bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of the radio-protective agents ethanol, trimethylglycine, and beer on survival of X-ray-sterilized male Aedes aegypti
Authors: Rodriguez Stacy D , Brar Ramaninder K , Drake Lisa L , Drumm Hannah E , Price David P , Hammond John I , Urquidi Jacob , Hansen Immo A 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has been successfully implemented to control, and in some cases, eradicate, dipteran insect populations. SIT has great potential as a mosquito control method. Different sterilization methods have been used on mosquitoes ranging from chemosterilization to genetically modified sterile male mosquito strains; however, sterilization with ionizing radiation is the method of choice for effective sterilization of male insects for most species. The lack of gentle radiation methods has resulted in significant complications when SIT has been applied to mosquitoes. Several studies report that irradiating mosquitoes resulted in a decrease in longevity and mating success compared to unirradiated males.
The present study explored new protocols for mosquito sterilization with ionizing radiation that minimized detrimental effects on the longevity of irradiated males.

Methods
We tested three compounds that have been shown to act as radioprotectors in the mouse model system - ethanol, trimethylglycine, and beer. Male Aedes aegypti were treated with one of three chosen potential radioprotectors and were subsequently irradiated with identical doses of long-wavelength X-rays. We evaluated the effect of these radioprotectors on the longevity of male mosquito after irradiation.

Results
We found that X-ray irradiation with an absorbed dose of 1.17 gy confers complete sterility. Irradiation with this dose significantly shortened the lifespan of male mosquitoes and all three radioprotectors tested significantly enhanced the lifespan of irradiated mosquito males.

Conclusion
Our results suggest that treatment with ethanol, beer, or trimethylglycine before irradiation can be used to enhance longevity in mosquitoes.
Spotted fever group rickettsiae in Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis punctata ticks in the UK
Authors: Tijsse-Klasen Ellen , Hansford Kayleigh M , Jahfari Setareh , Phipps Paul , Sprong Hein , Medlock Jolyon M 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae have recently been identified for the first time in UK ticks. This included the findings of Rickettsia helvetica in Ixodes ricinus and Rickettsia raoultii in Dermacentor reticulatus. This paper further investigates the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in additional geographically distinct populations of D. reticulatus, and for the first time, investigates the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in UK populations of Haemaphysalis punctata ticks.

Methods
Questing D. reticulatus and H. punctata were collected at a number of sites in England and Wales. DNA from questing ticks was extracted by alkaline lysis and detection of rickettsiae DNA was performed, in addition to detection of A. phagocytophilum, N. mikurensis, C. burnetii and B. burgdorferi sensu lato.

Results
This paper builds on previous findings to include the detection of spotted fever Rickettsia which showed the highest homology to Rickettsia massiliae in Haemaphysalis punctata, as well as R. helvetica in D. reticulatus. The occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in D. reticulatus in the UK appears to be confined only to Welsh and Essex populations, with no evidence so far from Devon. Similarly, the occurrence of SFG rickettsiae in H. punctata appears confined to one of two farms known to be infested with this tick in North Kent, with no evidence so far from the Sussex populations. Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA was not detected in any of the ticks.

Conclusion
These two tick species are highly restricted in their distribution in England and Wales, but where they do occur they can be abundant. Following detection of these SFG rickettsiae in additional UK tick species, as well as I. ricinus, research should now be directed towards clarifying firstly the geographic distribution of SFG rickettsiae in UK ticks, and secondly to assess the prevalence rates in ticks, wild and domesticated animals and humans to identify the drivers for disease transmission and their public health significance.
Weaker control of the electrical properties of cerebellar granule cells by tonically active GABAA receptors in the Ts65Dn mouse model of Down’s syndrome
Authors: Szemes Marianna , Davies Rachel L , Garden Claire LP , Usowicz Maria M 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Down’s syndrome (DS) is caused by triplication of all or part of human chromosome 21 and is characterized by a decrease in the overall size of the brain. One of the brain regions most affected is the cerebellum, in which the number of granule cells (GCs) is markedly decreased. GCs process sensory information entering the cerebellum via mossy fibres and pass it on to Purkinje cells and inhibitory interneurons. How GCs transform incoming signals depends on their input–output relationship, which is adjusted by tonically active GABAA receptor channels.

