bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amino Acid Polymorphisms in Hepatitis C Virus Core Affect Infectious Virus Production and Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Molecule Expression
Authors: Tasaka-Fujita Megumi , Sugiyama Nao , Kang Wonseok , Masaki Takahiro , Murayama Asako , Yamada Norie , Sugiyama Ryuichi , Tsukuda Senko , Watashi Koichi , Asahina Yasuhiro , Sakamoto Naoya , Wakita Takaji , Shin Eui-Cheol , Kato Takanobu 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAmino acid (aa) polymorphisms in the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b core protein have been reported to be a potent predictor for poor response to interferon (IFN)-based therapy and a risk factor for hepatocarcinogenesis. We investigated the effects of these polymorphisms with genotype 1b/2a chimeric viruses that contained polymorphisms of Arg/Gln at aa 70 and Leu/Met at aa 91. We found that infectious virus production was reduced in cells transfected with chimeric virus RNA that had Gln at aa 70 (aa70Q) compared with RNA with Arg at aa 70 (aa70R). Using flow cytometry analysis, we confirmed that HCV core protein accumulated in aa70Q clone transfected cells and it caused a reduction in cell-surface expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules induced by IFN treatment through enhanced protein kinase R phosphorylation. We could not detect any effects due to the polymorphism at aa 91. In conclusion, the polymorphism at aa 70 was associated with efficiency of infectious virus production and this deteriorated virus production in strains with aa70Q resulted in the intracellular accumulation of HCV proteins and attenuation of MHC class I molecule expression. These observations may explain the strain-associated resistance to IFN-based therapy and hepatocarcinogenesis of HCV.
Laser light routing in an elongated micromachined vapor cell with diffraction gratings for atomic clock applications
Authors: Chutani Ravinder , Maurice Vincent , Passilly Nicolas , Gorecki Christophe , Boudot Rodolphe , Abdel Hafiz Moustafa , Abbé Philippe , Galliou Serge , Rauch Jean-Yves , de Clercq Emeric 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThis paper reports on an original architecture of microfabricated alkali vapor cell designed for miniature atomic clocks. The cell combines diffraction gratings with anisotropically etched single-crystalline silicon sidewalls to route a normally-incident beam in a cavity oriented along the substrate plane. Gratings have been specifically designed to diffract circularly polarized light in the first order, the latter having an angle of diffraction matching the (111) sidewalls orientation. Then, the length of the cavity where light interacts with alkali atoms can be extended. We demonstrate that a longer cell allows to reduce the beam diameter, while preserving the clock performances. As the cavity depth and the beam diameter are reduced, collimation can be performed in a tighter space. This solution relaxes the constraints on the device packaging and is suitable for wafer-level assembly. Several cells have been fabricated and characterized in a clock setup using coherent population trapping spectroscopy. The measured signals exhibit null power linewidths down to 2.23 kHz and high transmission contrasts up to 17%. A high contrast-to-linewidth ratio is found at a linewidth of 4.17 kHz and a contrast of 5.2% in a 7-mm-long cell despite a beam diameter reduced to 600 μm.
Exploring causal associations of alcohol with cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors in a Chinese population using Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Taylor Amy E. , Lu Feng , Carslake David , Hu Zhibin , Qian Yun , Liu Sijun , Chen Jiaping , Shen Hongbing , Smith George Davey 
Published: September 2015

AbstractObservational studies suggest that moderate alcohol consumption may be protective for cardiovascular disease, but results may be biased by confounding and reverse causality. Mendelian randomization, which uses genetic variants as proxies for exposures, can minimise these biases and therefore strengthen causal inference. Using a genetic variant in the ALDH2 gene associated with alcohol consumption, rs671, we performed a Mendelian randomization analysis in 1,712 diabetes cases and 2,076 controls from Nantong, China. Analyses were performed using linear and logistic regression, stratified by sex and diabetes status. The A allele of rs671 was strongly associated with reduced odds of being an alcohol drinker in all groups, but prevalence of alcohol consumption amongst females was very low. The A allele was associated with reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and decreased total and HDL cholesterol in males. The A allele was also associated with decreased triglyceride levels, but only robustly in diabetic males. There was no strong evidence for associations between rs671 and any outcomes in females. Our results suggest that associations of alcohol consumption with blood pressure and HDL-cholesterol are causal. Alcohol also appeared to have adverse effects on triglyceride levels, although this may be restricted to diabetics.
