bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selection of population controls for aSalmonellacase-control study in the UK using a market research panel and web-survey provides time and resource savings
Authors: MOOK P. , KANAGARAJAH S. , MAGUIRE H. , ADAK G. K. , DABRERA G. , WALDRAM A. , FREEMAN R. , CHARLETT A. , OLIVER I. 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARYTimely recruitment of population controls in infectious disease outbreak investigations is challenging. We evaluated the timeliness and cost of using a market research panel as a sampling frame for recruiting controls in a case-control study during an outbreak ofSalmonellaMikawasima in the UK in 2013. We deployed a web-survey by email to targeted members of a market research panel (panel controls) in parallel to the outbreak control team interviewing randomly selected public health staff by telephone and completing paper-based questionnaires (staff controls). Recruitment and completion of exposure history web-surveys for panel controls (n= 123) took 14 h compared to 15 days for staff controls (n= 82). The average staff-time cost per questionnaire for staff controls was £13·13 compared to an invoiced cost of £3·60 per panel control. Differences in the distribution of some exposures existed between these control groups but case-control studies using each group found that illness was associated with consumption of chicken outside of the home and chicken from local butchers. Recruiting market research panel controls offers time and resource savings. More rapid investigations would enable more prompt implementation of control measures. We recommend that this method of recruiting controls is considered in future investigations and assessed further to better understand strengths and limitations.
Experimental infection of rock pigeons (Columba livia) with three West Nile virus lineage 1 strains isolated in Italy between 2009 and 2012
Authors: SPEDICATO M. , CARMINE I. , BELLACICCO A. L. , MARRUCHELLA G. , MARINI V. , PISCIELLA M. , DI FRANCESCO G. , LORUSSO A. , MONACO F. , SAVINI G. 
Published: October 2015

SUMMARYWest Nile virus (WNV) circulation dynamics in the context of the urban environment is not yet elucidated. In this perspective, three groups of eight rock pigeons (Columbia livia) were inoculated with three WNV lineage 1 strains isolated in Italy between 2009 and 2012. The pigeons did not develop any clinical signs consistent with WNV acute infection. All animals seroconverted and shed virus up to 15 days post-infection by the oral or cloacal routes. In all infected groups viraemia lasted for 4 days post-infection. No WNV-specific gross or histological lesions were found in infected birds compared to control birds and immunohistochemistry remained constantly negative from all tissues. The reservoir competence index was also assessed and it ranged between 0·11 and 0·14. This study demonstrates that pigeons are competent reservoir hosts for Italian WNV lineage 1 circulating strains thus potentially posing a risk to the public health system.
Effects of nutrient profiling and price changes based on NuVal®scores on food purchasing in an online experimental supermarket
Authors: Epstein Leonard H , Finkelstein Eric A , Katz David L , Jankowiak Noelle , Pudlewski Corrin , Paluch Rocco A 
Published: October 2015

AbstractObjectiveThe goal of the present study was to apply experimental economic methods in an online supermarket to examine the effects of nutrient profiling, and differential pricing based on the nutrient profile, on the overall diet quality, energy and macronutrients of the foods purchased, and diet cost.DesignParticipants were provided nutrient profiling scores or price adjustments based on nutrient profile scores while completing a hypothetical grocery shopping task. Prices of foods in the top 20 % of nutrient profiling scores were reduced (subsidized) by 25 % while those in the bottom 20 % of scores were increased (taxed) by 25 %. We evaluated the independent and interactive effects of nutrient profiling or price adjustments on overall diet quality of foods purchased as assessed by the NuVal®score, energy and macronutrients purchased and diet cost in a 2×2 factorial design.SettingA large (>10 000 food items) online experimental supermarket in the USA.SubjectsSeven hundred and eighty-one women.ResultsProviding nutrient profiling scores improved overall diet quality of foods purchased. Price changes were associated with an increase in protein purchased, an increase in energy cost, and reduced carbohydrate and protein costs. Price changes and nutrient profiling combined were associated with no unique benefits beyond price changes or nutrient profiling alone.ConclusionsProviding nutrient profile score increased overall NuVal®score without a reduction in energy purchased. Combining nutrient profiling and price changes did not show an overall benefit to diet quality and may be less useful than nutrient profiling alone to consumers who want to increase overall diet quality of foods purchased.
