bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vivo detection of polyomaviruses JCV and SV40 in mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cords
Authors: Comar Manola , Delbue Serena , Zanotta Nunzia , Valencic Erica , Piscianz Elisa , Del Savio Rossella , Tesser Alessandra , Tommasini Alberto , Ferrante Pasquale 
Published: January 2014

BackgroundMultipotent stromal cells are present in the Wharton's jelly matrix (WJSC) of the umbilical cord and can be used as an allogeneic source of cells to treat immunological disorders. Recently it was demonstrated that adult bone marrow (BM)‐derived mesenchimal stromal cells (MSC) are susceptible to infection with viruses showing potential oncogenic properties, such as the polyomavirus JC (JCV). The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of human polyomaviruses (JCV, BK Virus‐BKV, SV40, and Merkel cell polyomavirus‐MCPyV) in WJSC, and explore the risk of infection.ProcedureMSC samples from 35 umbilical cords were investigated by quantitative Real Time PCRs for the presence of DNA sequences of JCV, BKV, SV40, and MCPyV.ResultsJCV DNA was detected in 1/35 (2.8%) of MSC samples, while SV40 DNA was found in 3/35 (8.6%) of the examined samples. None of the samples showed sequences of BKV and MCPyV.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrates the in vivo ability of polyomaviruses to infect WJSC. Since the therapeutic approach with the WJSC has high potentiality and a more intensive use can be easily hypothesized, the need to develop consensus guidelines to detect rare viral infections in MSC is pressing. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014; 61:1347–1349. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparative Effectiveness of Linezolid and Vancomycin Among a National Veterans Affairs Cohort with Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Pneumonia
Authors: Caffrey Aisling R. , Morrill Haley J. , Puzniak Laura A. , LaPlante Kerry L. 
Published: January 2014

Study ObjectiveAs variability in vancomycin dosing, susceptibility, and tolerability has driven the need to compare newer agents with vancomycin in real‐world clinical settings, we sought to quantify the effectiveness of linezolid compared with vancomycin on clinical outcomes for the treatment of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pneumonia.DesignRetrospective cohort study.Data SourceVeterans Health Administration national databases.PatientsAdults admitted to Veterans Affairs hospitals between January 2002 and September 2010 with diagnosis codes for MRSA and pneumonia, plus initiation and receipt of at least 3 days of continuous intravenous vancomycin therapy (4943 patients) or intravenous or oral linezolid therapy (328 patients) while in the hospital.Measurements and Main ResultsPropensity score–adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression models quantified the effect of linezolid compared with vancomycin on time to 30‐day mortality (primary outcome), therapy change, hospital discharge, discharge from intensive care, intubation, 30‐day readmission, and 30‐day MRSA reinfection. In addition, a composite outcome of clinical success was defined as discharge from the hospital or intensive care unit by day 14 after treatment initiation, in the absence of death, therapy change, or intubation by day 14. Subgroup analyses were performed in a validated microbiology‐confirmed MRSA subgroup and clinical subgroup meeting clinical criteria for infection. Although a number of baseline variables differed significantly between the vancomycin and linezolid treatment groups, balance was achieved within propensity score quintiles. A significantly lower rate of therapy change was observed in the linezolid group (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.48–0.96). The clinical success rate was significantly higher among patients treated with linezolid (adjusted HR 1.25, 95% CI 1.07–1.47). Comparable findings were observed in the subgroup analyses.ConclusionIndividual clinical outcomes were similar among patients treated for MRSA pneumonia with linezolid compared with vancomycin. A significantly higher rate of the composite outcome of clinical success was observed, however, among patients treated with linezolid compared with vancomycin.
