bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antiviral Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers are Protective against Chikungunya Virus Infection on Cell-based and Murine Models
Authors: Lam Shirley , Chen Huixin , Chen Caiyun Karen , Min Nyo , Chu Justin Jang Hann 
Published: July 2015

AbstractChikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection in human is associated with debilitating and persistent arthralgia and arthritis. Currently, there is no specific vaccine or effective antiviral available. Anti-CHIKV Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomer (CPMO) was evaluated for its antiviral efficacy and cytotoxcity in human cells and neonate murine model. Two CPMOs were designed to block translation initiation of a highly conserved sequence in CHIKV non-structural and structural polyprotein, respectively. Pre-treatment of HeLa cells with CPMO1 signficantly suppressed CHIKV titre, CHIKV E2 protein expression and prevented CHIKV-induced CPE. CPMO1 activity was also CHIKV-specific as shown by the lack of cross-reactivity against SINV or DENV replication. When administered prophylactically in neonate mice, 15 μg/g CPMO1v conferred 100% survival against CHIKV disease. In parallel, these mice demonstrated significant reduction in viremia and viral load in various tissues. Immunohistological examination of skeletal muscles and liver of CPMO1v-treated mice also showed healthy tissue morphology, in contrast to evident manifestation of CHIKV pathogenesis in PBS- or scrambled sCPMO1v-treated groups. Taken together, our findings highlight for the first time that CPMO1v has strong protective effect against CHIKV infection. This warrants future development of morpholino as an alternative antiviral agent to address CHIKV infection in clinical applications.
Carbohydrate-binding modules influence substrate specificity of an endoglucanase from Clostridium thermocellum
Authors: Ichikawa Shunsuke , Yoshida Mitsuki , Karita Shuichi , Kondo Makoto , Goto Masakazu 
Published: July 2015

Abstract
Most cellulases contain carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) that largely contribute to their activity for insoluble substrates. Clostridium thermocellum Cel5E is an endoglucanase having xylanolytic activity. The Cel5E originally has a family 11 CBM preferentially binding to β-1,4- and β-1,3-1,4-mixed linkage glucans. In this study, we replaced the CBM with a different type of CBM, either a family 3 microcrystalline cellulose-directed CBM from Clostridium josui scaffoldin, or a family 6 xylan-directed CBM from Clostridium stercorarium xylanase 11A. Chimeric endoglucanases showed enhanced activity that was affected by CBM binding specificity. These chimeric enzymes could efficiently degrade milled lignocellulosic materials, such as corn hulls, because of heterologous components in the plant cell wall, indicating that diverse CBMs play roles in degradation of lignocellulosic materials.
Study on antifriction mechanism of lubricating wear-resistant coating with parallel texture
Authors: Zhao Yuncai , Yang Fei , Guo Yongming 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of parallel texturing coating on antifriction mechanism of lubricating wear-resistant coating.

Design/methodology/approach
– A KF301/WS2 lubricating wear-resisting coating was prepared on matrix material GCr15 by applying supersonic plasma spraying technology. On the basis of this sample, the KF301/WS2 modified coating with parallel pit-type texture was prepared by laser re-melting technology and a surface texturing technique. Their friction and wear behaviors were evaluated under ambient temperature, and the antifriction mechanism of two kinds of coatings were discussed.

Findings
– Results showed that parallel texture has a certain impact on the tribological properties of the coating. When friction and wear reach stable state, the value of the friction coefficient of conventional coating was 0.115, while that of parallel texturing coating was 0.09, the latter decreased by 21 per cent. When the friction and wear time was up to 4 hours, the wear loss of the conventional coating was 0.29 mg, while that of the parallel texturing coating was 0.13 mg, the latter decreased by 55 per cent.

