bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amyloid burden correlates with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease presenting with aphasia
Authors: Jung Y. , Whitwell J. L. , Duffy J. R. , Strand E. A. , Machulda M. M. , Senjem M. L. , Lowe V. , Jack C. R. , Josephs K. A. 
Published: December 2013

Background and purposeA subset of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) present with early and prominent language deficits. It is unclear whether the burden of underlying β‐amyloid pathology is associated with language or general cognitive impairment in these subjects.MethodsThe relationship between cortical β‐amyloid burden on [11C]Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) positron emission tomography (PET) and performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the Wechsler Memory Scale − Third Edition (WMS‐III), the Boston Naming Test (BNT) and the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) was assessed using regression and correlation analyses in subjects presenting with aphasia who showed β‐amyloid deposition on PiB PET.ResultsThe global PiB ratio was inversely correlated with MoCA (P = 0.02) and the WMS‐III Visual Reproduction (VR) subtest (VR I, P = 0.02; VR II, P = 0.04). However, the correlations between PiB ratio, BNT (P = 0.13), WAB aphasia quotient (P = 0.11) and WAB repetition scores (P = 0.34) were not significant.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that an increased cortical β‐amyloid burden is associated with cognitive impairment, but not language deficits, in AD subjects presenting with aphasia. The results suggest that β‐amyloid deposition could be partly contributing to impaired cognition in such patients whilst language dysfunction may be more influenced by other pathological mechanisms, perhaps downstream pathways of β‐amyloid deposition.
The distribution of cerebral microbleeds determines their association with arterial stiffness in non‐cardioembolic acute stroke patients
Authors: Song T.‐J. , Kim J. , Kim Y. D. , Nam H. S. , Lee H. S. , Nam C. M. , Heo J. H. 
Published: December 2013

Background and purposeIncreased arterial stiffness causes vessel damage in the end‐organs. Therefore small vessels in the brain may be susceptible to increased arterial stiffness. Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are topographically or pathophysiologically categorized as deep or infratentorial type and strictly lobar type. Whether the presence and location of CMBs are associated with brachial‐ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) which represents a measure of arterial stiffness was investigated.MethodsBetween June 2006 and January 2012, 1137 consecutive patients diagnosed with non‐cardioembolic acute ischaemic stroke and who underwent baPWV measurement and brain gradient‐echo imaging were enrolled. CMBs were classified as deep or infratentorial or strictly lobar according to their location. Severity of leukoaraiosis was determined using the Fazekas scoring system.ResultsCMBs were found in 30.7% of the included patients. These patients were older than those without CMBs. Mean baPWV was higher in patients with CMBs than in those without (20 ± 5 m/s vs. 19 ± 5 m/s; P = 0.001). When comparing baPWV according to the location of the CMB, it was higher in the deep or infratentorial CMB group than in the strictly lobar CMB group (22 ± 5 m/s vs. 20 ± 5 m/s; P = 0.001). In univariate and multivariate multinomial logistic regression analyses, baPWV was found to be independently associated with deep or infratentorial CMBs.ConclusionsArterial stiffness was independently associated with deep or infratentorial CMBs but not lobar CMBs. These findings suggest a pathophysiological association between arterial stiffness and CMBs in the deep or infratentorial region.
Nonlinearities in Meerkat Alarm Calls Prevent Receivers from Habituating
Authors: Karp Denise , Manser Marta B. , Wiley Elizabeth M. , Townsend Simon W. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractDespite the fact that nonlinearities are present in the calls of a number of different species, their adaptive function has received little empirical investigation. Previous studies have demonstrated that playbacks of nonlinear calls evoke a more extreme behavioural response and lead to an increase in responsiveness compared with control playbacks without nonlinearities. Consequently, it has been suggested that nonlinearities might prevent receivers from habituating, by increasing the unpredictability of the call (‘unpredictability hypothesis’). In this study, we tested the unpredictability hypothesis, specifically whether nonlinearities prevent receivers from habituating, by means of a playback experiment using meerkat (Suricata suricatta) alarm calls. We found that in meerkats, playbacks of naturally occurring nonlinear alarm calls take longer to habituate to than alarm calls without any nonlinear intrusions. These data provide important empirical support for the hypothesis that nonlinearities are not just an irrelevant by‐product of the vocal production system, but indeed function adaptively.
