bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of glutamine synthetase activity by [13N]ammonia uptake in living rat brain
Authors: Momosaki Sotaro , Ito Miwa , Tonomura Misato , Abe Kohji 
Published: September 2014

ABSTRACTGlutamine synthetase (GS) plays an important role in glutamate neurotransmission or neurological disorder in the brain. [13N]Ammonia blood flow tracer has been reported to be metabolically trapped in the brain via the glutamate‐glutamine pathway. The present study investigated the effect of an inhibitor of GS on [13N]ammonia uptake in order to clarify the feasibility of measuring GS activity in the living brain. l‐Methionine sulfoximine (MSO), a selective GS inhibitor was microinjected into the ipsilateral striatum in rats. [13N]Ammonia uptake was quantified by autoradiography method as well as small animal positron emission tomography (PET) scans. The GS activity of the brain homogenate was assayed from the γ‐glutamyl transferase reaction. Autoradiograms showed a decrease of [13N]ammonia radioactivity on the MSO‐injected side compared with the saline‐injected side of the striatum. This reduction could be detected with a small animal PET scanner. MSO had no effect on cerebral blood flow measured by uptake of [15O]H2O. The reduction of [13N]ammonia uptake was closely related to the results of GS activity assay. These results indicated that [13N]ammonia may enable measurement of GS activity in the living brain. Synapse 69:26–32, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthetic virology: engineering viruses for gene delivery
Authors: Guenther Caitlin M. , Kuypers Brianna E. , Lam Michael T. , Robinson Tawana M. , Zhao Julia , Suh Junghae 
Published: September 2014

The success of gene therapy relies heavily on the performance of vectors that can effectively deliver transgenes to desired cell populations. As viruses have evolved to deliver genetic material into cells, a prolific area of research has emerged over the last several decades to leverage the innate properties of viruses as well as to engineer new features into them. Specifically, the field of synthetic virology aims to capitalize on knowledge accrued from fundamental virology research in order to design functionally enhanced gene delivery vectors. The enhanced viral vectors, or ‘bionic’ viruses, feature engineered components, or ‘parts’, that are natural (intrinsic to viruses or from other organisms) and synthetic (such as man‐made polymers or inorganic nanoparticles). Various design strategies—rational, combinatorial, and pseudo‐rational—have been pursued to create the hybrid viruses. The gene delivery vectors of the future will likely criss‐cross the boundaries between natural and synthetic domains to harness the unique strengths afforded by the various functional parts that can be grafted onto virus capsids. Such research endeavors will further expand and enable enhanced control over the functional capacity of these nanoscale devices for biomedicine. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2014, 6:548–558. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1287This article is categorized under:

Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures
Frey’s Pancreaticojejunostomy in Tropical Pancreatitis: Assessment of Quality of Life. A Prospective Study
Authors: Pothula Rajendra Vamsi Krishna , Sivanpillay Mahadevan Sivaraj , Parvathareddy Sivacharan Reddy , Nara Bharat Kumar , Gorlagunta Ramachandra Mallikarjuna , Tripuraneni Venkata Aditya Chowdary , Bathalapalli Jagan Mohan Reddy , Gudi Vara Prasada Rao , Sampath Thirunavukkarasu 
Published: September 2014