Alleviating Pressure on Water Resources: A new approach could be attempted
Authors: Sun Shikun , Wang Yubao , Wang Feifei , Liu Jing , Luan Xiaobo , Li Xiaolei , Zhou Tianwa , Wu Pute 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWater and food safety are two major challenges which the world faces today. Traditional water management focuses on the reduction of water use through improvements in water saving technologies. However, quantitative research is needed to evaluate the effects of changing food consumption patterns on water resources. Here we report the water saving effects of changing diet pattern of the major crops and animal products in mainland China. By using the concepts of water footprint (WF) per weight unit and per calorie unit, provided by 13 primary crop and animal products, the WFs of the 13 agricultural products in each province are compared and their water/energy conversion efficiencies are analyzed. Then, impacts of different scenarios of changing diet pattern on water consumption were explored. Results show that there are obvious differences between the WF per weight and calorie unit provided by crop and animal products due to the nutritional properties of the agricultural products. Promoting water savings from the food consumption side could give a positive feedback on water consumption. Scenario analysis of adjustments to the diet pattern proves that it is potentially feasible to reach the objective of alleviating stress on water resources while guaranteeing nutritional value of the residents.
Tip-induced nanoreactor for silicate
Authors: Gao Ming , Ma Liran , Liang Yong , Gao Yuan , Luo Jianbin 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNanoscale scientific issues have attracted an increasing amount of research interest due to their specific size-effect and novel structure-property. From macro to nano, materials present some unique chemical reactivity that bulk materials do not own. Here we introduce a facile method to generate silicate with nanoscale control based on the establishment of a confined space between a meso/nanoscale tungsten tip and a smooth silica/silicon substrate. During the process, local water-like droplets deposition can be obviously observed in the confinement between the Si/SiO2 surfaces and the KOH-modified tungsten tip. By the combination of in-situ optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, we were able to take a deep insight of both the product composition and the underlying mechanism of such phenomena. It was indicated that such nanoreactor for silicate could be quite efficient as a result of the local capillarity and electric field effect, with implications at both nano and meso scales.
Direct production of XYDMY− sex reversal female medaka (Oryzias latipes) by embryo microinjection of TALENs
Authors: Luo Daji , Liu Yun , Chen Ji , Xia Xiaoqin , Cao Mengxi , Cheng Bin , Wang Xuejuan , Gong Wuming , Qiu Chao , Zhang Yunsheng , Ki Cheng Christopher Hon , Zhu Zuoyan , Hu Wei 
Published: September 2015

AbstractMedaka is an ideal model for sex determination and sex reversal, such as XY phenotypically female patients in humans. Here, we assembled improved TALENs targeting the DMY gene and generated XYDMY− mutants to investigate gonadal dysgenesis in medaka. DMY-TALENs resulted in indel mutations at the targeted loci (46.8%). DMY-nanos3UTR-TALENs induced mutations were passed through the germline to F1 generation with efficiencies of up to 91.7%. XYDMY− mutants developed into females, laid eggs and stably passed the YDMY− chromosome to next generation. RNA-seq generated 157 million raw reads from WT male (WT_M_TE), WT female (WT_F_OV) and XYDMY− female medaka (TA_F_OV) gonad libraries. Differential expression analysis identified 144 up- and 293 down-regulated genes in TA_F_OV compared with WT_F_OV, 387 up- and 338 down-regulated genes in TA_F_OV compared with WT_M_TE. According to genes annotation and functional prediction, such as Wnt1 and PRCK, it revealed that incomplete ovarian function and reduced fertility of XYDMY− mutant is closely related to the wnt signaling pathway. Our results provided the transcriptional profiles of XYDMY− mutants, revealed the mechanism between sex reversal and DMY in medaka and suggested that XYDMY− medaka was a novel mutant that is useful for investigating gonadal dysgenesis in phenotypic female patients with the 46, XY karyotype.