Results
We report that in the Ts65Dn mouse model of DS, in which cerebellar volume and GC number are decreased as in DS, the tonic GABAA receptor current in GCs is smaller than in wild-type mice and is less effective in moderating input resistance and raising the minimum current required for action potential firing. We also find that tonically active GABAA receptors curb the height and broaden the width of action potentials in wild-type GCs but not in Ts65Dn GCs. Single-cell real-time quantitative PCR reveals that these electrical differences are accompanied by decreased expression of the gene encoding the GABAA receptor β3 subunit but not genes coding for some of the other GABAA receptor subunits expressed in GCs (α1, α6, β2 and δ).

Conclusions
Weaker moderation of excitability and action potential waveform in GCs of the Ts65Dn mouse by tonically active GABAA receptors is likely to contribute to atypical transfer of information through the cerebellum. Similar changes may occur in DS.
Histone deacetylase inhibitor potentiated the ability of MTOR inhibitor to induce autophagic cell death in Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma
Authors: Dong Li Hua , Cheng Shu , Zheng Zhong , Wang Li , Shen Yang , Shen Zhi Xiang , Chen Sai Juan , Zhao Wei Li 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma is a major subtype of aggressive B-cell lymphoma. Biological targeted therapies on this disease need to be further investigated and may help to improve the clinical outcome of the patients.

Methods
This study examined the anti-tumor activity of the histone deacetylases (HDAC) inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) combined with the mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR) inhibitor temsirolimus in Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma cell lines, as well as in primary tumor cells and a murine xenograft model.

Results
Co-treatment of VPA and temsirolimus synergistically inhibited the tumor cell growth and triggered the autophagic cell death, with a significant inhibition of MTOR signaling and MYC oncoprotein. Functioned as a class I HDAC inhibitor, VPA potentiated the effect of temsirolimus on autophagy through inhibiting HDAC1. Molecular silencing of HDAC1 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) attenuated VPA-mediated regulation of CDKN1A, CDKN1B and LC3-I/II, regression of tumor cell growth and induction of autophagy. Meanwhile, VPA counteracted temsirolimus-induced AKT activation via HDAC3 inhibition. HDAC3 siRNA abrogated the ability of VPA to modulate AKT phosphorylation, to suppress tumor cell growth and to induce autophagy. Strong antitumor effect was also observed on primary tumor cells while sparing normal hematopoiesis ex vivo. In a murine xenograft model established with subcutaneous injection of Namalwa cells, dual treatment efficiently blocked tumor growth, inhibited MYC and induced in situ autophagy.

Conclusions
These findings confirmed the synergistic effect of the HDAC and MTOR inhibitors on Burkitt leukemia/lymphoma, and provided an insight into clinical application of targeting autophagy in treating MYC-associated lymphoid malignancies.
Biomarkers for determining the prognosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: Sweet Kendra , Zhang Ling , Pinilla-Ibarz Javier 
Published: July 2013

AbstractThe introduction of BCR-ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase (CML-CP) has revolutionized therapy, altering the outcome from one of shortened life expectancy to long-term survival. With over 10 years of long-term treatment with imatinib and several years of experience with the next generation of TKIs, including nilotinib, dasatinib, bosutinib, and ponatinib, it is becoming clear that many clinical parameters have great impact on the prognosis of patients with CML. Emerging novel gene expression profiling and molecular techniques also provide new insights into CML pathogenesis and have identified potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets. This review presents the supporting data and discusses how certain clinical characteristics at diagnosis, the depth of early response, the presence of certain kinase domain mutations, and additional molecular changes serve as prognostic factors that may guide individualized treatment decisions for patients with CML-CP.
Young Hispanics at risk of type 2 diabetes display endothelial activation, subclinical inflammation and alterations of coagulation and fibrinolysis
Authors: Mendivil Carlos O , Robles-Osorio Ludivina , Horton Edward S , Hamdy Osama , Caballero Augusto Enrique 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Hispanics have a high rate of diabetes that exposes them to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We hypothesized that many of the pathophysiological mechanisms that cause atherosclerotic disease may be present in young Hispanics who do not have clinical diabetes but are at increased risk of developing it.

