bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential unfolded protein response during Chikungunya and Sindbis virus infection: CHIKV nsP4 suppresses eIF2α phosphorylation
Authors: Rathore Abhay P S , Ng Mah-Lee , Vasudevan Subhash G 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Sindbis (SINV) are arboviruses belonging to the alphavirus genus within the Togaviridae family. They cause frequent epidemics of febrile illness and long-term arthralgic sequelae that affect millions of people each year. Both viruses replicate prodigiously in infected patients and in vitro in mammalian cells, suggesting some level of control over the host cellular translational machinery that senses and appropriately directs the cell’s fate through the unfolded protein response (UPR). The mammalian UPR involves BIP (or GRP78), the master sensor in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) together with the three downstream effector branches: inositol-requiring ser/thr protein kinase/endonuclease (IRE-1), PKR-like ER resident kinase (PERK) and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF-6). Through careful analysis of CHIKV and SINV infections in cell culture we found that the former selectively activates ATF-6 and IRE-1 branches of UPR and suppresses the PERK pathway. By separately expressing each of the CHIKV proteins as GFP-fusion proteins, we found that non-structural protein 4 (nsP4), which is a RNA-dependent-RNA polymerase, suppresses the serine-51 phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor, alpha subunit (eIF2α), which in turn regulates the PERK pathway. This study provides insight into a mechanism by which CHIKV replication responds to overcome the host UPR machinery.
The Influence of Water on the Solubility of Carbon Dioxide in Imidazolium Based Ionic Liquids
Authors: Kerlé Daniela , Ludwig Ralf , Paschek Dietmar 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
We explore the influence of small amounts of water dissolved in 1-alkyl-3-methyl-imidazolium based ionic liquids (ILs) on the solubility of CO2 as a function of water content and temperature. We observe a decreasing solubility of CO2 as function of increasing water content in almost quantitative agreement with recent experimental data by Husson et al. [Fluid Phase Eq. 294, 98 (2010)]. In addition, a purely repulsive variant of CO2 is employed as a test-case to elucidate the solvation behavior of small sized molecules in absence of favorable interactions. We find that the decreasing solubility is about one third due to the increasing solvent number density, and about two thirds due to the change in solvation free energy. In addition, we observe that the computed solvation free energy of a purely repulsive test-molecule increases even more strongly with increasing water content, indicating that small favorable “interaction sites” within the liquid, well suited for accommodating a CO2 molecule, become increasingly rare due to the competition with the water molecules.
Effect of Occupational Exposure to Aflatoxins on Some Liver Tumor Markers in Textile Workers
Authors: Saad‐Hussein Amal , Beshir Safia , Moubarz Gehan , Elserougy Safaa , Ibrahim Mohamed I.M. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundIn a study of textile workers, the effects of occupational exposure to cotton dust—with possible exposure to aflatoxin—on levels of some liver tumor biomarkers were explored.MethodsThe study included 58 textile workers and 64 controls. Skin prick tests, urinary Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and the tumor biomarkers (alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP), alpha‐L‐fucosidase (AFU), insulin‐like growth factors (IGF‐1) were measured.ResultsPositive reactants to Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and cotton dust were significantly higher in pre‐spinning (14.3%, 28.6%, and 28.6%, respectively) and spinning workers (25.0%, 33.3%, and 25.0%, respectively) compared to controls (4.7%, 7.8%, and 3.1%, respectively). Urinary AFM1 was significantly higher in the pre‐spinning, spinning, and weaving groups compared to controls (554.2 ± 346.2 pg/ml, 459.1 ± 781.6 pg/ml, 296.5 ± 336.5 pg/ml and 68.5 ± 136.8 pg/ml, respectively). We found a highly significant increase in levels of serum AFU in textile workers, compared to the control group.ConclusionExposure to fungi had a significant effect on AFM1 measurements and tumor biomarkers, especially in allergic textile workers (with the exception of the arginase biomarker), though results were generally within normal limits. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:818–824, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Induced effect of Na+ on ganoderic acid biosynthesis in static liquid culture of Ganoderma lucidum via calcineurin signal transduction
Authors: Xu Yi‐Ning , Xia Xiao‐Xia , Zhong Jian‐Jiang 
Published: January 2013

