed good microwave dielectric properties: [Formula: see text] = 18, Q × f = 14,056 GHz (9.58 GHz) and [Formula: see text] = (+)2.43 ppm/[Formula: see text]C. It is suggested that the Li2(Mn[Formula: see text]Ti[Formula: see text])O3ceramic with BBSZ glass is a suitable low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) candidate for microwave applications.
BRIGHT LUMINESCENCE OF FIRE RETARDANT ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE-SILICA SPHERE COMPOSITE
Authors: KONG HA-SUNG , KIM BYOUNG-JU , KANG KWANG-SUN 
Published: October 2017

Bright luminescence was achieved with excess amount of aluminum hydroxide with silica spheres. Various amounts of aluminum hydroxide were attached to silica spheres to improve the performance of fire retardancy. Although silica spheres attached with 60[Formula: see text]wt.% of AlCl3 (AlOH-A) showed no color change and luminescent chromophores, silica spheres attached with 80[Formula: see text]wt.% of (AlOH-B) and 100% of (AlOH-C) of AlCl3 changed the color and produced luminescent chromophores. The solution colors became intense yellow and brown for AlOH-B and AlOH-C, respectively, after 15 days. The FTIR spectra showed the characteristic absorption peaks of Al–OH and Si–O–Al. The concentration dependent photoluminescence (PL) intensities were continuously increased until 242[Formula: see text]mg addition of the colored solution and then slightly decreased thereafter for both AlOH-B and AlOH-C. The PL peaks shifted toward red by increasing the excitation wavelength for both AlOH-B and AlOH-C. Large Stoke shifts, such as 73 and 68[Formula: see text]nm for AlOH-B and AlOH-C, respectively, were observed.
The Pattern of China’s Financial Initiative in Latin America: A Comparative Study
Authors: TENG CHUNG-CHIAN 
Published: October 2017

Since the start of the 21st century, it is clear that China has increasingly turned its attention to Latin America. Although not included in China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative officially, Latin America has already garnered substantial commitment from China as a result of the latter’s financial funding for development projects and the enhancement of two-way trade relations. In recent years, scholarly research has tended to analyze China’s financial clout and its impact on the governmental domestic and external decisions of Latin American countries. In this study, my purpose is to examine China’s financial initiative and its influence on development projects in Latin America. With the advent of a “new normal” in China, Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang respectively proposed a “[Formula: see text]” model and “[Formula: see text]” model in 2014 and 2015 — a reflection of China’s assertive economic diplomacy during the Xi era. Their plan was to have China adopt a more active position toward the provision of financial loans to Latin American nations. China’s financial funds and construction assistance have been poured into key infrastructural projects, such as those related to power generation and transportation in Ecuador and Argentina. It can be expected that such projects satisfy the needs of both the people as well as the government, and contribute to genuine development there. On top of the involvement of China in relation to technology, equipment, and design, an expansion in cooperation and partnership is currently and will also be in the future the best reward for China.
Global attractivity of the predator–prey system for cotton aphid and seven-spot ladybird beetle with stage structure
Authors: Zheng Lifei , Hu Guixin , Zhao Huiyan , Piyaratne M. K. D. K. , Wan Aying 
Published: October 2017

It is well known that the cotton aphid is the major pest in cotton fields of Northwest China, and seven-spot ladybird is an important natural enemy among the various possible natural enemies of cotton aphid. In order to increase the applications of population dynamics in integrated pest management and control the cotton aphids biologically, we need to understand the population dynamics of cotton aphid and their natural enemies. A delay predator–prey system on cotton aphid and seven-spot ladybird beetle are proposed in this paper. Based on the comparison theorem and an iterative method, we investigate the global attractivity of the equilibrium points which have important biological meanings. Furthermore, some numerical simulations were carried out to illustrate and expand our theoretical results, in which a conjecture to generalize the well-known Theorem 16.4 in H. R. Thiemes book was put forward, which was taken as the open problem. The numerical simulations show coexistence of periodic solution, confirming the theoretical prediction.
Distinct roles of intracellular heat shock protein 70 in maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis
Authors: Wang Yunwei , Lin Fanfei , Zhu Xiaorong , Leone Vanessa A. , Dalal Sushila , Tao Yun , Messer Jeannette S. , Chang Eugene B. 
Published: October 2017

