bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential expression of ISG20 in chronic hepatitis B patients and relation to interferon‐alpha therapy response
Authors: Lu Xi , Qin Bo , Ma Qian , Yang Chun , Gong Xue‐Yan , Chen Li‐Min 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe 20 kDa exonuclease encoded by the interferon‐stimulated gene, ISG20, can inhibit the replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and may represent a clinically useful prognostic marker for response to interferon‐alpha (IFN‐α) antiviral therapy. The present study was designed to investigate the differential expression patterns of ISG20 in liver biopsy samples from treatment‐naive patients with chronic hepatitis B and non‐HBV infected controls and to determine the relation between the differential expression and IFN‐α treatment outcome (responders vs. non‐responders). HBV infection status was determined by measuring levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by chemoluminescence immunoassay and of HBV DNA by real‐time quantitative (q)PCR. ISG20 protein and mRNA expressions were assessed by immunohistochemistry and qPCR, respectively. Chronic hepatitis B responders showed significantly higher levels of ISG20 protein and mRNA expressions than either the chronic hepatitis B non‐responders or the controls. Moreover, increased expression of ISG20 in both the nucleus and cytoplasm was correlated with positive response to IFN‐α treatment. Thus, active transcription and translation of ISG20 may represent a marker to identify chronic hepatitis B patients likely to respond to IFN‐α therapy. Prognostic clinical strategies based upon this marker may include genomic screening methods and immunohistochemical staining of liver biopsies. J. Med. Virol. 85:1506–1512, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An efficient approximation for arbitrary port suppression of multiport scattering parameters
Authors: Zadehgol Ata 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYThe multiport scattering (S‐) parameter matrix is increasingly utilized to compose models of large bit‐width interconnect systems with broadband characteristics (frequency range of zero to tens of gigahertz) to perform increasingly accurate signal‐integrity and power‐integrity simulations. The search for an optimal solution space often requires generation of S‐parameter models of interconnect systems for various signal/ground pin mappings, a process that can be computationally costly if the structure is electromagnetically solved for each distinct pin mapping. To expedite this model‐generation process, we propose a method in which an N‐port structure is electromagnetically solved only once to yield an N × N S‐matrix; then, a linear system is formulated and solved to yield an (N − M) × (N − M) post‐suppressed S‐matrix (where M is the number of suppressed ports). This approach results in significant computational savings through elimination of electromagnetic field‐solver runs for each distinct pin mapping. Included in this paper is a discussion about the limitations of this technique and several numerical examples. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Do Leaders of Small and Medium‐Sized Businesses Base Decisions on Intuition? An Empirical Investigation Among West African Managers
Authors: Bocco Bertrand Sogbossi , Merunka Dwight 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIntuitive judgments are common among managers. They rely on intuition to facilitate their managerial decision making, and use it to synthesize information rapidly, economically, and effectively. Intuition contrasts sharply with highly rational decision‐making systems that represent the bases of management education and management practices. Unlike concepts that appear similar, such as instinct, guessing, or insight, intuitive decision making is nonconscious, holistic, quick, and affect‐driven, and also involves emotions. Qualitative interviews and an empirical investigation conducted with more than 300 managers and entrepreneurs at small and medium‐sized organizations in West Africa reveal that intuition is a key resource for managerial decision making. In fact, this effortless, automatic processing of information may be more efficient than the use of deliberate rational processes when making decisions. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exports and Market Commitment in Managerial SMEs: Do Pioneers Do It Better?
