bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Label-Free Capacitance-Based Identification of Viruses
Authors: Ahmad Mahmoud Al , Mustafa Farah , Ali Lizna M. , Karakkat Jimsheena V. , Rizvi Tahir A. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis study was undertaken to quantitate a single virus suspension in culture medium without any pre-processing. The electrical capacitance per virus particle was used to identify the kind of virus present by measuring the suspension (virus plus medium) capacitance, de-embedding the medium contribution and dividing by the virus count. The proposed technique is based on finding the single virus effective dielectric constant which is directly related to the virus composition. This value was used to identify the virus type accordingly. Two types of viruses thus tested were further quantified by a biochemical technique to validate the results. Furthermore, non-organic nanoparticles with known concentration and capacitance per particle were identified using the proposed method. The selectivity of the method was demonstrated by performing electrical measurements on a third virus, revealing that the proposed technique is specific and sensitive enough to permit detection of a few hundred virus particles per milliliter within a few minutes.
Chitosan encapsulation modulates the effect of capsaicin on the tight junctions of MDCK cells
Authors: Kaiser M. , Pereira S. , Pohl L. , Ketelhut S. , Kemper B. , Gorzelanny C. , Galla H. -J. , Moerschbacher B. M. , Goycoolea F. M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCapsaicin has known pharmacological effects including the ability to reversibly open cellular tight junctions, among others. The aim of this study was to develop a strategy to enhance the paracellular transport of a substance with low permeability (FITC-dextran) across an epithelial cell monolayer via reversible opening of cellular tight junctions using a nanosystem comprised by capsaicin and of chitosan. We compared the biophysical properties of free capsaicin and capsaicin-loaded chitosan nanocapsules, including their cytotoxicity towards epithelial MDCK-C7 cells and their effect on the integrity of tight junctions, membrane permeability and cellular uptake. The cytotoxic response of MDCK-C7 cells to capsaicin at a concentration of 500 μM, which was evident for the free compound, is not observable following its encapsulation. The interaction between nanocapsules and the tight junctions of MDCK-C7 cells was investigated by impedance spectroscopy, digital holographic microscopy and structured illumination fluorescence microscopy. The nanocapsules modulated the interaction between capsaicin and tight junctions as shown by the different time profile of trans-epithelial electrical resistance and the enhanced permeability of monolayers incubated with FITC-dextran. Structured illumination fluorescence microscopy showed that the nanocapsules were internalized by MDCK-C7 cells. The capsaicin-loaded nanocapsules could be further developed as drug nanocarriers with enhanced epithelial permeability.
Hepatitis B virus replication and sex-determining region Y box 4 production are tightly controlled by a novel positive feedback mechanism
Authors: Shang Jian , Zheng Yuan , Guo Xiaohong , Mo Jiayin , Xie Xueping , Xiong Ying , Liu Yingle , Wu Kailang , Wu Jianguo 
Published: May 2015

