bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
XYLEM DYSFUNCTION IN FICUS CARICA INFECTED WITH WILT FUNGUS CERATOCYSTIS FICICOLA AND THE ROLE OF THE VECTOR BEETLE EUWALLACEA INTERJECTUS
Authors: Kajii C. , Morita T. , Jikumaru S. , Kajimura H. , Yamaoka Y. , Kuroda K. 
Published: October 2013

Ceratocystis ficicola causes serious wilt disease in many fig orchards in Japan. The transmission of this pathogen is thought to occur via soil to host roots, and an ambrosia beetle, Euwallacea interjectus, has been reported as a vector of the pathogen. Anatomical investigations were made on the disease development process with a particular focus on the responses of host tissue to the activities of the vector beetle and the pathogen. Living 26- and 8-year-old Ficus carica trees that were naturally infected with C. ficicola and had holes excavated by E. interjectus were used for analysis. Dark brown discoloration was observed in the sapwood of specimens with poor shoot elongation and slight leaf wilt at harvest. Discolored sapwood coincided with the distribution of hyphae of the pathogen, which was verified by the presence of conidiophores. Most of the beetle’s gallery was distributed inside the discolored area. In the non-discolored sapwood adjacent to the border of the discolored area, some galleries were elongated and contained living new generation adults and larvae of E. interjectus. Hyphae of the pathogen and colored substances were identified also around those new galleries.The present study showed that elongation of galleries by E. interjectus in the functional sapwood induces the wide distribution of the pathogen and contributes to the expansion of the discolored area in which vessels were dysfunctional. This process causes a shortage of water supply and wilting in the infected trees. Euwallacea interjectus must be contributing to the symptom development of this wilt disease.
Thoracoscopic repair of pectus excavatum using different bar stabilizers versus open repair
Authors: Muhammad Magdi Ibrahim Ahmad 
Published: October 2013

Objectives To identify the preoperative characteristics and compare operative variables and postoperative outcomes in adult patients with pectus excavatum undergoing thoracoscopic repair using different bar stabilizers or open surgical repair. Methods 31 patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: group A was 9 patients who underwent a modified Ravitch repair, group B was 11 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic repair using metal stabilizers, and group C was 11 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic repair using absorbable stabilizers. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables and mortality were compared among groups. Results In all groups, preoperative variables were well-matched for age, sex, and Haller index. Operative time was significantly longer in group A. The postoperative length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in group A. Postoperative complications occurred in 7 (22.6%) patients, mostly in groups B and C. All patients were satisfied with the cosmetic result. Conclusions Repair of pectus excavatum in adult patients can be performed effectively either through an open surgical technique or thoracoscopy, with no intraoperative complications and excellent immediate results, but video-assisted thoracoscopic repair using metallic or absorbable bar stabilizers gives a better cosmetic result; however, absorbable bar stabilizers are more vulnerable and break more easily than metal stabilizers.
The effect of temperature and oxygen concentration on auto-ignition at low-load operating conditions in a gasoline homogeneous charge compression ignition engine
Authors: Yun Hanho , Guralp Orgun , Grover Ronald O , Najt Paul M 
Published: October 2013

Homogenous charge compression ignition combustion offers significant efficiency improvements compared to conventional gasoline engines. However, due to the nature of homogenous charge compression ignition, traditional homogenous charge compression ignition combustion can be realized only in a limited operating range. Homogenous charge compression ignition operation in the high-load range is limited by the trade-off between excessive combustion noise and deteriorated combustion stability. The low-load operation of homogenous charge compression ignition combustion is limited by combustion instability. In order to understand the auto-ignition characteristics at low-load operation, the effect of negative valve overlap, injection timing and external exhaust gas recirculation was investigated. These parameters have a significant impact on temperature and oxygen concentration of the mixture and thus the auto-ignition characteristics. To help interpret the results, an auto-ignition integral calculation was developed and verified with experimental data. It is confirmed that the newly developed auto-ignition integral predicts well the ignition timing and can be used to interpret experimental observations. It is found that at a given speed and load, there is an optimum combination of negative valve overlap and injection timing for stable auto-ignition. When the amount of reforming is low, the in-cylinder temperature is not high enough for auto-ignition. This causes delayed auto-ignition phasing (unstable combustion). When the amount of reforming is high, the cyclic variability of reforming increases, which leads to instability of the main combustion event. When exhaust gas recirculation is employed, the amount of reforming does not change, thus the combustion instability is caused by lack of oxygen concentration rather than lower in-cylinder mixture temperature.
Comparison of sequentially measured Aloka echo-tracking one-point pulse wave velocity with SphygmoCor carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity
Authors: Vriz Olga , Driussi Caterina , La Carrubba Salvatore , Di Bello Vitantonio , Zito Concetta , Carerj Scipione , Antonini-Canterin Francesco 
Published: October 2013

