bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of a Rapid Method for Detecting Vibrio Parahaemolyticus in Seafood
Authors: Wang Yuan , Shen Xiao‐sheng , Gu Run Run , Shi Yong Fu , Tian Liang Liang 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA double‐layer agar plate (DLAP) method was used to detect Vibrio parahaemolyticus in culture broth and seafood samples, which were added with certain amount of V. parahaemolyticus and then subjected to freezing treatment. The results of DLAP, which were compared with the most probable number (MPN) method and direct‐plating methods such as Bio‐chrome Vibrio medium (BCVM) and thiosulfate–citrate–bile salts–sucrose agar (TCBS), showed that they were not significantly different (P > 0.05) from each other under the normal experimental conditions. However, if the bacterium was inactive or injured, the results of DLAP were as effective as MPN and more accurate than those of BCVM and TCBS. Furthermore, DLAP showed the total agreement compared with the MPN method by examining the presence of V. parahaemolyticus in naturally contaminated seafood samples. Because of its sensitivity and exactness, DLAP offers a broad application for fast screening and detecting of V. parahaemolyticus in seafood.Practical ApplicationsConsumption of raw or undercooked seafood, particularly shellfish, contaminated with Vibrio parahaemolyticus may lead to the development of acute gastroenteritis characterized by diarrhea, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and low fever. Now, this bacterium is recognized as an important seafood‐borne pathogen throughout the world. Usually, 5 to 7 days are required for V. parahaemolyticus detection by the most commonly used procedure – the most probable number method, which is very time‐consuming and labor‐intensive. Some time‐saving alternatives such as polymerase chain reaction or DNA methods are not economically appealing. The considerations demand for a rapid method for V. parahaemolyticus detection that is at least as sensitive and accurate as the methods used currently. A double‐layer agar plate method described here can satisfy these criteria and can be used for rapid detection of V. parahaemolyticus in artificially and naturally contaminated samples in laboratory testing.
Behavior of Brucella Abortus and Brucella Melitensis in Afyon Tulum Cheese
Authors: Kara Recep , Akkaya Levent 
Published: September 2014

AbstractRaw milk and its products play a considerable role in spreading Brucella infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the growth and survival abilities of Brucella abortus (NCTC ‐ National Collection of Type Cultures 10863) and Brucella melitensis (NCTC 10094) during the production and the ripening of Afyon Tulum cheese. B. abortus was inhibited in group inoculated at 4 log cfu/g, at the 15th day of ripening. In the group inoculated at 6 log cfu/g, B. abortus was inhibited at the 45th day of ripening. B. melitensis was inhibited in groups inoculated at 4 and 6 log cfu/g, at the 30th day of ripening. The growth and survival of B. abortus and B. melitensis were influenced by the type of strains and numbers inoculated in the Afyon Tulum cheese samples. It is important to produce Afyon Tulum cheese from Brucella spp.‐free milk and to mature Afyon Tulum cheese for the correct minimum time period.Practical ApplicationsBrucella spp. are zoonotic infections for humans. Raw milk and especially cheese are potential sources for the transmission of Brucella spp. Afyon Tulum cheese must be produced from pathogen‐free raw milk for public health and characteristic properties.
