bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of dietary iron requirements by full expression of iron-containing cytochrome c oxidase in the heart of broilers from 22 to 42 d of age
Authors: Liao Xiudong , Ma Chunyan , Lu Lin , Zhang Liyang , Luo Xugang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe present study was carried out to determine dietary Fe requirements for the full expression of Fe-containing enzyme in broilers chicks from 22 to 42 d of age. At 22 d of age, 288 Arbor Acres male chicks were randomly assigned to one of six treatments with six replicates and fed a basal maize–soyabean-meal diet (control, containing 47·0 mg Fe/kg) or the basal diet supplemented with 20, 40, 60, 80 or 100 mg Fe/kg from FeSO4.7H2O for 21 d. Regression analysis was performed to estimate the optimal dietary Fe level using quadratic models. Liver cytochrome c oxidase (Cox), heartCoxand kidney succinate dehydrogenase mRNA levels as well as heart COX activity were affected (P<0·08) by dietary Fe level, and COX mRNA level and activity in heart of broilers increased quadratically (P<0·03) as dietary Fe level increased. The estimates of dietary Fe requirements were 110 and 104 mg/kg for the full expression ofCoxmRNA and for its activity in the heart of broilers, respectively. The results from this study indicate that COX mRNA level and activity in the heart are new and sensitive criteria to evaluate the dietary Fe requirements of broilers, and the dietary Fe requirements would be 104–110 mg/kg to support the full expression of COX in the heart of broiler chicks from 22 to 42 d of age, which are higher than the current National Research Council Fe requirement (80 mg/kg) of broiler chicks from 1 to 21 d or 22 to 42 d of age.
PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE OF FOUR COMMON BEAN ROOT ROTS IN UGANDA
Authors: PAPARU P. , ACUR A. , KATO F. , ACAM C. , NAKIBUULE J. , MUSOKE S. , NKALUBO S. , MUKANKUSI C. 
Published: September 2017

SUMMARYRoot rots are one of the main biotic constraints to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production, causing losses estimated at 221 000 metric tons a year in sub-Saharan Africa. Until recently, root rots in Ugandan common bean agroecologies were mostly caused by Pythium and Fusarium spp., especially in high altitude areas. But now, severe root rots are observed in low and medium altitude agroecologies characterized by dry and warm conditions. The objective of our study was therefore to ascertain the current prevalence and incidence of common bean root rot diseases in Ugandan common bean agroecologies. Our results show that root rots were present in all seven agroecologies surveyed. Overall, the most rampant root rot was southern blight caused by Sclerotium rolfsii Sacc., followed by root rots caused by Fusarium spp., Pythium spp. and Rhizoctonia solani, respectively. Our study clearly showed the influence of environmental conditions on the prevalence and incidence of common bean root rots. While Fusarium and Pythium root rots are favoured under low air temperature and high air humidity in highland areas, high incidence of southern blight is favoured by warm and moist conditions of lowland areas. The prevalence and incidence of common bean root rots was mapped, providing a reliable baseline for future studies. Similarly, hotspots identified for common bean root rots will be a very useful resource for evaluation of germplasm and breeding lines for resistance to root rots.
Predator visits to acclimatization pens: implications for the soft-release of gallinaceous birds
Authors: Keiter David A. , Ruzicka Rebekah E. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPredator visitation to acclimatization or soft-release pens containing captive translocated animals has the potential to cause sub-lethal effects or physical injury that could influence post-release survival and establishment. No previous study has examined potential interactions between captive and resident animals during pre-release holding periods. We monitored seven holding pens containing wild-caught northern bobwhite Colinus virginianus or scaled quail Callipepla squamata in the Rolling Plains Ecoregion of Texas, USA, using remote camera systems. Our objectives were to determine if resident predator species and conspecifics visited holding pens, and to characterize visits by species, frequency, duration and behaviour. We recorded visitation to holding pens by four potential predator species. Although most visits by mammalian predators were short in duration, northern raccoons Procyon lotor were observed spending extended periods of time at holding pens. We also recorded resident scaled quail and northern bobwhite quail visiting holding pens containing conspecifics. We recommend that future studies using a soft-release technique in which captive animals are held at the release site consider the potential impacts of predator visitation to holding pens, and methods to mitigate those impacts.