Originality/value
– The tribological properties of parallel texturing coating were higher than conventional coating. That is because the change of three-body layer reduces the friction coefficient and the abrasive particles were collected by parallel texture, reducing the effects of debris.
Differences in accounting treatment of Ijarah: a case study of UAE Islamic banks
Authors: Gupta Namrata 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– This paper aims to discuss the accounting treatment of one of the most popular instruments of financing in Islamic banks, which is Islamic leasing or Ijarah. This research undertakes an empirical investigation of the accounting practices of Ijarah followed by UAE’s Islamic banks. The main objective of this paper is to compare the accounting practices followed by UAE Islamic banks and accounting practices recommended by Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) for the accounting treatment of Ijarah.

Design/methodology/approach
– This study also aims to examine the justification and explanation behind this practice and clarify the accounting treatment of Ijarah as defined in the regulatory framework and standards.

Findings
– The author has found that the accounting treatment of Ijarah practiced by four UAE Islamic banks, it is clear that all of them are following IAS-17 and not FAS-8 of AAOIFI. The main difference is: FAS-8 issued by AAOIFI suggests that the accounting treatment for both Ijarah and Ijarah Muntahia Bittamleek be similar to operating lease transactions with certain exceptions. On the other hand, these Islamic banks are accounting for Ijarah as a financing transaction, just like finance lease – in accordance with IAS-17.

Research limitations/implications
– Taking out the right information from banks officials regarding Ijarah was a big hassle.

Practical implications
– After considering the above-mentioned points, according to the researcher, Western accounting standards are not appropriate to be applied in Islamic financial institution because of their different nature and treatment of financial instruments. Therefore, Islamic banks and other Islamic finance professionals should consider making the standards of AAOIFI mandatory, and they should stick to these standards for information disclosure, building investors’ confidence, monitoring and surveillance. These standards would also ensure the integration of Islamic financial markets with international markets.

Social implications
– This study also aims to examine the justification and explanation behind this practice of bankers when the researcher approached these four banks, their officials mentioned that Ijarah contracts are similar to conventional form of financing, and it does not involve the central tenet of Islamic capitalism, i.e. to share risk and profit; therefore, they are justified and convinced to adopt IAS-17 in accounting for Ijarah transactions.

Originality/value
– It is an original case study based on secondary research data.
Does message content matter in negative publicity? A study with young athletes emulating pros
Authors: Özdinç Yalim , Özdinç Özlem 
Published: July 2015

Purpose
– This study aims to examine changes in the strength of attachment to role models (strong, weak) and in the levels of commitment to the brands endorsed by role models (high, moderate, low) by exposing young athletes emulating sport stars to celebrity-engendered negative messages (CeNM).

Design/methodology/approach
– Two studies were conducted with footballers ranging in age from 13 to 18 years. Study 1 explored emulated football stars, attachment strength and commitment levels (n = 1,425). Study 2 exposed purposively selected 853 young footballers to four types of CeNM by content (social attribute, moral conduct, game performance, physical condition). A combination of non-/parametric t-tests was run for the paired comparisons of before–after exposure to CeNM.

Findings
– All CeNM contents weakened the ties to emulated football stars across the entire sample. Similarly, commitment to endorsed brands was diminished in all three categories after exposure to CeNM. When further examined, it appeared that the message about sport stars’ bad health did not affect the highly and moderately committed subjects. Overall, not just CeNM comprising personality-related topics (e.g. illicit affair, unfair play) but also those covering uncontrollable (e.g. injuries) and transient issues (e.g. penalty-kick misses) damaged young people’s attachment to their celebrity role models and tarnished, to a great extent, their evaluations of the brands the role models endorse.

