bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stat1 Negatively Regulates Immune-Mediated Injury with Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection
Authors: Choi Kyoung-Seong , Scorpio Diana G. , Dumler J. Stephen 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Our data previously demonstrated that A. phagocytophilum induces an immunopathologic response by activating IFN-γ production through the Stat1 signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the broader role of Stat1 signaling in the host response to infection with A. phagocytophilum. In Stat1 knockout (KO) compared with wild-type mice, A. phagocytophilum infection was more highly pathogenic as characterized by the unanticipated development of clinical signs in mice including markedly increased splenomegaly, more severe inflammatory splenic and hepatic histopathology, &gt;100-fold higher blood and splenic bacterial loads, and more elevated proinflammatory cytokine/chemokine responses in serum. CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte populations were significantly expanded in spleens of A. phagocytophilum–infected Stat1 KO mice compared with wild-type mice. The leukocyte infiltrates in the livers and spleens of A. phagocytophilum–infected Stat1 KO mice also contained expansions in neutrophil and monocyte/macrophage populations. Importantly, A. phagocytophilum–infected Stat1 KO mice did not demonstrate induction of inducible NO synthase in splenocytes. These results show that Stat1 plays an important role in controlling bacterial loads but also by unexpectedly providing an undefined mechanism for dampening of the immunopathologic response observed with A. phagocytophilum infection.
Selection of TI8-8V Mutant Associated with Long-Term Control of HIV-1 by Cross-Reactive HLA-B*51:01–Restricted Cytotoxic T Cells
Authors: Kuse Nozomi , Akahoshi Tomohiro , Gatanaga Hiroyuki , Ueno Takamasa , Oka Shinichi , Takiguchi Masafumi 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Elite controllers of HIV-1–infected HLA-B*51:01+ hemophiliacs, who remain disease free and have a very low plasma viral load for &gt;30 y, had the 8V mutation at an immunodominant Pol283-8 (TI8) epitope, whereas the 8T mutant was predominantly selected in other HIV-1–infected HLA-B*51:01+ hemophiliacs, suggesting an important role of the 8V mutant selection in long-term control of HIV-1. However, the mechanism of this selection and the long-term control in these elite controllers remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of the 8V mutant selection in these controllers. TI8-specific CTLs from these individuals evenly recognized both TI8 peptide–pulsed and TI8-8V peptide–pulsed cells and effectively suppressed replication of wild-type (WT) and the 8V viruses. However, the results of a competitive viral suppression assay demonstrated that CTLs from the individual who had WT virus could discriminate WT virus from the 8V virus, whereas those from the individuals who had the 8V virus evenly recognized both viruses. The former CTLs carried TCRs with weaker affinity for the HLA-B*51:01-TI8-8V molecule than for the HLA-B*51:01-TI-8 one, whereas the latter ones carried TCRs with similar affinity for both molecules. The reconstruction of the TCRs from these CTLs in TCR-deficient cells confirmed the different recognition of the TCRs for these epitopes. The present study showed that the 8V mutant virus could be selected by cross-reactive CTLs carrying TCR that could discriminate a small difference between the two molecules. The selection of the 8V mutant and elicitation of these two cross-reactive CTLs may contribute to the long-term control of HIV-1.
Identification of Factor H–like Protein 1 as the Predominant Complement Regulator in Bruch’s Membrane: Implications for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Authors: Clark Simon J. , Schmidt Christoph Q. , White Anne M. , Hakobyan Svetlana , Morgan B. Paul , Bishop Paul N. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
The tight regulation of innate immunity on extracellular matrix (ECM) is a vital part of immune homeostasis throughout the human body, and disruption to this regulation in the eye is thought to contribute directly to the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The plasma complement regulator factor H (FH) is thought to be the main regulator that protects ECM against damaging complement activation. However, in the present study we demonstrate that a truncated form of FH, called FH-like protein 1 (FHL-1), is the main regulatory protein in the layer of ECM under human retina, called Bruch’s membrane. Bruch’s membrane is a major site of AMD disease pathogenesis and where drusen, the hallmark lesions of AMD, form. We show that FHL-1 can passively diffuse through Bruch’s membrane, whereas the full sized, glycosylated, FH cannot. FHL-1 is largely bound to Bruch’s membrane through interactions with heparan sulfate, and we show that the common Y402H polymorphism in the CFH gene, associated with an increased risk of AMD, reduces the binding of FHL-1 to this heparan sulfate. We also show that FHL-1 is retained in drusen whereas FH coats the periphery of the lesions, perhaps inhibiting their clearance. Our results identify a novel mechanism of complement regulation in the human eye, which highlights potential new avenues for therapeutic strategies.
