bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aspergillus fumigatus proteases, Asp f 5 and Asp f 13, are essential for airway inflammation and remodelling in a murine inhalation model
Authors: Namvar S. , Warn P. , Farnell E. , Bromley M. , Fraczek M. , Bowyer P. , Herrick S. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryBackgroundIn susceptible individuals, exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus can lead to the development of atopic lung diseases such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and severe asthma with fungal sensitization (SAFS). Protease allergens including Asp f 5 and Asp f 13 from Aspergillus fumigatus are thought to be important for initiation and progression of allergic asthma.ObjectiveTo assess the importance of secreted protease allergens Asp f 5 (matrix metalloprotease) and Asp f 13 (serine protease) in Aspergillus fumigatus‐induced inflammation, airway hyperactivity, atopy and airway wall remodelling in a murine model following chronic exposure to secreted allergens.MethodsBALB/c mice were repeatedly intranasally dosed over the course of 5 weeks with culture filtrate from wild‐type (WT), Asp f 5 null (∆5) or Asp f 13 null (∆13) strains of Aspergillus fumigatus. Airway hyper‐reactivity was measured by non‐invasive whole‐body plethysmography, Th2 response and airway inflammation by ELISA and cell counts, whilst airway remodelling was assessed by histological analysis.ResultsParent WT and ∆5 culture filtrates showed high protease activity, whilst protease activity in ∆13 culture filtrate was low. Chronic intranasal exposure to the three different filtrates led to comparable airway hyper‐reactivity and Th2 response. However, protease allergen deleted strains, in particular ∆13 culture filtrate, induced significantly less airway inflammation and remodelling compared to WT culture filtrate.ConclusionAspergillus fumigatus‐secreted allergen proteases, Asp f 5 and Asp f 13, are important for recruitment of inflammatory cells and remodelling of the airways in this murine model. However, deletion of a single allergen protease fails to alleviate airway hyper‐reactivity and allergic immune response. Targeting protease activity of Aspergillus fumigatus in conditions such as SAFS or ABPA may have beneficial effects in preventing key aspects of airway pathology.
How rhinovirus infections cause exacerbations of asthma
Authors: Gern J. E. 
Published: October 2014

SummaryRhinovirus (RV) infections are closely linked to exacerbations of asthma, and yet most RV infections of patients with asthma cause only upper respiratory symptoms. These findings suggest that RV and other viral infections contribute to the causation of acute exacerbations of asthma, but that additional cofactors are generally required. In fact, factors related to the host, virus, and environment have been identified that affect the severity of RV infections, and propensity to develop lower respiratory tract symptoms. This review will discuss these factors and how their effects may act alone or in combination to increase the probability of RV‐induced exacerbations of asthma.
Phylogeny of theNorthAmerican vaejovid scorpion subfamilySyntropinae Kraepelin, 1905, based on morphology, mitochondrial and nuclearDNA
Authors: González‐Santillán Edmundo , Prendini Lorenzo 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe first rigorous analysis of the phylogeny of the North American vaejovid scorpion subfamily Syntropinae is presented. The analysis is based on 250 morphological characters and 4221 alignedDNAnucleotides from three mitochondrial and two nuclear gene markers, for 145 terminal taxa, representing 47 species in 11 ingroup genera, and 15 species in eight outgroup genera. The monophyly and composition of Syntropinae and its component genera, as proposed by Soleglad and Fet, are tested. The following taxa are demonstrated to be para‐ or polyphyletic: Smeringurinae; Syntropinae; Vaejovinae; Stahnkeini; Syntropini; Syntropina; Thorelliina;Hoffmannius;Kochius; andThorellius. The spinose (hooked or toothed) margin of the distal barb of the sclerotized hemi‐mating plug is demonstrated to be a unique, unambiguous synapomorphy for Syntropinae, uniting taxa previously assigned to different subfamilies. Results of the analysis demonstrate a novel phylogenetic relationship for the subfamily, comprising six major clades and 11 genera, justify the establishment of six new genera, and they offer new insights about the systematics and historical biogeography of the subfamily, and the information content of morphological character systems.
Degeneration and Regeneration of GABAergic Interneurons in the Dentate Gyrus of Adult Mice in Experimental Models of Epilepsy
Authors: Wei Dong , Yang Fang , Wang Ying , Yang Feng , Wu Chen , Wu Sheng‐Xi , Jiang Wen 
Published: October 2014