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying HBV infection and pathogenesis remain largely unknown. The sex-determining region Y box 4 (Sox4) is a transcriptional factor, which preferentially regulates the development of various organs, tissues and cancers. But, the role of Sox4 in viral infection and pathogenesis has not been elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that Sox4 is up-regulated by HBV and revealed the mechanism by which HBV regulates Sox4 expression. First, HBV stimulates Sox4 expression through transcriptional factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1), which binds to Sox4 promoter to activate Sox4 transcriptional activity. Second, miR-335, miR-129-2 and miR-203 inhibit Sox4 expression by targeting its mRNA 3’UTR, while HBV suppresses the microRNAs expression, resulting in up-regulating Sox4 post-transcriptionally. Third, Sox4 protein is degraded by proteasome, while HBV surface protein (HBsAg) prevents Sox4 from degradation by directly interacting with the protein, thereby enhancing Sox4 production post-translationlly. More interestingly, HBV-activated Sox4 in turn facilitates HBV replication by direct binding to the viral genome via its HMG box. Thus, this study revealed a novel positive feedback mechanism by which Sox4 production and HBV replication are tightly correlated.
ROS-mediated iron overload injures the hematopoiesis of bone marrow by damaging hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in mice
Authors: Chai Xiao , Li Deguan , Cao Xiaoli , Zhang Yuchen , Mu Juan , Lu Wenyi , Xiao Xia , Li Chengcheng , Meng Juanxia , Chen Jie , Li Qing , Wang Jishi , Meng Aimin , Zhao Mingfeng 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIron overload, caused by hereditary hemochromatosis or repeated blood transfusions in some diseases, such as beta thalassemia, bone marrow failure and myelodysplastic syndrome, can significantly induce injured bone marrow (BM) function as well as parenchyma organ dysfunctions. However, the effect of iron overload and its mechanism remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the effects of iron overload on the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) from a mouse model. Our results showed that iron overload markedly decreased the ratio and clonogenic function of murine HSPCs by the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This finding is supported by the results of NAC or DFX treatment, which reduced ROS level by inhibiting NOX4 and p38MAPK and improved the long-term and multi-lineage engrafment of iron overload HSCs after transplantation. Therefore, all of these data demonstrate that iron overload injures the hematopoiesis of BM by enhancing ROS through NOX4 and p38MAPK. This will be helpful for the treatment of iron overload in patients with hematopoietic dysfunction.
On-chip passive three-port circuit of all-optical ordered-route transmission
Authors: Liu Li , Dong Jianji , Gao Dingshan , Zheng Aoling , Zhang Xinliang 
Published: May 2015

AbstractOn-chip photonic circuits of different specific functions are highly desirable and becoming significant demands in all-optical communication network. Especially, the function to control the transmission directions of the optical signals in integrated circuits is a fundamental research. Previous schemes, such as on-chip optical circulators, are mostly realized by Faraday effect which suffers from material incompatibilities between semiconductors and magneto-optical materials. Achieving highly functional circuits in which light circulates in a particular direction with satisfied performances are still difficult in pure silicon photonics platform. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate a three-port passive device supporting optical ordered-route transmission based on silicon thermo-optic effect for the first time. By injecting strong power from only one port, the light could transmit through the three ports in a strict order (1→2, 2→3, 3→1) while be blocked in the opposite order (1→3, 3→2, 2→1). The blocking extinction ratios and operation bandwidths have been investigated in this paper. Moreover, with compact size, economic fabrication process and great extensibility, this proposed photonic integrated circuit is competitive to be applied in on-chip all-optical information processing systems, such as path priority selector.
Selenium, selenoproteins and neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Cardoso Bárbara Rita , Roberts Blaine R , Bush Ashley I , Hare Dominic J 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIt is unsurprising that our understanding of the role of selenium in neurological function is somewhat immature, considering its relatively recent discovery as an essential element to human health. Selenocysteine, the 21st amino acid, is the defining feature of the 25 selenoprotein-encoding genes so far discovered within the human genome. The low abundance of these proteins in the brain belies the integral role they play in normal neurological function, from well-characterised antioxidant activity in the periphery to poorly understood mechanisms that modulate mitochondrial function and response to brain pathology. Selenium has been identified as playing a role in several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, though its function as a ‘cause or effect’ of disease process remains unclear. This review discusses selenium metabolism in detail, specifically with regard to the role it plays within the central nervous system, and examines the most current literature investigating how selenium may be involved in chronic diseases of the central nervous system.
Nuclear cyclophilins affect spliceosome assembly and function in vitro
Authors: Adams B.M. , Coates Miranda N. , Jackson S. RaElle , Jurica Melissa S. , Davis Tara L. 
Published: May 2015

Cyclophilins are ubiquitously expressed proteins that bind to prolines and can catalyse cis/trans isomerization of proline residues. There are 17 annotated members of the cyclophilin family in humans, ubiquitously expressed and localized variously to the cytoplasm, nucleus or mitochondria. Surprisingly, all eight of the nuclear localized cyclophilins are found associated with spliceosomal complexes. However, their particular functions within this context are unknown. We have therefore adapted three established assays for in vitro pre-mRNA splicing to probe the functional roles of nuclear cyclophilins in the context of the human spliceosome. We find that four of the eight spliceosom-associated cyclophilins exert strong effects on splicing in vitro. These effects are dose-dependent and, remarkably, uniquely characteristic of each cyclophilin. Using both qualitative and quantitative means, we show that at least half of the nuclear cyclophilins can act as regulatory factors of spliceosome function in vitro. The present work provides the first quantifiable evidence that nuclear cyclophilins are splicing factors and provides a novel approach for future work into small molecule-based modulation of pre-mRNA splicing.
Transparent 0° phase shifter using micro‐metal mesh conductive film
Authors: Sa'ad B.M. , Rahim S.K.A , Peter T. 
Published: May 2015