Comparative portal hypotensive effects as propranolol of vitamin D3 treatment by decreasing intrahepatic resistance in cirrhotic rats
Authors: Lee Pei‐Chang , Yang Ying‐Ying , Lee Wei‐Ping , Lee Kuei‐Chuan , Hsieh Yun‐Cheng , Lee Tzung‐Yan , Lin Han‐Chieh 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackground and AimVitamin D3 improves portal hypertension (PH) through the activation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) in cirrhotic rats. Propranolol is a non‐selective β‐blocker that is recommended for the treatment of PH. The present study aims to investigate the detail systemic and hepatic mechanisms of vitamin D3 and propranolol, alone or in combination, in cirrhotic rats.MethodsCommon bile duct‐ligated and thioacetamide cirrhotic rats were treated with vehicle, propranolol (30 mg/kg/day), vitamin D3 (0.5 μg/100 g/day, twice weekly), or propranolol + vitamin D3, separately.ResultsSignificantly, propranolol and vitamin D3 produced a similar magnitude of reduction in portal venous pressure (PVP) in cirrhotic rats through different mechanisms: whereas propranolol decreased PVP by reducing splanchnic hyperemia and cardiac index, vitamin D3 decreased PVP by decreasing intrahepatic resistance (IHR). However, propranolol + vitamin D3 did not further decrease PVP in cirrhotic rats. Notably, a marked decrease in hepatic VDR and CaSR expressions was noted in cirrhotic human/rat livers compared with non‐cirrhotic human/rat livers. In cirrhotic rats, vitamin D3 administration decreasing IHR by inhibiting the renin–angiotensin system, hepatic oxidative stress, inflammation/fibrosis, angiotensin II (ANGII) production, CaSR‐mediated ANGII hyperresponsiveness, ANGII‐induced hepatic stellate cells contraction, and correcting hepatic endothelial dysfunction through upregulation of hepatic VDR, CaSR, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expressions.ConclusionChronic vitamin D3 treatment alone results in comparative portal hypotensive effects as propranolol alone in cirrhotic rats with PH. Taken together, chronic vitamin D3 administration was an ideal alternative strategy to effectively improve PH without unwanted systemic side‐effects.
Time‐dependent antibacterial effects of Aloe vera and Zataria multiflora plant essential oils compared to calcium hydroxide in teeth infected with Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Abbaszadegan Abbas , Sahebi Safoora , Gholami Ahmad , Delroba Alireza , Kiani Amin , Iraji Aida , Abbott Paul Vincent 
Published: September 2014

AbstractAimIn the present in vitro study, we investigated the time‐related antimicrobial efficacy of Aloe vera and Zataria multiflora (Z. multiflora) plant essential oils compared to calcium hydroxide ([Ca[OH]2) to eliminate Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) from root canals.MethodsA new strain of E. faecalis (Enterococcus spp. AGH04) was isolated from a previously root‐filled tooth with persistent apical periodontitis. The 16S rRNA sequence was analyzed and deposited in GeneBank under accession number KF465681. A total of 108 extracted human single‐rooted teeth were contaminated with this bacterial strain and treated with Aloe vera essential oil, Z. multiflora essential oil, and Ca(OH)2 for 1, 7, and 14 days. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to determine the chemical composition of the oils. The percentage reduction from initial c.f.u./mL counts were calculated and analyzed.ResultsCarvacrol, thymol, and linalool were the main constituents of both essential oils. The c.f.u./mL count reductions significantly increased for all three medicaments when the contact time was extended. A statistically‐significant difference was observed between the medicaments after 1 and 7 days, but there was no significant difference after 14 days.ConclusionsBoth medicinal herbs showed equal antimicrobial efficiency against E. faecalis, comparable to Ca(OH)2 for the prolonged contact time of 14 days.
Melatonin attenuates inflammatory response‐induced brain edema in early brain injury following a subarachnoid hemorrhage: a possible role for the regulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines
Authors: Chen Jingyin , Chen Gao , Li Jianru , Qian Cong , Mo Hangbo , Gu Chi , Yan Feng , Yan Wei , Wang Lin 
Published: September 2014

AbstractMelatonin is a strong anti‐oxidant that has beneficial effects against early brain injury (EBI) following a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in rats; protection includes the reduction of both mortality and neurological deficits. The molecular mechanisms underlying these clinical effects in the SAH model have not been clearly identified. This study examined the influence of melatonin on brain edema secondary to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and the relationship between these effects and pro‐inflammatory cytokines in EBI following SAH using the filament perforation model of SAH in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Melatonin (150 mg/kg) or vehicle was given via an intraperitoneal injection 2 hr after SAH induction. Brain samples were extracted 24 hr after SAH. Melatonin treatment markedly attenuated brain edema secondary to BBB dysfunctions by preventing the disruption of tight junction protein expression (ZO‐1, occludin, and claudin‐5). Melatonin treatment also repressed cortical levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α), which were increased in EBI 24 hr after SAH. To further identify the mechanism of this protection, we demonstrated that administration of melatonin attenuated matrix metallopeptidase 9 expression/activity and vascular endothelial growth factor expression, which are related to the inflammatory response and BBB disruption in EBI after SAH. Taken together, this report shows that melatonin prevents disruption of tight junction proteins which might play a role in attenuating brain edema secondary to BBB dysfunctions by repressing the inflammatory response in EBI after SAH, possibly associated with regulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines.