Objectives: Recently, echo-tracking-derived measures of arterial stiffness have been introduced in clinical practice for the assessment of one-point pulse wave velocity. The purpose of this study was to find a relation between carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity and one-point carotid pulse wave velocity, and to find a value of one-point carotid pulse wave velocity that predicts carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity higher than 12 m/s. Methods: A total of 160 consecutive subjects (112 male/48 female, mean age = 51.5 ± 14.1 years; 96 healthy, 44 hypertensives, 13 with aortic valve disease, and 7 with left ventricular dysfunction) were studied. Carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity was measured with the SphygmoCor system and one-point carotid pulse wave velocity with high-definition echo-tracking system (ProSound Alpha10; Aloka, Tokyo, Japan). Results: Both carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity and one-point carotid pulse wave velocity correlated significantly with each other ( r = 0.539, p < 0.001) and with age (one-point carotid pulse wave velocity r = 0.618, carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity r = 0.617, p < 0.0001 for both). Median value of carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (7.2 m/s, 95% confidence interval = 6.2–8.9) was systematically higher than that of one-point carotid pulse wave velocity (5.8 m/s, 95% confidence interval = 5–6.6). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.85, identifying the cutoff for one-point pulse wave velocity of 6.65 m/s as the best predictor of carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity more than 12 m/s (sensitivity = 0.818, specificity = 0.819). Conclusions: One-point carotid pulse wave velocity correlates with carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity, and the cutoff of 6.65 m/s was the best predictor of carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity over 12 m/s.
Intimate partner violence influence on deliveries assisted by skilled health personnel
Authors: Refaat Amany 
Published: October 2013

Objective: Millennium Development Goal 5 calls for increasing proportions of deliveries assisted by skilled health personnel to reduce maternal mortality. This study aims to identifying the implication of exposure to intimate partner violence on these proportions. Methodology: This study used domestic violence modules data of Demographic and Health Surveys of six countries from 2005 to 2007. Proportions of assisted deliveries were examined by sociodemographic characteristics and exposure to intimate partner violence in the studied countries. Influence on the proportion was examined against exposure to intimate partner violence through odds ratio and 95% of logistic regression analysis after controlling for women age, residence (urban/rural), household wealth level, economic level of country, educational level and working status of women and their husbands/partners. Results: Data sets of 18,507 participants over 20 years of age showed that almost three-quarters (73%) of women had deliveries assisted by skilled health personnel. One-third of the women were ever exposed to intimate partner violence (37%) and 9% of them to the severe level. Exposure to intimate partner violence statistically significantly lowered this proportion to 69% (odds ratio: 0.73; 95% confidence interval: 0.67–0.78) meanwhile severe violence lowered it to 65% (odds ratio 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.58–0.72). When running multiple regression analysis, exposure to intimate partner violence retained its statistically significant decreasing influence on proportions and was not biased by the other stronger socioeconomic characteristics. Conclusion and recommendations: Intimate partner violence has an independent influence on reducing assisted deliveries by skilled health personnel. Programs working for increasing proportions of assisted deliveries by skilled health personnel are recommended to integrate protection women from violence.
Innominate Artery Cannulation and Antegrade Cerebral Perfusion for Aortic Arch Reconstruction in Infants and Children
Authors: Nasirov Teimour , Mainwaring Richard D. , Reddy V. Mohan , Sleasman Justin , Margetson Tristan , Hanley Frank L. 
Published: October 2013