AbstractNa+/Ca2+ exchange is important to cell physiology and metabolism, but its role in the secondary metabolite biosynthesis by fungi is yet unclear. In this work, in static liquid cultures of Ganoderma lucidum, which is an efficient process for hyper‐production of anti‐tumor ganoderic acids (GAs), it was interestingly found that Na+ addition could enhance the GAs production, but K+ did not. Further investigation by intracellular Ca2+ imaging and using a calcineurin inhibitor (i.e., cyclosporin A) revealed that addition of Na+ led to the influx of Ca2+ from culture broth to the cells and calcineurin signals were also triggered. Addition of 100 mM Na+ at the beginning of the static liquid cultivation, in which the addition dosage and timing were optimized, resulted in 2.8‐fold improvement of total GAs production. Quantitative gene transcription analysis indicated that the expression levels of the genes of Ca2+ sensors and GA biosynthesis were upregulated with Na+ induction while downregulated by using the calcineurin inhibitor, implying that higher GA production might result from higher expression of those genes. This work not only provided a simple and efficient induction strategy by Na+ addition for the improved GAs production but also suggested the regulation mechanism of Na+ on the GA biosynthesis through calcineurin signaling transduction. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 1913–1923. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Carvedilol for preventing recurrent variceal bleeding: Waiting for convincing evidence
Authors: Bosch Jaime , Groszmann Roberto J. , Iwakiri Yasuko , Taddei Tamar H. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract:

Background: Carvedilol has been shown to be more effective than propranolol in decreasing portal pressure. Sufficient data from controlled trials remains limited. This trial compared the relative safety and efficacy between carvedilol and nadolol plus isosorbide mononitrate in preventing variceal rebleeding. Methods: After successful control of acute esophageal variceal bleeding, eligible patients were randomized to Carvedilol group, 61 patients, using carvedilol 6.25-12.5 mg daily or N + I group, 60 patients, using nadolol 40-80 mg plus isorsorbide-5-mononitrate 20mg daily. The end points were rebleeding from varices, adverse events or death. Results: After a median follow up of 30 months, recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding developed in 37 patients (61%) in the Carvedilol group and 37 patients (62%) in the N + I group (p = 0.90). Recurrent bleeding from esophageal varices occurred in 31 patients (51%) in the Carvedilol group and in 26 patients (43%) in the N + I group (p = 0.46). Recurrent bleeding from gastric varices occurred in 2 patients (3%) in the Carvedilol group and in 8 patients (13%) in the N + I group (p = 0.05). Severe adverse events occurred in 1 patient in Carvedilol group and 17 patients in N + I group (p<0.0001). Fifteen patients of the Carvedilol group and 17 patients in the N + I group died (p = 0.83). Two patients in the Carvedilol group and 3 patients in N + I group died of variceal bleeding. Conclusions: Carvedilol was as effective as nadolol plus isorsorbide-5 –mononitrate mononitrate in the prevention of gastroesophageal variceal rebleeding with fewer severe adverse events and similar survival.
Novel inositol catabolic pathway in Thermotoga maritima
Authors: Rodionova Irina A. , Leyn Semen A. , Burkart Michael D. , Boucher Nathalie , Noll Kenneth M. , Osterman Andrei L. , Rodionov Dmitry A. 
Published: January 2013