Effects of Long-Term Aging in Arsenical Copper Alloys
Authors: Pereira Filipa , Silva Rui J. C. , Monge Soares António M. , Araújo Maria F. , Oliveira Maria J. , Martins Rui M. S. , Schell Norberth 
Published: October 2015

AbstractArchaeological materials present unique records on natural processes allowing the study of long-term material behaviors such as structural modifications and degradation mechanisms. The present work is focused on the chemical and microstructural characterization of four prehistoric arsenical copper artifacts. These artifacts were characterized by micro-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy with X-ray microanalysis, micro-X-ray diffraction and synchrotron radiation micro-X-ray diffraction. Cu3As is the expected intermetallic arsenide in arsenical copper alloys, reported in the literature as exhibiting a hexagonal crystallographic structure. However, a cubic Cu3As phase was identified by X-ray diffraction in all of our analyzed archaeological artifacts, while the hexagonal Cu3As phase was clearly identified only in the artifact with higher arsenic content. Occurrence of the cubic arsenide in these particular objects, suggests that it was precipitated due to long-term aging at room temperature, which points to the need of a redefinition of the Cu-As equilibrium phase constitution. These results highlight the importance of understanding the impact of structural aging for the assessment of original properties of archaeological arsenical copper artifacts, such as hardness or color.
Positron emission tomography-computed tomography in the diagnostic evaluation of smoldering multiple myeloma: identification of patients needing therapy
Authors: Siontis B , Kumar S , Dispenzieri A , Drake M T , Lacy M Q , Buadi F , Dingli D , Kapoor P , Gonsalves W , Gertz M A , Rajkumar S V 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe studied 188 patients with a suspected smoldering multiple myeloma (MM) who had undergone a positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) scan as part of their clinical evaluation. PET-CT was positive (clinical radiologist interpretation of increased bone uptake and/or evidence of lytic bone destruction) in 74 patients and negative in 114 patients. Of these, 25 patients with a positive PET-CT and 97 patients with a negative PET-CT were observed without therapy and formed the study cohort (n=122). The probability of progression to MM within 2 years was 75% in patients with a positive PET-CT observed without therapy compared with 30% in patients with a negative PET-CT; median time to progression was 21 months versus 60 months, respectively, P=0.0008. Of 25 patients with a positive PET-CT, the probability of progression was 87% at 2 years in those with evidence of underlying osteolysis (n=16) and 61% in patients with abnormal PET-CT uptake but no evidence of osteolysis (n=9). Patients with positive PET-CT and evidence of underlying osteolysis have a high risk of progression to MM within 2 years when observed without therapy. These observations support recent changes to imaging requirements in the International Myeloma Working Group updated diagnostic criteria for MM.
Cyanobacterial reuse of extracellular organic carbon in microbial mats
Authors: Stuart Rhona K , Mayali Xavier , Lee Jackson Z , Craig Everroad R , Hwang Mona , Bebout Brad M , Weber Peter K , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Thelen Michael P 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Cyanobacterial organic matter excretion is crucial to carbon cycling in many microbial communities, but the nature and bioavailability of this C depend on unknown physiological functions. Cyanobacteria-dominated hypersaline laminated mats are a useful model ecosystem for the study of C flow in complex communities, as they use photosynthesis to sustain a more or less closed system. Although such mats have a large C reservoir in the extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), the production and degradation of organic carbon is not well defined. To identify extracellular processes in cyanobacterial mats, we examined mats collected from Elkhorn Slough (ES) at Monterey Bay, California, for glycosyl and protein composition of the EPS. We found a prevalence of simple glucose polysaccharides containing either α or β (1,4) linkages, indicating distinct sources of glucose with differing enzymatic accessibility. Using proteomics, we identified cyanobacterial extracellular enzymes, and also detected activities that indicate a capacity for EPS degradation. In a less complex system, we characterized the EPS of a cyanobacterial isolate from ES, ESFC-1, and found the extracellular composition of biofilms produced by this unicyanobacterial culture were similar to that of natural mats. By tracing isotopically labeled EPS into single cells of ESFC-1, we demonstrated rapid incorporation of extracellular-derived carbon. Taken together, these results indicate cyanobacteria reuse excess organic carbon, constituting a dynamic pool of extracellular resources in these mats.