Purpose: Innominate artery cannulation has been widely adopted as a means to perform aortic arch reconstruction with continuous cerebral perfusion in the newborn. Although this technique has been subsequently utilized in infants and children, there is currently no data regarding the safety or efficacy in these older children. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with innominate artery cannulation for aortic arch reconstruction in patients beyond the neonatal period. Methods: This was a retrospective review of 42 infants and children who underwent aortic arch reconstruction using the technique of innominate artery cannulation with continuous cerebral perfusion. Of these procedures, 29 (69%) were primary arch reconstructions, while 13 (31%) were aortic arch reoperations. The median age at surgery was 8 months, and 22 patients underwent concomitant intracardiac repairs. Results: There was no operative mortality in this cohort of 42 patients undergoing aortic arch reconstruction. There was also no overt evidence of neurologic injury. Specifically, none of the patients demonstrated a neurologic deficit, clinical seizure, or unexpected delay in regaining a normal state of consciousness. The median duration of antegrade cerebral perfusion was 34 minutes. The median duration of hospital stay was 11 days. No patient required reoperation on the aortic arch with a median of 45-month follow-up. Conclusions: Innominate artery cannulation is a safe and effective technique for aortic arch reconstruction in nonneonates. We conclude that antegrade cerebral perfusion is a useful technique for aortic arch reconstruction in this patient population.
Non-AIDS defining cancers in the D:A:D Study - time trends and predictors of survival: a cohort study
Authors: Worm Signe W , Bower Mark , Reiss Peter , Bonnet Fabrice , Law Matthew , Fätkenheuer Gerd , d’Arminio Monforte Antonella , Abrams Donald I , Grulich Andrew , Fontas Eric , Kirk Ole , Furrer Hansjakob , Wit Stephane De , Phillips Andrew , Lundgren Jens D , Sabin Caroline A ,   for the D:A:D Study Group
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
Non-AIDS defining cancers (NADC) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive individuals. Using data from a large international cohort of HIV-positive individuals, we described the incidence of NADC from 2004–2010, and described subsequent mortality and predictors of these.

Methods
Individuals were followed from 1st January 2004/enrolment in study, until the earliest of a new NADC, 1st February 2010, death or six months after the patient’s last visit. Incidence rates were estimated for each year of follow-up, overall and stratified by gender, age and mode of HIV acquisition. Cumulative risk of mortality following NADC diagnosis was summarised using Kaplan-Meier methods, with follow-up for these analyses from the date of NADC diagnosis until the patient’s death, 1st February 2010 or 6 months after the patient’s last visit. Factors associated with mortality following NADC diagnosis were identified using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results
Over 176,775 person-years (PY), 880 (2.1%) patients developed a new NADC (incidence: 4.98/1000PY [95% confidence interval 4.65, 5.31]). Over a third of these patients (327, 37.2%) had died by 1st February 2010. Time trends for lung cancer, anal cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma were broadly consistent. Kaplan-Meier cumulative mortality estimates at 1, 3 and 5 years after NADC diagnosis were 28.2% [95% CI 25.1-31.2], 42.0% [38.2-45.8] and 47.3% [42.4-52.2], respectively. Significant predictors of poorer survival after diagnosis of NADC were lung cancer (compared to other cancer types), male gender, non-white ethnicity, and smoking status. Later year of diagnosis and higher CD4 count at NADC diagnosis were associated with improved survival. The incidence of NADC remained stable over the period 2004–2010 in this large observational cohort.

Conclusions
The prognosis after diagnosis of NADC, in particular lung cancer and disseminated cancer, is poor but has improved somewhat over time. Modifiable risk factors, such as smoking and low CD4 counts, were associated with mortality following a diagnosis of NADC.
Characterization of Norovirus RNA replicase for in vitro amplification of RNA
Authors: Arai Hidenao , Nishigaki Koichi , Nemoto Naoto , Suzuki Miho , Husimi Yuzuru 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The isothermal amplification of RNA in vitro has been used for the study of in vitro evolution of RNA. Although Qβ replicase has been traditionally used as an enzyme for this purpose, we planned to use norovirus replicase (NV3Dpol) due to its structural simplicity in the scope of in vitro autonomous evolution of the protein. Characteristics of the enzyme NV3Dpol
in vitro were re-evaluated in this context.