Authors: Moore Ernesto Tapia 
Published: June 2013

AbstractHow do the market commitment variables in the internationalization process model interact? Does that interaction affect how and why export managers implement their activities the way they do? Empirical research focusing on French managerial small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) identified two groups of export leaders—“pioneers” and “managers”—and examined their beliefs concerning market commitment, risk, and uncertainty. The internationalization process model was then used to determine which type of export director performs most effectively. Results showed that the “pioneer's way,” although limited to smaller SMEs, was more proficient and could be extended to larger SMEs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Developing fruit‐based nutritious snack bars
Authors: da Silva Edson P , Siqueira Heloisa H , do Lago Rafael Carvalho , Rosell Cristina M , Vilas Boas Eduardo V de Barros 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDMarolo (Annona crassiflora Mart) is a typical savannah fruit that is very nutritious and highly appreciated. However, its consumption has been limited to fresh fruit. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of marolo flour in the production of healthy snack bars to valorise this fruit and provide an alternative ready‐to‐eat nutritious product. Snack bars containing increasing amounts of marolo flour (5 g 100 g−1, 10 g 100 g−1, 15 g 100 g−1, 20 g 100 g−1, expressed in w/w) were produced and the physico‐chemical and sensory characteristics were determined.RESULTSLevels up to 20% marolo flour can be incorporated in snack bars with some minor changes in pH and moisture content but with an increase of 2.4‐fold in dietary fibre content and also 1.3‐fold of vitamin C, minerals and antioxidant activity. In addition, up to 10% marolo flour improves significantly the sensory properties of the snack bars, namely appearance, taste, texture and overall acceptance.CONCLUSIONMarolo flour can be considered an alternative flour for obtaining healthy snack bars, with increased nutritional and sensory quality. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
VEGFA, FLT1, KDR and colorectal cancer: Assessment of disease risk, tumor molecular phenotype, and survival
Authors: Slattery Martha L. , Lundgreen Abbie , Wolff Roger K. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractAngiogenesis is essential for tumor progression. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA) and its receptors 1 (FLT1) and 2 (KDR), have been identified as major mediators of this process. We hypothesized that genetic variation inFLT1(38SNPs),KDR(22 SNPS), andVEGFA(11 SNPs) would be associated with colon and rectal cancer development and survival. Data from a case–control study of 1555 colon cancer cases and 1956 controls and 754 rectal cancer cases and 959 controls were used. An adaptive rank truncation product (ARTP), based on 10 000 permutations, was used to determine the statistical significance of the candidate genes and angiogenesis pathway. Based on ARTP results,FLT1was significantly associated with risk of colon cancer (PARTP = 0.045) andVEGFAwas significantly associated with rectal cancer (PARTP = 0.036). After stratifying by tumor molecular subtype, SNP associations observed for colon cancer were:VEGFArs2010963 with CIMP+ colon tumors;FLT1rs4771249 and rs7987649 withTP53;FLT1 rs3751397,rs7337610,rs7987649, andrs9513008andKDRrs10020464, rs11941492, and rs12498529 with MSI+ and CIMP+/KRAS2‐mutated tumors.FLT1rs2296189 and rs600640 were associated with CIMP+ rectal tumors andFLT1rs7983774 was associated withTP53‐mutated rectal tumors. Four SNPs inFLT1were associated with colon cancer survival while three SNPs inKDRwere associated with survival after diagnosis with rectal cancer. Aspirin/NSAID use, smoking cigarettes, and BMI modified the associations. These findings suggest the importance of inflammation and angiogenesis in the etiology of colorectal cancer and that genetic and lifestyle factors may be targets for modulating disease risk. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Short‐term in vitro culturing improves transplantability of type A spermatogonia in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Shikina Shinya , Nagasawa Kazue , Hayashi Makoto , Furuya Maki , Iwasaki Yoshiko , Yoshizaki Goro 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYContinuous production of sperm within the testes is supported by spermatogonial stem cells capable of both self‐renewal and the production of numerous differentiated germ cells. We previously demonstrated that a subpopulation of trout type A spermatogonia transplanted into the body cavity of a recipient embryo incorporated into the genital ridge, where they produced functional gametes within the gonads. Various cell‐surface proteins could have played a role in the incorporation of spermatogonia into recipient genital ridges. During the preparation of cell suspensions for transplantation in our experimental protocol, however, dissociation of testis by strong proteases was unavoidable. This was problematic as cell‐surface