Summarymyo‐inositol (MI) is a key sugar alcohol component of various metabolites, e.g. phosphatidylinositol‐based phospholipids that are abundant in animal and plant cells. The seven‐step pathway of MI degradation was previously characterized in various soil bacteria including Bacillus subtilis. Through a combination of bioinformatics and experimental techniques we identified a novel variant of the MI catabolic pathway in the marine hyperthermophilic bacterium Thermotoga maritima. By using in vitro biochemical assays with purified recombinant proteins we characterized four inositol catabolic enzymes encoded in the TM0412–TM0416 chromosomal gene cluster. The novel catabolic pathway in T. maritima starts as the conventional route using the myo‐inositol dehydrogenase IolG followed by three novel reactions. The first 2‐keto‐myo‐inositol intermediate is oxidized by another, previously unknown NAD‐dependent dehydrogenase TM0412 (named IolM), and a yet unidentified product of this reaction is further hydrolysed by TM0413 (IolN) to form 5‐keto‐l‐gluconate. The fourth step involves epimerization of 5‐keto‐l‐gluconate to d‐tagaturonate by TM0416 (IolO). T. maritima is unable to grow on myo‐inositol as a single carbon source. The determined in vitro specificity of the InoEFGK (TM0418–TM0421) transporter to myo‐inositol‐phosphate suggests that the novel pathway in Thermotoga utilizes a phosphorylated derivative of inositol.
Detailed analysis of biased histamine H4 receptor signalling by JNJ 7777120 analogues
Authors: Nijmeijer S , Vischer H F , Sirci F , Schultes S , Engelhardt H , de Graaf C , Rosethorne E M , Charlton S J , Leurs R 
Published: January 2013

Background and PurposeThe histamine H4 receptor, originally thought to signal merely through Gαi proteins, has recently been shown to also recruit and signal via β‐arrestin2. Following the discovery that the reference antagonist indolecarboxamide JNJ 7777120 appears to be a partial agonist in β‐arrestin2 recruitment, we have identified additional biased hH4R ligands that preferentially couple to Gαi or β‐arrestin2 proteins. In this study, we explored ligand and receptor regions that are important for biased hH4R signalling.Experimental ApproachWe evaluated a series of 48 indolecarboxamides with subtle structural differences for their ability to induce hH4R‐mediated Gαi protein signalling or β‐arrestin2 recruitment. Subsequently, a Fingerprints for Ligands and Proteins three‐dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship analysis correlated intrinsic activity values with structural ligand requirements. Moreover, a hH4R homology model was used to identify receptor regions important for biased hH4R signalling.Key ResultsOne indolecarboxamide (75) with a nitro substituent on position R7 of the aromatic ring displayed an equal preference for the Gαi and β‐arrestin2 pathway and was classified as unbiased hH4R ligand. The other 47 indolecarboxamides were β‐arrestin2‐biased agonists. Intrinsic activities of the unbiased as well as β‐arrestin2‐biased indolecarboxamides to induce β‐arrestin2 recruitment could be correlated with different ligand features and hH4R regions.Conclusion and ImplicationsSmall structural modifications resulted in diverse intrinsic activities for unbiased (75) and β‐arrestin2‐biased indolecarboxamides. Analysis of ligand and receptor features revealed efficacy hotspots responsible for biased‐β‐arrestin2 recruitment. This knowledge is useful for the design of hH4R ligands with biased intrinsic activities and aids our understanding of the mechanism of H4R activation.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed issue on Histamine Pharmacology Update. To view the other articles in this issue visit http://dx.doi.org/
10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue‐1
The West Coast Thermal Trough: Mesoscale Evolution and Sensitivity to Terrain and Surface Fluxes
Authors: Brewer Matthew C. , Mass Clifford F. , Potter Brian E. 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Despite the significant impacts of the West Coast thermal trough (WCTT) on West Coast weather and climate, questions remain regarding its mesoscale structure, origin, and dynamics. Of particular interest is the relative importance of terrain forcing, advection, and surface heating on WCTT formation and evolution. To explore such questions, the 13–16 May 2007 WCTT event was examined using observations and simulations from the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. An analysis of the thermodynamic energy equation for these simulations was completed, as well as sensitivity experiments in which terrain or surface fluxes were removed or modified. For the May 2007 event, vertical advection of potential temperature is the primary driver of local warming and WCTT formation west of the Cascades. The downslope flow that drives this warming is forced by easterly flow associated with high pressure over British Columbia, Canada. When the terrain is removed from the model, the WCTT does not form and high pressure builds over the northwest United States. When the WCTT forms on the east side of the Cascades, diabatic heating dominates over the other terms in the thermodynamic energy equation, with warm advection playing a small role. If surface heat fluxes are neglected, an area of low pressure remains east of the Cascades, though it is substantially attenuated.
General practitioners’ hypertension knowledge and training needs: a survey in Xuhui district, Shanghai
Authors: Chen Qian , Zhang Xiangjie , Gu Jie , Wang Tianhao , Zhang Yuan , Zhu Shanzhu 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Hypertension prevalence is high in China, while patients’ levels of hypertension awareness, treatment and control are low. General practitioners’ knowledge and training relating to hypertension prevention may be an important related factor. We aimed to investigate general practitioners’ knowledge of hypertension prevention and potential training needs.