Results
NV3Dpol, synthesized by using a cell-free translation system, represented the activities which were reported in the previous several studies and the reports were not fully consistent each other. The efficiency of the initiation of replication was dependent on the 3’-terminal structure of single-stranded RNA template, and especially, NV3Dpol preferred a self-priming small stem-loop. In the non-self-priming and primer-independent replication reaction, the presence of -CCC residues at the 3’-terminus increased the initiation efficiency and we demonstrated the one-pot isothermal RNA (even dsRNA) amplification by 16-fold. NV3Dpol also showed a weak activity of elongation-reaction from a long primer. Based on these results, we present a scheme of the primer-independent isothermal amplification of RNA with NV3Dpol
in vitro.

Conclusions
NV3Dpol can be used as an RNA replicase in in vitro RNA + protein evolution with the RNA of special terminal sequences.
Sizing the association between lifestyle behaviours and fatness in a large, heterogeneous sample of youth of multiple ethnicities from 4 countries
Authors: Sluyter John D , Scragg Robert KR , Plank Lindsay D , Waqa Gade D , Fotu Kalesita F , Swinburn Boyd A 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The magnitude of the relationship between lifestyle risk factors for obesity and adiposity is not clear. The aim of this study was to clarify this in order to determine the level of importance of lifestyle factors in obesity aetiology.

Methods
A cross-sectional analysis was carried out on data on youth who were not trying to change weight (n = 5714), aged 12 to 22 years and from 8 ethnic groups living in New Zealand, Australia, Fiji and Tonga. Demographic and lifestyle data were measured by questionnaires. Fatness was measured by body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score and bioimpedance analysis, which was used to estimate percent body fat and total fat mass (TFM). Associations between lifestyle and body composition variables were examined using linear regression and forest plots.

Results
TV watching was positively related to fatness in a dose-dependent manner. Strong, dose-dependent associations were observed between fatness and soft drink consumption (positive relationship), breakfast consumption (inverse relationship) and after-school physical activity (inverse relationship). Breakfast consumption-fatness associations varied in size across ethnic groups. Lifestyle risk factors for obesity were associated with percentage differences in body composition variables that were greatest for TFM and smallest for BMI.

Conclusions
Lifestyle factors were most strongly related to TFM, which suggests that studies that use BMI alone to quantify fatness underestimate the full effect of lifestyle on adiposity. This study clarifies the size of lifestyle-fatness relationships observed in previous studies.
Xylo- and cello-oligosaccharide oxidation by gluco-oligosaccharide oxidase from Sarocladium strictumand variants with reduced substrate inhibition
Authors: Vuong Thu V , Vesterinen Arja-Helena , Foumani Maryam , Juvonen Minna , Seppälä Jukka , Tenkanen Maija , Master Emma R 
Published: October 2013

Abstract

Background
The oxidation of carbohydrates from lignocellulose can facilitate the synthesis of new biopolymers and biochemicals, and also reduce sugar metabolism by lignocellulolytic microorganisms, reserving aldonates for fermentation to biofuels. Although oxidoreductases that oxidize cellulosic hydrolysates have been well characterized, none have been reported to oxidize substituted or branched xylo-oligosaccharides. Moreover, this is the first report that identifies amino acid substitutions leading to GOOX variants with reduced substrate inhibition.