Preparation and Performance of a BTF/DNB Cocrystal Explosive
Authors: Yang Zongwei , Wang Yuping , Zhou Junhong , Li Hongzhen , Huang Hui , Nie Fude 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAn energetic cocrystal containing benzotrifuroxan (BTF) and 1,3‐dinitrobenzene (DNB) in 1 : 1 molar ratio was prepared by slow evaporation of solvent. The structure of the cocrystal was determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD). It belongs to the monoclinic crystal system with space group P21/c. The performance of the cocrystal was evaluated on the basis of thermolysis, impact sensitivity, and detonation properties. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that the cocrystal has a melting point of 130 °C, which is an increase of 38 °C compared to pure DNB; the decomposition temperature is similar to that of pure BTF. The cocrystal exhibits an impact height with 50 % ignition probability of 88 cm, suggesting a substantial reduction in impact sensitivity compared to pure BTF. Furthermore, the cocrystal is predicted to have a detonation velocity of about 7373 m s−1 and a detonation pressure of about 24 GPa, respectively, indicating excellent detonation performance.
On axionic dark matter in Type IIA string theory
Authors: Honecker G. , Staessens W. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractWe investigate viable scenarios with various axions in the context of supersymmetric field theory and in globally consistent D‐brane models. The Peccei‐Quinn symmetry is associated with an anomalous U(1) symmetry, which acquires mass at the string scale but remains as a perturbative global symmetry at low energies. The origin of the scalar Higgs‐axion potential from F‐, D‐ and soft breaking terms is derived, and two Standard Model examples of global intersecting D6‐brane models in Type II orientifolds are presented, which differ in the realisation of the Higgs sector and in the hidden sector, the latter of which is of particluar importance for the soft supersymmetry breaking terms.
Decoding the structural events in substrate‐gating mechanism of eukaryotic prolyl oligopeptidase using normal mode analysis and molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Kaushik Swati , Etchebest Catherine , Sowdhamini Ramanathan 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTProlyl oligopeptidase (POP) is a serine protease, unique for its ability to cleave various small oligopeptides shorter than 30 amino acids. POP is an important drug target since it is implicated in various neurological disorders. Although there is structural evidence that bacterial POPs undergo huge interdomain movements and acquire an “open” state in the substrate‐unbound form, hitherto, no crystal structure is available in the substrate‐unbound domain‐open form of eukaryotic POPs. Indeed, there is no difference between the substrate‐unbound/bound states of eukaryotic POPs. This raises unanswered questions about whether difference in the substrate access pathway exists between bacterial and eukaryotic POPs. Here, we have used normal mode analysis and molecular dynamics to unravel the mechanism of substrate entry in mammalian POPs, which has been debated until now. Motions observed using normal modes of porcine and bacterial POPs were analyzed and compared, augmented by molecular dynamics of these proteins. Identical to bacterial POPs, interdomain opening was found to be the possible pathway for the substrate‐gating in mammals as well. On the basis of our analyses and evidences, a mechanistic model of substrate entry in POPs has been proposed. Up‐down movement of N‐terminal hydrolase domain resulted in twisting motion of two domains, followed by the conformational changes of interdomain loop regions, which facilitate interdomain opening. Similar to bacterial POPs, an open form of porcine POP is also proposed with domain‐closing motion. This work has direct implications for the development of novel inhibitors of mammalian POPs to understand the etiology of various neurological diseases. Proteins 2014; 82:1428–1443. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tin – an unlikely ally for silicon field effect transistors?
