bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endothelial cell leptin receptor mutant mice have hyperleptinemia and reduced tissue uptake
Authors: Hsuchou Hung , Jayaram Bhavaani , Kastin Abba J. , Wang Yuping , Ouyang Suidong , Pan Weihong 
Published: January 2013

AbstractHyperleptinemia is usually associated with obesity and leptin resistance. Endothelial cell leptin receptor knockout (ELKO) mice without a signaling membrane‐bound leptin receptor in endothelia, however, have profound hyperleptinemia without signs of leptin resistance. Leptin mRNA in adipose tissue was unchanged. To test the hypothesis that the ELKO mutation results in delayed degradation and slowed excretion, we determined the kinetics of leptin transfer in groups of ELKO and wildtype mice after intravenous bolus injection of 125I‐leptin and the reference substance 131I‐albumin. The degradation pattern of 125I‐leptin in serum and brain homogenates at different time points between 10 and 60 min was measured by HPLC and acid precipitation. Although ELKO mice had reduced uptake of 125I‐leptin uptake by the brain and several peripheral organs, leptin was more stable in blood and tissue. There was no change in the rate of renal excretion. ELISA showed that serum soluble leptin receptor, known to antagonize leptin transport, had a 400‐fold increase, probably contributing to the hyperleptinemia and reduced tissue uptake. Thus, the ELKO mutation unexpectedly increased the stability of leptin but suppressed its tissue uptake. These changes probably contribute to the known partial resistance of the ELKO mice to diet‐induced obesity. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1610–1616, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TNFα induces expression of HIF‐1α mRNA and protein but inhibits hypoxic stimulation of HIF‐1 transcriptional activity in airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: Tsapournioti Stamatina , Mylonis Ilias , Hatziefthimiou Apostolia , Ioannou Maria G. , Stamatiou Rodopi , Koukoulis Georgios K. , Simos George , Molyvdas Paschalis‐Adam , Paraskeva Efrosyni 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAirway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) participate in tissue remodeling characteristic of airway inflammatory diseases like asthma. Inflammation and hypoxia pathways are often interconnected and the regulatory subunit of the hypoxia inducible factor, HIF‐1α, has been recently shown to be induced by cytokines. Here we investigate the effect of individual or combined treatment of ASMCs with the inflammatory mediator TNFα and/or hypoxia on the expression of HIF‐1α, HIF‐1 targets and inflammation markers. TNFα enhances HIF‐1α protein and mRNA levels, under both normoxia and hypoxia. TNFα‐mediated induction of HIF‐1α gene transcription is repressed by inhibition of the NF‐κB pathway. Despite the up‐regulation of HIF‐1α protein, the transcription of HIF‐1 target genes remains low in the presence of TNFα at normoxia and is even reduced at hypoxia. We show that the reduction in HIF‐1 transcriptional activity by TNFα is due to inhibition of the interaction of HIF‐1α with ARNT and subsequent blocking of its binding to HREs. Comparison between hypoxia and TNFα for their effects on the expression of inflammatory markers shows significant differences: hypoxia up‐regulates the expression of IL‐6, but not RANTES or ICAM, and reduces the induction of VCAM by TNFα. Finally, ex vivo treatment of rabbit trachea strips with TNFα increases HIF‐1α protein levels, but reduces the expression of HIF‐1 targets under hypoxia. Overall, TNFα induces HIF‐1α mRNA synthesis via an NF‐κB dependent pathway but inhibits binding of HIF‐1α to ARNT and DNA, while hypoxia and TNFα have distinct effects on ASMC inflammatory gene expression. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1745–1753, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Canada lynx occurrence and forest management in the Acadian Forest
Authors: Simons‐Legaard Erin M. , Harrison Daniel J. , Krohn William B. , Vashon Jennifer H. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe evaluated patterns of occurrence and non‐occurrence for Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) across a 16,530‐km2study area in Maine to provide a better understanding of lynx habitat selection and habitat ecology on commercially managed forestlands in the Acadian Forest. Because of the influence of forest structure on lynx habitat selection and abundance of their primary prey, the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), and to improve our ability to build robust models, we used habitat information derived from a time series of Landsat satellite imagery spanning the period 1973–2004. We defined and mapped 10 forest types based on forest harvest history, time since harvest, and current forest condition. We compared a suite of models to evaluate relative influences of forest composition, habitat patch configuration, and hare density on habitat selection by lynx at the landscape scale. Occupied areas had greater average hare densities and percentage of mature conifer. Average hare density in occupied areas (0.74 hares/ha) was greater than in unoccupied areas (0.62 hares/ha), but was less than previous research has suggested may be necessary to support lynx populations in the southern portion of the species' range. No occupied areas occurred where average hare density was <0.5 hares/ha. Average hare density at the landscape‐scale was strongly influenced by amount of high‐quality hare habitat (i.e., conifer or mixedwood regenerating forest, 15–35 yr post‐harvest). Edge density between mature conifer and high‐quality hare habitat was substantially greater in occupied areas compared to unoccupied areas. Juxtaposition of those 2 forest types may provide edge habitat where lynx experience easier travel and improved access to prey in landscapes with extensive areas of high‐quality hare habitat where travel and access may be somewhat limited by high understory stem density. Probability of occurrence declined nonlinearly with changes in hare density and percent mature conifer forest in the landscape; thus, suitability of currently occupied landscapes could change markedly with future changes in landscape‐level hare densities and changing habitat associated with forest management. Where lynx conservation is a priority, we recommend that managers focus on creating and maintaining a minimum of 27% high‐quality hare habitat within 100‐km2areas to promote landscape‐scale hare densities >0.5 hares/ha. © The Wildlife Society, 2013
Nickel silicide contacts formed by excimer laser annealing for high efficiency solar cells
Authors: Tous Loic , Lerat Jean‐Francois , Emeraud Thierry , Negru Razvan , Huet Karim , Uruena Angel , Aleman Monica , Meersschaut Johan , Bender Hugo , Russell Richard , John Joachim , Poortmans Jef , Mertens Robert 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTDriven by the relatively high cost of silver (Ag), interest has grown in the photovoltaic (PV) industry to substitute conventional screen printed (SP) Ag front contacts with copper (Cu) plated contacts. The approach chosen here applies selective laser ablation of the front anti‐reflection coating (ARC), then forming self‐aligned nickel silicides (NiSix) contacts, and thickening the lines by Cu plating to achieve the desired line conductivity. A successful implementation of this scheme requires annealing to form NiSix with low contact resistance. However, it has been shown that industrial shallow emitters can be damaged severely upon conventional annealing of nickel. In this paper, we show that by using large area excimer laser annealing (ELA), NiSix contacts can be formed on industrial shallow emitters without the associated junction degradation. On the basis of sheet resistance, transmission electron microscopy, and lifetime measurements, we demonstrate that NiSix formation by ELA can be achieved in narrow contact openings without damaging the passivation and reflectance properties of the neighboring ARC. In addition, the thresholds for NiSix formation for different Ni thicknesses are quantified by rigorous finite element simulations and compared with experimental data. Finally, high efficiency passivated emitter and rear cell type solar cells featuring a shallow 85 Ω/sq emitter have been processed on large area CZ–Si using laser ablation of the ARC and subsequent NiSix formation by ELA. These cells show an average efficiency gain of 0.4%abs compared with cells processed with reference SP contacts. In this work, the best performing cell with the ELA process reached 20.0% energy conversion efficiency. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural features of cholesteryl ester transfer protein: A molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Lei Dongsheng , Zhang Xing , Jiang Shengbo , Cai Zhaodi , Rames Matthew J. , Zhang Lei , Ren Gang , Zhang Shengli 
Published: January 2013

AbstractCholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) mediates the net transfer of cholesteryl esters (CEs) from atheroprotective high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) to atherogenic low‐density lipoproteins (LDLs) or very‐low‐density lipoproteins (VLDLs). Inhibition of CETP raises HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) levels and reduces LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels, making it a promising drug target for the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease. Although the crystal structure of CETP has been determined, the molecular mechanism mediating CEs transfer is still unknown, even the structural features of CETP in a physiological environment remain elusive. We performed molecular dynamics simulations to explore the structural features of CETP in an aqueous solution. Results show that the distal portion flexibility of N‐terminal β‐barrel domain is considerably greater in solution than in crystal; conversely, the flexibility of helix X is slightly less. During the simulations the distal end of C‐terminal β‐barrel domain expanded while the hydrophilic surface increasing more than the hydrophobic surface. In addition, a new surface pore was generated in this domain. This surface pore and all cavities in CETP are stable. These results suggest that the formation of a continuous tunnel within CETP by connecting cavities is permitted in solution. Proteins 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced magnetization and improved leakage in Er‐doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles
Authors: Zhou Hai‐Feng , Hou Zhi‐Ling , Kong Ling‐Bao , Jin Hai‐Bo , Cao Mao‐Sheng , Qi Xin 
Published: January 2013