Methods
A questionnaire survey was conducted among all general practitioners at five community health service centers selected by convenience sampling. A total of 160 questionnaires were distributed and 147 were returned (response rate 91.9%) The questionnaire included general information; 12 subjective questions on health promotion, education and training needs; and 19 objective questions in 5 domains (epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, referral and community management) measuring knowledge of hypertension prevention and treatment.

Results
The major difficulties in health education practice for general practitioners were poor patient compliance (77.6%) and lack of medical consultation time (49.0%). The average accuracy rate of hypertension prevention knowledge was 49.2%, ranging from 10.5% to 94.7%. The factors associated with accuracy rate were physician’s education level (medical university vs. professional school, β = 13.3, P = 0.003), and type of center (training base vs. community healthcare center, β = 12.3, P < 0.0001). Most physicians (87.8%) reported being willing to attend training courses regularly and the preferred frequency was once every 2 ~ 3 months (53.5%). The preferred course was medical treatment of hypertension (82.3%) and the most favored training approach was expert lectures (80.3%).

Conclusions
The knowledge level of hypertension prevention is low among general practitioners in urban settings. Physicians working in community clinics where they participate in a series of teaching, assessing and evaluating systems for hypertension prevention perform better than those in general healthcare centers who lack specific training. Continuing hypertension education is urgently needed to ensure that physicians in general practice are aware of and adhere to the national hypertension prevention guidelines.
Modeling of Diffusion and Activation of Low Energy Arsenic Implants in Silicon
Authors: Chakravarthi Srinivasan , P.R. Chidambaram , Machala Charles , Jain Amitabh , Zhang Xin 
Published: January 2013