Authors: Hussain Aftab M. , Fahad Hossain M. , Singh Nirpendra , Sevilla Galo A. Torres , Schwingenschlögl Udo , Hussain Muhammad M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractWe explore the effectiveness of tin (Sn), by alloying it with silicon, to use SiSn as a channel material to extend the performance of silicon based complementary metal oxide semiconductors. Our density functional theory based simulation shows that incorporation of tin reduces the band gap of Si(Sn). We fabricated our device with SiSn channel material using a low cost and scalable thermal diffusion process of tin into silicon. Our high‐κ/metal gate based multi‐gate‐field‐effect‐transistors using SiSn as channel material show performance enhancement, which is in accordance with the theoretical analysis. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A model‐free and state‐cover testing scheme for semaphore‐based and shared‐memory concurrent programs
Authors: Hwang Gwan‐Hwan , Lin Che‐Sheng , Lee Teng‐Shuo , Wu‐Lee Chi 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYIn this paper, we present a new framework for performing dynamic testing of semaphore‐based and shared‐memory concurrent programs. The proposed scheme only has to analyse the synchronization sequences (SYN‐sequences) that are collected during the dynamic testing of the concurrent program – static analysis of the syntax and semantics of the target concurrent program is unnecessary. A model checker is not needed to explore the feasible interleavings of the execution of the concurrent program. If the number of feasible SYN‐sequences of the tested concurrent program is finite, our scheme can perform dynamic testing of all the feasible SYN‐sequences. If the tested concurrent program has an infinite number of SYN‐sequences, state‐cover testing of the target program can be performed (if the execution states of the target concurrent program are finite). The implementation and experimental results obtained with real codes and some benchmark programs demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fed-batch operation in special microtiter plates: a new method for screening under production conditions
Authors: Wilming Anja , Bähr Cornelia , Kamerke Claudia , Büchs Jochen 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Batch and fed-batch operation result in completely different physiological conditions for cultivated microorganisms or cells. To close the gap between screening, which is hitherto exclusively performed in batch mode, and fed-batch production processes, a special microtiter plate was developed that allows screening in fed-batch mode. The fed-batch microtiter plate (FB-MTP) enables 44 parallel fed-batch experiments at small scale. A small channel filled with a hydrogel connects a reservoir well with a culture well. The nutrient compound diffuses from the reservoir well through the hydrogel into the culture well. Hence, the feed rate can easily be adjusted to the needs of the cultured microorganisms by changing the geometry of the hydrogel channel and the driving concentration gradient. Any desired compound including liquid nutrients like glycerol can be fed to the culture. In combination with an optical measuring device (BioLector), online monitoring of these 44 fed-batch cultures is possible. Two Escherichia coli strains and a Hansenula polymorpha strain were successfully cultivated in the new FB-MTP. As a positive impact of the fed-batch mode on the used strains, a fourfold increase in product formation was observed for E. coli. For H. polymorpha, the use of fed-batch mode resulted in a strong increase in product formation, whereas no measurable product formation was observed in batch mode. In conclusion, the newly developed fed-batch microtiter plate is a versatile, easy-to-use, disposable system to perform fed-batch cultivations at small scale. Screening cultures in high-throughput under online monitoring are possible similar to cultivations under production conditions.
MicroRNA sequence polymorphisms and the risk of different types of cancer
Authors: Hu Ye , Yu Chen-Yang , Wang Ji-Lin , Guan Jian , Chen Hao-Yan , Fang Jing-Yuan 
Published: January 2014

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in diverse biological pathways and may act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs (MirSNPs) might promote carcinogenesis by affecting miRNA function and/or maturation; however, the association between MirSNPs reported and cancer risk remain inconsistent. Here, we investigated the association between nine common MirSNPs and cancer risk using data from large scale case-control studies. Eight precursor-miRNA (pre-miRNA) SNPs (rs2043556/miR-605, rs3746444/miR-499a/b, rs4919510/miR-608, rs2910164/miR-146a, rs11614913/miR-196a2, rs895819/miR-27a, rs2292832/miR-149, rs6505162/miR-423) and one primary-miRNA (pri-miRNA) SNP (rs1834306/miR-100) were analyzed in 16399 cases and 21779 controls from seven published studies in eight common cancers. With a novel statistic, Cross phenotype meta-analysis (CPMA) of the association of MirSNPs with multiple phenotypes indicated rs2910164 C (P = 1.11E-03), rs2043556 C (P = 0.0165), rs6505162 C (P = 2.05E-03) and rs895819 (P = 0.0284) were associated with a significant overall risk of cancer. In conclusion, MirSNPs might affect an individual's susceptibility to various types of cancer.