Finite Semisimple Loop Algebras of Indecomposable RA Loops
Authors: Sidana Swati , Sharma R. K. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThere are seven classes of ûnite indecomposable RA loops upto isomorphism. In this paper, we completely characterize the structure of the unit loop of loop algebras of these seven classes of loops over ûnite ûelds of characteristic greater than z.
Modeling episodic fluid‐release events in the ductile carbonates of the Glarus thrust
Authors: Poulet Thomas , Veveakis Manolis , Herwegh Marco , Buckingham Thomas , Regenauer‐Lieb Klaus 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe exposed Glarus thrust displays midcrustal deformation with tens of kilometers of displacement on an ultrathin layer, the principal slip zone (PSZ). Geological observations indicate that this structure resulted from repeated stick‐slip events in the presence of highly overpressured fluids. Here we show that the major characteristics of the Glarus thrust movement (localization, periodicity, and evidence of pressurized fluids) can be reconciled by the coupling of two processes, namely, shear heating and fluid release by carbonate decomposition. During this coupling, slow ductile creep deformation raises the temperature through shear heating and ultimately activates the chemical decomposition of carbonates. The subsequent release of highly overpressurized fluids forms and lubricates the PSZ, allowing a ductile fault to move tens of kilometers on millimeter‐thick bands in episodic stick‐slip events. This model identifies carbonate decomposition as a key process for motion on the Glarus thrust and explains the source of overpressured fluids accessing the PSZ.
Exercise increases cutaneous nerve density in diabetic patients without neuropathy
Authors: Singleton John R. , Marcus Robin L. , Jackson Justin E. , K. Lessard Margaret , Graham Timothy E. , Smith Albert G. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractEarly diabetic neuropathy is characterized by loss of unmyelinated axons, resulting in pain, numbness, and progressive decline in intraepidermal nerve fiber density. Patients with type 2 diabetes, without neuropathy, were assigned to quarterly lifestyle counseling (N = 40) or structured, supervised weekly exercise (N = 60) for 1 year. Distal leg IENFD significantly increased in the exercise cohort and remained unchanged in the counseling cohort (1.5 ± 3.6 vs. −0.1 ± 3.2 fibers/mm, P = 0.03). These results suggest preclinical injury to unmyelinated axons is potentially reversible, and that IENFD may be a responsive biomarker useful in future neuropathy prevention clinical trials.
Food allergy knowledge and attitude of restaurant personnel in Turkey
Authors: Sogut Ayhan , Kavut Ayşe Baççıoğlu , Kartal İbrahim , Beyhun Ercument Nazim , Çayır Atilla , Mutlu Mehmet , Özkan Behzat 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundThe incidence of food‐induced allergic reactions is gradually increasing. Most of these allergic reactions occur in restaurants. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the awareness of restaurant personnel about food allergy.MethodsThe training, knowledge levels on food allergy, and comfort level in providing safe food of 351 restaurant personnel in Erzurum Province, Turkey, were assessed through a face‐to‐face survey.ResultsAmong the participants, 81.5% were male (mean age 28.5 ± 8.5 years). Among them, 17.1% were chefs, 11.1% managers, 5.7% owners, and 66.1% waiters. Food allergy training was reported by 17.1% of the participants. The rates of restaurant personnel who gave the correct answers to the 4 questionnaire items, “Customers with food allergies can safely consume a small amount of that food/Food allergic reaction can cause death/If a customer is having an allergic reaction, it is appropriate to immediately serve them water to ‘dilute’ the allergen/Removing an allergen from a finished meal (eg, taking off nuts) may be all that is necessary to provide a safe meal for an allergic customer,” which measure food allergy knowledge levels, were 46.4%, 65.7%, 55.0%, and 65.7%, respectively.ConclusionAccording to our study, there are gaps in the food allergy knowledge of restaurant personnel. Because preparing and serving safe meals to patients with food allergy in restaurants is important, the training of restaurant personnel in food allergy is necessary.