Investigation of effects of levobupivacaine injection to rabbit knee joint on histopathologic changes of joint cartilage tissue and changes of serum biochemical parameters
Authors: Ozkaya Hasan , Sarıtaş Tuba Berra , Sarıtaş Zulfıkar Kadır , Korkmaz Musa , Sevımlı Alper , Mehmetoglu İdris , Otelcıoglu Şeref 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of intra‐articular levobupivacaine on rabbit knee articular cartilage and certain biochemical parameters in the blood. A total of 24 New Zealand rabbits were included to study. Blood sampling was carried out in all animals on the first day, then the subjects were randomly allocated either to the control group (Group C, n = 9) or to the levobupivacaine group (Group L, n = 15). Group C underwent each two intra‐articular injections of saline, 0.25 mL into the right knee and 0.50 mL into the left one. Group L was injected 0.25 mL (1.25 mg) of levobupivacaine into the right knee and 0.50 mL (2.5 mg) into the left one. The groups were divided randomly into three. Tissue and blood samples for histologic and biochemical examination were collected from Groups C1 and L1 on the first, C2 and L2 on the second, and C3 and L3 on the tenth day of the study. Interleukin‐1β (IL‐1 β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), and C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels were analyzed. No statistically significant differences could be detected when comparing either left or right joints within the same groups and with Group C and L (P > 0.05). Significant elevations of biochemical parameters were found in Group C. It is concluded that levobupivacaine does not lead to significant histologic changes in rabbit articular cartilage. Significant elevations of biochemical parameters being generally found in the C Group, it is thought that such elevations are not linked to levobupivacaine. Intra‐articular levobupivacaine may be a safe alternative for use in post‐operative analgesia.
Can variable pH and low oxygen moderate ocean acidification outcomes for mussel larvae?
Authors: Frieder Christina A. , Gonzalez Jennifer P. , Bockmon Emily E. , Navarro Michael O. , Levin Lisa A. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractNatural variation and changing climate in coastal oceans subject meroplanktonic organisms to broad ranges ofpHand oxygen ([O2]) levels. In controlled‐laboratory experiments we explored the interactive effects ofpH, [O2], and semidiurnalpHfluctuations on the survivorship, development, and size of early life stages of two mytilid mussels,Mytilus californianusandM. galloprovincialis. Survivorship of larvae was unaffected by lowpH, low [O2], or semidiurnal fluctuations for both mytilid species. LowpH(<7.6) resulted in delayed transition from the trochophore to veliger stage, but this effect of lowpHwas absent when incorporating semidiurnal fluctuations in both species. Also at lowpH, larval shells were smaller and had greater variance; this effect was absent when semidiurnal fluctuations of 0.3 units were incorporated at lowpHforM. galloprovincialisbut not forM. californianus. Low [O2] in combination with lowpHhad no effect on larval development and size, indicating that early life stages of mytilid mussels are largely tolerant to a broad range of [O2] reflective of their environment (80–260 μmol kg−1). The role ofpHvariability should be recognized as an important feature in coastal oceans that has the capacity to modulate the effects of ocean acidification on biological responses.
The first recombinant FVIII produced in human cells – an update on its clinical development programme
Authors: Valentino L. A. , Negrier C. , Kohla G. , Tiede A. , Liesner R. , Hart D. , Knaub S. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe development of inhibitors and the need for frequent venous access for FVIII injection are major challenges in current haemophilia treatment. Presently available recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) products produced in hamster cell lines are associated with inhibitor formation in up to 32% of previously untreated patients. The new human cell line‐derived recombinant human FVIII (Human‐cl rhFVIII) protein is the first native, unmodified truly human rFVIII product produced in a human cell line without additive animal proteins. The aim of using a human cell line for the production of rFVIII is the avoidance of non‐human epitopes on rFVIII, thereby potentially reducing the rate of inhibitor development, avoiding allergic reactions and allowing personalized prophylaxis with the chance of fewer infusions. Studies to date show that prophylaxis with Human‐cl rhFVIII prevents 96% of bleeding events in adults with severe haemophilia A when compared to on‐demand treatment. Available pharmacokinetic data with a mean half‐life of 17.1 h allow personalized prophylaxis with the chance of fewer infusions. Studies in previously treated children and adults indicate that Human‐cl rhFVIII is efficacious and safe in the prevention and treatment of bleeding episodes and that none of the treated patients developed inhibitors or allergic reactions thus far.