AbstractIntroductionTropical pancreatitis is a form of chronic pancreatitis originally described in the tropics. Prospective studies in Western countries have shown improved quality of life (QOL) following surgery in alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. In studies on Frey’s pancreaticojejunostomy for tropical pancreatitis, improvement in pain was considered the endpoint, and there is a paucity of data in the literature with regard to QOL with tropical pancreatitis following surgery.ObjectiveOur objective was to prospectively analyze the outcome of Frey’s pancreaticojejunostomy in tropical pancreatitis and health‐related QOL following surgery by administering the Short Form 36‐item health survey (SF‐36).
Materials and methodsA total of 25 patients underwent Frey’s pancreaticojejunostomy between 2010 and 2012 and were included in the study; data were collected prospectively. The visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the SF‐36 form were used to record health‐related QOL preoperatively, and at 3 and 12 months post‐surgery, comparing the same with the general population.ResultsPatients with tropical pancreatitis experience poor QOL (26.71 ± 15.95) compared with the general population (84.54 ± 12.42). Post‐operative QOL scores (78.54 ± 15.84) were better than the pre‐operative scores (26.71 ± 15.95) at 12‐month post‐surgery follow‐up. The VAS score for pain improved at 12 months post‐surgery (1.58 ± 1.41 vs. 8.21 ± 1.64). Two of the three patients (12.5 %) who had diabetes were free from anti‐diabetes medication at 12 months post‐surgery. Steatorrhea was seen in five patients (20.8 %) before surgery and increased to eight (33.3 %) at 12 months post‐surgery. Mean body weight increased from 45.75 kg pre‐operatively to 49.25 kg at 12 months post‐operatively.ConclusionsFrey’s pancreaticojejunostomy effectively reduces pain in tropical pancreatitis, with significant improvement in health‐related QOL, which is comparable with the general population in most aspects.
Surgical Options after a Failed Neurectomy in Anterior Cutaneous Nerve Entrapment Syndrome
Authors: van Assen T. , Boelens O. B. , van Eerten P. V. , Scheltinga M. R. , Roumen R. M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractBackgroundInjection treatment followed by an anterior neurectomy in patients insufficiently responding to an injection regimen is successful long term in three‐quarters of patients with anterior cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES). The efficacy of secondary surgery, including re‐exploration or a posterior neurectomy in patients reporting recurrent pain after initially successful surgery or following an immediately failed anterior neurectomy is unknown.MethodsA database of ACNES patients receiving surgery between 2004 and 2012 in the SolviMáx institution was analysed. Adult patients with residual pain after an anterior neurectomy (failures) or with recurrent pain after initially successful surgery (recurrences) were selected. Following a re‐exploration or a posterior neurectomy, pain was scored using a pain intensity numeric rating scale (PI‐NRS 0–10) and a six‐point verbal category rating scale (VRS). Success was defined as a ≥50 % PI‐NRS reduction and/or ≥2 point VRS reduction.ResultsACNES patients undergoing an anterior neurectomy (n = 181) were analysed during the 8‐year study period. At follow‐up, 51 patients reported unacceptable pain levels following an anterior neurectomy, whereas 20 developed recurrent abdominal wall pain. Of these 71 unsuccessful patients, 41 underwent secondary surgery, including a re‐exploration (n = 10), or a posterior neurectomy (n = 31). After a 25‐month median follow‐up, secondary surgical treatment regimens proved successful in 66 % (27/41). Patients with recurrent pain did better (14/15) than patients who were immediate failures after the anterior neurectomy (13/26, p = 0.01).ConclusionsSecondary surgery including re‐explorations and posterior neurectomies are successful in two‐thirds of ACNES patients with persistent pain or recurrence of pain after an anterior neurectomy.
Middle Dutch back vowels in rhymes
Authors: Sytsema Johanneke , Grijzenhout Janet , Lahiri Aditi 
Published: September 2014

AbstractDutch underwent many changes in its vowel system in the course of its history. One way of exploring the phonology of the vocalic system at an earlier period of the language is to examine rhymes. The rhyming verse which is used in the moral didactic text of Ms. Marshall 29 offered an excellent opportunity to not only establish the differences between Modern and Middle Dutch, but also to trace any variation in the transition period from early to late Middle Dutch. We focused on rounded vowels, which were indicated by seven graphemes: <u>, <uu>, <uy>, <ue>, <oo>, <oe>, and <o>. Our crucial findings are the following: (i) descendants of Proto Germanic (PGmc) */au/ and */o:/ never rhyme with each other, although they could be spelt in an identical fashion and are pronounced the same in Modern Dutch, which leads us to conclude that the Middle Dutch vowel qualities were different; (ii) descendants of PGmc */u/ became /ɔ/, but when this vowel is lengthened in open syllables, it never rhymes with vowels derived from PGmc */au/, although they do in Modern Dutch; (iii) although <e> added to a vowel can mark length, in a small subset it must have indicated fronting.
Enrichment of DHA from Tuna Oil in a Packed Bed Reactor via Lipase‐Catalyzed Esterification
Authors: Hong Seung In , Ma Na , No Da Som , Choi Nakyung , Baik Ji Yeon , Kim Chong‐Tai , Kim Yangha , Chang Eugene , Kim In‐Hwan 
Published: September 2014