Biological function of Dictyocaulus viviparus asparaginyl peptidase legumain-1 and its suitability as a vaccine target
Authors: HOLZHAUSEN JULIA , HAAKE CLAAS , SCHICHT SABINE , HINSE PETRA , JORDAN DANIELA , KREMMER ELISABETH , STRUBE CHRISTINA 
Published: September 2017

SUMMARYThe present study characterized the biological function of the asparaginyl peptidase legumain-1 (LEG-1) of the bovine lungworm Dictyocaulus viviparus and its suitability as a recombinant vaccine against dictyocaulosis. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblot analysis revealed LEG-1 to be almost exclusively transcribed and expressed in parasitic lungworm stages. Immunohistochemistry localized the enzyme in the parasite's gut, which was confirmed by immunoblots detecting LEG-1 in the gut as well as male testes. LEG-1 was recombinantly (rLEG-1) expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris and subsequently analysed in activity assays for its enzyme functions and substrate specificity. For sufficient functionality, rLEG-1 needed trans-activation through D. viviparus cathepsin L-2, indicating a novel mechanism of legumain activation. After trans-activation, rLEG-1 worked best at pH 5·5 and 35–39 °C and cleaved a legumain-specific artificial substrate as well as the natural substrates bovine collagen types I and II. In a clinical vaccination trial, rLEG-1 did not protect against challenge infection. Results of in vitro characterization, transcription pattern and localization enhance the presumption that LEG-1 participates in digestion processes of D. viviparus. Since rLEG-1 needs trans-activation through a cathepsin, it is probably involved in an enzyme cascade and therefore remains interesting as a candidate in a multi-component vaccine.
Chlamydia psittaci(psittacosis) as a cause of community-acquired pneumonia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: HOGERWERF L. , DE GIER B. , BAAN B. , VAN DER HOEK W. 
Published: September 2017

SUMMARYPsittacosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the transmission of the bacteriumChlamydia psittacifrom birds to humans. Infections in humans mainly present as community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, most cases of CAP are treated without diagnostic testing, and the importance ofC. psittaciinfection as a cause of CAP is therefore unclear. In this meta-analysis of published CAP-aetiological studies, we estimate the proportion of CAP caused byC. psittaciinfection. The databases MEDLINE and Embase were systematically searched for relevant studies published from 1986 onwards. Only studies that consisted of 100 patients or more were included. In total, 57 studies were selected for the meta-analysis.C. psittaciwas the causative pathogen in 1·03% (95% CI 0·79–1·30) of all CAP cases from the included studies combined, with a range between studies from 0 to 6·7%. For burden of disease estimates, it is a reasonable assumption that 1% of incident cases of CAP are caused by psittacosis.
Conditions affecting the timing and magnitude of Hendra virus shedding across pteropodid bat populations in Australia
Authors: PÁEZ D. J. , GILES J. , MCCALLUM H. , FIELD H. , JORDAN D. , PEEL A. J. , PLOWRIGHT R. K. 
Published: September 2017

SUMMARYUnderstanding infection dynamics in animal hosts is fundamental to managing spillover and emergence of zoonotic infections. Hendra virus is endemic in Australian pteropodid bat populations and can be lethal to horses and humans. However, we know little about the factors driving Hendra virus prevalence in resevoir bat populations, making spillover difficult to predict. We use Hendra virus prevalence data collected from 13 000 pooled bat urine samples across space and time to determine if pulses of prevalence are periodic and synchronized across sites. We also test whether site-specific precipitation and temperature affect the amplitude of the largest annual prevalence pulses. We found little evidence for a periodic signal in Hendra virus prevalence. Although the largest amplitude pulses tended to occur over winter, pulses could also occur in other seasons. We found that Hendra virus prevalence was weakly synchronized across sites over short distances, suggesting that prevalence is driven by local-scale effects. Finally, we found that drier conditions in previous seasons and the abundance of Pteropus alecto were positively correlated with the peak annual values of Hendra virus prevalence. Our results suggest that in addition to seasonal effects, bat density and local climatic conditions interact to drive Hendra virus infection dynamics.