Transparent and durable SiO2‐containing superhydrophobic coatings on glass
Authors: Li Fang , Du Miao , Zheng Qiang 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTWe fabricated novel superhydrophobic coatings based on SiO2 nanoparticles combined with NH2‐terminated silicone (SN2) or SN2‐modified polyurethane (SN2‐prePU) by alternately spin‐coating them onto glass slides. The final fabricated surface contained SN2/SiO2 or SN2‐prePU/SiO2 bilayers. The conditions of spin‐coating method were also explored. SN2‐prePU with different SN2/prePU molar ratios were synthesized to study the influence of SN2 ratio on the water contact angles of ultimate spin‐coated surfaces. The surface was found to be tunable from hydrophobic to superhydrophobic by choosing SN2‐prePU with different SN2/prePU molar ratios or SN2 content. Water droplets easily rolled off on these superhydrophobic surfaces. Surfaces coated with SN2/SiO2 bilayers showed better transparency, whereas surfaces coated with SN2‐prePU(2 : 1)/SiO2 bilayers exhibited better durability. Droplets of varied pH were prepared to test the anti‐wettability of the coatings. Results showed that the as‐coated surfaces had stable superhydrophobicity to droplets with pH values ranging from 1 to 14. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41500.
Low fouling polysulfone ultrafiltration membrane via click chemistry
Authors: Xie Yihui , Tayouo Russell , Nunes Suzana Pereira 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTHydrophilic surfaces are known to be less prone to fouling. Ultrafiltration membranes are frequently prepared from rather hydrophobic polymers like polysulfone (PSU). Strategies to keep the good pore forming characteristics of PSU, but with improved hydrophilicity are proposed here. PSU functionalized with 1,2,3‐triazole ring substituents containing OH groups was successfully synthesized through click chemistry reaction. The structures of the polymers were confirmed using NMR spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). High thermal stability (>280°C) was observed by thermal gravimetric analysis. Elemental analysis showed the presence of nitrogen containing triazole group with different degrees of functionalization (23%, 49%, 56%, and 94%). The glass transition temperature shifted with the introduction of triazole pendant groups from 190°C (unmodified) to 171°C. Ultrafiltration membranes were prepared via phase inversion by immersion in different coagulation baths (NMP/water mixtures with volume ratios from 0/100 to 40/60). The morphologies of these membranes were studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The optimized PSU bearing triazole functions membranes exhibited water permeability up to 187 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, which is 23 times higher than those prepared under the same conditions but with unmodified polysulfone (PSU; 8 L m−2 h−1 bar−1). Results of bovine serum albumin protein rejection test indicated that susceptibility to fouling decreased with the modification, due to the increased hydrophilicity, while keeping high protein rejection ratio (>99%). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41549.
Electrokinetic and antibacterial properties of needle like‐TiO2/polyrhodanine core/shell hybrid nanostructures
Authors: Ozkan Seyma , Unal H. Ibrahim , Yılmaz Ebru , Suludere Zekiye 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to fabricate needle like‐TiO2/polyrhodanine nanostructures by polymerizing rhodanine monomer on the TiO2 nanoparticles' surfaces and investigate their antibacterial activities. The structural, thermal, morphological, surface and electrical properties of non‐covalently functionalized nanoparticles were characterized by using FTIR, XPS, elemental analysis, TGA, XRD, SEM‐EDX, TEM, contact angle, and conductivity measurements. Characterization results confirmed the formation of needle like‐TiO2/polyrhodanine (PRh) core/shell hybrid nanostructures. Alterations on the surface and electrokinetic properties of the materials were characterized by zeta (ζ)‐potential measurements with the presence of various salts and surfactants. The ζ‐potential of needle like‐TiO2 was observed to increase from −7.6 mV to +28.4 mV after forming a core/shell needle like‐TiO2/PRh nanocomposite structure and with the presence of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant. Thereby colloidally more stable dispersions were formed. Antibacterial properties of needle like‐TiO2/PRh were also tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli by various methods and they showed good antibacterial activity. The highest killing efficiency was determined for needle like‐TiO2/PRh against E. coli by colony‐counting method as 0.95. TEM experiments also showed the immobilizations of the nanoparticles on E. coli and revealed the interactions between E. coli and the nanoparticles. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41554.
