bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Entomologic investigation of Plasmodium knowlesi vectors in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia
Authors: Jiram Adela I , Vythilingam Indra , NoorAzian Yusuf M , Yusof Yusri M , Azahari Abdul H , Fong Mun-Yik 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The first natural infection of Plasmodium knowlesi in humans was recorded in 1965 in peninsular Malaysia. Extensive research was then conducted and it was postulated that it was a rare incident and that simian malaria will not be easily transmitted to humans. However, at the turn of the 21st century, knowlesi malaria was prevalent throughout Southeast Asia and is life threatening. Thus, a longitudinal study was initiated to determine the vectors, their seasonal variation and preference to humans and macaques.

Methods
Monthly mosquito collections were carried out in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, peninsular Malaysia, using human-landing collection and monkey-baited traps at ground and canopy levels. All mosquitoes were identified and all anopheline mosquitoes were dissected and the gut and gland examined for oocysts and sporozoites. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on positive samples, followed by sequencing of the csp gene.

Results and discussion

Anopheles cracens was the predominant mosquito biting humans as well as the macaques. It comprised 63.2% of the total collection and was the only species positive for sporozoites of P. knowlesi. It was exophagic and did not enter houses. Besides An. cracens, Anopheles kochi was also found in the monkey-bait trap. Both species preferred to bite monkeys at ground level compared to canopy.

Conclusion

Anopheles cracens, which belongs to the Dirus complex, Leucosphyrus subgroup, Leucosphyrus group of mosquitoes, has been confirmed to be the only vector for this site from Pahang during this study. It was the predominant mosquito at the study sites and with deforestation humans and villages are entering deeper in the forests, and nearer to the mosquitoes and macacques. The close association of humans with macaques and mosquitoes has led to zoonotic transmission of malaria.
Synthesis and antifungal activity of novel pyrazolecarboxamide derivatives containing a hydrazone moiety
Authors: Wu Jian , Wang Jian , Hu Deyu , He Ming , Jin Linhong , Song Baoan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
The plant pathogenic fungus (such as Gibberella zeae, Fusarium oxysporum and Cytospora mandshurica) causes devastating disease in agriculture. The pathogenic fungus is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. In order to discover new fungicidal molecule with good fungicidal activity against G. zeae, F. oxysporum, and C. mandshurica, we sought to combine the active sub-structure of hydrazone and pyrazole amide derivatives together to design and synthesize novel pyrazole amide derivatives containing a hydrazone moiety.

Results
A series of novel pyrazole amide derivatives bearing hydrazone moiety were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by 1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. The preliminary biological assays revealed that most of the synthesized compounds exhibit favorable antifungal activities against G. zeae. The activity of compounds 7a, 7f, 7g, 7h, 7i, 7j, 7l and 7q were 40.82%, 47.78%, 50.32%, 40.82%, 49.05%, 48.73%, 40.19% and 45.89%, respectively, and the synthesized compounds showed certain antifungal activities against F. oxysporum and C.mandshurica.

Conclusion
A practical synthetic route to pyrazole amide derivatives containing a hydrazone moiety were synthesized by the condensation of intermediates 5-chloro-N-(4-subsititued-2-(hydrazinecarbonyl)-6-methylphenyl)-1,3-dimethyl-1 H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide with different aldehydes or ketones in ethanol at room temperature is presented, the results of the study suggested that the pyrazole amide derivatives containing hydrazone moieties could inhibit the growth of G. zeae, F. oxysporium and C. mandshurica to a certain extent.
HDM2 antagonist MI-219 (spiro-oxindole), but not Nutlin-3 (cis-imidazoline), regulates p53 through enhanced HDM2 autoubiquitination and degradation in human malignant B-cell lymphomas
Authors: Sosin Angela M , Burger Angelika M , Siddiqi Aisha , Abrams Judith , Mohammad Ramzi M , Al-Katib Ayad M 
Published: September 2012

Abstract

Background
Lymphomas frequently retain wild-type (wt) p53 function but overexpress HDM2, thereby compromising p53 activity. Therefore, lymphoma is a suitable model for studying the therapeutic value of disrupting the HDM2-p53 interaction by small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs). HDM2 have been developed and are under various stages of preclinical and clinical investigation. Previously, we examined the anti-lymphoma activity of MI-319, the laboratory grade of a new class of HDM2 SMI, the spiro-oxindole, in follicular lymphoma. Since then, MI-219, the clinical grade has become readily available. This study further examines the preclinical effects and mechanisms of MI-219 in a panel of human lymphoma cell lines as well as a cohort of patient-derived B-lymphcytes for its potential clinical use.