Results
The recombinant wild type gluco-oligosaccharide oxidase (GOOX) from the fungus Sarocladium strictum, along with variants that were generated by site-directed mutagenesis, retained the FAD cofactor, and showed high activity on cello-oligosaccharide and xylo-oligosaccharides, including substituted and branched xylo-oligosaccharides. Mass spectrometric analyses confirmed that GOOX introduces one oxygen atom to oxidized products, and 1H NMR and tandem mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that oxidation was restricted to the anomeric carbon. The A38V mutation, which is close to a predicted divalent ion-binding site in the FAD-binding domain of GOOX but 30 Å away from the active site, significantly increased the k
cat and catalytic efficiency of the enzyme on all oligosaccharides. Eight amino acid substitutions were separately introduced to the substrate-binding domain of GOOX-VN (at positions Y72, E247, W351, Q353 and Q384). In all cases, the K
m of the enzyme variant was higher than that of GOOX, supporting the role of corresponding residues in substrate binding. Most notably, W351A increased K
m values by up to two orders of magnitude while also increasing k
cat up to 3-fold on cello- and xylo-oligosaccharides and showing no substrate inhibition.

Conclusions
This study provides further evidence that S. strictum GOOX has broader substrate specificity than the enzyme name implies, and that substrate inhibition can be reduced by removing aromatic side chains in the -2 binding subsite. Of the enzyme variants, W351A might be particularly advantageous when oxidizing oligosaccharides present at high substrate concentrations often experienced in industrial processes.
Plasma membrane receptors of the mononuclear phagocyte system
Authors: Gordon Siamon , Perry V. Hugh , Rabinowitz Stephen , Chung Lap-Ping , Rosen Hugh 
Published: October 2013

ABSTRACT
Plasma membrane receptors control macrophage activities such as growth, differentiation and activation, migration, recognition, endocytosis and secretion. They are therefore important in a wide range of physiological and pathological processes including host defence, inflammation and repair, involving all systems of the body including the arterial wall and nervous system. The versatile responsiveness of these cells to various stimuli depends on their ability to express a large repertoire of receptors, some restricted to macrophages and closely related cells, others common to many cell types.
This volume contains reviews of the macrophage receptors that are best characterized and deals with aspects of signal transduction and function of the actin cytoskeleton. Our introduction is designed to place these topics in perspective. We summarize features of constitutive and induced mononuclear phagocyte distribution within the body and consider receptor expression and macrophage responses in the context of cell heterogeneity associated with its complex life history. We classify receptors discussed in detail in other chapters, list ligand-binding properties that are not as well defined, and briefly review general features of receptor function in macrophages. An understanding of macrophage receptor biology should bring insights into the contribution of these cells to physiology and disease and result in an improved ability to manipulate activities within the mononuclear phagocyte system.
Synthetic Analogues of the Active Sites of Nitrogenase and [NiFe] Hydrogenase
Authors: Ohki Yasuhiro 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
Biological nitrogen fixation and H2 metabolism are mediated by nitrogenase and hydrogenase, respectively. Their active sites consist of complex transition-metal sulfide/thiolate clusters, which have been long-standing synthetic challenges. This account describes our synthetic approaches toward the active sites of nitrogenase and [NiFe] hydrogenase. A new class of iron–sulfur clusters modeling or structurally analogous to the nitrogenase metallo-clusters, namely P-cluster and FeMo-cofactor, have been synthesized from homogeneous self-assembly reactions of iron(II) amide or mesityl complexes with bulky thiols and elemental sulfur in toluene. A series of thiolate-bridged Fe–Ni complexes modeling the active site of [NiFe] hydrogenase have been synthesized via two ways: One is to use iron(II)–dithiolate complexes carrying CO and CN ligands as precursors to provide the (CO/CN)Fe–Ni complexes. The other way is to split a tetranuclear (CO)3Fe–Ni–Ni–Fe(CO)3 complex, which is available from a sequential reaction of [FeBr2(CO)4] with NaStBu and NiBr2(EtOH)4 at −40 °C.
Aqueous Dispersion of Carbon Nanotubes Using Self-aggregating Peptides
Authors: Kim Dukeun , Sawada Toshiki , Serizawa Takeshi 
Published: October 2013

Abstract
A novel method to disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in water using self-aggregating peptides was demonstrated. SWNT dispersion was performed by the addition of water to solid mixtures of SWNTs and the peptides, in addition to subsequent sonication processes. Spectroscopic and microscopic analyses revealed that our method successfully disentangled and dispersed larger amounts of SWNTs with better dispersion stability as compared to conventional methods.