Originality/value
– Besides echoing the common tendency that attachment to celebrity role models is strong among the youth, findings also indicate that young people, unlike adults, react naively to CeNM.
Keeping a child's donor sperm conception secret is not linked to family and child functioning during middle childhood: An Australian comparative study
Authors: Kovacs Gabor Thomas , Wise Sarah , Finch Sue 
Published: July 2015

Background and AimControversy exists as to whether children conceived using donor sperm should be told about their origins and the possible deleterious effects of secrecy.Materials and MethodsThe Follow‐Up of Children Conceived through Donor Insemination research compares ‘family functioning’ and ‘child well‐being’ in 62 families where donor‐conceived children aged between 5 and 13 years had been ‘told’ (N = 29) and ‘not told’ (N = 33) of their genetic heritage. Couples were treated through the Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research Reproductive Medicine Clinic. Standardised measures of family functioning and child well‐being collected from mothers were modelled to estimate mean differences according to knowledge of conception.ResultsMean differences between the two ‘knowledge of conception’ groups were generally very small and not statistically significant; adjustment for covariates did not make a substantive difference to the interpretation of group differences. Scores on family functioning and child well‐being measures were within normal limits for both the ‘told’ and ‘not told’ groups.ConclusionFurther research on parents' experiences would usefully inform discussion on the forms of education and support that would encourage parents to engage with the issues of disclosure and nondisclosure, and promote transparency as well as societal awareness, acceptance and understanding of this method of family formation.
Serum anti‐Mullerian hormone assessment of ovarian reserve and polycystic ovary syndrome status over the reproductive lifespan
Authors: Tremellen Kelton , Zander‐Fox Deidre 
Published: July 2015