Coral record of southeast Indian Ocean marine heatwaves with intensified Western Pacific temperature gradient
Authors: Zinke J. , Hoell A. , Lough J. M. , Feng M. , Kuret A. J. , Clarke H. , Ricca V. , Rankenburg K. , McCulloch M. T. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIncreasing intensity of marine heatwaves has caused widespread mass coral bleaching events, threatening the integrity and functional diversity of coral reefs. Here we demonstrate the role of inter-ocean coupling in amplifying thermal stress on reefs in the poorly studied southeast Indian Ocean (SEIO), through a robust 215-year (1795–2010) geochemical coral proxy sea surface temperature (SST) record. We show that marine heatwaves affecting the SEIO are linked to the behaviour of the Western Pacific Warm Pool on decadal to centennial timescales, and are most pronounced when an anomalously strong zonal SST gradient between the western and central Pacific co-occurs with strong La Niña's. This SST gradient forces large-scale changes in heat flux that exacerbate SEIO heatwaves. Better understanding of the zonal SST gradient in the Western Pacific is expected to improve projections of the frequency of extreme SEIO heatwaves and their ecological impacts on the important coral reef ecosystems off Western Australia.
A Versatile Microarray Platform for Capturing Rare Cells
Authors: Brinkmann Falko , Hirtz Michael , Haller Anna , Gorges Tobias M. , Vellekoop Michael J. , Riethdorf Sabine , Müller Volkmar , Pantel Klaus , Fuchs Harald 
Published: October 2015

AbstractAnalyses of rare events occurring at extremely low frequencies in body fluids are still challenging. We established a versatile microarray-based platform able to capture single target cells from large background populations. As use case we chose the challenging application of detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) – about one cell in a billion normal blood cells. After incubation with an antibody cocktail, targeted cells are extracted on a microarray in a microfluidic chip. The accessibility of our platform allows for subsequent recovery of targets for further analysis. The microarray facilitates exclusion of false positive capture events by co-localization allowing for detection without fluorescent labelling. Analyzing blood samples from cancer patients with our platform reached and partly outreached gold standard performance, demonstrating feasibility for clinical application. Clinical researchers free choice of antibody cocktail without need for altered chip manufacturing or incubation protocol, allows virtual arbitrary targeting of capture species and therefore wide spread applications in biomedical sciences.
Genetic and functional characterization of HIV-1 Vif on APOBEC3G degradation: First report of emergence of B/C recombinants from North India
Authors: Ronsard Larance , Raja Rameez , Panwar Vaishali , Saini Sanjesh , Mohankumar Kumaravel , Sridharan Subhashree , Padmapriya Ramamoorthy , Chaudhuri Suhnrita , Ramachandran Vishnampettai G , Banerjea Akhil C 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHIV-1 is characterized by high genetic heterogeneity which is a challenge for developing therapeutics. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the extent of genetic variations that HIV is undergoing in North India. The objective of this study was to determine the role of genetic and functional role of Vif on APOBEC3G degradation. Vif is an accessory protein involved in counteracting APOBEC3/F proteins. Genetic analysis of Vif variants revealed that Vif C variants were closely related to South African Vif C whereas Vif B variants and Vif B/C showed distinct geographic locations. This is the first report to show the emergence of Vif B/C in our population. The functional domains, motifs and phosphorylation sites were well conserved. Vif C variants differed in APOBEC3G degradation from Vif B variants. Vif B/C revealed similar levels of APOBEC3G degradation to Vif C confirming the presence of genetic determinants in C-terminal region. High genetic diversity was observed in Vif variants which may cause the emergence of more complex and divergent strains. These results reveal the genetic determinants of Vif in mediating APOBEC3G degradation and highlight the genetic information for the development of anti-viral drugs against HIV. Importance: Vif is an accessory HIV-1 protein which plays significant role in the degradation of human DNA-editing factor APOBEC3G, thereby impeding the antiretroviral activity of APOBEC3G. It is known that certain natural polymorphisms in Vif could degrade APOBEC3G relatively higher rate, suggesting its role in HIV-1 pathogenesis. This is the first report from North India showcasing genetic variations and novel polymorphisms in Vif gene. Subtype C is prevalent in India, but for the first time we observed putative B/C recombinants with a little high ability to degrade APOBEC3G indicating adaptation and evolving nature of virus in our population. Indian Vif C variants were able to degrade APOBEC3G well in comparison to Vif B variants. These genetic changes were most likely selected during adaptation of HIV to our population. These results elucidate that the genetic determinants of Vif and highlights the potential targets for therapeutics.