AbstractA packed‐bed reactor (length 6.5 cm; id 4.65 mm) has been used to enrich docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) via the lipase‐catalyzed esterification of the fatty acid from tuna oil with ethanol. Lipozyme RM IM (from Rhizomucor miehei) was used for the esterification reaction because of its ability to discriminate between different fatty acids, and several reaction parameters, including the temperature, molar ratio of substrates, and water content were explored as a function of residence time. In this way, the optimum conditions for the enrichment process were determined to be a temperature of 20 °C, a molar ratio of 1:5 (i.e., fatty acid to ethanol), and a water content of 1.0 % (based on the total substrate weight). Under these conditions, a residence time of 90 min gave a DHA concentration of 70 wt% and a DHA recovery yield of 87 wt% in the residual fatty acid fraction.
Indications for in vitro fertilization at a public center for reproductive health in Campinas, Brazil
Authors: Pantoja Marcia , Fernandes Arlete 
Published: August 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the sociodemographic profile and gynecologic and obstetric characteristics of women referred to a public reference center in Campinas, Brazil, for in vitro fertilization (IVF).MethodsWomen referred between April 1, 2008, and October 31, 2009, were eligible for inclusion in a cross‐sectional study. Participants were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric and gynecologic history, and etiologic factors resulting in the referral. Preliminary clinical examinations performed elsewhere were evaluated.ResultsA total of 176 women were included, of whom 129 (73.3%) presented with tubal factor infertility. Tubal ligation had been performed in 66 (37.5%) women. Overall, 121 (68.8%) women were aged 30 years old or less, 110 (62.5%) had received more than 8 years of schooling, 123 (69.6%) had had infertility for up to 5 years, and 99 (56.3%) did not have any children. Moreover, 25 (14.2%) women had endometriosis and 25 (14.2%) had a male factor issue. A previous ectopic pregnancy was reported for 20 (11.4%) women and pelvic inflammatory disease for 49 (27.8%).ConclusionTubal factor infertility was the most common indication for IVF. Preventive measures are required, in addition to policies that ensure access to high‐complexity treatments in the public sector.
Biogeography of Pleistocene conifer species from the Ziegler Reservoir fossil site, Snowmass Village, Colorado
Authors: Miller Dane M. , Miller Ian M. , Jackson Stephen T. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractPleistocene biogeography of conifer species is poorly known in much of western North America. We conducted morphological studies on 201 conifer cones and cone fragments recovered from Pleistocene sediments at the Ziegler Reservoir fossil site (2705 m) near Snowmass Village, Colorado. The basin, formed ~155–130 ka, contains fossil-bearing lacustrine, palustrine, and colluvial sediments spanning approximately 85 ka. Using a suite of morphological characters, particularly cone-scale bracts, we differentiated species ofAbies,Picea, andPseudotsuga. All fossilAbiesspecimens were assignable based on bract morphology toAbies concolor, which is currently absent from central Colorado (nearest populations are 160 km southwest of the site).A.concoloroccurs only in sediments of MIS 5d and 5c.Pseudotsuga menziesiiandPicea engelmanniicones occurred in sediments corresponding to MIS 5e, 5d, 5c, and 5a. A fourth conifer species, occurring in sediments of MIS 5e, 5d, 5c, and 5a, is difficult to assign to any extant species. Bract morphology is similar toPicea pungens, which grows near the site today, but scale morphology is unlikeP.pungens. These fossils may represent ancestralP.pungens, an extinct variant, or an extinct sister species.
Last interglacial plant macrofossils and climates from Ziegler Reservoir, Snowmass Village, Colorado, USA
Authors: Strickland Laura E. , Baker Richard G. , Thompson Robert S. , Miller Dane M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractNinety plant macrofossil taxa from the Ziegler Reservoir fossil site near Snowmass Village, Colorado, record environmental changes at high elevation (2705 m asl) in the Rocky Mountains during the Last Interglacial Period. Present-day vegetation is aspen forest (Populus tremuloides) intermixed with species of higher (Picea,Abies) and lower (Artemisia,Quercus) elevations. Stratigraphic units 4–13 contain montane forest taxa found near the site today and several species that today generally live at lower elevations within (Abies concolor,Lycopus americanus) and outside Colorado (Najas flexilis). These data suggest near-modern climatic conditions, with slightly warmer summer and winter temperatures. This montane forest period was succeeded by a shorter treeless interval (Unit 14) representing colder and/or drier conditions. In units 15–16, conifer trees reoccur but deciduous and herb taxa are lacking, suggesting a return to warmer conditions, although cooler than during the earlier forest period. Comparison of these inferred paleoclimatic changes with the site's geochronologic framework indicates that the lower interval of sustained warmth correlates with late MIS 6–early 5b (~138–94 ka), the cold interval with MIS 5b (~94–87 ka), and the uppermost cool assemblages with MIS 5a (~87–77 ka).
Provenance of the Various Grain-Size Fractions in the Negev Loess and Potential changes in Major dust Sources to the Eastern Mediterranean
Authors: Ben-Israel Michal , Enzel Yehouda , Amit Rivka , Erel Yigal 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThe isotopic composition of Sr and Nd and elemental concentrations (e.g., Na, K, Ca, Mg, Al) of three primary Negev loess sequences trace the relative contributions of desert dust sources over the past ~180,000 yr to the southeastern Mediterranean. We focused on the geochemical signature of the fine (<20 μm) and coarse (>20 μm) grain-size modes of the loess to identify their respective provenances. The isotopic composition of the coarse fraction falls on a mixing line of sources feeding the Nile and its delta. The chemical compositions of the coarse fraction and the Sinai–Negev sand dunes are similar, indicating that this fraction is the product of aeolian abrasion of the adjacent Sinai–Negev sands. In turn, these sands are derived from the Nile delta and transported inland. The fine fraction has less negative εNd values and slightly deviates from the mixing line, indicating an additional end-member. The higher εNd values and Mg/Al ratios of the fine fraction are relatively well correlated (R2 = 0.64) and point to Arabian dust as an additional source. Temporal changes in the geochemical composition of loess over time reflect changes in climates of source areas and the Eastern Mediterranean. Shifts from Saharan to Arabian fine dust-dominated intervals indicate wetter conditions in the southern Sahara that weaken dust fluxes from this source relative to the Arabian fluxes.
Bifurcation analysis of steady natural convection in a tilted cubical cavity with adiabatic sidewalls
Authors: Torres J. F. , Henry D. , Komiya A. , Maruyama S. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractNatural convection in an inclined cubical cavity heated from two opposite walls maintained at different temperatures and with adiabatic sidewalls is investigated numerically. The cavity is inclined by an angle$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}\theta $around a lower horizontal edge and the isothermal wall set at the higher temperature is the lower wall in the horizontal situation ($\theta = 0^\circ $). A continuation method developed from a three-dimensional spectral finite-element code is applied to determine the bifurcation diagrams for steady flow solutions. The numerical technique is used to study the influence of${\theta }$on the stability of the flow for moderate Rayleigh numbers in the range$\mathit{Ra} \leq 150\, 000$, focusing on the Prandtl number$\mathit{Pr} = 5.9$. The results show that the inclination breaks the degeneracy of the stable solutions obtained at the first bifurcation point in the horizontal cubic cavity: (i) the transverse stable rolls, whose rotation vector is in the same direction as the inclination vector${\boldsymbol{\Theta}}$, start from$\mathit{Ra} \to 0$forming a leading branch and becoming more predominant with increasing$\theta $; (ii) a disconnected branch consisting of transverse rolls, whose rotation vector is opposite to${\boldsymbol{\Theta}}$, develops from a saddle-node bifurcation, is stabilized at a pitchfork bifurcation, but globally disappears at a critical inclination angle; (iii) the semi-transverse stable rolls, whose rotation axis is perpendicular to${\boldsymbol{\Theta}}$at$\theta \to 0^\circ $, develop from another saddle-node bifurcation, but the branch also disappears at a critical angle. We also found the stability thresholds for the stable diagonal-roll and four-roll solutions, which increase with$\theta $until they disappear at other critical angles. Finally, the families of stable solutions are presented in the$\mathit{Ra}-\theta $parameter space by determining the locus of the primary, secondary, saddle-node, and Hopf bifurcation points as a function of$\mathit{Ra}$and$\theta $.
Scaling behaviour in impulsively started viscous flow past a finite flat plate
Authors: Xu Ling , Nitsche Monika 
Published: September 2014