SummaryAimsMounting evidence showed that GABAergic interneurons play an important role in the generation of seizures by regulating excitatory/inhibitory balance in the hippocampus; however, there is a continuous debate regarding the alteration in the number of hippocampal GABAergic interneurons during epileptogenesis. Here, we investigated the degeneration and regeneration of GABAergic interneurons in the dentate gyrus during epileptogenesis using glutamic acid decarboxylase‐green fluorescence protein (GAD67‐GFP) knock‐in mice.Methods and ResultsPentylenetetrazol (PTZ)‐induced chronic kindling model and lithium–pilocarpine‐induced status epilepticus (SE) model were used in this study. We found a progressive loss of GABAergic interneurons in the dentate gyrus during post‐SE epileptogenesis rather than PTZ kindling. Both types of epileptogenic insults significantly promoted the proliferation of neural progenitor cells in the dentate gyrus; however, compared to 80% neuronal differentiation ratio in the control group, there was a remarkable decrease in PTZ kindling and pilocarpine models, that is 58% and 29%, respectively. Double/triple immunofluorescence labeling revealed no newborn neurons colabeled with GFP in both intact and epileptic dentate gyrus. In addition, valproate (a first‐line antiepileptic drug) treatment prevented the loss of GABAergic interneurons but still failed to induce the regeneration of GAD67‐positive interneurons in the dentate gyrus during post‐SE epileptogenesis.ConclusionsThese results indicate that degeneration of GABAergic interneurons may depend on the type of epileptogenic insult and that no newborn GABAergic interneurons occur in the adult dentate gyrus during epileptogenesis.
The permeability of active subduction plate boundary faults
Authors: Saffer D. M. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAt subduction zones, continuous influx of fluids drives a dynamic system in which fault slip, fluid flow, and advective transport are tightly coupled. Field and numerical modeling studies have provided insight into the nature and rates of flow in these systems and illustrate that active subduction faults, including the master décollement and splay faults cutting the upper plate, are important conduits. Observations of in situ fracture dilation, modeling studies, and direct measurements documenting strong pressure dependence of fault permeability collectively suggest that permeability varies in time, perhaps due to pore pressure cycling. However, mechanical and fluid budget considerations dictate that increased fault permeability cannot be sustained, nor can it be present across the entire fault surface at a given time. The emerging conceptual model is that permeable patches or channels occupy only a fraction of the fault surface and shift transiently. Fault zone permeabilities obtained by several approaches are consistent between margins, with time‐averaged values of approximately 10−15 to 10−14 m2, several orders of magnitude higher than for the sediment matrix. Higher, transiently increased values of approximately 10−13 to 10−11 m2 are required to explain geochemical and thermal signals and observed focused flow rates. Although faults accommodate significant fluid fluxes from dewatering of the surrounding sediment, they have little effect on pore pressures within the wall rock, where drainage is limited by low matrix permeability. However, fault permeability is a key control on the transport and preservation of localized geochemical and thermal anomalies from depths where temperatures are higher and low‐temperature metamorphic reactions are underway. Despite significant recent progress, several key aspects of hydrologic behavior in these active faults remain incompletely understood, including the nature and timescale of transience, the causes of permeability enhancement and its relationship to fault slip and pore pressure fluctuations, and the depths and distances from which deeply sourced fluids are captured, mixed, and transported up‐dip.
Apple pomace in gluten‐free formulations: effect on rheology and product quality
Authors: Rocha Parra Andrés F. , Ribotta Pablo D. , Ferrero Cristina 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThe objective of the present work was to formulate a gluten‐free (GF) baked product based on a cassava starch, rice flour and egg white mixture and enriched with apple pomace with minimum processing as source of fibre. Effects of apple pomace and water amount on batters and product quality were analysed by response surface methodology (RSM). Dynamic moduli of batters, specific volume and crumb texture were highly dependent on both apple pomace and water. Higher levels of fibre rendered less cohesive and less resilient crumbs and diminished specific volumes. A suitable balance between amounts of apple pomace and water led to products with enough specific volume and sponginess. Up to 12.5 g apple pomace and water ranging from 115 to 150 g (each 100 g mixture), specific volumes were maintained higher than 2 cm3 g−1; if apple pomace was increased up to 20 g, water amounts higher than 140 g were necessary to obtain similar results.
Comparative evaluation of atmospheric and vacuum microwave‐assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from fresh and dried Centella asiatica L. leaves
Authors: Hiranvarachat Bhudsawan , Devahastin Sakamon , Soponronnarit Somchart 
Published: October 2014