Geographical characterisation of honeys according to their mineral content and antioxidant activity using a chemometric approach
Authors: Pasquini Benedetta , Goodarzi Mohammad , Orlandini Serena , Beretta Giangiacomo , Furlanetto Sandra , Dejaegher Bieke 
Published: December 2013

SummaryIn this article, discrimination models are presented, relating the origin of honey samples to several variables, being the concentrations of different cations and anions in the honey samples measured by ion chromatography, and parameters that measure/reflect the antioxidant activity of the honey samples. The unsupervised method, principal component analysis, and supervised discrimination methods, such as linear and quadratic discriminant analysis, and classification and regression trees (CART), were applied to evaluate the existence of data patterns and the relationship between geographical origin and the measured parameters. The model with the best predictive ability (%CCRTEST = 66.67%), the best overall % specificity (80%) and the best overall % sensitivity (67%) was found to be CART. It was proven that the mineral content and parameters analysed can provide enough information for the geographical characterisation and discrimination of honey.
Effect of high‐pressure treatment on trypsin hydrolysis and antioxidant activity of egg white proteins
Authors: Singh Ajaypal , Ramaswamy Hosahalli S. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryHigh‐pressure processing (HPP) is known to modify the functional properties of the proteins by changing its structure that can lead to protein denaturation, aggregation or gelation, depending on the protein system and the applied pressure. The potential to modify functional properties of protein and their products using HPP has been explored widely in last decade. In this study, the effect of HPP on the degree of trypsin hydrolysis (DTH) and antioxidant activity (AA) of egg white protein (EWP) and freeze‐dried egg white powder (DEW) was evaluated. EWP and DEW were subjected to trypsin hydrolysis for up to 120 min, with and without HP treatments [pressure level (350–550 MPa) and treatment time (5–15 min)]. HP treatment caused substantial increase in DTH of EWP and DEW, increasing it from 2.78% (EWP control) and 2.20% (DEW control) to 11.3% (HP‐treated EWP) and 8.41% (HP‐treated DEW), respectively. HP treatment also had an emphatic effect on AA of EWP (concentration 10% w/v) with AA increasing from 9.34% for control EWP to 19.0% after 5‐min HP treatment at 350 MPa and 25.00% after the same treatment at 550 MPa. Overall, HPP caused an increase in DTH and AA of EWP and DEW over the control. SDS‐PAGE and differential scanning calorimetric studies confirmed the effect of HP on the hydrolysis of egg proteins.
Role of Fc‐mediated antibody function in protective immunity against HIV‐1
Authors: Lewis George K. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryThe importance of Fc‐mediated effector function in protective immunity to HIV‐1 (hereafter referred to simply as HIV) is becoming increasingly apparent. A large of number of studies in natural infection cohorts, spanning the last 26 years, have associated Fc‐mediated effector function, particularly antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity, with a favourable clinical course. These studies strongly suggest a role for Fc‐mediated effector function in the post‐infection control of viraemia. More recently, studies in both humans and non‐human primates (NHPs) also implicate Fc‐mediated effector function in blocking HIV acquisition. Accordingly, this review will discuss the results supporting a role of Fc‐mediated effector function in both blocking acquisition and post‐infection control of viraemia. Parallel studies in NHPs and humans will be compared for common themes. Context for this discussion will be provided by summarizing the temporal emergence of key host and virological events over the course of an untreated HIV infection framing where, when and how Fc‐mediated effector function might be protective. A hypothesis that Fc‐mediated effector function protects primarily in the early stages of both acquisition and post‐infection control of viraemia will be developed.