AbstractViscous flow past a finite flat plate which is impulsively started in the direction normal to itself is studied numerically using a high-order mixed finite-difference and semi-Lagrangian scheme. The goal is to resolve the details of the vorticity generation, and to determine the dependence of the flow on time and Reynolds number. Vorticity contours, streaklines and streamlines are presented for a range of times$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}t\in [0.0002,5]$and Reynolds numbers$\mathit{Re}\in [250,2000]$, non-dimensionalized with respect to the driving velocity and the plate length. At early times, the starting vortex is small relative to the plate length and is expected to grow as if an external length scale were absent. We identify three different types of scaling behaviours consistent with this premise. (i) At early times, solutions with different values of$\mathit{Re}$are identical up to rescaling. (ii) The solution for fixed$\mathit{Re}$satisfies a viscous similarity law in time, locally in space, as illustrated by the core vorticity maximum, the upstream boundary layer thickness, and the maximum speed, in three different regions of the flow. (iii) The vortex core trajectory and the shed circulation satisfy inviscid scaling laws for several decades in time, and are consequently essentially$\mathit{Re}$-independent at these times. In addition, the computed induced drag and tangential forces are found to follow approximate scaling laws that define their dependence on time and$\mathit{Re}$.
The Study of Temperature Rise in a 90-Degree Sharp Bend Microchannel Flow Under Constant Wall Temperature Condition
Authors: Huang C.-Y. , Li C.-A. , Huang B.-H. , Liou T.-M. 
Published: September 2014

