bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rapid one‐step inactivation of single or multiple genes in Escherichia coli
Authors: Song Chan Woo , Lee Sang Yup 
Published: May 2013

AbstractGene knockout experiments are frequently performed for both fundamental and applied biological research. We developed an integration helper plasmid‐based knockout system for more efficient and rapid engineering of Escherichia coli. The integration helper plasmid, pCW611, contains two recombinases that are expressed in the reverse direction by two independent inducible systems. One is Red recombinase under the control of the arabinose‐inducible system to induce a recombination event by using the linear gene knockout DNA fragment, while the other is Cre recombinase, which is controlled by the isopropyl β‐D‐1‐thiogalactopyranoside‐inducible system to obtain markerless mutant strains. The time and effort required can be reduced with this system because iterative transformation and curing steps are not required. We could delete one target gene in three days by using pCW611. To verify the usefulness of this system, deletion experiments were performed to knock out four target genes individually (adhE, sfcA, frdABCD, and ackA) and two genes simultaneously for two cases (adhE–aspA and sfcA–aspA). Also, sequential deletion of four target genes (fumB, iclR, fumA, and fumC) was successfully performed to make a fumaric acid producing strain. This successfully developed and validated rapid and efficient gene manipulation system should be useful for the metabolic engineering of E. coli.
Extending Contact Across Generations: Comparison of Direct and Ancestral Intergroup Contact Effects on Current Attitudes Toward Outgroup Members
Authors: Stasiuk Katarzyna , Bilewicz Michal 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTThere is a growing body of evidence that intergroup relations are affected not only by direct contact with outgroup members, but also by extended contact: the mere knowledge that an ingroup member has a positive relationship with an outgroup. The present article focuses on the transgenerationally transmitted effects of contact, namely the impact of knowledge about ancestors’ contact with outgroup members on descendants’ attitudes toward the outgroup. A correlational study in the Polish–Ukrainian borderland region (N = 288) shows that ancestral intergroup contact – independently from direct intergroup contact – plays a crucial role in the process of improving intergroup attitudes. The mediating mechanisms of perceived similarity of the outgroup to the self and of perspective taking are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fire pattern analysis and synthesis using EigenFires and motion transitions
Authors: Nikfetrat Nima , Lee Won‐Sook 
Published: May 2013

ABSTRACTWe introduce novel approaches of intuitive and easy‐to‐use realistic fire animation, starting from real‐life fire by image‐based techniques and statistical analysis. The results can be utilized as a pre‐rendered sequence of images in video games, motion graphics, and cinematic visual effects. Instead of physics‐based simulation, we employ an example‐based principal component analysis and introduce “EigenFires.” We visualize the main features of various fire samples to analyze their tracks and synthesize a new fire by combining various fire samples, recorded with high frame rates, in order to edit given sequences of fire animations. For this purpose, we present how to recognize similarity of the shapes of fire in order to change the pattern from one style of fire to another distinct style of fire procedurally. Our techniques require very little parameter tuning, compared with conventional physically based fire synthesis, video textures, and dynamic textures. A similar level of visually pleasing compressed fire is also easily produced by using principal component analysis techniques. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid‐Phase RNA Synthesis by Using Alkyl‐Chain‐Soluble Support
Authors: Kim Shokaku , Matsumoto Masanori , Chiba Kazuhiro 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRecent progress in the RNA therapeutics has increased demand for the synthesis of large quantities of oligoribonucleotides. The assembly of RNA oligomers relies mainly on solid‐phase approaches. These allow rapid product purification and the ability to drive a target reaction to completion through the use of excess reagents. Despite the known advantages of solid‐phase synthesis, some issues in the process remain to be addressed, such as low and limited scale, reagent accessibility, and the use of a very large excess of reagents. Herein, we report a highly efficient and practical method of liquid‐phase synthesis of RNA oligomers by using alkyl‐chain‐soluble support. We demonstrate the utility of the liquid‐phase method through 21‐mer RNA synthesis on a gram scale.
Cross‐Flow Electro Membrane Filtration: Theory and Application in the Dairy Industry
Authors: Holder Aline , Scholz Sabine , Kulozik Ulrich , Hinrichs Jörg 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThe selective fractionation of functional peptides during conventional filtration can be improved by superimposing an electrical field. Therefore, electrolytic parameters, mass flow of protein as well as the amount of target peptides in the permeate were analyzed in order to study the effect of peptide fractionation. It was found that the position of the electrodes in combination with the electrical charges of the peptides is a decisive factor for a successful fractionation.
Die Chemie bei Breaking Bad
Authors: Harnisch Falk , Salthammer Tunga 
Published: May 2013