SummaryMicrowave‐assisted extraction (MAE) involves extraction under higher‐temperature and oxygen‐rich environment, which may cause degradation of bioactive compounds being extracted. Reducing the extraction temperature by reducing the system pressure is thus of interest. Nevertheless, information is lacking on the kinetics of vacuum microwave‐assisted extraction (VMAE) at various pressures. Detailed temperature evolution of a material–solvent mixture during VMAE is also not available. This study investigated the extraction kinetics of triterpene saponins and phenolics from both fresh and dried Centella leaves during MAE and VMAE at various pressures. In the case of fresh leaves, the maximum contents of triterpene saponins were reached when VMAE was performed at 60 kPa, whereas the maximum total phenolics content (TPC) was achieved when the extraction was performed at atmospheric condition. In the case of dried leaves, the maximum triterpene saponins contents as well as TPC were achieved when extraction was performed at atmospheric condition.
A montage of the qualities of the registered nurse
Authors: Wilkes L. , Cowin L. , Johnson M. , Zheng X. 
Published: October 2014

AimThis study aimed to gain undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of the essential qualities of the professional nurse.BackgroundAn essential component of undergraduate nursing programmes is to educate the student to become qualified as a professional/registered nurse. These characteristics will determine curricula and students' perceptions. No qualitative studies of the essential qualities of nurses are evident in recent literature.MethodsA descriptive survey method was used to gather participants' perceptions of the qualities of a registered nurse over each year of their bachelor of nursing course at the largest programme in Australia.FindingsSix concepts occurred most frequently in the students' responses. Caring was the most common followed by knowledge/understanding, empathy, work, communication and skills.DiscussionA montage was developed with an interlacing of the qualities rather than any one concept predominating any year. Each quality was seen as essential and used to varying degrees as the nurse becomes a professional. These qualities form part of the education of nurses and have implications for nursing and/or health policy. This study has implications in the development of nursing curricula, which should include both the science and art of nursing with an emphasis on technical and communication skills.ConclusionThis study has shown that students in Australia hold similar perceptions to their contemporaries in other international western countries.Implications for Nursing and Health PolicyCaring is emphasized as a critical component of nursing delivery; however, opportunities must be presented to students to integrate skills such as caring, knowledge/understanding, empathy and communication.
Reproductive biology of the Caribbean brooding octocoral Antillogorgia hystrix
Authors: Coelho Márcio A.G. , Lasker Howard R. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe reproductive biology of the Caribbean gorgonian Antillogorgia hystrix was studied in the shallow‐water reefs of Cross Harbour, Great Abaco (The Bahamas) from 2009 to 2010. Antillogorgia hystrix is an internal brooder that reproduces annually. The population at Cross Harbour was gonochoric and the sex ratio was skewed toward females (~3:1). Oogenesis precedes spermatogenesis by several months, and lasts at least 9 months, with oocytes >100 μm in diameter first becoming visible in dissections of samples from February; mature oocytes are present in late October–November. The size of mature oocytes (400–900 μm in diameter) was greater than that of the spermaries, which were rarely larger than 400 μm. Brooded planulae were observed in polyps from early November to mid‐December, and planula release was observed in aquaria in December 2009, which suggests that planulation occurs continuously over this period. Planulae of A. hystrix contained dinoflagellate symbionts, presumably acquired during embryogenesis and/or by mature planulae while they were in the gastrovascular cavity of the polyp. Brooding is an uncommon reproductive strategy among Caribbean gorgonians and this is the first report of internal brooding in the genus Antillogorgia. The genus contains a number of sympatric species with different modes of reproduction, and knowledge of their reproductive biology is critical to understand their ecology and evolution.
The secret to a successful relationship: lasting chemistry between ascidians and their symbiotic bacteria
Authors: Schmidt Eric W. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBioactive secondary metabolites are common components of marine animals. In many cases, symbiotic bacteria, and not the animals themselves, synthesize the compounds. Among marine animals, ascidians are good models for understanding these symbioses. Ascidians often contain potently bioactive secondary metabolites as their major extractable components. Strong evidence shows that ~8% of the known secondary metabolites from ascidians are made by symbiotic bacteria, and indirect evidence implicates bacteria in the synthesis of many more. Far from being “secondary” to the animals, secondary metabolites are essential components of the interaction between host animals and their symbiotic bacteria. These interactions have complex underlying biology, but the chemistry is clearly ascidian species‐specific. The chemical interactions are ancient in at least some cases, and they are widespread among ascidians. Ascidians maintain secondary metabolic symbioses with bacteria that are phylogenetically diverse, indicating convergent solutions to obtaining secondary metabolites and reinforcing the importance of secondary metabolism in animal survival.
Dielectric Relaxations in Rutile TiO2
Authors: Wang Chunchang , Zhang Nan , Li Qiuju , Yu Yi , Zhang Jian , Li Yide , Wang Hong 
Published: October 2014