Urban Emotions Behind the Veil: An Early-Twentieth Century Muslim Wedding in Shahjahanabad
Authors: ROBB MEGAN EATON 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWhile scholarship on pardah nashīn or veiled women in South Asia has emphasized the links between women's ritual and urban landscape, what has received less attention is the ways that domestic spaces, affective work performed in those spaces, and material culture of the home were instrumental in mapping the South Asian city during the late colonial period. Aesthetic decisions, gift-giving, and performative critiques of the public rituals of marriage acted as loci for the self-fashioning of both the colonial-era city and women's modern selves. Through close reading of an account of the customs of Delhi by a pardah nashīn woman S. Begum Dehlavi, this article shows that veiled women mapped the city through their consumption and exchange of goods, as well as through the construction and affirmation of a complex web of families in the city.
Personal Factors Underlying Resilience in Adolescence: Cross-Cultural Validity of the Prince-Embury Model
Authors: Villasana Mercedes , Alonso-Tapia Jesús , Ruiz Miguel A. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractResiliency personality factors are supposed to underlie resilience. To get evidence on this supposition, the Prince-Embury scales (PES) for adolescents were adapted to the Spanish population. Then, the relationship between theresiliencyvariablessense of mastery,sense of relatednessandemotional reactivity-assessed with the PES- withresilience-assessed with theSubjective Resilience Questionnaire(SRQ)- were analyzed, as well as the role of social integration within this relationship. Data from 1083 adolescents were analyzed using confirmatory techniques (CFA, PALV). CFA of PES displayed a good fit to the model (CFI: .95). Path-analysis showed thatsense of masteryandemotional reactivitypredict resilience as expected, but also that, contrary to expectations based on Prince-Embury’s theory, sense of relatedness and resilience are not related, either directly, or through social integration. Being related and socially integrated probably favors well-being, but it may not favor resilience unless associated to Sense of Mastery, at least in adolescence.
Xanthine dehydrogenase downregulation promotes TGFβ signaling and cancer stem cell-related gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chen G-L , Ye T , Chen H-L , Zhao Z-Y , Tang W-Q , Wang L-S , Xia J-L 
Published: September 2017

AbstractXanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), a rate-limiting enzyme involved in purine metabolism, has an essential role in inflammatory cascades. Researchers have known for decades that XDH activity is decreased in some cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the role of XDH in cancer pathogenesis has not been fully explored. In this study, we showed that low XDH mRNA levels were correlated with higher tumor stages and poorer prognoses in patients with HCC. Knocking down or inhibiting XDH promoted migration and invasion but not proliferation of HCC cells. The abovementioned phenotypic changes are dependent on increases in epithelial-mesenchymal transition marker gene expression and transforming growth factor-β-Smad2/3 signaling activity in HCC. XDH overexpression suppressed HCC cell invasion in vitro and in vivo. In addition, the expression and activity of XDH were associated with the expression of CSC-related genes, such as CD44 or CD133, in HCC cells. These data suggest that downregulated XDH expression may be a useful clinical indicator and contribute to the development and progression of HCC.
Myeloablation-associated deletion of ORF4 in a human coronavirus 229E infection
Authors: Greninger Alexander L. , Pepper Gregory , Shean Ryan C. , Cent Anne , Palileo Isabel , Kuypers Jane M. , Schiffer Joshua T. , Jerome Keith R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe describe metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of a human coronavirus 229E from a patient with AML and persistent upper respiratory symptoms, who underwent hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). mNGS revealed a 548-nucleotide deletion, which comprised the near entirety of the ORF4 gene, and no minor allele variants were detected to suggest a mixed infection. As part of her pre-HCT conditioning regimen, the patient received myeloablative treatment with cyclophosphamide and 12 Gy total body irradiation. Iterative sequencing and RT-PCR confirmation of four respiratory samples over the 4-week peritransplant period revealed that the pre-conditioning strain contained an intact ORF4 gene, while the deletion strain appeared just after conditioning and persisted over a 2.5-week period. This sequence represents one of the largest genomic deletions detected in a human RNA virus and describes large-scale viral mutation associated with myeloablation for HCT.