The design of a novel transparent 0° phase shifter (PS) using a proprietary self‐assembling nano‐particle technology‐based micro‐metal mesh (MM) conductive film is presented. The transparent MM conductive film has a sheet resistance of 0.7 Ω/sq and a visible‐light transmission of 75%, resulting in high transparency and good conductivity. The proposed transparent PS is placed on a 2 mm‐thick glass substrate of dielectric 5.7 and designed to operate at 2.45 GHz. A layer of MM film placed at the back of the glass serves as a ground. The transparent PS delivered a measured phase shift of 2.5°. The transparent PS can be used as a building block for realising a transparent Butler matrix (BM) beam forming network for inter/intra‐vehicle wireless communication in the intelligent transport system. Besides being transparent, the proposed PS has a 0.25 mm profile excluding the glass substrate. These advantages greatly enhance the PS's potential to be used also as a BM building component that can be mounted onto the glass surfaces of buildings for future fifth generation (5G) indoor wireless communications.
Compact broadband circularly polarised slot antenna for universal UHF RFID readers
Authors: Xu Bo , Zhang Shuai , Liu Yusha , Hu Jun , He Sailing 
Published: May 2015

A compact broadband circularly polarised slot antenna is designed for universal ultra‐high‐frequency (UHF) radio‐frequency identification (RFID) readers. The antenna consists of an L‐shaped metal strip and a square‐slot‐loaded ground plane with four tuning stubs. The total size is 100 × 100 × 1.6 mm3. The measured –10 dB impedance bandwidth is 40.7% (772–1166 MHz) and the measured 3 dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth is 13.9% (840–965 MHz). Both the impedance and the AR bandwidth cover the worldwide UHF RFID band.
One watt gallium arsenide class‐E power amplifier with a thin‐film bulk acoustic resonator filter embedded in the output network
Authors: Holzer Kyle , Walling Jeffrey S. 
Published: May 2015