BackgroundTo determine normal ranges for serum anti‐Mullerian hormone (AMH) using the new automated Elecsys® AMH assay platform, with a view to establishing values that signify premature loss of ovarian reserve, increased risk for an excessive response during IVF stimulation and a likely diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Materials and MethodsSerum AMH was measured by the Elecsys® automated electrochemiluminescence assay in 654 women undergoing gynaecological assessment.ResultsSerum AMH levels peaked before 25 years of age, with mean AMH levels halving by 36 and falling to a quarter of their peak by 40 years of age. Overall, AMH results of 95% of patients with PCOS exceeded the 50th percentile for their age, with 72.1% having an AMH result in the top quartile for age. ROC analysis suggested that a serum AMH ≥36 pmol L−1 is the best determinant of PCOS status (sensitivity 83.7% and specificity 82.3%). Serum AMH exhibited an excellent correlation with ultrasound‐assessed antral follicle count (AFC) (r = 0.836, P < 0.0001), with a result of 20 pmol L−1 corresponding to an AFC of 16 and, therefore, increased risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) during IVF treatment.ConclusionSerum AMH is a sensitive marker of age‐related decline in ovarian reserve status. A serum AMH result >36 pmol L−1, or above the 75th percentile for age, is highly suggestive of a diagnosis of PCOS. A serum AMH result below the 10th percentile for age suggests accelerated loss of ovarian reserve, while an AMH result exceeding 20 pmol L−1 suggests an increased risk of OHSS during IVF treatment.
Filtered Stochastic Shadow Mapping Using a Layered Approach
Authors: Andersson M. , Hasselgren J. , Munkberg J. , Akenine‐Möller T. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractGiven a stochastic shadow map rendered with motion blur, our goal is to render an image from the eye with motion‐blurred shadows with as little noise as possible. We use a layered approach in the shadow map and reproject samples along the average motion vector, and then perform lookups in this representation. Our results include substantially improved shadow quality compared to previous work and a fast graphics processing unit (GPU) implementation. In addition, we devise a set of scenes that are designed to bring out and show problematic cases for motion‐blurred shadows. These scenes have difficult occlusion characteristics, and may be used in future research on this topic.
Quality of life: a research gap in teledermatology
Authors: Whited John D. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAn important outcome in healthcare, and in particular for dermatologic healthcare, is quality of life. Whereas the literature is well represented by quality of life assessments in dermatology, very little information is available that specifically addresses teledermatology's impact on quality of life. This gap in our knowledge of teledermatology is noteworthy precisely because of the importance that quality of life plays in dermatologic disease and healthcare delivery. The goal of this review is to briefly outline the concept of quality of life and its importance to dermatology, describe the different type of instruments that are used to assess quality of life, and to review studies that implemented teledermatology interventions and made quality of life assessments. The available literature has shown that teledermatology interventions do result in improved quality of life, and those changes correlate with improvements in disease severity and clinical course. Integrating quality of life assessments in future evaluations of teledermatology interventions would be valuable to provide a more comprehensive depiction of teledermatology's impact on patients receiving dermatology care via telemedicine.
The influence of heat treatment of chickpea seeds on antioxidant and fibroblast growth‐stimulating activity of peptide fractions obtained from proteins digested under simulated gastrointestinal conditions
Authors: Karaś Monika , Baraniak Barbara , Rybczyńska Kamila , Gmiński Jan , Gaweł‐Bęben Katarzyna , Jakubczyk Anna 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThis study presents the effect of heat treatment of chickpea seeds on biological activity of peptides obtained by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The most significant antiradical activity against ABTS+• expressed as IC50 value was observed for 3.5‐ to 7‐kDa peptide fraction from TC hydrolysate (41.01 μg mL−1). In turn, peptide fraction of 3.5–7.0 kDa obtained from raw chickpea seeds hydrolysate showed the highest antiradical activity against DPPH• and Fe2+ chelating activity with IC50 value of 20.94 and 52.53 μg mL−1, respectively. The highest Cu2+ chelating activity was observed for peptides obtained from TC hydrolysate (IC50 = 56.60 μg mL−1). Peptide fraction <3.5 kDa from TC hydrolysate demonstrated the most significant reducing power (0.362 A700/μg mL−1). The peptide fraction of 3.5–7 kDa from TC hydrolysate also showed the highest fibroblast growth‐stimulating activity. These results indicated that the heat treatment process has no significant effect on antiradical activity against DPPH• and Fe2+ chelating ability of peptides.
Octreotide protects ovary against ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats: Evaluation of histological and biochemical parameters
Authors: Yildirim Nuri , Yigitturk Gurkan , Sahingoz Yildirim Alkim Gulsah , Akdemir Ali , İlgen Orkun , Yeniel Ozgur , Ergenoglu Mete , Erbas Oytun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAimThis study investigated the efficacy of octreotide for prevention of ischemia–reperfusion injury in rat ovary.MethodsThirty‐two adult female rats were included. Rats were divided into five groups: in the sham group, the abdominal wall was only opened and closed; in the torsion group, ischemia was induced for 3 h using a torsion model involving atraumatic vascular clips; in the torsion/octreotide group, rats were given 100 µg/kg i.p. octreotide 30 min before torsion was induced; in the torsion/detorsion group, rats underwent 3 h ischemia–3 h reperfusion; in the torsion/detorsion/octreotide group, rats underwent 3 h ischemia followed by 100 µg/kg octreotide i.p. 30 min prior to 3 h reperfusion. Ovarian tissue damage was scored on histopathology. Ovarian tissue malondialdehyde and plasma pentraxin 3 were measured biochemically.ResultsIn comparison with the sham group, both the torsion and torsion/detorsion groups had significantly higher scores for follicular degeneration, vascular congestion, edema, hemorrhage and leukocyte infiltration. Octreotide significantly decreased these scores in both groups. Ovarian malondialdehyde and plasma pentraxin 3 were significantly higher both in the torsion and torsion/detorsion groups compared with the sham group. Octreotide also decreased these levels significantly both in the torsion/octreotide and torsion/detorsion/octreotide groups.ConclusionOctreotide ameliorated the potential side‐effects of ovarian ischemia–reperfusion injury in a rat model.
Retinal detachment in hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome: Color vision abnormality as the first and predominant manifestation
Authors: Morisawa Hiroyuki , Makino Shinji , Takahashi Hironori , Sorita Mari , Matsubara Shigeki 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSerous retinal detachment is sometimes caused by hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and its associated conditions, in which the predominant eye symptoms are blurred vision, distorted vision, and reduced visual acuity. To our best knowledge, this is the first report of a puerperal woman with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome in whom color vision abnormality was the first and predominant manifestation of serous retinal detachment. At 32 weeks of gestation, the 34‐year‐old Japanese woman underwent cesarean section due to HELLP syndrome. She complained of color vision abnormality on day 1 post‐partum and ophthalmological examination revealed serous retinal detachment of both eyes. The visual acuity was preserved. With supportive therapy, her color vision abnormality gradually ameliorated and retinal detachment completely resolved on day 34 post‐partum without any sequelae. Obstetricians should be aware that color vision abnormality can be the first and predominant symptom of HELLP‐related serous retinal detachment.
Nonbullous Erythema Multiforme in Hospitalized Children: A 10‐Year Survey
Authors: Keller Noy , Gilad Oded , Marom Daphna , Marcus Nufar , Garty Ben Zion 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackgroundNonbullous erythema multiforme (NBEM) is an acute, immune‐mediated, self‐limiting skin disease with distinctive target lesions. Its pathogenesis is unclear, but most cases are considered to be infection related or drug related. In adults, the main precipitating factor is infection. This study reviewed a 10‐year experience with hospitalized children with NBEM in a tertiary pediatric medical center in Israel with a focus on precipitating factors.MethodsThe medical files of all children hospitalized from 2001 to 2011 with the diagnosis of NBEM were reviewed.ResultsNinety‐seven patients (55 boys and 42 girls) met the inclusion criteria. The mean age was 4.0 years. At least one precipitating factor was recognized in 72 cases; the remainders were classified as idiopathic. The most common factor was drugs (n = 45), particularly penicillin (n = 30), followed by infection with various pathogens (n = 27) including Epstein‐Barr virus (7), group A Streptococcus (n = 6), Mycoplasma pneumoniae (n = 5) and herpes simplex virus (n = 4). Analysis according to age showed that medication was the most common precipitating factor in the first year of life, and infection was as common as drugs in the older age groups (1–18 years).ConclusionsUnlike adult NBEM, the majority of pediatric NBEM is associated with medications, especially penicillin. This may be due to the frequent use of antibiotics in children.
Voices under trial. Inquisition, abjuration, and preachers’ orality in sixteenth‐century Italy
Authors: Dall'Aglio Stefano 
Published: July 2015