Interrogation of the intersubunit interface of the open Hv1 proton channel with a probe of allosteric coupling
Authors: Hong Liang , Singh Vikrant , Wulff Heike , Tombola Francesco 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe Hv1 voltage-gated proton channel is a dimeric complex consisting of two voltage-sensing domains (VSDs), each containing a gated proton permeation pathway. Dimerization is controlled by a cytoplasmic coiled-coil domain. The transitions from the closed to the open state in the two VSDs are known to occur cooperatively; however, the underlying mechanism is poorly understood. Intersubunit interfaces play a critical role in allosteric processes; but, such interfaces have not been determined in the open Hv1 channel. Here we show that 2-guanidinothiazole derivatives block the two Hv1 VSDs in a cooperative way and use one of the compounds as a probe of allosteric coupling between open subunits. We find that the extracellular ends of the first transmembrane segments of the VSDs form the intersubunit interface that mediates coupling between binding sites, while the coiled-coil domain does not directly participate in the process. We also find strong evidence that the channel’s proton selectivity filter controls blocker binding cooperativity.
Superresolution Pattern Recognition Reveals the Architectural Map of the Ciliary Transition Zone
Authors: Tony Yang T. , Su Jimmy , Wang Won-Jing , Craige Branch , Witman George B. , Bryan Tsou Meng-Fu , Liao Jung-Chi 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe transition zone (TZ) of primary cilia serves as a diffusion barrier to regulate ciliogenesis and receptor localization for key signaling events such as sonic hedgehog signaling. Its gating mechanism is poorly understood due to the tiny volume accommodating a large number of ciliopathy-associated molecules. Here we performed stimulated emission depletion (STED) imaging of collective samples and recreated superresolved relative localizations of eight representative species of ciliary proteins using position averages and overlapped with representative electron microscopy (EM) images, defining an architectural foundation at the ciliary base. Upon this framework, transmembrane proteins TMEM67 and TCTN2 were accumulated at the same axial level as MKS1 and RPGRIP1L, suggesting that their regulation roles for tissue-specific ciliogenesis occur at a specific level of the TZ. CEP290 is surprisingly localized at a different axial level bridging the basal body (BB) and other TZ proteins. Upon this molecular architecture, two reservoirs of intraflagellar transport (IFT) particles, correlating with phases of ciliary growth, are present: one colocalized with the transition fibers (TFs) while the other situated beyond the distal edge of the TZ. Together, our results reveal an unprecedented structural framework of the TZ, facilitating our understanding in molecular screening and assembly at the ciliary base.
A Biomechanical Comparison of Shape Design and Positioning of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Cages
Authors: Comer Garet C. , Behn Anthony , Ravi Shashank , Cheng Ivan 
Published: September 2015

Study Design Cadaveric biomechanical analysis. Objective The aim of this study was to compare three interbody cage shapes and their position within the interbody space with regards to construct stability for transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion. Methods Twenty L2–L3 and L4–L5 lumbar motion segments from fresh cadavers were potted in polymethyl methacrylate and subjected to testing with a materials testing machine before and after unilateral facetectomy, diskectomy, and interbody cage insertion. The three cage types were kidney-shaped, articulated, and straight bullet-shaped. Each cage type was placed in a common anatomic area within the interbody space before testing: kidney, center; kidney, anterior; articulated, center; articulated, anterior; bullet, center; bullet, lateral. Load-deformation curves were generated for axial compression, flexion, extension, right bending, left bending, right torsion, and left torsion. Finally, load to failure was tested. Results For all applied loads, there was a statistically significant decrease in the slope of the load-displacement curves for instrumented specimens compared with the intact state ( p < 0.05) with the exception of right axial torsion ( p = 0.062). Among all instrumented groups, there was no statistically significant difference in stiffness for any of the loading conditions or load to failure. Conclusions Our results failed to show a clearly superior cage shape design or location within the interbody space for use in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.