Methods
We studied 36 young Hispanic adults without diabetes (ages 18–40). Seventeen participants were at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes given by overweight and a family history of diabetes on one or both parents (at risk group). Nineteen participants with normal body-mass index and no parental history of diabetes constituted the control group. We measured and compared plasma markers of endothelial dysfunction, disturbed coagulation and fibrinolysis, subclinical inflammation and adipose tissue dysfunction in the at risk and control groups.

Results
Participants at risk of diabetes were more insulin-resistant according to different indicators, and had significantly higher levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), inhibitor of plasminogen activator-1 (PAi-1), high sensitivity C-reactive protein and free fatty acids, signaling the presence of multiple proatherogenic alterations despite the absence of overt diabetes. Levels of the prothrombotic molecule PAi-1 were most elevated in participants who were not only at risk of diabetes by the study definition, but also abdominally obese.

Conclusions
Young adult Hispanics at risk of type 2 diabetes but without overt disease already bear considerably high levels of markers reflecting processes that lead to the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Conspecificity of two morphologically distinct calcified red algae from the northwest Pacific Ocean: Galaxaura pacifica and G. filamentosa (Galaxauraceae, Rhodophyta)
Authors: Liu Shao-Lun , Liao Lawrence M , Wang Wei-Lung 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Members of the calcified red algal genus, Galaxaura, are distributed predominantly in warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions worldwide. The capacity of these algae to form calcified thalli could play a critical role in the carbon cycle of these ecosystems. Previous studies have suggested that the reported species diversity of Galaxaura may be exaggerated due to a lack of knowledge regarding external morphological differences between gametophytic and tetrasporophytic plants (or among different life stages) of a single species.

Results
To examine this issue, this study collected specimens of two morphologically distinct Galaxaura from Taiwan and the Philippines. These specimens were initially identified as two species (G. pacifica Tanaka and G. filamentosa Chou ex Taylor) based on their morphological features. Our molecular analyses, however, unexpectedly showed that these two specimens shared 100% identical rbc L sequences, indicating that they represented a single species comprising two distinct external morphologies. Furthermore, our extensive observations and molecular analyses on several specimens from different locations in southern Taiwan has revealed that these morphological differences could be due to seasonal variation.

Conclusions
This study proposes that G. “filamentosa” from the Philippines could represent the remnants of the lower villous part of older gametophytic plants of G. pacifica after senescence of the upper smooth part of the thallus. As such we propose that these two previously distinct algal species from the northwest Pacific Ocean as a single species, G. pacifica. This study shows that the biodiversity of the calcified red algae Galaxaura could be overestimated without the assistance of molecular tools. Additionally, this study provides insights into the biodiversity and unique biology of the calcified red algae Galaxaura.
The role of hind limb tendons in gibbon locomotion: springs or strings?
Authors: Vereecke Evie E. , Channon Anthony J. 
Published: July 2013