Results
Preclinical assessment of MI-219 was evaluated by means of an in vitro and ex vivo approach and compared to Nutlin-3, the gold standard. Characterization of p53 activity and stability were assessed by quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunoprecipitation. Biological outcome was measured using Trypan blue exclusion assay, Annexin V/PI, PARP and caspase-3 cleavage. Surprisingly, the overall biological effects of Nutlin-3 were more delayed (48 h) while MI-219 triggered an earlier response (12-24 h), predominantly in the form of apoptotic cell death. Using a cell free autoubiquitination assay, neither agent interfered with HDM2 E3 ligase function. MI-219 was more effective in upregulating wt-p53 stabilization compared to Nutlin-3. MI-219, but not Nutlin-3, enhanced the autoubiquitination and degradation of HDM2.

Conclusions
Our data reveals unexpected differences between MI-219 and the well-studied Nutlin-3 in lymphoma cell lines and patient samples. We suggest a novel mechanism for MI-219 that alters the functional activity of HDM2 through enhanced autoubiquitination and degradation. Additionally, this mechanism appears to correspond to biological outcome. Our results provide evidence that different classes of HDM2 SMIs elicit molecular events that extend beyond HDM2-p53 dissociation which may be of biological and potentially therapeutic importance.
Mean-field description and propagation of chaos in networks of Hodgkin-Huxley and FitzHugh-Nagumo neurons
Authors: Baladron Javier , Fasoli Diego , Faugeras Olivier , Touboul Jonathan 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
We derive the mean-field equations arising as the limit of a network of interacting spiking neurons, as the number of neurons goes to infinity. The neurons belong to a fixed number of populations and are represented either by the Hodgkin-Huxley model or by one of its simplified version, the FitzHugh-Nagumo model. The synapses between neurons are either electrical or chemical. The network is assumed to be fully connected. The maximum conductances vary randomly. Under the condition that all neurons’ initial conditions are drawn independently from the same law that depends only on the population they belong to, we prove that a propagation of chaos phenomenon takes place, namely that in the mean-field limit, any finite number of neurons become independent and, within each population, have the same probability distribution. This probability distribution is a solution of a set of implicit equations, either nonlinear stochastic differential equations resembling the McKean-Vlasov equations or non-local partial differential equations resembling the McKean-Vlasov-Fokker-Planck equations. We prove the well-posedness of the McKean-Vlasov equations, i.e. the existence and uniqueness of a solution. We also show the results of some numerical experiments that indicate that the mean-field equations are a good representation of the mean activity of a finite size network, even for modest sizes. These experiments also indicate that the McKean-Vlasov-Fokker-Planck equations may be a good way to understand the mean-field dynamics through, e.g. a bifurcation analysis.

Mathematics Subject Classification (2000):60F99, 60B10, 92B20, 82C32, 82C80, 35Q80.
Gestation increases the energetic cost of breathing in the lizard, Tiliqua rugosa
Authors: Munns Suzanne L. 
Published: September 2012

Summary
High gestational loads result in fetuses that occupy a large proportion of the body cavity and may compress maternal organs. Compression of the lungs results in alterations in breathing patterns during gestation which may affect the oxidative cost of breathing. In this study, the oxidative cost of breathing during gestation was determined in the viviparous skink, Tiliqua rugosa. Radiographic imaging showed progressive lung compression during gestation and a 30% reduction in the lung compression index (rib number at which the caudal margin of the lung was imaged). Pneumotachography and open flow respirometry were used to measure breathing patterns and metabolic rates. Gestation induced a two fold increase in minute ventilation via increases in breathing frequency but no change in inspired tidal volume. The rates of O2 consumption and CO2 production did not change significantly during gestation. Together, these results suggest that a relative hyperventilation occurs during gestation in Tiliqua rugosa. This relative hyperventilation suggests that diffusion and/or perfusion limitations may exist at the lung during gestation. The oxidative cost of breathing was estimated as a percentage of resting metabolic rate using hypercapnia to stimulate ventilation at different stages of pregnancy. The oxidative cost of breathing in non pregnant lizards was 19.96±3.85% and increased 3 fold to 62.80±10.11% during late gestation. This significant increase in the oxidative cost of breathing may have significant consequences for energy budgets during gestation.
Limb force and non-sagittal plane joint moments during maximum-effort curve sprint running in humans
Authors: Luo Geng , Stefanyshyn Darren 
Published: September 2012