Neural tube opening and abnormal extraembryonic membrane development in SEC23A deficient mice
Authors: Zhu Min , Tao Jiayi , Vasievich Matthew P. , Wei Wei , Zhu Guojing , Khoriaty Rami N. , Zhang Bin 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCOPII (coat protein complex-II) vesicles transport proteins from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi. Higher eukaryotes have two or more paralogs of most COPII components. Here we characterize mice deficient for SEC23A and studied interactions of Sec23a null allele with the previously reported Sec23b null allele. SEC23A deficiency leads to mid-embryonic lethality associated with defective development of extraembryonic membranes and neural tube opening in midbrain. Secretion defects of multiple collagen types are observed in different connective tissues, suggesting that collagens are primarily transported in SEC23A-containing vesicles in these cells. Other extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin, are not affected by SEC23A deficiency. Intracellular accumulation of unsecreted proteins leads to strong induction of the unfolded protein response in collagen-producing cells. No collagen secretion defects are observed in SEC23B deficient embryos. We report that E-cadherin is a cargo that accumulates in acini of SEC23B deficient pancreas and salivary glands. Compensatory increase of one paralog is observed in the absence of the second paralog. Haploinsufficiency of the remaining Sec23 paralog on top of homozygous inactivation of the first paralog leads to earlier lethality of embryos. Our results suggest that mammalian SEC23A and SEC23B transport overlapping yet distinct spectra of cargo in vivo.
Identification of a phosphinothricin-resistant mutant of rice glutamine synthetase using DNA shuffling
Authors: Tian Yong-Sheng , Xu Jing , Zhao Wei , Xing Xiao-Juan , Fu Xiao-Yan , Peng Ri-He , Yao Quan-Hong 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTo date, only bar/pat gene derived from Streptomyces has been used to generate the commercial PPT-resistant crops currently available in the market. The limited source of bar/pat gene is probably what has caused the decrease in PPT-tolerance, which has become the main concern of those involved in field management programs. Although glutamine synthetase (GS) is the target enzyme of PPT, little study has been reported about engineering PPT-resisitant plants with GS gene. Then, the plant-optimized GS gene from Oryza sativa (OsGS1S) was chemically synthesized in the present study by PTDS to identify a GS gene for developing PPT-tolerant plants. However, OsGS1S cannot be directly used for developing PPT-tolerant plants because of its poor PPT-resistance. Thus, we performed DNA shuffling on OsGS1S and one highly PPT-resistant mutant with mutations in four amino acids (A63E, V193A, T293A and R295K) was isolated after three rounds of DNA shuffling and screening. Among the four amino acids substitutions, only R295K was identified as essential in altering PPT resistance. The R295K mutation has also never been previously reported as an important residue for PPT resistance. Furthermore, the mutant gene has been transformed into Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Arabidopsis to confirm its potential in developing PPT-resistant crops.
Ba(Zn1−2xMnxCux)2As2: A Bulk Form Diluted Ferromagnetic Semiconductor with Mn and Cu Codoping at Zn Sites
Authors: Man Huiyuan , Guo Shengli , Sui Yu , Guo Yang , Chen Bin , Wang Hangdong , Ding Cui , Ning F.L. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWe report the synthesis and characterization of a bulk form diluted magnetic semiconductor Ba(Zn1−2xMnxCux)2As2"Equation missing" with the crystal structure identical to that of “122” family iron based superconductors and the antiferromagnet BaMn2As2. No ferromagnetic order occurs with (Zn, Mn) or (Zn, Cu) substitution in the parent compound BaZn2As2. Only when Zn is substituted by both Mn and Cu simultaneously, can the system undergo a ferromagnetic transition below TC ~ 70 K, followed by a magnetic glassy transition at Tf  ~ 35 K. AC susceptibility measurements for Ba(Zn0.75Mn0.125Cu0.125)2As2 reveal that Tf strongly depends on the applied frequency with "Equation missing" and a DC magnetic field dependence of "Equation missing", demonstrating that a spin glass transition takes place at Tf. As large as −53% negative magnetoresistance has been observed in Ba(Zn1−2xMnxCux)2As2, enabling its possible application in memory devices.