SummaryTendon properties have an important effect on the mechanical behaviour of muscles, with compliant tendons allowing near isometric muscle contraction and facilitating elastic energy storage and recoil. Stiff tendons, on the other hand, facilitate rapid force transfer and precise positional control. In humans, the long Achilles tendon contributes to the mechanical efficiency of running via elastic energy storage and recovery, and its presence has been linked to the evolution of habitual bipedalism. Gibbons also possess relatively long hind limb tendons, however, their role is as yet unknown. Based on their large dimensions, and inferring from the situation in humans, we hypothesize that the tendons in the gibbon hind limb will facilitate elastic energy storage and recoil during hind limb powered locomotion. To investigate this, we determined the material properties of the gibbon Achilles and patellar tendon in vitro and linked this with available kinematic and kinetic data to evaluate their role in leaping and bipedalism. Tensile tests were conducted on tendon samples using a material testing machine and the load-displacement data were used to calculate stiffness, Young's modulus and hysteresis. In addition, the average stress-in-life and energy absorption capacity of both tendons was estimated. We found a functional difference between the gibbon Achilles and patellar tendon, with the Achilles tendon being more suitable for elastic energy storage and release. The patellar tendon, on the other hand, has a relatively high hysteresis, making it less suitable to act as elastic spring. This suggests that the gibbon Achilles tendon might fulfil a similar function as in humans, contributing to reducing the locomotor cost of bipedalism by acting as elastic spring, while the high stiffness of the patellar tendon might favour fast force transfer upon recoil and, possibly, enhance leaping performance.
Activity of intestinal carbohydrases responds to multiple dietary signals in nestling House sparrows
Authors: Brzęk Paweł R. , Kohl Kevin D. , Caviedes-Vidal Enrique , Karasov William H. 
Published: July 2013