The inducible heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) is both cytoprotective and immunomodulatory, potentially accounting for its critical role in maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis. When levels are reduced in conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), loss of function contributes to the severity and chronicity of these diseases, although through which cell types and mechanisms remains unclear. Here, the role of Hsp70-mediated intestinal epithelial protection and immune regulation in experimental colitis was examined by using a villin promoter-driven Hsp70 transgene in the 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) models and in IL-10/Hsp70 double knockout (IL10−/−/Hsp70−/−) mice. In addition, Hsp70-mediated IL-10 production and immune protection were investigated using a CD45RBhigh transfer model and measuring colonic and immune cell cytokine expression during colitis. We found that the epithelial-specific expression of Hsp70 transgene attenuated DSS-induced colitis in Hsp70−/− mice by protecting tight junctions (TJ) and their interaction with the TJ-associated protein ZO-1. In the TNBS colitis and CD45RBhigh model, Hsp70 carried out its intracellular anti-inflammatory function by maintaining IL-10 production. Impaired ERK phosphorylation, but not p38 or JNK phosphorylation pathways, was associated with decreased IL-10 production in Hsp70-deficient cells. Together, these actions can be leveraged in the context of cellular specificity to develop complementary strategies that can lead to reduction in mucosal injury and immune activation in colonic colitis development. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using four different experimental colitis models, we filled an important gap in knowledge by defining essential roles of intracellular heat shock protein 70 in different cell types in maintaining intestinal integrity and immune regulation. These findings are relevant to human inflammatory bowel diseases and represent potential avenues for developing therapeutic strategies, not only to counter the destructive processes of inflammation but also to promote tissue healing and prevent complications frequently associated with chronic intestinal inflammation.
Rapid change of liver stiffness after variceal ligation and TIPS implantation
Authors: Piecha Felix , Paech Daniel , Sollors Janina , Seitz Helmut-Karl , Rössle Martin , Rausch Vanessa , Mueller Sebastian 
Published: October 2017

Liver stiffness (LS) as measured by transient elastography is widely used to screen for liver fibrosis. However, LS also increases in response to pressure changes like congestion but no data on portal pressure are available. We study here the effect of rapid portal pressure changes on LS. Therefore, LS was assessed directly prior and after ligation of esophageal varices ( n = 11) as well as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) implantation in patients with established cirrhosis ( n = 14). Additionally, we retrospectively analyzed changes in LS and variceal size in patients with sequential gastroscopic monitoring and LS measurements ( n = 14). To study LS and portal pressure in healthy livers, LS (µFibroscan; Echosens, Paris, France) and invasive pressures (Powerlab, AD Instruments, New Zealand) were assessed in male Wistar rats after ligation of single liver lobes. Ligation of esophageal varices caused an immediate and significant increase of LS from 40.3 ± 19.0 to 56.1 ± 21.5 kPa. Likewise, LS decreased significantly from 53.1 ± 16.6 to 43.8 ± 17.3 kPa after TIPS placement, which correlated significantly with portal pressure ( r = 0.558). In the retrospective cohort, the significant LS decrease from 54.9 ± 23.5 to 47.9 ± 23.8 kPa over a mean observation interval of 4.3 ± 3 mo was significantly correlated with a concomitant increase of variceal size ( r = −0.605). In the animal model, LS and portal pressure increased significantly after single lobe ligation without changes of arterial or central venous pressure. In conclusion, rapid changes of portal pressure are a strong modulator of LS in healthy and cirrhotic organs. In patients with stable cirrhosis according to the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD), a decrease of LS may be indicative for enlarging varices. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Liver stiffness (LS) immediately increases after variceal ligation while it decreases after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) implantation due to portal pressure changes. LS and portal pressure rapidly increase after single lobe ligation in Wistar rats without changes of arterial or central venous pressure. Collateral formation may be one cause for a transient decrease in LS in the absence of other confounders. Such pressure changes should be considered when interpreting LS in clinical practice.
Parenchymal strain heterogeneity during oscillatory ventilation: why two frequencies are better than one
Authors: Herrmann Jacob , Tawhai Merryn H. , Kaczka David W. 
Published: October 2017