Communities: are they groups of hidden interactions?
Authors: Michalet Richard , Chen Shu‐yan , An Li‐zhe , Wang Xiang‐tai , Wang Yu‐xin , Guo Peng , Ding Chen‐chen , Xiao Sa 
Published: September 2014

AbstractQuestionsEcologists are increasingly interested in community‐level consequences of biotic interactions. However, community‐level studies have not considered that biotic interactions might have contrasting directions within communities, and indirect interactions are rarely quantified although they may influence community‐level outcomes. We tested the hypotheses that in species‐rich plant communities from intermediate severe environmental conditions: (1) direct facilitation by dominant functional groups is balanced by negative indirect interactions among beneficiary species with no net effect at the community level on diversity and biomass, and (2) both direct and indirect interactions contribute to community composition.LocationA species‐rich subalpine community of the eastern Tibet Plateau (China).MethodsWe removed dominant shrubs and graminoids and quantified, at the community and species levels, their direct and indirect effects on 43 forb species. We used multivariate analyses to assess the contribution of direct and indirect effects on community composition.ResultsThere were no community‐level effects of either dominant life form on forb diversity and biomass. There were multiple species‐level interactions that we grouped into six types based on the direction and intensity of indirect effects. We found significant relationships between species‐level interactions and community composition.ConclusionsOur study highlights that communities are sets of hidden interactions that contribute to community composition, although no interaction might be detected at the community level because hidden interactions balance each other. Future studies should assess the ecological and functional drivers of these hidden interactions.
Qualitative and quantitative analysis of fibrosis in the kidney
Authors: Hewitson Tim D. , Smith Edward R. , Samuel Chrishan S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractRenal fibrosis results from an excess accumulation of connective tissue, primarily collagen, in response to tissue injury‐associated aberrant wound healing, which is over‐expressed in the renal vascular, glomerular and tubulointerstitial compartments. Despite being the final common pathway of end stage kidney disease, there is a lack of consensus on standardized approaches to measure fibrosis. In this article we therefore describe how a combination of immunohistochemical staining and biochemical measurement of hydroxyproline can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively examine the different forms of fibrosis. These techniques provide measures of both the composition of fibrosis, and a means of evaluating interventions in this significant process.
Monomeric IgA can be produced in planta as efficient as IgG, yet receives different N‐glycans
Authors: Westerhof Lotte B. , Wilbers Ruud H. P. , van Raaij Debbie R. , Nguyen Dieu‐Linh , Goverse Aska , Henquet Maurice G. L. , Hokke Cornelis H. , Bosch Dirk , Bakker Jaap , Schots Arjen 
Published: September 2014

SummaryThe unique features of IgA, such as the ability to recruit neutrophils and suppress the inflammatory responses mediated by IgG and IgE, make it a promising antibody isotype for several therapeutic applications. However, in contrast to IgG, reports on plant production of IgA are scarce. We produced IgA1κ and IgG1κ versions of three therapeutic antibodies directed against pro‐inflammatory cytokines in Nicotiana benthamiana: Infliximab and Adalimumab, directed against TNF‐α, and Ustekinumab, directed against the interleukin‐12p40 subunit. We evaluated antibody yield, quality and N‐glycosylation. All six antibodies had comparable levels of expression between 3.5 and 9% of total soluble protein content and were shown to have neutralizing activity in a cell‐based assay. However, IgA1κ‐based Adalimumab and Ustekinumab were poorly secreted compared to their IgG counterparts. Infliximab was poorly secreted regardless of isotype backbone. This corresponded with the observation that both IgA1κ‐ and IgG1κ‐based Infliximab were enriched in oligomannose‐type N‐glycan structures. For IgG1κ‐based Ustekinumab and Adalimumab, the major N‐glycan type was the typical plant complex N‐glycan, biantennary with terminal N‐acetylglucosamine, β1,2‐xylose and core α1,3‐fucose. In contrast, the major N‐glycan on the IgA‐based antibodies was xylosylated, but lacked core α1,3‐fucose and one terminal N‐acetylglucosamine. This type of N‐glycan occurs usually in marginal percentages in plants and was never shown to be the main fraction of a plant‐produced recombinant protein. Our data demonstrate that the antibody isotype may have a profound influence on the type of N‐glycan an antibody receives.