Dielectric properties of high‐purity (4N degree) rutile TiO2 ceramics were investigated over a wide temperature (100–1073 K) and frequency (20 Hz–10 MHz) ranges. X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy measurement revealed the sample possesses mixed‐valent states of Ti3+/Ti4+. Four thermally activated relaxations were observed. The lowest temperature relaxation (R1) features two Arrhenius segments with activation energy of 30 and 80 meV for the low‐ and high‐temperature segments, respectively. This relaxation was argued to be a polaron relaxation due to electrons hopping between Ti3+ and Ti4+ ions. The second relaxation (R2) appears around room temperature showing activation energy of 0.68 eV is believed to be a Maxwell‐Wagner relaxation. The high‐temperature relaxations R3 and R4 with activation energy of 0.84 and 1.26 eV were ascribed to the conduction process due to the hopping motions of singly and doubly charged oxygen vacancies, respectively.
The Impact of Heat Treatment on the Domain Configuration and Strain Behavior in Pb[Zr,Ti]O3 Ferroelectrics
Authors: Schmitt Ljubomira Ana , Kungl Hans , Hinterstein Manuel , Riekehr Lars , Kleebe Hans‐Joachim , Hoffmann Michael J. , Eichel Rüdiger‐A. , Fuess Hartmut 
Published: October 2014

The influence of heat treatment in lead zirconate titanate Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) ferroelectrics on the domain structure and strain behavior has been investigated. Temperature‐induced changes in the domain configuration, for example, appearance of nanodomains within microdomains, were observed by in situ hot‐stage transmission electron microscopy. During the transient post annealing state the strain behavior under electric field differed from that of the nonheat‐treated ferroelectrics. Directly after cooling the difference was most pronounced and decreased as a function of time. The enhanced response to an electric field of 4 kV/mm resulted in qualitatively different effects on strain for PZT from the tetragonal side and from the rhombohedral side of the morphotropic phase boundary.
Stability and CMAS Resistance of Ytterbium‐Silicate/Hafnate EBCs/TBC for SiC Composites
Authors: Poerschke David L. , Hass Derek D. , Eustis Susie , Seward Gareth G.E. , Van Sluytman Jason S. , Levi Carlos G. 
Published: October 2014