proteins may have been at least partially digested by protease activity. In the present study, recovery of spermatogonial surface proteins using short‐term culture prior to transplantation was attempted. It was found that spermatogonia cultured in vitro could be harvested by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) instead of protease treatment. Furthermore, when cultured spermatogonia collected by EDTA treatment were maintained for 24 hr in vitro, they exhibited high adhesiveness. These cultured spermatogonia also possessed higher survival of transplantation compared to spermatogonia newly dispersed by trypsin treatment. These results indicated that spermatogonia possess a reduced ability to migrate toward, adhere to, and/or be incorporated into the recipient genital ridge immediately after protease treatment. Short‐term in vitro culturing, however, could allow spermatogonia to recover the surface proteins required for successful incorporation into the recipient genital ridge.Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 763–773, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reversible effects of oxygen partial pressure on genes associated with placental angiogenesis and differentiation in primary‐term cytotrophoblast cell culture
Authors: Debiève F. , Depoix C. , Gruson D. , Hubinont C. 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYTimely regulated changes in oxygen partial pressure are important for placental formation. Disturbances could be responsible for pregnancy‐related diseases like preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. We aimed to (i) determine the effect of oxygen partial pressure on cytotrophoblast differentiation; (ii) measure mRNA expression and protein secretion from genes associated with placental angiogenesis; and (iii) determine the reversibility of these effects at different oxygen partial pressures. Term cytotrophoblasts were incubated at 21% and 2.5% O2 for 96 hr, or were switched between the two oxygen concentrations after 48 hr. Real‐time PCR and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to evaluate cell fusion and differentiation, measuring transcript levels for those genes involved in cell fusion and placental angiogenesis, including VEGF, PlGF, VEGFR1, sVEGFR1, sENG, INHA, and GCM1. Cytotrophoblasts underwent fusion and differentiation in 2.5% O2. PlGF expression was inhibited while sVEGFR1 expression increased. VEGF and sENG mRNA expressions increased in 2.5% compared to 21% O2, but no protein was detected in the cell supernatants. Finally, GCM1 mRNA expression increased during trophoblast differentiation at 21% O2, but was inhibited at 2.5% O2. These mRNA expression effects were reversed by returning the cells to 21% O2. Thus, low‐oxygen partial pressure does not inhibit term‐cytotrophoblast cell fusion and differentiation in vitro. Lowering the oxygen partial pressure from 21% to 2.5% caused normal‐term trophoblasts to reversibly modify their expression of genes associated with placental angiogenesis. This suggests that modifications observed in pregnancy diseases such as preeclampsia or growth retardation are probably due to an extrinsic effect on trophoblasts. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 774–784, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prospective association of protein intake during puberty with body composition in young adulthood
Authors: Assmann K.E. , Joslowski G. , Buyken A.E. , Cheng G. , Remer T. , Kroke A. , Günther A.L.B. 
Published: June 2013

ObjectiveTo examine the association of habitual animal and plant protein intake during the potentially critical period of puberty with body composition in young adulthood.Design and MethodsMultivariable regression analyses were performed on data from 140 female and 122 male participants of the DONALD Study with ≥2 3‐day weighed dietary records during puberty (girls 9‐14 years; boys 10‐15 years) and anthropometric measurements in young adulthood (18‐25 years). Fat‐free mass index (FFMI) and fat mass index (FMI) were estimated from four skinfolds.ResultsIn women, a higher pubertal animal protein consumption was independently related to higher levels of FFMI (ptrend = 0.001), but not to FMI (ptrend = 0.5). Adjusted means of FFMI in energy‐adjusted tertiles of animal protein intake were 15.3 (95% confidence interval: 15.0, 15.5), 15.4 (15.1, 15.7), 16.2 (15.9, 16.6) kg/m2. In men, a higher animal protein intake was related to a higher FFMI (ptrend = 0.04) and a lower FMI (ptrend = 0.001) only after adjusting FFMI for current FMI levels and vice versa. Plant protein was not associated with body composition among either sex.ConclusionsOur results show that a higher pubertal animal protein consumption may yield a higher fat‐free mass in young adulthood.
An 8‐month randomized controlled exercise trial alters brain activation during cognitive tasks in overweight children
Authors: Krafft Cynthia E. , Schwarz Nicolette F. , Chi Lingxi , Weinberger Abby L. , Schaeffer David J. , Pierce Jordan E. , Rodrigue Amanda L. , Yanasak Nathan E. , Miller Patricia H. , Tomporowski Phillip D. , Davis Catherine L. , McDowell Jennifer E. 