Summary
Compared to running straight, when human runners sprint along a curve, the ability of the inside leg to generate force is compromised. This decreased force generation has been suggested to limit the overall performance of the runner. One theory for this force loss is that the large non-sagittal plane joint moments of the inside leg reach their operating limits, thus prohibiting further generation of the performance-related sagittal plane joint moments. We investigated the inside leg force generation and the ankle and knee joint moments when 13 subjects sprinted with and without an additional mass of 12.4 kg along a curve of 2.5 m radius. The increase in the subjects' mass evoked a significant increase in the resultant ground reaction force. The peak non-sagittal plane moments increased significantly for both the ankle and knee joints. This observation suggests that when sprinting normally with maximum effort, the non-sagittal plane joint moments are not operating at their limits. The large increases in ground reaction force were associated with greater extension moments generated at the knee joint. In contrast, the peak ankle plantarflexion moment remained unchanged across conditions. It is possible that for the specific joint configuration experienced, the overall ability to generate plantarflexion moment reaches the limit. Future studies with interventions increasing the muscle tendon units' ability to generate plantarflexion moment may provide an experimental opportunity to further examine this speculation.
Transition from leg to wing forces during take-off in birds
Authors: Provini Pauline , Tobalske Bret W. , Crandell Kristen E. , Abourachid Anick 
Published: September 2012

SummaryTake-off mechanics are fundamental to the ecology and evolution of flying animals. Recent research reveals that initial take-off velocity in birds is driven mostly by hindlimbs forces. However, the contribution of the wings during the transition to air is unknown. To investigate this transition, we integrated measures of both leg and wing forces during take-off and the first three wingbeats in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata, 15g, N=7) and diamond dove (Geopelia cuneata, 50g, N=3). We measured ground-reaction forces produced by the hindlimbs using a perch mounted on a force-plate, whole body and wing kinematics using high-speed video, and aerodynamic forces using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Take-off performance was generally similar between species. When birds were perched, an acceleration peak produced by the legs contributed to 85±1% of the whole body resultant acceleration in finch and 77±6% in dove. At lift-off, coincident with the start of the first downstroke, the percentage of hindlimb contribution to initial flight velocity was 93.6±0.6% in finch and 95.2±0.4% in dove. In finch, the first wingbeat produced 57.9±3.4% of the lift created during subsequent wingbeats compared to 62.5±2.2% in dove. Advance ratios were &lt; 0.5 in both species, even when taking self-convection of shed vortices into account, so it was likely that wing-wake interactions dominated aerodynamics during wingbeats 2 and 3. These results underscore the relatively low contribution of the wings to initial take-off, and reveal a novel transitional role for the first wingbeat in terms of force production.
What's hot: the enhancing effects of thermal stress on long-term memory formation in Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Teskey Morgan L. , Lukowiak Kai S. , Riaz Hamza , Dalesman Sarah , Lukowiak Ken 
Published: September 2012

Summary
The pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, naturally inhabits slow flowing, shallow and stagnant environments in the northern temperate zone. Consequently, it will experience wide temperature fluctuations dependent on prevailing weather conditions. We hypothesize that periods of warming act as a thermal stressor to alter memory formation. Snails were exposed to an acute 1h period of 30°C pond water and we determined how memory formation following operant conditioning of aerial respiration was affected. In snails used here (the Dutch strain), a single 0.5h training session (TS) results in intermediate-term (3h) but not long-term memory (LTM). Applying the thermal stressor during training caused memory enhancement (i.e. LTM lasting 24 h). However, the breathing rate also increased in warm water, which might explain the enhanced memory. Therefore, we applied the thermal stressor (1h at 30°C) up to 4h before or 1h after training. This did not alter baseline breathing rate during the period when snails would experience training. However, the thermal stressor weather experienced prior to or following the single TS, resulted in an enhanced memory that persisted up to 48h (i.e. LTM). We conclude that memory enhancement is due to the stress associated with the thermal stimulus.
Lipid composition of the stratum corneum and cutaneous water loss in birds along an aridity gradient
Authors: Champagne Alex M. , Muñoz-Garcia Agustí , Shtayyeh Tamer , Tieleman B. Irene , Hegemann Arne , Clement Michelle E. , Williams Joseph B. 
Published: September 2012