In situ observation of nanotwins formation through twin terrace growth in pulse electrodeposited Cu films
Authors: Cheng Gong , Li Heng , Xu Gaowei , Gai Wei , Luo Le 
Published: September 2017

AbstractNanotwinned copper (nt-Cu) shows a broad application prospects as interconnection materials in integrated circuit industry, since it combines the excellent mechanical and electrical properties. However, the formation and growth behavior of twin lamellae in pulse electrodeposited copper films are not fully understood. In this work, a series of electroplated copper films are prepared by verifying the electroplating parameters and the microstructures are analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The surface morphology indicates strong evidence of stacked twin terraces and layers, suggesting that nanotwins grow up layer by layer. Combined with in situ characterization by SEM and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, it is proved that the terraces originate from the triple junction of grain boundaries and grow up by extending along the lateral (111) crystal plane. A twin terrace-growing model for nt-Cu is then deduced, which distinguishes from deformation twins or annealed twins. This growth model would be prospective to help obtain high quality of nt-Cu in industry.
Identification of key regions and residues controlling Aβ folding and assembly
Authors: Hayden Eric Y. , Hoi Kimberly K. , Lopez Jasmine , Inayathullah Mohammed , Condron Margaret M. , Teplow David B. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAmyloid β-protein (Aβ) assembly is hypothesized to be a seminal neuropathologic event in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We used an unbiased D-amino acid substitution strategy to determine structure-assembly relationships of 76 different Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides. We determined the effects of the substitutions on peptide oligomerization, secondary structure dynamics, fibril assembly dynamics, and fibril morphology. Our experiments revealed that the assembly of Aβ42 was more sensitive to chiral substitutions than was Aβ40 assembly. Substitutions at identical positions in the two peptides often, but not always, produced the same effects on assembly. Sites causing substantial effects in both Aβ40 and Aβ42 include His14, Gln15, Ala30, Ile31, Met35, and Val36. Sites whose effects were unique to Aβ40 include Lys16, Leu17, and Asn 27, whereas sites unique to Aβ42 include Phe20 and Ala21. These sites may be appropriate targets for therapeutic agents that inhibit or potentiate, respectively, these effects.
Asymmetric effects in waveguide systems using PT symmetry and zero index metamaterials
Authors: Fu Yangyang , Xu Yadong 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHere we demonstrate directional excitation and asymmetric reflection by using parity-time (PT) symmetric and zero index metamaterials (ZIMs) in a three-port waveguide system. The principle lies on that the field distribution at gain/ loss interface is significantly affected by the incident direction of electromagnetic wave. By taking advantage of the empty volume feature of ZIMs, these asymmetric effects are extended to a more general three-port waveguide system. In addition, by exciting a weak modulated signal in branch port in our proposed design, unidirectional transmission with an unbroken propagation state is achieved, opening up a new way distinguished from the present technologies.
Generating highly reflective and conductive metal layers through a light-assisted synthesis and assembling of silver nanoparticles in a polymer matrix
Authors: Zaier Mohamed , Vidal Loïc , Hajjar-Garreau Samar , Balan Lavinia 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe development of metalized surfaces exhibiting mirror properties and/or electric conductivity without heavy equipments and with low metal charge is a big challenge in view of many industrial applications. We report herein on the photo-assembling of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a polymer matrix, carried out within minutes from an acrylate monomer and silver nitrate at room temperature, under air and without any solvents. The top surface of the material gets converted into a continuous silver thin film and a depthwise concentration gradient of AgNPs is created in the polymer, which images the absorption profile of the actinic UV light in the reactive formulation. This specific assembling of the silver@polymer coating induces excellent reflective and conductive properties. The conductance was observed to strongly increase with increasing the exposure from 3 to 30 min due to the formation of a more and more compact metal film. This coating strategy works with a variety of substrates (textile, paper, glass, wood, plastic and stainless steel). Moreover, on flexible surfaces such as textile, the flexibility was preserved. The possibility to use this kind of nanomaterial as a printing ink, with a much lower metal concentration (3 to 5 wt.%) than concurrent inks, was also demonstrated.