AbstractDie amerikanische TV‐Serie Breaking Bad handelt von dem hochintelligenten und krebskranken Chemiker Walter H. White, der aus Sorge um die finanzielle Zukunft seiner Familie beginnt, N‐Methylamphetamin (Crystal Meth) herzustellen und damit in das Drogengeschäft einsteigt. Walter nutzt seinen überragenden Intellekt und seine naturwissenschaftlichen Kenntnisse, um sich in der von Gewalt beherrschten Drogenszene durchzusetzen. Dabei entwickelt er sich von einem desillusionierten Menschen und biederen Familienvater zu einem zielgerichtet handelnden und skrupellosen Charakter, der auch vor drastischen Maßnahmen nicht zurückschreckt.
From Molecular Complexes to Complex Metallic Nanostructures—2H Solid‐State NMR Studies of Ruthenium‐Containing Hydrogenation Catalysts
Authors: Gutmann Torsten , del Rosal Iker , Chaudret Bruno , Poteau Romuald , Limbach Hans‐Heinrich , Buntkowsky Gerd 
Published: May 2013

AbstractIn the last years, the combination of 2H solid‐state NMR techniques with quantum‐chemical calculations has evolved into a powerful spectroscopic tool for the characterization of the state of hydrogen on the surfaces of heterogeneous catalysts. In the present minireview, a brief summary of this development is given, in which investigations of the structure and dynamics of hydrogen in molecular complexes, clusters and nanoparticle systems are presented, aimed to understand the reaction mechanisms on the surface of hydrogenation catalysts. The surface state of deuterium/hydrogen is analyzed employing a combination of variable‐temperature 2H static and magic‐angle spinning (MAS) solid‐state NMR techniques, in which the dominant quadrupolar interactions of deuterium give information on the binding situation and local symmetry of deuterium/hydrogen on molecular species. Using a correlation database from molecular complexes and clusters, the possibility to distinguish between terminal RuD, bridged Ru2D, three‐fold Ru3D, and interstitial Ru6D is demonstrated. Combining these results with quantum‐chemical density functional theory (DFT) calculations allows the interpretation of 2H solid‐state data of complex “real world” nanostructures, which yielded new insights into reaction pathways at the molecular level.
Diabetes is not an independent risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Tseng Chin‐Hsiao 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundIt is controversial whether diabetes is a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in countries with high prevalence of viral hepatitis such as Taiwan.MethodsFrom the Taiwanese National Health Insurance, 1 000 000 insurants were randomly selected for the study. Among them, 494 080 men and 502 841 women without HCC were followed from 2003 until 2005. Relative risks were estimated taking into account alcohol‐related diagnoses, chronic liver disease, potential HCC detection examinations and other covariates.ResultsThe diabetes patients were more likely to receive examinations of abdominal sonography, HBsAg, anti‐HCV and alpha‐fetoprotein. Multivariable‐adjusted relative risk (95% confidence interval) was not significant for diabetes as a risk factor for HCC in either men or women: 0.932 (0.788–1.101) for men and 1.158 (0.968–1.386) for women. While comparing diabetes duration <1, 1–3 and ≥3 years to non‐diabetes individuals, the respective relative risks were 1.043 (0.751–1.448), 0.945 (0.738–1.209) and 0.901 (0.744–1.091) for men; and were 0.950 (0.610–1.480), 1.169 (0.884–1.546) and 1.189 (0.974–1.452) for women. For both sexes, age, alcohol‐related diagnoses, chronic liver disease and potential detection bias were significantly associated with higher risk, but dyslipidemia and stroke a lower risk. In addition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with a lower risk and sulfonylurea a higher risk in men. Models that did not consider alcohol‐related diagnoses, chronic liver disease and potential detection bias would result in spurious association between diabetes and HCC.ConclusionsDiabetes is not an independent risk factor for HCC after considering the effects of alcohol‐related diagnoses, chronic liver disease and potential detection bias. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
AdipoQ polymorphisms are associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a meta‐analysis study
Authors: Chu Haiyan , Wang Meilin , Zhong Dongyan , Shi Danni , Ma Lan , Tong Na , Zhang Zhengdong 
Published: May 2013