Monitoring of in‐season neuromuscular and perceptual fatigue in youth rugby players
Authors: Oliver Jonathan L. , Lloyd Rhodri S. , Whitney Adam 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to examine both short‐ and long‐term neuromuscular and perceptual fatigue in youth rugby players during a seven‐week in‐season mesocycle. Eleven male youth rugby players (age 16.9 ± 0.8 years) were assessed for countermovement jump (CMJ), reactive strength index (RSI) and leg stiffness to monitor neuromuscular performance, together with a well‐being questionnaire to monitor perceptual fatigue. Players trained and competed throughout a seven‐week block with test variables measured at baseline and 24 h pre‐ and post‐matches played in weeks 1, 4 and 7. Players trained on average 9.7 ± 1.1 h per week and competed in 10.5 ± 1.9 games over the seven‐week block. Pre‐ to post‐match reductions were significant across all games for CMJ, RSI and well‐being (all P < 0.05), ranging from likely to almost certain negative reductions. Well‐being and RSI demonstrated non‐significant (P < 0.05) unclear or inconsistent changes when comparing pre‐match scores to baseline. Significant reductions to baseline were observed pre‐match for CMJ (weeks 4 and 7) and stiffness (week 7), representing very likely to almost certain negative long‐term decrements. CMJ, RSI and well‐being were all sensitive to detecting post‐match fatigue. Importantly, CMJ and stiffness were sensitive to detecting accumulated fatigue over a seven‐week period, whereas RSI and well‐being were not. Consequently, either a CMJ or leg stiffness should be monitored to detect long‐term, accumulated fatigue in academy rugby players.
Racial and Gender Disparities in the Physician Assistant Profession
Authors: Smith Darron T. , Jacobson Cardell K. 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveTo examine whether racial, gender, and ethnic salary disparities exist in the physician assistant (PA) profession and what factors, if any, are associated with the differentials.Data Sources/Study SettingWe use a nationally representative survey of 15,105 PAs from the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA).Study DesignWe use bivariate and multivariate statistics to analyze pay differentials from the 2009 AAPA survey.Principle FindingsWomen represent nearly two‐thirds of the profession but receive approximately $18,000 less in primary compensation. The differential reduces to just over $9,500 when the analysis includes a variety of other variables. According to AAPA survey, minority PAs tend to make slightly higher salaries than White PAs nationally, although the differences are not statistically significant once the control variables are included in the analysis.ConclusionsDespite the rough parity in primary salary, PAs of color are vastly underrepresented in the profession. The salaries of women lag in comparison to their male counterparts.
Involvement of lateral septum in alcohol's dopamine‐elevating effect in the rat
Authors: Jonsson Susanne , Morud Julia , Stomberg Rosita , Ericson Mia , Söderpalm Bo 
Published: September 2015

AbstractDrugs of abuse share the ability to increase extracellular dopamine (DA) levels in the mesolimbic DA system. This effect has been linked to positive and reinforcing experiences of drug consumption and is presumed to be of importance for continued use, as well as for the development of dependence and addiction. Previous rat studies from our lab have implicated a neuronal circuitry involving glycine receptors in nucleus accumbens (nAc) and, secondarily, nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) in ethanol's (EtOH) DA‐elevating effect. The work presented here, performed in male Wistar rats, suggests that the lateral septum (LS), which has previously been associated with different aspects of EtOH‐related behaviour, is involved as well. In vivo microdialysis methodology demonstrated that blocking the generation of action potentials in LS using tetrodotoxin prevented a DA increase in nAc after accumbal EtOH perfusion. Retrograde tracing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to identify and characterize cells projecting to VTA from nAc/LS and from LS to nAc. Based on the PCR results, cells projecting from both LS/nAc to anterior VTA and from LS to nAc were mainly GABAergic neurons expressing glycine receptors, and these cells are presumed to be involved in mediating the DA‐elevating effect of EtOH. These results provide further evidence implicating LS in the reinforcing effects of EtOH. Additional studies are needed to investigate LS involvement in EtOH consumption behaviour and its potential role in the development of dependence and addiction.