Tosylation of alcohols: an effective strategy for the functional group transformation of organic derivatives of polyoxometalates
Authors: Jia Hongli , Li Qi , Bayaguud Aruuhan , She Shan , Huang Yichao , Chen Kun , Wei Yongge 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRecently, the organic functionalization of polyoxometalates (POMs) has drawn increasing interest, and an easy and effective route to achieve organic derivatives is of great importance. Herein, the first reported synthesis of a tosyl ester derivative of the polyoxometalate (Bu4N)2[V6O13{(OCH2)3CCH2SO3C7H4}2]·2.5CH3CN (compound 1) was performed by using DMAP as an activating reagent and triethylamine as an HCl scavenger. The tosyl ester was transformed into an azide or halide group by using sodium azide or sodium bromide, respectively, as the nucleophilic agent. Two derivatives of POMs, (Bu4N)2[V6O13{(OCH2)3CCH2N3}2]·4CH3CN (compound 2) and (Bu4N)2[V6O13{(OCH2)3CCH2Br}2] (compound 3), were easily obtained. All the compounds were structurally and compositionally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, UV-Vis spectroscopy and TGA. This work provides a new route for the functional group transformation of organic derivatives of polyoxometalates.
Methylene blue inhibits NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2, and non-canonical inflammasome activation
Authors: Ahn Huijeong , Kang Seung Goo , Yoon Sung-il , Ko Hyun-Jeong , Kim Pyeung-Hyeun , Hong Eui-Ju , An Beum-Soo , Lee Eunsong , Lee Geun-Shik 
Published: September 2017

AbstractMethylene blue (MB), which has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and mitochondria protective effects, has been widely used as a dye and medication. However, the effect of MB on inflammasome activation has not yet been studied. Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes that induce maturation of interleukins (ILs)-1β and -18 as well as caspase-1-mediated cell death, known as pyroptosis. Dysregulation of inflammasomes causes several diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and gout. In this study, we assess the effect of MB on inflammasome activation in macrophages. As the result, MB attenuated activation of canonical inflammasomes such as NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 as well as non-canonical inflammasome activation. In addition, MB inhibited upstream signals such as inflammasome assembly, phagocytosis, and gene expression of inflammasome components via inhibition of NF-κB signaling. Furthermore, MB reduced the activity of caspase-1. The anti-inflammasome properties of MB were further confirmed in mice models. Thus, we suggest that MB is a broad-spectrum anti-inflammasome candidate molecule.
Cytokine-induced autophagy promotes long-term VCAM-1 but not ICAM-1 expression by degrading late-phase IκBα
Authors: Chu Ling-Yun , Hsueh Ying-Chang , Cheng Hsiao-Ling , Wu Kenneth K. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPro-inflammatory cytokines are known to induce endothelial cell autophagy, but the role of autophagy in regulating the expression of pro-inflammatory molecules has not been characterized. We hypothesized that autophagy facilitates expression of endothelial adhesion molecules. TNFα and IL-1β induced autophagy markers in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) blocked adhesion of Jurkat lymphocytes. Interestingly, 3-MA suppressed VCAM-1 but not ICAM-1 expression at 24 hours but not 6 hours. 3-MA suppressed VCAM-1 transcription and decreased nuclear NF-κB p65 level at 6 hours but not at 2 hours. Cytokines induced a biphasic degradation of IκBα and 3-MA selectively blocked the late-phase IκBα degradation. Our results suggest that cytokine-induced autophagy contributes to late-phase IκBα degradation, facilitates NF-κB nuclear translocation and VCAM-1 transcription for long-term VCAM-1 expression. With a cytokines array assay, we found that 3-MA also inhibited IP-10 expression. These findings provide new information about the role of endothelial autophagy in persistent expression of VCAM-1 and IP-10 which enhance lymphocyte recruitment and adhesion to endothelium.