Published: June 2013

ObjectiveChildren who are less fit reportedly have lower performance on tests of cognitive control and differences in brain function. This study examined the effect of an exercise intervention on brain function during two cognitive control tasks in overweight children.Design and MethodsParticipants included 43 unfit, overweight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile) children 8‐ to 11‐years old (91% Black), who were randomly divided into either an aerobic exercise (n = 24) or attention control group (n = 19). Each group was offered a separate instructor‐led after‐school program every school day for 8 months. Before and after the program, all children performed two cognitive control tasks during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): antisaccade and flanker.ResultsCompared to the control group, the exercise group decreased activation in several regions supporting antisaccade performance, including precentral gyrus and posterior parietal cortex, and increased activation in several regions supporting flanker performance, including anterior cingulate and superior frontal gyrus.ConclusionsExercise may differentially impact these two task conditions, or the paradigms in which cognitive control tasks were presented may be sensitive to distinct types of brain activation that show different effects of exercise. In sum, exercise appears to alter efficiency or flexible modulation of neural circuitry supporting cognitive control in overweight children.
Disseminated, large‐sized neonatal pneumatoceles: The wait‐and‐see strategy
Authors: Maranella E. , Conte E. , Di Natale C. , Coclite E. , Di Fabio S. 
Published: June 2013

SummaryPulmonary pneumatoceles are thin‐walled, air‐filled cysts that develop within the lung parenchyma. Most often, they occur as a sequel of acute pneumonia, commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus in children. Limited data are available about infective pulmonary cysts in newborns. We report a case of a newborn, who developed multiple pneumatoceles after Escherichia coli pneumonia. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:E69–E71. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metallothionein 3: An androgen‐upregulated gene enhances cell invasion and tumorigenesis of prostate carcinoma cells
Authors: Juang Horng‐Heng , Chung Li‐Chuan , Sung Hsin‐Ching , Feng Tsui‐Hsia , Lee Yi‐Hua , Chang Phei‐Lang , Tsui Ke‐Hung 
Published: June 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDMetallothioneins (MT1, MT2, MT3, and MT4) are regarded as modulators regulating a number of biological processes including cell proliferation, differentiation, and invasion. We determined the effects of androgen, cadmium, and arsenic on MT1/2 and MT3 in prostate carcinoma cells, and evaluated the functional effects of MT3 on cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis.METHODSWe determined the expression of MT1/2 and MT3 in prostate carcinoma cells by immunoblotting assays or real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reactions. The effects of ectopic MT3 overexpression or MT3‐knockdown on cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenesis were determined by 3H‐thymidine incorporation, matrigel invasion, and murine xenograft studies. The effects of androgen, cadmium, and arsenic on target genes were assessed using immunoblotting and reporter assays.RESULTSAndrogen, cadmium, and arsenic treatments enhanced gene expression of MT1/2 and MT3 in prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells. Results of immunohistochemical staining indicated MT3 overexpression was found predominantly in the nuclear areas of PC‐3 cells overexpressing MT3. Overexpression of MT3 significantly increased cell proliferation, invasion, and tumorigenic activities in PC‐3 cells in vitro and in vivo. MT3 overexpression downregulated the gene expressions of N‐myc downstream regulated gene 1 (Ndrg1) and maspin, and attenuated blocking effects of doxorubicin in PC‐3 cells on cell proliferation. MT3‐knockdown enhanced Ndrg1 and maspin expressions in LNCaP cells.CONCLUSIONSThe experiments indicate that MT3 is an androgen‐upregulated gene, and promotes tumorigenesis of prostate carcinoma cells. The downregulation of Ndrg1 and maspin gene expressions appears to account for the enhancement of proliferative and invasive functions of MT3 in PC‐3 cells. Prostate 73: 1495–1506, 2013 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Plasmonic sensors based on thick metal film perforated with rectangular nanohole arrays