Nonlinear gating control for urban road traffic network using the network fundamental diagram
Authors: Csikós Alfréd , Tettamanti Tamás , Varga István 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThis work proposes a nonlinear model predictive controller for the urban gating problem. The system model is formalized based on a research on existing models of the network fundamental diagram and the perimeter control systems. For the existing models, modifications are suggested: additional state variables are allocated to describe the queue dynamics at the network gates. Using the extended model, a nonlinear model predictive controller is designed offering a ‘non‐greedy’ policy compared with previous, ‘greedy’ gating control designs. The greedy and non‐greedy nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) controllers are compared with a greedy linear feedback proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) controller in different traffic situations. The proposed non‐greedy NMPC controller outperforms the other two approaches in terms of travel distance performance and queue lengths. The performance results justify the consideration of queue lengths in dynamic modeling, and the use of NMPC approach for controller design. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein design and engineering of a de novo pathway for microbial production of 1,3‐propanediol from glucose
Authors: Chen Zhen , Geng Feng , Zeng An‐Ping 
Published: October 2014

AbstractProtein engineering to expand the substrate spectrum of native enzymes opens new possibilities for bioproduction of valuable chemicals from non‐natural pathways. No natural microorganism can directly use sugars to produce 1,3‐propanediol (PDO). Here, we present a de novo route for the biosynthesis of PDO from sugar, which may overcome the mentioned limitations by expanding the homoserine synthesis pathway. The accomplishment of pathway from homoserine to PDO is achieved by protein engineering of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and pyruvate decarboxylase to sequentially convert homoserine to 4‐hydroxy‐2‐ketobutyrate and 3‐hydroxypropionaldehyde. The latter is finally converted to PDO by using a native alcohol dehydrogenase. In this work, we report on experimental accomplishment of this non‐natural pathway, especially by protein engineering of GDH for the key step of converting homoserine to 4‐hydroxy‐2‐ketobutyrate. These results show the feasibility and significance of protein engineering for de novo pathway design and overproduction of desired industrial products.
Intracellular Thiols and Photo‐Illumination Sequentially Activate Doubly Locked Molecular Probes for Long‐Term Cell Highlighting and Tracking with Precise Spatial Accuracy
Authors: Lin Qiuning , Du Zengmin , Yang Yunlong , Fang Qian , Bao Chunyan , Yang Yi , Zhu Linyong 
Published: October 2014

AbstractA novel photoconvertible fluorescent probe, which can be activated by intracellular thiols, has been synthesized. Such a molecular probe comprises three parts: a 7‐aminocoumarin phototrigger, a thiol‐removable energy acceptor, and a caged fluorescein scaffold with intracellular thiols reactivity as the fluorescent reporter. Extracellularly, the energy acceptor blocks the emission of the coumarin that regulates the photocleavage and photoactivation of the fluorescein. Intracelluarly, the high concentration of thiols releases the energy acceptor, thus activating the S1 state of the phototrigger, which emits coumarin blue fluorescence for pre‐visualization and liberates the caged green‐fluorescent fluorescein to highlight the specific cell upon illumination. Compared to traditional photoactivated organic dyes, the intracellular thiols activated probe requires double activations: one by intracellular thiols and the other by light activation. The dual activations restrict fluorescence precisely inside live cells and at the particular spatial region of light activation, thus a probe with precise spatial accuracy in live cells.