Techniques for Toddlers: Linear Band Incision for Harlequin Ichthyosis with Associated Compartment Syndrome
Authors: Tontchev Gramen , Silverberg Nanette B. , Shlasko Edward , Henry Carol , Roberts Jaclyn L. , Roth Malcolm Z. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractHarlequin ichthyosis (HI) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of cornification in which children are born with an extremely thick stratum corneum that becomes a restrictive circumferential encasement around the orifices, limbs, chest, and abdomen, resulting in limb contractures. We present a neonate diagnosed in utero with HI. The infant was born with encasing bands of thickened skin creating strictures that were causing digital and limb cyanosis (compartment syndrome). We treated the child using a new technique of lysis of the encasing bands that we call linear band incision, using a new escharotomy‐like procedure while the infant was undergoing a 3‐week course oral acitretin therapy. The technique involved linear incision and lysis of encasements that resulted in reperfusion of the injured limbs and prevention of further digital necrosis. The child is currently a healthy 8‐year‐old boy with skin manifestations resembling congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma. He has use of all of the limbs that were released in the procedures and is maintained on frequent application of bland emollients. Linear band incision is a potentially life‐ and limb‐saving technique in children with HI.
Frequentist Accuracy of Bayesian Estimates
Authors: Efron Bradley 
Published: September 2014

SummaryIn the absence of relevant prior experience, popular Bayesian estimation techniques usually begin with some form of ‘uninformative’ prior distribution intended to have minimal inferential influence. The Bayes rule will still produce nice looking estimates and credible intervals, but these lack the logical force that is attached to experience-based priors and require further justification. The paper concerns the frequentist assessment of Bayes estimates. A simple formula is shown to give the frequentist standard deviation of a Bayesian point estimate. The same simulations as required for the point estimate also produce the standard deviation. Exponential family models make the calculations particularly simple and bring in a connection to the parametric bootstrap.
Quasi-Likelihood for Spatial Point Processes
Authors: Guan Yongtao , Jalilian Abdollah , Waagepetersen Rasmus 
Published: September 2014

SummaryFitting regression models for intensity functions of spatial point processes is of great interest in ecological and epidemiological studies of association between spatially referenced events and geographical or environmental covariates. When Cox or cluster process models are used to accommodate clustering that is not accounted for by the available covariates, likelihoodbased inference becomes computationally cumbersome owing to the complicated nature of the likelihood function and the associated score function. It is therefore of interest to consider alternative, more easily computable estimating functions. We derive the optimal estimating function in a class of first-order estimating functions. The optimal estimating function depends on the solution of a certain Fredholm integral equation which in practice is solved numerically. The derivation of the optimal estimating function has close similarities to the derivation of quasi-likelihood for standard data sets. The approximate solution is further equivalent to a quasi-likelihood score for binary spatial data. We therefore use the term quasi-likelihood for our optimal estimating function approach. We demonstrate in a simulation study and a data example that our quasi-likelihood method for spatial point processes is both statistically and computationally efficient.