AbstractPure and Er‐doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles were prepared using a sol–gel method. The remanent magnetization was found to increase with increasing Er concentration. Due to the cocontribution of both the ferromagnetic coupling between Er3+ and Fe3+ ions and the suppression of spatial spin structure of BiFeO3, Er substitution is a more effective approach of enhanced magnetization than the other rare‐earth (RE) element substitutions. The observed dielectric loss behavior in the doped sample indicated that the leakage current decreased due to the substitution with Er. The evidence of enhanced magnetization and improved leakage in Er‐doped BiFeO3 at room temperature makes it a good candidate for potential applications.
The Industry of Illegal Migration: Social Network Analysis of the Brazil‐US Migration System
Authors: Fazito Dimitri , Soares Weber 
Published: January 2013

AbstractIn this article, we analyse the process of migration by applying a social network methodology. Using the personal network approach, we focus on a case study of the Brazil‐US migration system to analyse the formation of the so‐called “industry of illegal migration”. We suggest that in migration systems, brokerage evolves not only because of historical and cultural changes, but also because the changes emerge within a structured environment in which brokerage can thrive, and this, in turn, causes the social networks to support and produce specialized actors (individuals and organizations) embedded in the “right positions” of the social structure in the migration process. In this particular case study, we suggest that brokerage seems to take place through gender‐oriented networks and the personal experience and structural power of returned migrants. These returned migrants usually have more varied social contacts and types of relationships from which they can obtain richer information about the migration system.
Parasitic plant litter input: a novel indirect mechanism influencing plant community structure
Authors: Fisher James P. , Phoenix Gareth K. , Childs Dylan Z. , Press Malcolm C. , Smith Stuart W. , Pilkington Michael G. , Cameron Duncan D. 
Published: January 2013

Summary

Parasitic plants have major impacts on plant community structure through their direct negative influence on host productivity and competitive ability. However, the possibility that these parasites may also have indirect impacts on community structure (via the mechanism of nutrient‐rich litter input) while long hypothesized, has remained unsupported until now.

Using the hemiparasite Rhinanthus minor, we established experimental grassland mesocosms to quantify the impacts of Rhinanthus litter and parasitism across two soil fertility levels. We measured the biomass and tissue nutrient concentration of three functional groups within these communities to determine their physiological response to resource abstraction and litter input by the parasite.

We show that Rhinanthus alters the biomass and nutrient status of co‐occurring plants with contrasting effects on different functional groups via the mechanism of nutrient‐rich litter input. Critically, in the case of grass and total community biomass, this partially negates biomass reductions caused directly by parasitism.

This demonstrates that the influence of parasitic plant litter on plant community structure can be of equal importance to the much‐reported direct impacts of parasitism. We must consider both positive indirect (litter) and negative direct (parasitism) impacts of parasitic plants to understand their role in structuring plant communities.
Phage lysin to control the overgrowth of normal flora in processed sputum samples for the rapid and sensitive detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by luciferase reporter phage assay
Authors: Subramanyam Balaji , Sivaramakrishnan Gomathi , Dusthackeer Azger , Kumar Vanaja 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Phage lysin, extracted from three bacteriophages was used in place of antibiotics to control the overgrowth of normal flora in processed sputum samples leading to the sensitive detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using diagnostic luciferase reporter phage assay (DLRPA).