Summary
Intercellular and covalently bound lipids within the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the epidermis, are the primary barrier to cutaneous water loss (CWL) in birds. We compared CWL and intercellular SC lipid composition in 20 species of birds from desert and mesic environments. Furthermore, we compared covalently bound lipids with CWL and intercellular lipids in the lark family (Alaudidae). We found that CWL increases in birds from more mesic environments, and this increase was related to changes in intercellular SC lipid composition. The most consistent pattern that emerged was a decrease in the relative amount of cerebrosides as CWL increased, a pattern that is counterintuitive based on studies of mammals with Gaucher disease. Although covalently bound lipids in larks did not correlate with CWL, we found that covalently bound cerebrosides correlated positively with intercellular cerebrosides and intercellular cholesterol ester, and intercellular cerebrosides correlated positively with covalently bound free fatty acids. Our results led us to propose a new model for the organization of lipids in the avian SC, in which the sugar moieties of cerebrosides lie outside of intercellular lipid layers, where they may interdigitate with adjacent intercellular cerebrosides or with covalently bound cerebrosides.
Anomalous High Bifurcation of the Common Femoral Artery at the Groin: Management of Gsv Incompetence with Endovenous Laser Ablation
Authors: Lekich C , Campbell W , Walton S , Hannah P 
Published: September 2012

Objectives: To discuss safety of EVLA in anomalies of the GSV anatomy. To review and discuss complications of surgery involving anomalous anatomy. Method: We report a case of high bifurcation of the common femoral artery wrapping around the saphenofemoral junction. Results: Successful ablation was achieved with no adverse consequences. Conclusion: EVLA is a safe treatment for SFJ/GSV incompetence in the presence of vascular anomalies that have historically resulted in serious vascular complications from surgery.
Pirfenidone structural isosteres: design, synthesis and spectral study
Authors: Abd El Kader Kamelia F. , El Bialy Serry A.A. , El-Ashmawy Mahmoud B. , Boykin David W. 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Series of 5-substituted arylpyridin-2(1H)-ones and arylpyrimidin-4(3H)-ones were designed and synthesized based on pirfenidone, a compound which shows promising therapeutic effects for treatment of fibrosis. The compounds 1a–c, 2a–c and 3a–c were obtained under mild conditions by arylation of the appropriate heterocyclic amines with arylboronic acids under Chan-Lam-Evans conditions. The synthesis of the useful synthon N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-(1H)-pyridin-2-one (4) is also reported. All compounds were characterized by spectral and elemental analysis and structural elucidation by 1H and 13C NMR is discussed herein.
On the Defect Structure and Transport Properties of Co3O4 Spinel Oxide
Authors: Kaczmarska A. , Grzesik Z. , Mrowec S. 
Published: September 2012

AbstractDefect structure and transport properties of Co3O4 cobalt oxide have been studied as a function of temperature and oxygen pressure, using marker and thermogravimetric techniques. It has been found that the oxidation of CoO to form Co3O4 follows parabolic kinetic, being thus diffusion controlled. Marker experiments have demonstrated that cation sublattice of Co3O4 oxide is predominantly disordered, but the defect structure is rather complex. At very low oxygen pressures, close to the dissociation pressure of the oxide, interstitial cations are the predominant point defects, while at high pressures cation vacancies predominate. This behavior is reflected in complex dependence of the parabolic rate constant of CoO oxidation on oxygen pressure. At low pressures, namely, parabolic rate constant of the reaction increases with oxygen pressure, reaching then virtually constant value in intermediate pressure range and increases again in highest pressure range. Theoretical analysis of kinetic results in terms of point defect thermodynamics confirmed the above conclusion, concerning complex defect structure of Co3±yO4 oxide. Finally, self-diffusion coefficient of cations in the discussed oxide has been calculated as a function of temperature and oxygen pressure from kinetic rate measurements, using Wagner's theory of metals oxidation.
Desperately Seeking Mary: Materializing Mary Richardson Walker, Missionary
Authors: Thigpen Jennifer 
Published: September 2012