AbstractObjectiveAdiponectin (AdipoQ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and is considered as an important candidate gene for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). So far, there have been many studies to investigate the association between the adiponectin polymorphisms and T2DM risk. However, the results are conflicting. To derive a more precise estimation, we performed a meta‐analysis to assess the association between five AdipoQ polymorphisms [−11426A > G (rs16861194), −11391G > A (rs17300539), −11377C > G (rs266729), +45T > G (rs2241766) and +276G > T (rs1501299)], and T2DM risk.MethodsThe fixed and random‐effects model should be used to assess the summary odds ratios (ORs) of each study. ORs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the strength of association. On the basis of the included criteria, we selected 39 papers, among which eight for −11426A > G, 14 for −11391G > A, 21 for −11377C > G, 28 for +45 T > G and 24 for +276G > T. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the stability of the results. Both Begg's funnel plots and Egger's test are commonly used to evaluate publication bias.ResultsOverall, we found that individuals with the −11426G allele had a 0.15‐fold significantly increased T2DM risk (additive model: 1.15, 1.04–1.27, 0.222). In the stratified analyses, we found that the −11426A > G, −11391G > A and −11377C > G polymorphisms could increase T2DM risk in European populations in the additive model. For Asian populations, we found that the −11377C > G polymorphism also could elevate T2DM risk.ConclusionsOur results suggested that the adiponectin −11426A > G polymorphism could contribute to the T2DM risk. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deep wound cultures correlate well with bone biopsy culture in diabetic foot osteomyelitis
Authors: Malone M. , Bowling F. L. , Gannass A. , Jude E. B. , Boulton A. J. M. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundOsteomyelitis is a major complication in patients with diabetic foot ulceration. Accurate pathogenic identification of organisms can aid the clinician to a specific antibiotic therapy thereby preventing the need for amputation.MethodsAll diabetic patients with bone biopsy‐confirmed osteomyelitis were included into the study: biopsies were performed either during surgical removal of infected bone or percutaneously under guided fluoroscopy through non‐infected tissue. The depth and extent of the ulcer was assessed using a sterile blunt metal probe. Deep wound cultures were taken from the wound base after sharp debridement.ResultsOf 66 cases of suspected osteomyelitis in 102 joints, 34 patients had both bone biopsies and deep wound cultures over the study period. Thirty two of 34 (94%), had a history of preceding foot ulceration, and in 25 of the cases a positive probe to bone test was recorded. In a high proportion of patients, at least one similar organism was isolated from both the deep wound culture and bone biopsy procedures (25 of 34 cases, 73.5%, p<0.001). When organisms were isolated from both wound cultures and bone biopsies, the identical strain was identified in both procedures in a significant proportion of cases (16 of 25 cases, 64%, p<0.001, total sample analysis in 16 of 34 cases, 47%).ConclusionsDeep wound cultures correlate well with osseous cultures and provide a sensitive method in assessing and targeting likely pathogens that cause osseous infections. This will help aid the clinician in guiding antibiotic therapy in centers where bone biopsies may not be readily available. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circulating secreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (Sfrp5) and wingless‐type MMTV integration site family member 5a (Wnt5a) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Lu Yung‐Chuan , Wang Chao‐Ping , Hsu Chia‐Chang , Chiu Cheng‐An , Yu Teng‐Hung , Hung Wei‐Chin , Lu Li‐Fen , Chung Fu‐Mei , Tsai I‐Ting , Lin Hsien‐Chang , Lee Yau‐Jiunn 
Published: May 2013