Global transcriptional profiling of longissimus thoracis muscle tissue in fetal and juvenile domestic goat using RNA sequencing
Authors: Wang Y. H. , Zhang C. L. , Plath M. , Fang X. T. , Lan X. Y. , Zhou Y. , Chen H. 
Published: September 2015

SummaryDomestic goats are important meat production animals; however, data from transcriptional profiling of skeletal muscle tissue in goat have thus far been scarce. We used comparative transcriptional profiling based on RNA sequencing of longissimus thoracis muscle tissue obtained from fetal goat muscle tissue (27 512 850 clean cDNA reads) and 6‐month‐old goat muscle tissue (27 582 908 reads) to identify genes that are differentially expressed, novel transcript units and alternative splicing events. Gene annotation revealed that 15 960 and 14 981 genes were expressed in the fetal and juvenile libraries respectively. We detected 6432 differentially expressed genes and, when considering GO terms, found 34, 27 and 55 terms to be significantly enriched in molecular function, cellular component and biological process categories respectively. Pathway analysis revealed that larger numbers of differentially expressed genes were enriched in fetal myogenesis or cell proliferation and differentiation‐related pathways (such as Wnt), genes involved in the cell cycle and the Notch signaling pathway, and most of the differentially expressed genes involved in these pathways were downregulated in the juvenile goat library. These genes may be involved in various regulation mechanisms during muscle tissue differentiation between the two development stages examined herein. The identified novel transcript units, including both non‐coding and coding RNA, as well as alternative splicing events increase the level of complexity of regulation mechanisms during muscle tissue formation and differentiation. Our study provides a comparative transcriptome analysis on goat muscle tissue, which will provide a valuable genomic resource for future studies investigating the molecular basis of skeletal muscle development.
Unmet demand for training among mature age Australians: Prevalence, differentials and perceived causes
Authors: Adair Tim , Lourey Emma , Taylor Philip 
Published: September 2015

AimTo explore the prevalence of unmet demand for training by mature age Australians and to identify the main barriers to accessing training.MethodsA total of 3007 Australians aged 45–74 years were surveyed using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing. The sample frame was randomly selected and stratified based on the capital city and the rest of the state, and data were weighted to be nationally representative.ResultsOver one‐third (37%) of respondents who had worked in the past five years reported wanting to attend some form of training but were unable to; these were most likely women and those aged 45–54 year. Commonly cited reasons for not being able to attend training included not being able to fit it in with work commitments, affordability and employer reluctance.ConclusionReduction of these barriers to workplace training can improve mature age people's ability to remain engaged in the workforce.
Is delirium being detected in emergency?
Authors: Traynor Victoria , Cordato Nicholas , Burns Pippa , Xu Yun , Britten Nicole , Duncan Kim , DeVries Loren , McKinnon Colleen 
Published: September 2015

ObjectiveTo report on the use of Delirium Care Pathways to screen for and recognise delirium by Aged Care Services in Emergency Teams (ASETs) at five metropolitan hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. Knowledge of delirium and the use of Delirium Care Pathways are vital to ensure that older people presenting with delirium receive best practice care.MethodsAn audit of 205 randomly selected medical records of clients over 65 years presenting to an ASET was conducted.ResultsDelirium was recorded in the medical records notes of four clients (2%). However, the auditors identified another 27 clients with symptoms of delirium.ConclusionsDelirium is still frequently undiagnosed and misdiagnosed in older people presenting to emergency departments. This indicates a need for further education and professional development for and by health‐care practitioners. Only with greater awareness of delirium will the care and health outcomes of older adults presenting with delirium in acute care settings improve.