Authors: Yuan Li , Chen Fuyi 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe dependence of optical properties on the ambient medium, the period of nanohole arrays and the metal film thickness in a thick silver film perforated with rectangular nanohole arrays is investigated using the finite‐difference time‐domain technique. As a result of the coupling between top and down surface plasmon polaritons, mediated by localized surface plasmon resonances supported by the metallic rectangular nano‐ holes, interesting light phenomena are observed for varying thickness of the metal film and period of the rectangular nanohole arrays. Based on the dependence of the optical properties on the ambient medium, the possibility of exploiting thick metal rectangular nanohole arrays as plasmonic sensors is further discussed, the potential application as plasmonic sensors is revealed. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fabricating organic transistors based on domain‐ordered copper phthalocyanine film grown on oligothiophene epitaxial substrate
Authors: Hu Yulei , Gu Wen , Liu Na , Zhu Zongpeng , Zhang Jianhua , Wang Jun 
Published: June 2013

AbstractOrganic field‐effect transistors were fabricated using a domain‐ordered copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin film as the active layer prepared by weak epitaxial growth (WEG) technology. CuPc was deposited onto α‐sexithiophene (α‐6T) and α,ω‐dihexylsexithiophene (α,ω‐DH6T) films acting as the epitaxial substrate to realize the domain‐order growth. As a result, the thin‐film morphology of CuPc exhibits many re‐ gional domain‐ordered structures measured by atomic force microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. The field‐effect mobilities are 0.11 and 0.085 cm2/Vs for the devices with CuPc/α‐6T and CuPc/α,ω‐DH6T, respectively. The threshold voltages were –7 V and –13 V for CuPc/α‐6T and CuPc/α,ω‐DH6T, respectively. The improved device performance could be attributed to the domain‐order structure of the CuPc thin film. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Gd3+ to Ce3+ energy transfer in multi‐component GdLuAG and GdYAG garnet scintillators
Authors: Kučera Miroslav , Nikl Martin , Hanuš Martin , Onderišinová Zuzana 
Published: June 2013

AbstractOptical and luminescence properties were studied in the Ce3+ doped yttrium and lutetium aluminum garnets (YAG, LuAG) admixed by Gd3+ and Ga3+ ions. The single crystalline films were grown by liquid phase epitaxy. Energy transfer from Gd3+ sensitizer to Ce3+ activator ions was established. This energy transfer was observed in a broad range of Gd concentrations which may point to longer range interaction between Gd3+ and Ce3+ ions.magnified image(© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On increasing global temperatures: 75 years after Callendar
Authors: Hawkins Ed , Jones Phil. D. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractIn 1938, Guy Stewart Callendar was the first to demonstrate that the Earth's land surface was warming. Callendar also suggested that the production of carbon dioxide by the combustion of fossil fuels was responsible for much of this modern change in climate. This short note marks the 75th anniversary of Callendar's landmark study and demonstrates that his global land temperature estimates agree remarkably well with more recent analyses.
Estimating interchannel observation‐error correlations for IASI radiance data in the Met Office system†
Authors: Stewart L. M. , Dance S. L. , Nichols N. K. , Eyre J. R. , Cameron J. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe optimal utilisation of hyper‐spectral satellite observations in numerical weather prediction is often inhibited by incorrectly assuming independent interchannel observation errors. However, in order to represent these observation‐error covariance structures, an accurate knowledge of the true variances and correlations is needed. This structure is likely to vary with observation type and assimilation system. The work in this article presents the initial results for the estimation of IASI interchannel observation‐error correlations when the data are processed in the Met Office one‐dimensional (1D‐Var) and four‐dimensional (4D‐Var) variational assimilation systems. The method used to calculate the observation errors is a post‐analysis diagnostic which utilises the background and analysis departures from the two systems.The results show significant differences in the source and structure of the observation errors when processed in the two different assimilation systems, but also highlight some common features. When the observations are processed in 1D‐Var, the diagnosed error variances are approximately half the size of the error variances used in the current operational system and are very close in size to the instrument noise, suggesting that this is the main source of error. The errors contain no consistent correlations, with the exception of a handful of spectrally close channels. When the observations are processed in 4D‐Var, we again find that the observation errors are being overestimated operationally, but the overestimation is significantly larger for many channels. In contrast to 1D‐Var, the diagnosed error variances are often larger than the instrument noise in 4D‐Var. It is postulated that horizontal errors of representation, not seen in 1D‐Var, are a significant contributor to the overall error here. Finally, observation errors diagnosed from 4D‐Var are found to contain strong, consistent correlation structures for channels sensitive to water vapour and surface properties.