High-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) relies on low tidal volumes cycled at supraphysiological rates, producing fundamentally different mechanisms for gas transport and exchange compared with conventional mechanical ventilation. Despite the appeal of using low tidal volumes to mitigate the risks of ventilator-induced lung injury, HFOV has not improved mortality for most clinical indications. This may be due to nonuniform and frequency-dependent distribution of flow throughout the lung. The goal of this study was to compare parenchymal strain heterogeneity during eucapnic HFOV when using oscillatory waveforms that consisted of either a single discrete frequency or two simultaneous frequencies. We utilized a three-dimensional, anatomically structured canine lung model for simulating frequency-dependent ventilation distribution. Gas transport was simulated via direct alveolar ventilation, advective mixing at bifurcations, turbulent and oscillatory dispersion, and molecular diffusion. Volume amplitudes at each oscillatory frequency were iteratively optimized to attain eucapnia. Ventilation using single-frequency HFOV demonstrated increasing heterogeneity of acinar flow and CO2 elimination with frequency for frequencies greater than the resonant frequency. For certain pairs of frequencies, a linear combination of the two corresponding ventilation distributions yielded reduced acinar strain heterogeneity compared with either frequency alone. Our model demonstrates that superposition of two simultaneous oscillatory frequencies can achieve more uniform ventilation distribution, and therefore lessen the potential for ventilator-induced lung injury, compared with traditional single-frequency HFOV. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In this study, we simulated oscillatory ventilation with multiple simultaneous frequencies using a computational lung model that includes distributed flow and gas transport. A mechanism of benefit was identified by which ventilation with two simultaneous frequencies results in reduced acinar strain heterogeneity compared with either frequency alone. This finding suggests the possibility of tuning the spectral content of ventilator waveforms according to patient-specific mechanical heterogeneity.
Occurrence of cardiac output decrease (via stroke volume) is more pronounced in women than in men during prolonged dry static apnea
Authors: Magnani Sara , Mulliri Gabriele , Sainas Gianmarco , Ghiani Giovanna , Pinna Virginia , Sanna Irene , Crisafulli Antonio , Tocco Filippo 
Published: October 2017

Little is known about sex differences in autonomic cardiovascular regulation of the diving response, and the few available studies of these differences were conducted on subjects with limited or no diving experience. We examined the influence of sex on hemodynamics during dry static apnea (SA) in eight male and eight female elite divers matched for their breath hold (BH) ability. Hemodynamics was assessed by means of simultaneous echocardiography and impedance cardiography measurements, and arterial pressure and oxygen saturation ([Formula: see text]) were also collected. In the first quarter (AP25%) and half (AP50%) of apnea duration cardiac output (CO) showed a more rapid and intense decrease in women than in men (−43% vs. −17% during AP25% and −40% vs. −19% during AP50%, respectively, P < 0.05). At the same time points, systemic vascular resistance (SVR) increased more in women than in men (+22% vs. +100% at AP25% and +48% vs. +107% at AP50%, respectively, P < 0.05). [Formula: see text] progressively declined in both groups, but men showed a more pronounced decrease than women at the end of apneas (−13% vs. −5%, respectively, P < 0.05). In men the higher the body surface area values the longer the apnea, while in women the higher the SVR response the longer the apnea. In elite female divers, the magnitude of CO decrease during dry SA was larger than in male divers. The capacities to store oxygen and to reduce O2 consumption play a pivotal role in BH performance, but their extent seems to be different in the sexes. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study in which the influence of sex on hemodynamics during dry static apnea has been investigated in two groups of elite divers matched for their breath hold ability. We also show the correlation between the performances obtained by divers during a real competition and their anthropometric, respiratory, and cardiovascular characteristics.