AbstractThis study presents the fluid temperature measurement at a 90-degree sharp bend inside a microchannel using molecule-based temperature sensor technique. This technique provides both detailed and global information for temperature investigation in microfluidic research. Rhodamine B was selected as the molecule-based temperature probe in the experiment to provide non-invasive and straightforward measurements. To resolve the luminescence deviation in the microscale temperature measurements introduced by the corner structure, in-situ calibration method and pixel-by-pixel correction were applied during the data reduction. The temperature measurement was performed in a 200μm wide, 67μm deep and 2cm long PDMS microchannel with a 90-degree sharp bend at the center. The temperature profile was measured at a Reynolds number of 27.66 using Rhodamine B in DI water while the bottom of channel was heated at 50°C. As revealed by the molecule-based temperature sensor, the temperature variation along the central line increased 2°C while passing the corner. Additionally, the lateral temperature distributions upstream of the corner show the temperature increase near the outer side of microchannel and decreased near the inner side. The velocity profiles around the 90-degree sharp bend were acquired to analyze the flow after corner. Secondary flow structure after the corner was observed in the velocity profiles along the depth of the microchannel. This study analyzes the thermal flow fields in the microchannel with a 90-degree sharp bend and reveals that regardless of the low Reynolds number, the flow mixing after the corner resulted in the increase of temperature downstream of the bend.
Preventive effect of the microalgaChlamydomonas debaryanaon the acute phase of experimental colitis in rats
Authors: Ávila-Román Javier , Talero Elena , Alcaide Antonio , Reyes Carolina de los , Zubía Eva , García-Mauriño Sofía , Motilva Virginia 
Published: September 2014

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterised by chronic uncontrolled inflammation of intestinal mucosa. Diet and nutritional factors have emerged as possible interventions for IBD. Microalgae are rich sources ofn-3 PUFA and derived oxylipins. Oxylipins are lipid mediators involved in the resolution of many inflammatory disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the oxylipin-containing biomass of the microalgaChlamydomonas debaryanaand its major oxylipin constituent, (9Z,11E,13S,15Z)-13-hydroxyoctadeca-9,11,15-trienoic acid ((13S)-HOTE), on acute 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. Lyophilised microalgal biomass and (13S)-HOTE were administered by oral route 48, 24 and 1 h before the induction of colitis and 24 h later, and the rats were killed after 48 h. The treatment with the lyophilised microalga and (13S)-HOTE improved body-weight loss and colon shortening, as well as attenuated the extent of colonic damage and increased mucus production. Cellular neutrophil infiltration, with the subsequent increase in myeloperoxidase levels induced by TNBS, were also reduced after the administration of the lyophilised microalga or (13S)-HOTE. The anti-inflammatory effects of these treatments were confirmed by the inhibition of colonic TNF-α production. Moreover, lyophilised microalga or (13S)-HOTE down-regulated cyclo-oxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. The present study was the first to show the prophylactic effects of a lyophilised biomass sample of the microalgaC. debaryanaand the oxylipin (13S)-HOTE on TNBS-induced acute colitis in rats. Our findings suggest that the microalgaC. debaryanaor derived oxylipins could be used as nutraceuticals in the treatment of the active phase of IBD.