Exchange-rate risk and UK-China trade: evidence from 47 industries
Authors: Bahmani-Oskooee Mohsen , Hegerty Scott , Zhang Ruixin 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– Recent years have seen a rapid expansion of studies that examine the effects of exchange-rate risk on bilateral exports and imports for specific industries. Since the underlying theory is ambiguous, each case must be studied individually. This paper considers British trade with China, for 47 types of product, over the period from 1978 to 2010. Consistent with the underlying theory, cointegration analysis shows that most industries register no effect due to volatility in the long run, while some trade flows are reduced and a handful are even increased. An analysis of industry characteristics suggests that while the type of good might play little role on an industry's specific results, a product's trade share does. This is the case for UK imports of Chinese goods, perhaps because large Chinese exporters are able to successfully hedge against exchange-rate risk. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– The method is based on bounds testing approach to cointegration and error-correction modeling.Findings– The paper arrives at two key conclusions. First, as has been shown previously for other country pairs, most industries demonstrate no long-run response to exchange-rate volatility. A fraction of industries are affected, and most of these effects are negative.Research limitations/implications– This research pertains to the case of industry trade between the UK and China only.Practical implications– The paper identifies industries that are affected by exchange rate uncertainty.Originality/value– No study has looked at the impact of exchange rate uncertainty on the trade flows between China and the UK at commodity level.
A macro assessment of China effects on Malaysian exports and trade balances
Authors: Chan Tze-Haw , Hooi Lean Hooi , Hooy Chee-Wooi 
Published: January 2014

Purpose– This paper aims to focus on the impact of China's export expansion on Malaysian monthly trading with to her 12 major trading partners over the liberalization era.Design/methodology/approach– The analytical framework comprises of both the export and trade balance models. Unit root and cointegration tests with break and error correction modeling are employed in the analyses.Findings– Regime shifts are evident in the long run where structural break(s) found mostly coincides with the Asia crisis and China's accession into WTO. While the income effects are more apparent in most cases, the real exchanges are rather insignificant and incorrectly signed for Malaysian bilateral trading. Besides, the trade balance estimation is generally more consistent that the Chinese exports have exhibited complementary effects in the long-run, mainly for advanced export destination such as Australia, Germany, Japan, the UK and the USA. On the whole, there is insufficient evidence to support the “PRC competitive threat”.Practical implications– The empirical evidence disfavors currency devaluation for current account correction and reveals that the fear for China effect might be over-projected. Closer regional collaboration and trade integration between the two nations are well expected.Originality/value– The paper assesses the China's crowding out effect and magnitudes of Malaysian export and trade balance elasticities with model specifications that consider structural breaks. The paper also assesses the macro dimension of income and real exchanges effects.
The Medicare Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program: Potential Unintended Consequences for Hospitals Serving Vulnerable Populations
Authors: Gu Qian , Koenig Lane , Faerberg Jennifer , Steinberg Caroline Rossi , Vaz Christopher , Wheatley Mary P. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo explore the impact of the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) on hospitals serving vulnerable populations.Data Sources/Study SettingMedicare inpatient claims to calculate condition‐specific readmission rates. Medicare cost reports and other sources to determine a hospital's share of duals, profit margin, and characteristics.Study DesignRegression analyses and projections were used to estimate risk‐adjusted readmission rates and financial penalties under the HRRP. Findings were compared across groups of hospitals, determined based on their share of duals, to assess differential impacts of the HRRP.Principal FindingsBoth patient dual‐eligible status and a hospital's dual‐eligible share of Medicare discharges have a positive impact on risk‐adjusted hospital readmission rates. Under current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service methodology, which does not adjust for socioeconomic status, high‐dual hospitals are more likely to have excess readmissions than low‐dual hospitals. As a result, HRRP penalties will disproportionately fall on high‐dual hospitals, which are more likely to have negative all‐payer margins, raising concerns of unintended consequences of the program for vulnerable populations.ConclusionsPolicies to reduce hospital readmissions must balance the need to ensure continued access to quality care for vulnerable populations.