AbstractBackgroundSecreted frizzled‐related protein 5 (Sfrp5), an endogenous inhibitor of wingless‐type MMTV integration site family (Wnt) signalling, is an anti‐inflammatory adipokine whose expression is perturbed in models of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Wnt member 5a (Wnt5a) is a representative ligand, and recent reports suggest that Wnt5a is involved in inflammatory diseases and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma Wnt5a and Sfrp5 levels are altered in patients with T2DM.MethodsPlasma Sfrp5 and Wnt5a concentrations were measured through enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in type 2 diabetic and nondiabetic subjects.ResultsA total of 82 patients with T2DM and 42 nondiabetic subjects were studied. Plasma Sfrp5 levels were found to be elevated in patients with T2DM (9.4 ± 9.0 vs 7.4 ± 10.9 ng/mL, p = 0.006). In contrast, Wnt5a levels were decreased (6.8 ± 12.6 vs 9.1 ± 4.0 ng/dL, p < 0.001). Increasing concentrations of Sfrp5 were independently and significantly associated with T2DM. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed Sfrp5 as an independent association factor for T2DM, even after full adjustment of known biomarkers. In a multiple linear regression analysis, only the fasting glucose level was positively associated with the plasma Sfrp5 level.ConclusionsOur results indicate that Sfrp5 may play a role in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Life‐history strategy defends against disease and may select against physiological resistance
Authors: Gibson Amanda K. , Petit Elsa , Mena‐Ali Jorge , Oxelman Bengt , Hood Michael E. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractHost ecological traits may limit exposure to infectious disease, thereby generating the wide variation in disease incidence observed between host populations or species. The exclusion of disease by ecological traits may then allow selection to act against physiological defenses when they are costly to maintain in the absence of disease. This study investigates ecological resistance in the Silene‐Microbotryum pathosystem. An estimated 80% of perennial Silene species host the anther‐smut disease while no annuals harbor the disease in nature. Artificial inoculations of annual and perennial Silene plants, obtained from both natural and horticultural populations, demonstrate that the absence of disease in annuals is not explained by elevated physiological resistance. The annual habit is thus a powerful form of ecological defense against anther smut. Moreover, the higher susceptibility of annual species to anther smut relative to perennials supports the hypothesis of a loss of costly physiological resistance under ecological protection. The observation in annuals that physiological susceptibility is correlated with lower rates of flowering (i.e., lower fitness) suggests that variation in physiological resistance is costly in the absence of disease, even in a naїve Silene species. The absence of disease in natural populations of annuals combined with their high physiological susceptibility attest to the strength of host ecology in shaping the distribution of disease and to the dynamic nature of disease resistance.
Employing 454 amplicon pyrosequencing to reveal intragenomic divergence in the internal transcribed spacerrDNAregion in fungi
Authors: Lindner Daniel L. , Carlsen Tor , Henrik Nilsson R. , Davey Marie , Schumacher Trond , Kauserud Håvard 
Published: May 2013

AbstractTherDNAinternal transcribed spacer (ITS) region has been accepted as a DNA barcoding marker for fungi and is widely used in phylogenetic studies; however, intragenomic ITS variability has been observed in a broad range of taxa, including prokaryotes, plants, animals, and fungi, and this variability has the potential to inflate species richness estimates in molecular investigations of environmental samples. In this study 454 amplicon pyrosequencing of the ITS1 region was applied to 99 phylogenetically diverse axenic single‐spore cultures of fungi (Dikarya: Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) to investigate levels of intragenomic variation. Three species (one Basidiomycota and two Ascomycota), in addition to a positive control species known to contain ITS paralogs, displayed levels of molecular variation indicative of intragenomic variation; taxon inflation due to presumed intragenomic variation was ≈9%. Intragenomic variability in the ITS region appears to be widespread but relatively rare in fungi (≈3–5% of species investigated in this study), suggesting this problem may have minor impacts on species richness estimates relative to PCR and/or pyrosequencing errors. Our results indicate that 454 amplicon pyrosequencing represents a powerful tool for investigating levels of ITS intragenomic variability across taxa, which may be valuable for better understanding the fundamental mechanisms underlying concerted evolution of repetitive DNA regions.
Role of evolutionary and ecological factors in the reproductive success and the spatial genetic structure of the temperate gorgonianParamuricea clavata
Authors: Mokhtar‐Jamaï Kenza , Coma Rafel , Wang Jinliang , Zuberer Frederic , Féral Jean‐Pierre , Aurelle Didier 
Published: May 2013