SummaryIn summary, we find it is possible to model the extent of arsenic diffusion during front-end and back-end processes that define the final junction depth. The key features of the model can be summarised as: (a) Interstitials from implant damage play a diminished role as implant energies are scaled; (b) As4V formation and precipitation at high concentrations is critical to accurate modeling of ultra-shallow arsenic junctions. These models when used with device simulations help optimize transistor performance/tradeoffs.We would like to thank Pavel Fastenko and Scott T. Dunham (University of Washington) for details and discussion regarding their modeling results.
Experimental Study on the Mechanism of Carbon Diffusion in Silicon
Authors: Cowern N.E.B. , Colombeau B. , Roozeboom F. , Hopstaken M. , Snijders H. , Meunier-Beillard P. , Lerch W. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractCVD-grown lightly C-doped superlattices with peak C concentrations of 2.1018/cm2 and 2.1019/cm2 were annealed in NH3, N2/H2, N2, and O2 ambient gases to investigate the influence of a range of point-defect conditions on C diffusion at the nanometer scale. C profiles were measured by secondary-ion mass spectroscopy. The profiles exhibit exponential-like diffusion consistent with a ‘long hop’ diffusion process with a characteristic migration length λ (=19 ± 3 nm at 850°C). Within experimental errors the value of ë is the same for all the ambient gases used, whereas the migration frequency g increases by two orders of magnitude as the ambient gas is changed from NH3 ambient (interstitial undersaturation) to O2 ambient (interstitial supersaturation), and decreases as a function of C concentration in the as-grown superlattice. The results confirm that C diffuses predominantly by a kick out mechanism under nearequilibrium diffusion conditions. Initial results support the chemical-pump model for suppression of diffusion in C-doped silicon.
Investigation and Modeling of Fluorine Co-Implantation Effects on Dopant Redistribution
Authors: Diebel M. , Chakravarthi S. , Dunham S.T. , Machala C.F. , Ekbote S. , Jain A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA comprehensive model is developed from ab-initio calculations to understand the effects of co-implanted fluorine (F) on boron (B) and phosphorus (P) under sub-amorphizing and amorphizing conditions. The depth of the amorphous-crystalline interface and the implant depth of F are the key parameters to understand the interactions. Under sub-amorphizing conditions, B and P diffusion are enhanced, in contrast to amorphized regions where the model predicts retarded diffusion. This analysis predicts the F effect on B and P to be entirely due to interactions of F with point-defects.
Highly sensitive chemiluminescence immunoassay on chitosan membrane modified paper platform using TiO2 nanoparticles/multiwalled carbon nanotubes as label
Authors: Li Weiping , Ge Shenguang , Wang Shoumei , Yan Mei , Ge Lei , Yu Jinghua 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTA highly sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) immunoassay was incorporated into a low‐cost microfluidic paper‐based analytical device (μ‐PAD) to fabricate a facile paper‐based CL immunodevice (denoted as μ‐PCLI). This μ‐PCLI was constructed by covalently immobilizing capture antibody on a chitosan membrane modified μ‐PADs, which was developed by simple wax printing methodology. TiO2 nanoparticles coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (TiO2/MWCNTs) were synthesized as an amplification catalyst tag to label signal antibody (Ab2). After sandwich‐type immunoreactions, the TiO2/MWCNTs were captured on the surface of μ‐PADs to catalyze the luminol‐p‐iodophenol‐H2O2 CL system, which produced an enhanced CL emission. Using prostate‐specific antigen as a model analyte, the approach provided a good linear response range from 0.001 to 20 ng/mL with a low detection limit of 0.8 pg/mL under optimal conditions. This μ‐PCLI showed good reproducibility, selectivity and stability. The assay results of prostate‐specific antigen in clinical serum samples were in good agreement with that obtained by commercially used electrochemiluminescence methods at the Cancer Research Center of Shandong Tumor Hospital (Jinan, Shandong Province, China). This μ‐PCLI could be very useful to realize highly sensitive, qualitative point‐of‐care testing in developing or developed countries. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient production of transgenic mice by intracytoplasmic injection of streptolysin‐O‐treated spermatozoa
Authors: Sim Bo‐Woong , Cha Jae‐Jin , Song Bong‐Seok , Kim Ji‐Su , Yoon Seung‐Bin , Choi Seon‐A , Jeong Kang‐Jin , Kim Young‐Hyun , Huh Jae‐Won , Lee Sang‐Rae , Kim Sang‐Hyun , Lee Chul‐Sang , Kim Sun‐Uk , Chang Kyu‐Tae 
Published: January 2013

AbstractMany methods for efficient production of transgenic animals for biomedical research have been developed. Despite great improvements in transgenesis rates resulting from the use of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), the ICSI‐based sperm‐mediated gene‐transfer (iSMGT) technique is still not optimal in terms of sperm permeabilization efficiency and subsequent development. Here, we demonstrate that streptolysin‐O (SLO) can efficiently permeabilize mouse spermatozoa, leading to improved developmental competence and high transgenesis rates in iSMGT embryos and pups. In particular, the most efficient production of iSMGT‐transgenic embryos resulted from pretreatment with 5 U/ml SLO for 30 min and co‐incubation with 1.0 ng/µl of an EGFP expression vector. By incubating spermatozoa with Cy‐3‐labelled DNA, we found that fluorescence intensity was prominently detected in the head region of SLO‐treated spermatozoa. In addition, blastocyst development rate and blastomere survival were greatly improved by iSMGT using SLO‐treated spermatozoa (iSMGT‐SLO) as compared to freeze‐thawed spermatozoa. Consistent with this, a high proportion of transgenic offspring was obtained by iSMGT‐SLO after transfer into foster mothers, reaching 10.6% of the number of oocytes used (42.3% among pups). Together with successful germline transmission of transgenes in all founders analyzed, our data strongly suggest that SLO makes spermatozoa amenable to exogenous DNA uptake, and that the iSMGT‐SLO technique is an efficient method for production of transgenic animals for biomedical research. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 233–241, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.