Size does matter: crocodile mothers react more to the voice of smaller offspring
Authors: Chabert T. , Colin A. , Aubin T. , Shacks V. , Bourquin S. L. , Elsey R. M. , Acosta J. G. , Mathevon N. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractParental care is widespread in Archosaurs (birds, crocodilians, dinosaurs and pterosaurs) and this group provides a useful model for the evolution of parent-offspring interactions. While offspring signalling has been well-studied in birds, the modulation of parental care in crocodilians remains an open question. Here we show that acoustic communication has a key role in the dynamics of crocodilian’ mother-offspring relationships. We found embedded information about the emitter’s size in juvenile calls of several species and experimentally demonstrated that Nile crocodile mothers breeding in the wild are less receptive to the calls of larger juveniles. Using synthetized sounds, we further showed that female’ reaction depends on call pitch, an important cue bearing size information. Changes in acoustic interactions may thus go with the break of maternal care as well as dispersal of juvenile crocodilians. This process could have characterized other archosaurs displaying rapid early growth such as dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
Chronic Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin System Induces Lung Fibrosis
Authors: Wang Jiaolong , Chen Li , Chen Bohao , Meliton Angelo , Liu Shu Q. , Shi Yongyan , Liu Tianjing , Deb Dilip K. , Solway Julian , Chun Li Yan 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPulmonary fibrosis is a serious lung disorder that can lead to respiratory failure. Here we show that transgenic mice expressing active renin from the liver (RenTgMK) developed progressive pulmonary fibrosis leading to impaired pulmonary function. Histological analyses revealed a marked increase in extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and decrease in alveolar size in the lungs of RenTgMK mice compared to wild-type (WT) littermates, accompanied with increased expression of ECM proteins and fibrogenic factors. The increase in lung fibrosis led to a substantial decrease in respiratory system compliance. Two-week treatment with aliskiren (renin inhibitor) or losartan (AT1 antagonist) ameliorated pulmonary ECM deposition, blocked the induction of ECM proteins and fibrogenic factors and improved respiratory compliance in RenTgMK mice, confirming a critical role of the renin-Ang II-AT1 cascade in promoting pulmonary fibrogenesis. However, when RenTgMK mice were treated with hydralazine (a smooth muscle relaxant), the blood pressure was normalized but the lung fibrotic abnormalities, fibrogenic gene induction and pulmonary elasticity were not corrected. Moreover, intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide induced more severe lung injury in RenTgMK mice compared to WT littermates. These observations demonstrate that the renin-angiotensin system is a key mediator of lung fibrosis and its pro-fibrotic effect is independent of blood pressure.
Light exposure before learning improves memory consolidation at night
Authors: Shan Li-Li , Guo Hao , Song Ning-Ning , Jia Zheng-Ping , Hu Xin-Tian , Huang Jing-Fei , Ding Yu-Qiang , Richter-Levin Gal , Zhou Qi-Xin , Xu Lin 
Published: October 2015

AbstractLight is recently recognized as a modulator able to activate the hippocampus and modulate memory processing, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms. Here, we report that in mice, a short pulse of white light before learning dramatically improves consolidation of contextual fear memory during the night. The light exposure increases hippocampal active p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) and CA1 long-term potentiation (LTP). These light effects are abolished in PAK1 knockout and dominant-negative transgenic mice, but preserved by expression of constitutively active PAK1 in the hippocampus. Our results indicate that light can act as a switch of PAK1 activity that modulate CA1 LTP and thereby memory consolidation without affecting learning and short-term memory.