Integration of a class‐E power amplifier (PA) and a thin‐film bulk acoustic wave resonator (FBAR) filter is shown to provide high power added efficiency in addition to superior out‐of‐band spectrum suppression. A discrete gallium arsenide pseudomorphic high‐electron‐mobility transistor is implemented to operate as a class‐E amplifier from 2496 to 2690 MHz. The ACPF7041 compact bandpass FBAR filter is incorporated to replace the resonant LC tank in a traditional class‐E PA. To reduce drain voltage stress, the supply choke is replaced by a finite inductance. The fabricated PA provides up to 1 W of output power with a peak power added efficiency (PAE) of 58%. The improved out‐of‐band spectrum filtering is compared to a traditional class‐E with discrete LC resonant filtering. Such PAs can be combined with linearisation techniques to reduce out‐of‐band emissions.
Pathogenicity of Members of the Vibrionaceae Family to Cultured Juvenile Sablefish
Authors: Arkoosh Mary R. , Dietrich Joseph P. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria are a prized seafood species due to their high oil content and white flaky flesh. Raising these species in culture can help to provide an important source of protein for humans and relief to declining wild fish populations. Understanding the environmental factors that influence the production of Sablefish is important for successful culturing. The significance of host–pathogen interactions in Sablefish culture and the resulting environmental implications are unknown. Pathogens could potentially cause losses of cultured Sablefish stocks due to disease, while Sablefish cultured in net pens may also serve as reservoirs for pathogens and potentially transmit disease to wild fish species. In this initial study, the susceptibility of juvenile Sablefish to three bacterial pathogens from the family Vibrionaceae was examined. Listonella anguillarum, Vibrio ordalii, and V. splendidus can pose serious economic threats to cultured fish and shellfish. Groups of juvenile Sablefish were exposed to five concentrations of each of the pathogens. Sablefish were susceptible to L. anguillarum, but were resistant to V. ordalii and V. splendidus at exposure concentrations of ≤1.32 × 107 CFU/mL and ≤3.57 × 106 CFU/mL, respectively. The greatest L. anguillarum concentration examined (8.7 × 106 CFU/mL) resulted in 24% mortality in juvenile Sablefish. A 24% loss of Sablefish stock could significantly influence an aquaculture program. As determined by multiple logistic regression, the survival of Sablefish to L. anguillarum exposure was significantly affected by their body mass, and larger fish had a greater probability of survival. Aquaculture operations could employ various strategies to minimize the loss of juvenile Sablefish by accounting for their size and known susceptibilities to pathogens.
Received December 9, 2014; accepted February 7, 2015
Relationship between the risk for a shrimp allergy and freshness or cooking
Authors: Usui Masakatsu , Harada Akihito , Yasumoto Shinya , Sugiura Yoshimasa , Nishidai Anri , Ikarashi Maria , Takaba Honami , Miyasaki Taiko , Azakami Hiroyuki , Kondo Masakazu 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Tropomyosins are defined as risk factors for shrimp allergy. However, their concentration in different preparations has not been clarified. We quantified the tropomyosin concentration in shrimp meat, which was cooked using several methods or was stored under various conditions. The results demonstrated that shrimp meat from various preparations and storage conditions maintained tropomyosin concentrations that were sufficient to cause food allergies.
Carotid Artery Applanation Tonometry Does Not Cause Significant
Baroreceptor Activation
Authors: Spronck Bart , Delhaas Tammo , Op ‘t Roodt Jos , Reesink Koen D. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Carotid artery applanation tonometry is widely used in estimating local carotid artery pressure waveforms and carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity. However, the substantial pressure applied locally to the carotid artery with applanation tonometry might well evoke a baroreceptor response, resulting in bradycardia and hypotension. Therefore, when carotid and femoral tonometry are performed sequentially, baroreceptor activation could lead to different hemodynamic conditions between carotid and femoral acquisitions. Combining those acquisitions into one pulse wave velocity measure would be erroneous. In this study, we assessed whether carotid applanation tonometry has an influence on heart rate and blood pressure.

METHODS
In 26 hypertensive subjects, heart rate and blood pressure were assessed by continuous finger pulse waveform recording during carotid as well as femoral applanation tonometry. Both carotid and femoral acquisitions were measured in alternation and in triplicate. Median averaging over the 3 carotid and femoral measurements, respectively, was used to obtain a subject’s median heart rate and blood pressure during carotid as well as femoral tonometry.

RESULTS
Difference in heart rate during carotid and femoral tonometry was −0.7±2.2 bpm. Differences in systolic, pulse, and diastolic blood pressure were −0.7±6.8, −0.1±3.8, and −0.3±3.5mm Hg, respectively. All differences were statistically nonsignificant. Confidence intervals were used to calculate the maximum absolute difference at 95% certainty, which was 1.6 bpm for heart rate and ≤3.5mm Hg for all blood pressures.

CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that in our study, carotid artery applanation tonometry as performed by an experienced researcher did not cause clinically significant baroreceptor activation.
Numerical simulations of the competition between wind-driven mixing and surface heating in triggering spring phytoplankton blooms
Authors: Enriquez Rica Mae , Taylor John R. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAbout 60 years ago, Sverdrup formalized the critical depth hypothesis to explain the timing of the spring phytoplankton bloom in terms of the depth of the surface mixed layer. In recent years, a number of refinements and alternatives to the critical depth hypothesis have been proposed, including the critical turbulence hypothesis which states that a bloom can occur when turbulent mixing is sufficiently weak, irrespective of the mixed layer depth. Here, we examine the relative influence of wind-driven mixing and net surface heating on phytoplankton growth. Of particular interest is whether wind-driven mixing can delay the spring bloom after winter convection gives way to net surface warming. We address these questions using high-resolution large-eddy simulations (LES) coupled with a simple phytoplankton model. We also describe an analytical phytoplankton model with a formulation for the turbulent mixing based on the LES results. For a constant, prescribed surface heat flux, net phytoplankton growth is seen when the windstress is smaller than a critical value. Similarly, for a constant windstress, a critical heat flux separates cases with growing and decaying phytoplankton populations. Using the LES results, we characterize the critical windstress and critical heat flux in terms of other physical and biological parameters and propose a simple expression for each based on the analysis of the analytical model. Phytoplankton growth begins when the mixing depth shoals above the critical depth, consistent with the critical depth hypothesis. Our results provide a framework to interpret blooms in other conditions where both the depth and the intensity of turbulent mixing might be crucial factors in influencing phytoplankton growth.
Quantification of interactions between the Portuguese sardine purse-seine fishery and cetaceans
Authors: Marçalo Ana , Katara Isidora , Feijó Diana , Araújo Helder , Oliveira Isabel , Santos Jorge , Ferreira Marisa , Monteiro Sílvia , Pierce Graham J. , Silva Alexandra , Vingada José 
Published: May 2015