Methods
A total of 129 sputum samples were processed by modified Petroff’s method. Two Lowenstein Jensen slopes were inoculated from the processed sputum deposit thus obtained. The remaining deposits were transferred to 7 ml of Middlebrook 7H9 complete medium supplemented with phage lysin and incubated at 37°C. DLRPA was done using phAE129 at days 7, 9, 14 and 21. At the end of day 21, the samples were centrifuged and the pellets were inoculated on to 2 more LJ slopes to validate DLRPA results.

Results
The sensitivity and specificity of DLRPA in detecting M. tuberculosis from sputum specimens was 90% and 81% respectively compared to conventional LJ culture. The agreement between the methods was 87%. The rate of contamination for DLRPA using phage lysin was 9.3%.

Conclusion
Phage lysin can be used to decontaminate sputum samples for the detection of M. tuberculosis by DLRPA directly from processed sputum specimens.
Open Hole Multi-Stage Completion System in Unconventional Plays: Efficiency, Effectiveness and Economics
Authors: Casero Alberto , Adefashe Hammed , Phelan Kevin 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
During the past decade, the combination of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal wells, has proven to be the key, to the unlocking of unconventional plays across North America and elsewhere. This efficiency has been accomplished by using two very distinct completion approaches: the Plug and Perf. method and the Open Hole Multi Stage (OHMS) completion system (typically ball activated fracturing ports).
The OHMS completion system has in general been applied to carefully selected fields and has not yet gained wider acceptance, across the industry, as a viable alternative to the more popular and extensively utilised Plug and Perf approach. This resistance to change and the reluctance to consider alternative completion approaches, are due to a number of factors, many of which reflect an operational comfort zone from which there is a hesitancy to stray. Often the disadvantages of the OHMS approach may be overemphasized, while the associated advantages are not suitably considered and vice versa for the Plug and Perf approach.
Case histories from a number of North American unconventional plays, for example the Red Oak, the Cotton Valley and the Granite Wash, will be both presented and analyzed. This analysis will focus on a number of aspects, including the hydraulic fracturing treatments, the operational efficiencies, the cost effectiveness and the overall risk reduction aspects of the OHMS vs. the Plug and Perf approaches.
Semigroup actions on ordered groupoids
Authors: Kehayopulu Niovi , Tsingelis Michael 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
In this paper we prove that if S is a commutative semigroup acting on an ordered groupoid G, then there exists a commutative semigroup S̃ acting on the ordered groupoid G̃:=(G × S)/ρ̄ in such a way that G is embedded in G̃. Moreover, we prove that if a commutative semigroup S acts on an ordered groupoid G, and a commutative semigroup S̄ acts on an ordered groupoid Ḡ in such a way that G is embedded in S̄, then the ordered groupoid G̃ can be also embedded in Ḡ. We denote by ρ̄ the equivalence relation on G × S which is the intersection of the quasi-order ρ (on G × S) and its inverse ρ
−1.
The sum of two S-units being a perfect power in global function fields
Authors: Gaál István , Pohst Michael 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Let x
1 and x
2 be integers divisible only by some fixed primes. Is it possible that x
1+x
2 is a perfect power? Special cases of the equation x
1+x
2 = y
k were formerly considered over ℤ. In this paper we develop an algorithm to solve this equation over global algebraic function fields. Our method is illustrated by two explicit examples.
Fatty liver disease as a predictor of local recurrence following resection of colorectal liver metastases
Authors: Hamady Z Z R , Rees M , Welsh F K , Toogood G J , Prasad K R , John T K , Lodge J P A 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Background
Obesity and tissue adiposity constitute a risk factor for several cancers. Whether tissue adiposity increases the risk of cancer recurrence after curative resection is not clear. The present study analysed the influence of hepatic steatosis on recurrence following resection of colorectal liver metastases.