Dominant CD4‐dependent RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase‐specific T‐cell responses in children acutely infected with human enterovirus 71 and healthy adult controls
Authors: Dang Shuangsuo , Gao Ning , Li Yaping , Li Mei , Wang Xiufang , Jia Xiaoli , Zhai Song , Zhang Xin , Liu Jingkun , Deng Huiling , Dong Tao 
Published: December 2013

SummaryHuman enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major causes of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), which leads to significant mortality in infected children. A prophylactic vaccine is urgently needed. However, little is known about the protective T‐cell immunity in individuals infected with the EV71 virus. In this study, we performed a comprehensive ex vivo interferon‐γ ELISPOT analysis in 31 children infected with EV71 as well as in 40 healthy adult controls of the CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cell responses to overlapping peptides spanning the VP1 structural protein and RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) non‐structural protein. EV71‐specific CD4 T‐cell responses were detected in most of the acute patients and were mostly CD4‐dependent RdRp‐specific responses. CD8‐dependent VP1 and RdRp‐specific responses were also detected in a small proportion of recently infected children. There was no significant association between the strength of the T‐cell responses and disease severity observed during the acute EV71 infection phase. Interestingly, an RdRp‐specific, but no VP1‐specific, CD4‐dependent T‐cell response was detected in 30% of the adult controls, and no T‐cell responses were detected in healthy children. In addition, 24 individual peptides containing potential T‐cell epitope regions were identified. The data suggest that CD4‐dependent RdRp‐specific T‐cell responses may play an important role in protective immunity, and the epitopes identified in this study should provide valuable information for future therapeutic and prophylactic vaccine design as well as basic research.
TaCx Thin Films Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition as Diffusion Barriers for Cu Metallization
Authors: Hong Tae Eun , Kim Tae‐Ho , Jung Jae‐Hun , Kim Soo‐Hyun , Kim Hoon 
Published: December 2013

TaCx films were deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using tris (neopentyl) tantalum dichloride, (Ta[CH2C(CH3)3]3Cl2) and H2 plasma as the precursor and reactant, respectively, at substrate temperatures ranging from 200°C to 400°C. The ALD–TaCx films with the formation of nanocrystalline structures and a rock‐salt phase were confirmed by X‐ray and electron diffraction. The ALD temperature window was found to be 225°C–300°C with a growth rate of ~0.11 nm per cycle. The resistivity of the ALD–TaCx films was dependent on the microstructural features, such as the grain size and crystallinity, as well as their composition (C/Ta ratio), and the presence of impurities in the films, which could be controlled by varying the deposition parameters, such as the deposition temperature and reactant pulse conditions. With increasing deposition temperature and reactant pulse time, Ta‐rich films with a low Cl impurity concentration and larger grain size were obtained. The film with a resistivity less than 400 μΩ cm was obtained at 300°C, which was within the ALD temperature window, by optimizing the H2 plasma pulse time. The step coverage of the film deposited at 300°C was approximately 100% over the trench structure (top opening width of 25 nm) with an aspect ratio of ~4.5. The performance of the ALD–TaCx films deposited under the optimized conditions was evaluated as a diffusion barrier for the Cu interconnects. The structure of Cu (100 nm)/ALD–TaCx (5 nm)/ Si was stable without the formation of copper silicide after annealing at 600°C for 30 min.
Fabrication of Highly Porous Silica Thermal Insulators Prepared by Gelation–Freezing Route
Authors: Fukushima Manabu , Yoshizawa Yu‐ichi 
Published: December 2013

Highly porous silica thermal insulators were produced by gelation of a gelatin solution with dispersed silica particles, followed by freeze‐drying and heating at 800°C. The relationship between the ice‐template morphology and the parameters involved in gelation freezing was investigated, in addition to the effect of the microstructure on the thermal conductivity of the silica insulators. The porosity and thermal conductivity of the insulators ranged from 88 to 98 vol% and from 0.168 to 0.054 W (m·K)−1, respectively, both of which could be controlled by changing the silica content in the gel stage. Gelation–freezing route was proved to be a feasible and promising route for the production of very highly porous, machinable insulators.