AbstractInteractions between cetaceans and the purse-seine fishery operating along the whole Portuguese continental coast were studied based on on-board observations from 2010 to 2011. Cetacean presence and mortality were estimated and characteristics under which interactions were most likely to occur were identified. Observations were made on 163 fishing trips (0.7% of the average annual number of fishing trips) and 302 fishing operations/hauls. Cetaceans were present during 16.9% of fishing events; common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) accounted for 96% of occurrences, mostly overnight in summer and early autumn. Regression models showed that cetacean presence during a fishing set was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) associated with sardine catches, effort, and latitude/longitude. Encirclement and mortality occurred in 2.3 and 1.0% of fishing events, respectively. Encircled species were the common dolphin, bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), but only common dolphin showed mortality (three individuals); raised to fleet level, estimated total mortality rates of common dolphins were 69 (95% CI 37–110) in the north and 91 (95% CI 55–165) in the south for 2010 and 78 (95% CI 47–140) in the south only for 2011. The estimated annual mortality rate due to purse seining is 113 (95% CI 3–264) common dolphins, which is ∼0.63% of the current most optimistic estimate of population size for the Portuguese fishing area (SCANS II). The wide confidence limits, as well as variation between years, reflect low observer coverage, emphasizing the need for increased monitoring to cover gaps in the spatial and seasonal distribution of observer effort and provide reliable estimates of bycatch.
Adjunctive Mitomycin C or Amniotic Membrane Transplantation for Ahmed Glaucoma Valve Implantation: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Yazdani Shahin , Mahboobipour Hassan , Pakravan Mohammad , Doozandeh Azadeh , Ghahari Elham 
Published: May 2015

Purpose:
To determine whether adjunctive mitomycin C (MMC) or amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) improve the outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation.

Methods:
This double-blind, stratified, 3-armed randomized clinical trial includes 75 eyes of 75 patients aged 7 to 75 years with refractory glaucoma. Eligible subjects underwent stratified block randomization; eyes were first stratified to surgery in the superior or inferior quadrants based on feasibility; in each subgroup, eyes were randomly assigned to the study arms using random blocks: conventional AGV implantation (group A, 25 eyes), AGV with MMC (group B, 25 eyes), and AGV with AMT (group C, 25 eyes).

Results:
The 3 study groups were comparable regarding baseline characteristics and mean follow-up (P=0.288). A total of 68 patients including 23 eyes in group A, 25 eyes in group B, and 20 eyes group C completed the follow-up period and were analyzed. Intraocular pressure was lower in the MMC group only 3 weeks postoperatively (P=0.04) but comparable at other time intervals. Overall success rate was comparable in the 3 groups at 12 months (P=0.217). The number of eyes requiring medications (P=0.30), time to initiation of medications (P=0.13), and number of medications (P=0.22) were comparable. Hypertensive phase was slightly but insignificantly more common with standard surgery (82%) as compared with MMC-augmented (60%) and AMT-augmented (70%) procedures (P=0.23). Complications were comparable over 1 year (P=0.28).

Conclusions:
Although adjunctive MMC and AMT were safe during AGV implantation, they did not influence success rates or intraocular pressure outcomes. Complications, including hypertensive phase, were also comparable.