Methods
A prospective cohort of patients who had primary resection of colorectal liver metastases in two major hepatobiliary units between 1987 and 2010 was studied. Hepatic steatosis was assessed in non-cancerous resected liver tissue. Patients were divided into two groups based on the presence of hepatic steatosis. The association between hepatic steatosis and local recurrence was analysed, adjusting for relevant patient, pathological and surgical factors using Cox regression and propensity score case-match analysis.

Results
A total of 2715 patients were included. The cumulative local (liver) disease-free survival rate was significantly better in the group without steatosis (hazard ratio (HR) 1·32, 95 per cent confidence interval 1·16 to 1·51; P &lt; 0·001). On multivariable analysis, hepatic steatosis was an independent risk factor for local liver recurrence (HR 1·28, 1·11 to 1·47; P = 0·005). After one-to-one matching of cases (steatotic, 902) with controls (non-steatotic, 902), local (liver) disease-free survival remained significantly better in the group without steatosis (HR 1·27, 1·09 to 1·48; P = 0·002). Patients with steatosis had a greater risk of developing postoperative liver failure (P = 0·001).

Conclusion
Hepatic steatosis was an independent predictor of local hepatic recurrence following resection with curative intent of colorectal liver metastases.
Novel Concise Synthesis of (−)‐Clausenamide
Authors: Liu Di , Yu Xiaoming , Huang Liang 
Published: January 2013

AbstractA six‐step synthesis of (−)‐clausenamide is described. Optically pure (R,E)‐1,3‐diphenylallylic alcohol was acetylated and then subjected to an Ireland‐Claisen rearrangement, giving the γ,δ‐unsaturated acid, which underwent a substrate‐induced stereoselective bromolactonization to afford the expected all‐equatorial substituted bromo‐δ‐lactone. An unusual chemo‐selective aminolysis of the lactone resulted in the formation of a γ,δ‐epoxy‐amide in stereospecific manner. Base‐promoted cyclization of this intermediate and the subsequent Davis oxidation furnished the synthesis, delivering the final product in >99% ee and up to 34% overall yield.
White matter integrity is reduced in bulimia nervosa
Authors: Mettler Lisa N. , Shott Megan E. , Pryor Tamara , Yang Tony T. , Frank Guido K.W. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractObjective:To investigate brain white matter (WM) functionality in bulimia nervosa (BN) in relation to anxiety.Method:Twenty‐one control women (CW, mean age 27 ± 7 years) and 20 BN women (mean age 25 ± 5 years) underwent brain diffusion tensor imaging to measure fractional anisotropy (FA; an indication of WM axon integrity) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC; reflecting WM cell damage).Results:FA was decreased in BN in the bilateral corona radiata extending into the posterior limb of the internal capsule, the corpus callosum, the right sub‐insular WM, and right fornix. In CW but not BN, trait anxiety correlated negatively with fornix, corpus callosum, and left corona radiata FA. ADC was increased in BN compared with CW in the bilateral corona radiata, corpus callosum, inferior fronto‐occipital, and uncinate fasciculus. Alterations in BN WM functionality were not due to structural brain alterations.Discussion:WM integrity is disturbed in BN, especially in the corona radiata, which has been associated with taste and brain reward processing. Whether this is a premorbid condition or an effect from the illness is yet uncertain. The relationships between WM FA and trait anxiety in CW but not BN may suggest that altered WM functionality contributes to high anxious traits in BN. © 2013 by Wiley Periodicals,Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013)
Pulmonary valve cyst mimicking pulmonary artery neoplasia: a case report
Authors: Lyen Stephen , Parry Andrew , Moldovan Corina , Hamilton Mark 
Published: January 2013

AbstractCardiac valve cysts are rare beyond infancy. The tricuspid and mitral valve are the most common sites, with few reported cases of pulmonary valve cysts in the literature. This case illustrates a pulmonary valve cyst mimicking a tumour in a child 13 years after cardiac surgery. Although these lesions are extremely rare, they could be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with valvular mass lesions.