Cranial size has increased over 133 years in a common bat, Pipistrellus kuhlii: a response to changing climate or urbanization?
Authors: Tomassini Alessandra , Colangelo Paolo , Agnelli Paolo , Jones Gareth , Russo Danilo 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimBats are promising candidates for studying morphometric responses to anthropogenic climate or land‐use changes. We assessed whether the cranial size of a common bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) had changed between 1875 and 2007. We formulated the following hypotheses: (1) if heat loss is an important reaction to climate change, body size will have decreased in response to the increased temperatures, because small bats have a larger surface‐to‐volume ratio and dissipate heat more effectively; (2) if water loss is the main driver, body size will have increased in response to the temperature increase, because larger bats will lose water more slowly through a reduced surface‐to‐volume ratio; (3) the energetic benefits provided by urbanization (food concentration at street lamps, warmer maternity roosts in buildings) will lead to a general body size increase in P. kuhlii; and (4) because street lamps impair moth antipredatory manoeuvres, cranial size may have selectively increased as an adaptive response to handle larger prey (moths) in artificially illuminated sites. Ours is the first study to assess temporal trends in bat body size over more than a century and to relate them to urbanization.LocationMainland Italy.MethodsWe used traditional morphometrics to compare seven variables of skull size in 117 museum specimens (75 female, 42 male).ResultsCranial size increased after 1950, but this change was not paralleled by an increase in body size, measured as forearm length. This selective increase matched a rapid increase in electric public illumination in Italy.Main conclusionsStreet lights are crucial foraging sites for P. kuhlii. The directional change that we found in cranial size might represent microevolutionary adaptive tracking of a sudden shift in food size, making more profitable prey available.
Heterozygosity and orange coloration are associated in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata)
Authors: Herdegen M. , Dudka K. , Radwan J. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe good‐genes‐as‐heterozygosity hypothesis predicts that more elaborate male sexual ornaments are associated with higher levels of heterozygosity. Recent theoretical work suggests that such associations are likely to arise in finite, structured populations. We investigated the correlation between multilocus heterozygosity (MLH), which was estimated using 13 microsatellite loci, and male coloration in a wild population of guppies (Poecilia reticulata), a model species in sexual selection research. We found that MLH was a significant predictor of the relative area of orange spots, a trait that is subject to strong female preference in this species. Neither the relative area of black spots nor the number of black or orange spots was significantly correlated with MLH. We found no statistical support for local effects (i.e. strong effects of heterozygosity at specific markers), which suggests that relative orange spots area reflects genome‐wide heterozygosity.
The evolution of resistance against good and bad infections
Authors: Gandon S. , Vale P. F. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractOpportunities for genetic exchange are abundant between bacteria and foreign genetic elements (FGEs) such as conjugative plasmids, transposable elements and bacteriophages. The genetic novelty that may arise from these forms of genetic exchange is potentially beneficial to bacterial hosts, but there are also potential costs, which may be considerable in the case of phage infection. Some bacterial resistance mechanisms target both beneficial and deleterious forms of genetic exchange. Using a general epidemiological model, we explored under which conditions such resistance mechanisms may evolve. We considered a population of hosts that may be infected by FGEs that either confer a benefit or are deleterious to host fitness, and we analysed the epidemiological and evolutionary outcomes of resistance evolving under different cost/benefit scenarios. We show that the degree of co‐infection between these two types of infection is particularly important in determining the evolutionarily stable level of host resistance. We explore these results using the example of CRISPR‐Cas, a form of bacterial immunity that targets a variety of FGEs, and we show the potential role of bacteriophage infection in selecting for resistance mechanisms that in turn limit the acquisition of plasmid‐borne antibiotic resistance. Finally, beyond microbes, we discuss how endosymbiotic associations may have shaped the evolution of host immune responses to pathogens.