AbstractEarly modern Italian preachers who had been condemned by the Holy Office of the Inquisition for words uttered from the pulpit were often forced to abjure the doctrinal errors contained in their sermons. In some cases the abjuration was made in public in the same venue where the heretical statements had been pronounced, supposedly so as to be heard by the same people who had already listened to the incriminated sermons. The text of the abjuration put into writing by the inquisitors was a different version of the spoken words previously uttered by the preacher in church; the defendant had to read it aloud word by word before the same people. This article considers public abjurations as an attempt to substitute the ‘wrong’ orality of the preachers with the ‘right’ orality written by religious authorities, a replacement of the original performance with a new one that would erase from the audience's mind the memory of the heretical propositions. The aim is to analyse the reasons, the nature, the consequences, and the implications of this process.
Cloacibacillus sp., a Potential Human Pathogen Associated with Bacteremia in Quebec and New Brunswick
Authors: Domingo M.-C. , Yansouni C. , Gaudreau C. , Lamothe F. , Lévesque S. , Tremblay C. , Garceau R. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT

Bacteremia due to
Cloacibacillus
species is poorly described. We present three cases involving either
Cloacibacillus
evryensis
or
Cloacibacillus
porcorum
. The isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and were susceptible to antibiotics commonly used for anaerobic infections. The clinical significance of these organisms as potential emerging pathogens is discussed.
Diseases Transmitted by Birds
Authors: Levison Matthew E. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACT
Although many people these days actually work very hard at leisure time activities, diseases are most commonly acquired from birds during the course of work in the usual sense of the term, not leisure. However, travel for pleasure to areas where the diseases are highly endemic puts people at risk of acquiring some of these bird-related diseases (for example, histoplasmosis and arbovirus infections), as does ownership of birds as pets (psittacosis).