Summary
"Adaptive modulation hypothesis" predicts that activity of digestive enzymes should match the amount of their substrates in diet. Interestingly, many passerine birds do not adjust the activity of intestinal carbohydrases to dietary carbohydrate content. It is difficult to assess the generality of this rule, because in some studies passerines fed on low-carbohydrate and high-lipid diet showed reduced activity of intestinal carbohydrases. However, as carbohydrase activity may be inhibited by high dietary lipid content, it is unclear if observed effects reflected lack of induction by the low carbohydrate levels or suppression by the high lipid. Here, we isolated the specific effects of dietary carbohydrate and lipid on carbohydrases. We hand-fed House sparrow nestlings on diets with 25% of starch and 8% lipid (diet HS), no starch and 20% lipid (HL), or 25% starch and 20% lipid (HSL). Our results show that activity of intestinal carbohydrases is simultaneously induced by dietary carbohydrates and decreased by dietary lipid, although the latter effect seems stronger. Activities of maltase and sucrase summed over the total intestine decreased in order HS&gt;HSL&gt;HL. We observed a complex interaction between diet composition and intestinal position for mass-specific activity of these enzymes, suggesting site-specific responses to changes in digesta composition along the intestines caused by digestion and absorption. We re-interpret results of earlier studies and conclude that there is no unequivocal example of adaptive modulation of intestinal carbohydrases by dietary carbohydrate in adult passerine birds whereas the present experiment confirms that nestlings of at least some species possess such capacity.
Chemical Reactivities of LaScO3-based Perovskite Oxides and Platinum
Authors: Nomura Katsuhiro , Kageyama Hiroyuki , Ohmi Kentaro , Fujita Mitsuharu , Ueda Tetsuya 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
We investigated the chemical reactivities of (La0.7Sr0.2Ba0.1)ScO3−δ (LSBS) and LaScO3 powders and Pt foil as functions of reaction temperature, T, oxygen partial pressure, P(O2), and reaction time, t. The LSBS powder showed a maximal Pt content of ca. 33 mg (ca. 3 wt %) under the conditions T = 1573 K, P(O2) = 0.21 atm (in air), and t = 10 h. Subsequent heat treatment at 1773 K in air for 10 h resulted in the deposition of Pt fine particles (1.7 mg) on the LSBS powder and a weight gain of the Pt foil (4.3 mg).
New Pyridine-anchoring Dyes for p-Type Dye-sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Jin Bin , Wu Wenjun , Zhang Xiaoyu , Guo Fuling , Zhang Qiong , Hua Jianli 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Two new pyridine-anchoring “push–pull” dyes I and II with a triphenylamine donor and different acceptors have been synthesized for p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), in which an overall conversion efficiency with dye II reached 0.14% under standard global AM 1.5 solar conditions.
Tetrabrominated Naphthalocyaninatozinc Complex with Terminal Carboxylate Functionalities
Authors: Luan Liqiang , Chen Jingwei , Ding Lanlan , Wang Junjie , Cheng Xiufeng , Ren Quan , Liu Wei 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Novel hydrophilic naphthalocyanine was synthesized and characterized, which could be solublized in water as H-aggregates. It was found that this novel naphthalocyanine showed potential of application as optical limiting material.
Asymmetric Sulfoxidation of Thioanisole by Helical Ti(IV) Salan Catalysts
Authors: Barman Sanmitra , Patil Smita , Levy Christopher J 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
A new helix-directing salan ligand (R,R)-2 with the (1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexyl backbone and benz[a]anthryl sidearms was synthesized by borohydride reduction of the corresponding salen ligand. Formylation and reduction of (R,R)-2 yielded the N-Me counterpart, (R,R)-3. Complexation of these flexible ligands to TiCl4 produced the [TiCl2(salan)] complexes (R,R)-4 and (R,R)-5, which were characterized by NMR, IR, and HRMS techniques. The complexes were tested as catalysts for the asymmetric sulfoxidation of thioanisole with cumene hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide as the oxidants. Modest selectivity was observed, with the N-H salan complex showing somewhat better chiral induction.
Practical Optical Resolution of Planar Chiral Pseudo-ortho-disubstituted [2.2]Paracyclophane
Authors: Morisaki Yasuhiro , Hifumi Ryoyu , Lin Lin , Inoshita Kenichi , Chujo Yoshiki 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
We describe the practical optical resolution of rac-pseudo-ortho-dibromo[2.2]paracyclophane to obtain the parent compound for a variety of cyclophane-based planar chiral compounds such as enantiopure chiral ligand [2.2]PHANEPHOS. In addition, the obtained enantiopure planar chiral (R)- and (S)-pseudo-ortho-disubstituted [2.2]paracyclophanes can be used as the building blocks for optically active carbon-rich compounds.
Preparation of Nanometer Dispersed Semicrystalline/Amorphous Polymer Pseudo-interpenetrating Network Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide as a Swelling Agent
Authors: Zhu Rui , Hoshi Toru , Muroga Yoshio , Hagiwara Toshiki , Yano Shoichiro , Sawaguchi Takashi 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Novel linear low-density polyethylene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (LLDPE/PMMA) pseudo-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) were prepared using supercritical CO2 as a swelling agent. These pseudo-IPNs were formed by the complicated entanglement of the amorphous chain of LLDPE and PMMA chains through controlling the mass gain of PMMA. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) measurement showed that LLDPE and PMMA were blended at the nanometer level. The thermodynamic miscibility and thermal stability of pseudo-IPNs were evaluated by dynamic viscoelastic analyzer (DVA) and SAXS. The results showed that the LLDPE and PMMA were somewhat thermodynamically miscible, and the structure of LLDPE/PMMA composite with a high mass gain was not easily broken when annealed at temperatures higher than Tm of LLDPE (Tm,LLDPE). DVA also showed that they retain high storage modului at temperatures beyond the LLDPE melting transition. Further, the extent of the storage modulus can be controlled through controlling the mass gain of PMMA.
Atividade lúdica na infância: fator determinante para a qualidade de vida
Authors: Ferreira Heraldo Simões , Sampaio José Jackson Coelho , Catrib Ana Maria Fontenelle , Gomes Valéria Bastos , Bleicher Taís , Farias Mariana , Araújo Frederico 
Published: July 2013

Objetivo: Compreender a percepção da qualidade de vida de crianças de 4 a 6 anos de uma escola pública de referência da região Nordeste do Brasil, no segundo semestre de 2005. Considera-se que este estudo apresenta pioneirismo no tema abordado relacionado à faixa etária citada. Métodos: o estudo descritivo, de natureza mista, qualitativa e quantitativa incluiu 30 alunos. Para a coleta de dados, utilizaram-se técnicas projetivas e o questionário. Foi realizada uma triangulação metodológica entre os resultados obtidos. Resultados: Verificou-se que 83% dos envolvidos perceberam sua qualidade de vida de forma favorável. Os principais elementos apontados para a aquisição da qualidade de vida foram: o brincar, a afetividade dos pais e a moradia. Conclusão: A atividade lúdica é o principal fator para a consecução da qualidade de vida.