Abstract
Documenting a historian's first foray into public history, this essay argues for the importance of material culture in the practice of history. As an assistant professor of history at Washington State University, Jennifer Thigpen embarked on a search for a number of mislaid archival materials belonging to the university's Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker collection. She quickly found herself not only caught up in the search, but convinced of the interpretive value of the artifacts she ultimately located.
Gene Functional Trade-Offs and the Evolution of Pleiotropy
Authors: Guillaume Frédéric , Otto Sarah P 
Published: September 2012

AbstractPleiotropy is the property of genes affecting multiple functions or characters of an organism. Genes vary widely in their degree of pleiotropy, but this variation is often considered a by-product of their evolutionary history. We present a functional theory of how pleiotropy may itself evolve. We consider genes that contribute to two functions, where contributing more to one function detracts from allocation to the second function. We show that whether genes become pleiotropic or specialize on a single function depends on the nature of trade-offs as gene activities contribute to different traits and on how the functionality of these traits affects fitness. In general, when a gene product can perform well at two functions, it evolves to do so, but not when pleiotropy would greatly disrupt each function. Consequently, reduced pleiotropy should often evolve, with genes specializing on the trait that is currently more important to fitness. Even when pleiotropy does evolve, not all genes are expected to become equally pleiotropic; genes with higher levels of expression are more likely to evolve greater pleiotropy. For the case of gene duplicates, we find that perfect subfunctionalization evolves only under stringent conditions. More often, duplicates are expected to maintain a certain degree of functional redundancy, with the gene contributing more to trait functionality evolving the highest degree of pleiotropy. Gene product interactions can facilitate subfunctionalization, but whether they do so depends on the curvature of the fitness surface. Finally, we find that stochastic gene expression favors pleiotropy by selecting for robustness in fitness components.
Variability of Growth in Children Starting Antiretroviral Treatment in Southern Africa
Authors: Gsponer Thomas , Weigel Ralf , Davies Mary-Ann , Bolton Carolyn , Moultrie Harry , Vaz Paula , Rabie Helena , Technau Karl , Ndirangu James , Eley Brian , Garone Daniela , Wellington Maureen , Giddy Janet , Ehmer Jochen , Egger Matthias , Keiser Olivia 
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND:
Poor growth is an indication for antiretroviral therapy (ART) and a criterion for treatment failure. We examined variability in growth response to ART in 12 programs in Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa.

METHODS:
Treatment naïve children aged &lt;10 years were included. We calculated weight for age z scores (WAZs), height for age z scores (HAZs), and weight for height z scores (WHZs) up to 3 years after starting ART, by using the World Health Organization standards. Multilevel regression models were used.

RESULTS:
A total of 17 990 children (range, 238–8975) were followed for 36 181 person-years. At ART initiation, most children were underweight (50%) and stunted (66%). Lower baseline WAZ, HAZ, and WHZ were the most important determinants of faster catch-up growth on ART. WAZ and WHZ increased rapidly in the first year and stagnated or reversed thereafter, whereas HAZ increased continuously over time. Three years after starting ART, WAZ ranged from −2.80 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.66 to −2.02) to −1.98 (95% CI: −2.41 to −1.48) in children with a baseline z score &lt; −3 and from −0.79 (95% CI: −1.62 to 0.02) to 0.05 (95% CI: −0.42 to 0.51) in children with a baseline WAZ ≥ −1. For HAZ, the corresponding range was −2.33 (95% CI: −2.62 to −2.02) to −1.27 (95% CI: −1.58 to −1.00) for baseline HAZ &lt; −3 and −0.24 (95% CI: −0.56 to 0.15) to 0.84 (95% CI: 0.53 to 1.16) for HAZ ≥ −1.

CONCLUSIONS:
Despite a sustained growth response and catch-up growth in children with advanced HIV disease treated with ART, normal weights and heights are not achieved over 3 years of ART.