Multilayer ytterbium‐hafnate/silicate coatings deposited by directed vapor deposition and designed to protect SiC‐based ceramic matrix composites were assessed to determine their thermochemical stability and resistance to attack by molten silicate deposits (CMAS). The study revealed that reactions occurring at the interface between Yb2Si2O7 and Yb4Hf3O12 layers promote coating delamination following isothermal annealing for 100 h/1500°C while coating architectures involving Yb2SiO5 in contact with Yb4Hf3O12 do not experience similar degradation. The outer Yb4Hf3O12 layers, segmented for compliance, were only moderately effective in mitigating CMAS infiltration at 1300°C and 1500°C. The results indicate that the reaction between the melt and coating forms large volumes of a silicate garnet phase at 1300°C, or a cuspidine‐type aluminosilicate at 1500°C, in addition to the apatite and reprecipitated fluorite phases observed in related systems.
Investigating the underlying mechanisms of temperature‐related skin diseases in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., as measured by quantitative histology, skin transcriptomics and composition
Authors: Jensen L B , Boltana S , Obach A , McGurk C , Waagbø R , MacKenzie S 
Published: October 2014

AbstractSkin integrity is recognized as of vital consideration for both animal welfare and final product quality of farmed fish. This study examines the effects of three different rearing temperatures (4, 10 and 16 °C) on the skin of healthy Atlantic salmon post‐smolts. Changes in skin condition were assessed by the means of skin composition analyses, quantitative histology assessments and transcriptome analysis. Level of protein, vitamin C and vitamin E was significantly higher at 16 °C compared with 4 °C. Quantitative histology measurements showed that the epidermal thickness decreased from low to high temperature, whereas the epidermal area comprising mucous cells increased. The difference was only significant between 4 and 16 °C. Both high and low temperature exhibited significant changes in the skin transcriptome. A number of immune‐related transcripts responded at both temperatures. Contrary to well‐described immunosuppressive effects of low water temperature on systemic immunity, a subtle increase in skin‐mediated immunity was observed, suggesting a pre‐activation of the mucosal system at 4 °C. Upregulation of a number of heat‐shock proteins correlating with a decrease in epidermal thickness suggested a stress response in the skin at high temperature. The results demonstrate distinctive temperature‐related effects on the skin of Atlantic salmon.
Astrocytes mediate HIV‐1 Tat‐induced neuronal damage via ligand‐gated ion channel P2X7R
Authors: Tewari Manju , Monika   , Varghese Rebu K , Menon Malini , Seth Pankaj 
Published: October 2014

AbstractDuring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐1 infection, perturbations in neuron–glia interactions may culminate in neuronal damage. Recently, purinergic receptors have been implicated in the promotion of virus‐induced neurotoxicity and supporting the viral life cycle at multiple stages. The astrocytes robustly express purinergic receptors. We therefore sought to examine if P2X7R, a P2X receptor subtype, can mediate HIV‐1 Tat‐induced neuronal apoptosis. Tat augmented the expression of P2X7R in astrocytes. Our data reveal the involvement of P2X7R in Tat‐mediated release of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP‐1) /chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) from the astrocytes. P2X7R antagonists, such as the oxidized ATP, A438079, brilliant blue G, and broad spectrum P2 receptor antagonist suramin, attenuated Tat‐induced CCL2 release in a calcium‐ and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)1/2‐dependent manner. Calcium chelators, (1,2‐bis(o‐aminophenoxy) ethane‐N,N,N',N'‐tetraacetic acid) acetoxymethyl ester and EGTA, and ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 abolished chemokine (C‐C motif) ligand 2 release from astrocytes. Furthermore, in human neuronal cultures, we demonstrated P2X7R involvement in Tat‐mediated neuronal death. Importantly, in the TUNEL assay, the application of P2X7R‐specific antagonists or the knockdown of P2X7R in human astrocytes reduced HIV‐Tat‐induced neuronal death significantly, underlining the critical role of P2X7R in Tat‐mediated neurotoxicity. Our study provides novel insights into astrocyte‐mediated neuropathogenesis in HIV‐1 infection and a novel target for therapeutic management of neuroAIDS.
image
We investigated the role of P2X7R in Tat‐mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal damage. We proposed the following cascade for Tat‐mediated CCL2 release from astrocytes: Tat mediates increase in P2X7R expression, which on activation evokes increase in intracellular calcium, which further leads to phosphorylation of ERK1/2 followed by the release of CCL2 from astrocytes. Tat also leads to direct and indirect (mediated via astrocytes) neuronal death that can be abrogated by inhibiting P2X7R. We believe that these finding should provide new insights into the role of astrocytes in HIV‐1 Tat‐mediated neurotoxicity.