Electrochemical reduction of CO2 in an aqueous electrolyte employing an iridium/ruthenium‐oxide electrode
Authors: Ullah Nehar , Ali Irshad , Jansen Maëlle , Omanovic Sasha 
Published: October 2014

AbstractElectrochemical reduction of CO2 in an aqueous electrolyte (Briton Robinson buffer, pH = 5.82) was investigated using an Ir/Ru‐oxide coating deposited on a titanium substrate, as a function of electrode potential and temperature. The results demonstrated that the Ir/Ru‐oxide electrode can efficiently be used for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 into different valuable organic molecules at high faradaic efficiency, 85 % and 96 % at 295 K and 277 K, respectively. Ethanol was found to be the major electrochemical reduction product remained in the liquid phase, with a minor contribution of methanol, acetone and acetaldehyde. The amount of formed products and the corresponding faradaic efficiency were found to be strongly dependent on electrode potential. A maximum in both was obtained at −1.7 V (vs. MSE). At this potential, lowering the reaction temperature from 295 K to 277 K was found to increase the CO2 reduction kinetics only at short electrolysis times, while the corresponding faradaic efficiency increased significantly. The presented work demonstrates that the Ir/Ru‐oxide electrode can be considered as a good electrode candidate for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 into usable organic molecules at atmospheric pressure and in aqueous electrolytes.
Eighteen species new to the flora of Iraq
Authors: Ahmad Saman A. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe following 18 species are reported for the first time from Iraq: Heracleum persicum Desf. and Trigonosciadium brachytaenium (Boiss.) Alava (Apiaceae), Arum dioscoridis Sibth. & Sm. (Araceae), Filago eriocephala Guss. (Asteraceae), Alkanna orientalis Boiss. and Nonea ventricosa (Sm.) Griseb. (Boraginaceae), Silene coniflora Nees ex Otth (Caryophyllaceae), Schoenoplectus lacustris (L.) Palla (Cyperaceae), Centaurium meyeri (Bunge) Druce (Gentianaceae), Marrubium parviflorum Fisch. & C.A. Mey. and Nepeta nuda L. (Lamiaceae), Fritillaria straussii Bornm. and Tulipa clusiana DC. (Liliaceae), Linaria simplex (Willd.) DC. (Plantaginaceae), Bromus intermedius Guss. (Poaceae), Polygonum convolvulus L. and P. hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae), and Prunus lycioides (Spach) C.K.Schneid. (Rosaceae). Brief notes on habitat and distribution are given. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Photosynthesis and growth in diverse willow genotypes
Authors: Andralojc P. John , Bencze Szilvia , Madgwick Pippa J. , Philippe Hélène , Powers Stephen J. , Shield Ian , Karp Angela , Parry Martin A. J. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractDuring a study of the contribution of photosynthetic traits to biomass yield among 11 diverse species of willow, the light and CO2 dependence of photosynthesis were found to differ, with absolute rates at ambient and saturating CO2, together with maximum rates of Rubsico‐limited and electron‐transport‐limited photosynthesis (Vcmax and J, respectively) varying by factors in excess of 2 between the extremes of performance. In spite of this, the ratio, J/Vcmax – indicative of the relative investment of resource into RuBP regeneration and RuBP carboxylation – was found to fall within a narrow range (1.9–2.5) for all genotypes over two successive years. Photosynthetic rate (μmol CO2 fixed m−2 sec−1) showed a strong, inverse correlation with total leaf area per plant. Photosynthetic capacity, expressed on a leaf area basis, showed a strong, positive correlation with yield among some of the species, but when expressed on a whole plant basis all species indicated a positive correlation with yield. Thus, both leaf area per plant and photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area contribute to this relationship. The abundance and kinetic characteristics of Rubisco play a pivotal role in determining photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area and so were determined for the chosen willow species, in parallel with Rubisco large subunit (LSU) gene sequencing. Significant differences in the rate constants for carboxylation and oxygenation as well as the affinity for CO2 were identified, and rationalized in terms of LSU sequence polymorphism. Those LSU sequences with isoleucine instead of methionine at residue 309 had up to 29% higher carboxylase rate constants. Furthermore, the A/Ci curves predicted from each distinct set of Rubisco kinetic parameters under otherwise identical conditions indicated substantial differences in photosynthetic performance. Thus, genetic traits relating specifically to Rubisco and by implication to photosynthetic performance were also identified.