AbstractDispersal and mating features strongly influence the evolutionary dynamics and the spatial genetic structure (SGS) of marine populations. For the first time in a marine invertebrate, we examined individual reproductive success, by conducting larval paternity assignments after a natural spawning event, combined with a small‐scaleSGSanalysis within a population of the gorgonianParamuricea clavata. Thirty four percent of the larvae were sired by male colonies surrounding the brooding female colonies, revealing that the bulk of the mating was accomplished by males from outside the studied area. Male success increased with male height and decreased with increasing male to female distance. The parentage analyses, with a strong level of self‐recruitment (25%), unveiled the occurrence of a complex family structure at a small spatial scale, consistent with the limited larval dispersal of this species. However, no evidence of small scaleSGSwas revealed despite this family structure. Furthermore, temporal genetic structure was not observed, which appears to be related to the rather large effective population size. The low level of inbreeding found suggests a pattern of random mating in this species, which disagrees with expectations that limited larval dispersal should lead to biparental inbreeding. Surface brooding and investment in sexual reproduction inP. clavatacontribute to multiple paternity (on average 6.4 fathers were assigned per brood), which enhance genetic diversity of the brood. Several factors may have contributed to the lack of biparental inbreeding in our study such as (i) the lack of sperm limitation at a small scale, (ii) multiple paternity, and (iii) the large effective population size. Thus, our results indicate that limited larval dispersal and complex family structure do not necessarily lead to biparental inbreeding andSGS. In the framework of conservation purposes, our results suggested that colony size, proximity among colonies and the population size should be taken into consideration for restoration projects.
Investigation of the Electroreduction Behavior, Electroreduction Mechanism and Voltammetric Determination of Medetomidine on the Graphene Paste Electrode
Authors: Parvin Mohammad Hadi , Najafi Mostafa 
Published: May 2013

AbstractThis paper presents a method for the construction of a graphene paste electrode (GPE) from reduced graphene oxide (RGO). The GPE was successfully used for the determination of medetomidine. The influence of some experimental variables such as pH, supporting electrolyte, scan rate, and possible interferences were studied. Differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) peak currents of medetomidine increased linearly with its concentration in the range from 0.009 to 2.5 µM. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) values for the determination of medetomidine were 2.8 and 9.2 nM, respectively. Also, for the first time, the electroreduction behavior of medetomidine was investigated.
Fabrication and Properties of Redox Ion Doped Few Monolayer Thick Polyelectrolyte Film for Electrochemical Biosensors at High Sensitivity and Specificity
Authors: Lee Seung‐Woo , Lopez Jeffrey , Saraf Ravi F. 
Published: May 2013

AbstractRedox ions are deposited on a polyelectrolyte‐coated gold electrode by an electric field to fabricate an ion‐selective thin film electrode. The Fe(CN)${{{4- \hfill \atop 6\hfill}}}$ ions are deposited on a few monolayer‐coated polyelectrolyte gold electrode by a slow periodic potential cycle. The deposition process and electrode properties are quantitatively and simultaneously monitored by cyclic voltammetry and a novel technique, using a Scanning Electrometer for Electrical Double‐layers (SEED). No redox properties are obtained without the electric‐field‐deposition. Owing to the redox mediation and net charge due to the redox ion, the electrode is ion‐selective. We demonstrate the principle to detect 1 µM of dopamine in a mixture with 1 mM of ascorbic acid.