Soluble CD25 in serum: a potential marker for subclinical macrophage activation syndrome in patients with active systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Reddy Vishnu V. , Myles Arpita , Cheekatla Satyanaryan S. , Singh Sushma , Aggarwal Amita 
Published: January 2014

AbstractObjectiveLaboratory and immunological abnormalities seen in overt macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) may be observed in patients with untreated new onset systemic onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (SoJIA). We investigated the prevalence of clinical and traditional laboratory markers of MAS as well as soluble CD163 and soluble interleukin (IL)‐2Rα (CD25) in active SoJIA patients.MethodsThirty‐three consecutive patients with active SoJIA (International League of Associations for Rheumatology criteria), 11 patients with active polyarticular JIA (polyJIA) (disease control) and two patients with MAS with SoJIA were included in the study. Clinical data, complete blood count, coagulation profile, biochemical tests were performed. Soluble CD25 and soluble CD163 levels were estimated by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsOf the 33 active SoJIA patients, 22 were male, the mean age at onset of disease was 6.77 ± 4.48 years and the duration of disease was 4.39 ± 4.6 years. Of the 11 polyJIA patients seven were boys. None of the SoJIA patient had clinical features of MAS. Fibrinogen < 2.5 g/L was present in 14/33 patients with SoJIA but in only 1/11 in polyJIA. Both patients with MAS had thrombocytopenia, leucopenia and reduced fibrinogen levels. sCD25 > 7500 pg/mL seen in MAS was present in eight patients with active SoJIA. Among these eight patients, four had multiple laboratory abnormalities suggestive of MAS. Indeed, one of the patients had past history of MAS. Elevated sCD63 (> 1800 ng/mL) was seen in four patients with SoJIA.ConclusionLaboratory abnormalities associated with MAS are not uncommon in active SoJIA. Soluble CD25 > 7500 pg/mL may be a marker to detect children with subclinical MAS.
Biological sex themed section: Incorporating the female dimension into cardiovascular pharmacology
Authors: McDermott Barbara J , Gray Gillian A 
Published: January 2014

Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on ‘Biological Sex and Cardiovascular Pharmacology’.To view the other articles in this section, see Fazal et al. (2013) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12279, Franconi and Campesi (2013) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12362, Mair et al. (2013) DOI: 10.1111/bph.12281, Ostadal and Ostadal (2013): DOI: 10.1111/bph.12270.Previous linked articles are: Bubb et al. (2012) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.02036.x, Chan et al. (2012) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.02012.x, Fattore and Fratta (2010) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2010.00776.x, Kittikulsuth et al. (2013) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.01922.x, Nilsson et al. (2011) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01235.x, Thangavel et al. (2013) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2012.02222.x, Varro and Baczko (2011) DOI: 10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2011.01367.x.
Serum cytokine and chemokine profiles in patients with myasthenia gravis
Authors: Uzawa A , Kawaguchi N , Himuro K , Kanai T , Kuwabara S 
Published: January 2014

Summary
Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory disease of the neuromuscular junction. Previous studies of animal MG models have suggested important roles of cytokines in MG pathogenesis, but adequate studies on cytokines in human MG are lacking. Using a multiplex suspension array system, we measured the serum levels of 27 cytokines/chemokines in 47 anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive patients with MG and 20 normal controls (NC) to investigate the contribution of cytokines/chemokines toward MG pathogenesis. Correlations between clinical parameters and cytokine/chemokine levels in patients with MG were also examined. The serum levels of interleukin (IL)-15 (mean ± standard deviation: 6·85 ± 6·97 pg/ml) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (96·21 ± 71·60 pg/ml) significantly increased, whereas IL-4 levels (3·57 ± 0·86 pg/ml) decreased in patients with MG compared with NC (IL-15: 4·42 ± 1·55 pg/ml; VEGF: 63·51 ± 32·95 pg/ml; IL-4: 4·15 ± 0·81 pg/ml, P &lt; 0·05). In addition, eight cytokines (IL-4, IL-8, IL-15, eotaxin, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, macrophage inflammatory protein-1β, VEGF and IL-1b) were significantly changed among MG patients with thymoma, MG patients without thymoma and NC (P &lt; 0·05). Some cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-15, and VEGF, may play roles in the pathogenesis of MG.