Bayesian Estimators for Small Area Models when Auxiliary Information is Measured with Error
Authors: Arima Serena , Datta Gauri S. , Liseo Brunero 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTSmall area estimators in linear models are typically expressed as a convex combination of direct estimators and synthetic estimators from a suitable model. When auxiliary information used in the model is measured with error, a new estimator, accounting for the measurement error in the covariates, has been proposed in the literature. Recently, for area‐level model, Ybarra & Lohr (Biometrika, 95, 2008, 919) suggested a suitable modification to the estimates of small area means based on Fay & Herriot (J. Am. Stat. Assoc., 74, 1979, 269) model where some of the covariates are measured with error. They used a frequentist approach based on the method of moments. Adopting a Bayesian approach, we propose to rewrite the measurement error model as a hierarchical model; we use improper non‐informative priors on the model parameters and show, under a mild condition, that the joint posterior distribution is proper and the marginal posterior distributions of the model parameters have finite variances. We conduct a simulation study exploring different scenarios. The Bayesian predictors we propose show smaller empirical mean squared errors than the frequentist predictors of Ybarra & Lohr (Biometrika, 95, 2008, 919), and they seem also to be more stable in terms of variability and bias. We apply the proposed methodology to two real examples.
Local high relief at the southern margin of the Andean plateau by 9 Ma: evidence from ignimbritic valley fills and river incision
Authors: Montero‐López Carolina , Strecker Manfred R. , Schildgen Taylor F. , Hongn Fernando , Guzmán Silvina , Bookhagen Bodo , Sudo Masafumi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA valley‐filling ignimbrite re‐exposed through subsequent river incision at the southern margin of the Andean (Puna) plateau preserves pristine geological evidence of pre‐late Miocene palaeotopography in the north western Argentine Andes. Our new 40Ar/39Ar dating of the Las Papas Ignimbrites yields a plateau age of 9.24 ± 0.03 Ma, indicating valley‐relief and orographic‐barrier conditions comparable to the present‐day. A later infill of Plio–Pleistocene coarse conglomerates has been linked to wetter conditions, but resulted in no additional net incision of the Las Papas valley, considering that the base of the ignimbrite remains unexposed in the valley bottom. Our observations indicate that at least 550 m of local plateau margin relief (and likely >2 km) existed by 9 Ma at the southern Puna margin, which likely aided the efficiency of the orographic barrier to rainfall along the eastern and south eastern flanks of the Puna and causes aridity in the plateau interior.
Significant reduction of BiFC non‐specific assembly facilitates in planta assessment of heterotrimeric G‐protein interactors
Authors: Gookin Timothy E. , Assmann Sarah M. 
Published: September 2014

SummaryProtein networks and signaling cascades are key mechanisms for intra‐ and intercellular signal transduction. Identifying the interacting partners of a protein can provide vital clues regarding its physiological role. The bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay has become a routine tool for in vivo analysis of protein–protein interactions and their subcellular location. Although the BiFC system has improved since its inception, the available options for in planta analysis are still subject to very low signal‐to‐noise ratios, and a systematic comparison of BiFC confounding background signals has been lacking. Background signals can obscure weak interactions, provide false positives, and decrease confidence in true positives. To overcome these problems, we performed an extensive in planta analysis of published BiFC fragments used in metazoa and plants, and then developed an optimized single vector BiFC system which utilizes monomeric Venus (mVenus) split at residue 210, and contains an integrated mTurquoise2 marker to precisely identify transformed cells in order to distinguish true negatives. Here we provide our streamlined double ORF expression (pDOE) BiFC system, and show that our advance in BiFC methodology functions even with an internally fused mVenus210 fragment. We illustrate the efficacy of the system by providing direct visualization of Arabidopsis MLO1 interacting with a calmodulin‐like (CML) protein, and by showing that heterotrimeric G‐protein subunits Gα (GPA1) and Gβ (AGB1) interact in plant cells. We further demonstrate that GPA1 and AGB1 each physically interact with PLDα1 in planta, and that mutation of the so‐called PLDα1 ‘DRY’ motif abolishes both of these interactions.