bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
First Report of Stem Canker on Phoenix Tree (Firmiana simplex) Caused by Fusarium oxysporum in China
Authors: Zhang Li‐Xin , Song Jiang‐Hua , Shen Jing‐Ting , Tan Gen‐Jia , Li Sha‐Sha , Ding Fei 
Published: October 2012

AbstractA stem canker disease was observed on the phoenix trees located in the region of Dezhou, Shandong province. Symptomatic stems were collected and evaluated for the possible casual agent of the disease. A fungus resembling Fusarium sp. was consistently isolated from pieces of symptomatic tissues. The fungus formed abundant aerial mycelium on potato dextrose agar and produced the micro‐ and macro‐conidia on carnation leaf agar. The nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer of the rDNA from three representative isolates showed 100% identical to those of Fusarium oxysporum isolates deposited in the GenBank database. On the basis of morphological characteristics, pathogenicity test and molecular identification, the causal agent was identified as F. oxysporum. To our knowledge, this is the first report of stem canker on phoenix tree caused by F. oxysporum in China.
Attenuation of Bunyamwera Orthobunyavirus Replication by Targeted Mutagenesis of Genomic Untranslated Regions and Creation of Viable Viruses with Minimal Genome Segments
Authors: Mazel-Sanchez Béryl , Elliott Richard M. 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

Bunyamwera virus (BUNV) is the prototype virus for both the genus
Orthobunyavirus
and the family
Bunyaviridae
. BUNV has a tripartite, negative-sense RNA genome. The coding region of each segment is flanked by untranslated regions (UTRs) that are partially complementary. The UTRs play an important role in the virus life cycle by promoting transcription, replication, and encapsidation of the viral genome. Using reverse genetics, we generated recombinant viruses that contained deletions within the 3′ and/or 5′ UTRs of the L or M segments to determine the minimal UTRs competent for virus viability. We then generated viruses carrying deleted UTRs in all three segments. These viruses were grossly attenuated in tissue culture, being significantly impaired in their ability to produce plaques in BHK cells, and had a reduced capacity to cause host cell protein shutoff. After serial passage in tissue culture, some viruses partially recovered fitness, generating higher titers and producing larger plaques. We determined the complete nucleotide sequence for each virus. The deleted UTR sequences were maintained, and no amino acid changes were observed in the nonstructural proteins (NSs and NSm), the nucleocapsid protein (N), or the Gn glycoprotein. One virus had a single amino acid substitution in Gc. Three viruses contained amino acid changes in the viral polymerase that mostly occurred in the C-terminal domain of the L protein. Although the role of this domain remains unknown, we suggest that those changes might be involved in the evolution of the polymerase to recognize the deleted UTRs more efficiently.
Structural Basis of Rotavirus Strain Preference toward
N
-Acetyl- or
N
-Glycolylneuraminic Acid-Containing Receptors
Authors: Yu Xing , Dang Vi T. , Fleming Fiona E. , von Itzstein Mark , Coulson Barbara S. , Blanchard Helen 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACT

The rotavirus spike protein domain VP8* is essential for recognition of cell surface carbohydrate receptors, notably those incorporating
N
-acylneuraminic acids (members of the sialic acid family).
N
-Acetylneuraminic acids occur naturally in both animals and humans, whereas
N
-glycolylneuraminic acids are acquired only through dietary uptake in normal human tissues. The preference of animal rotaviruses for these natural
N
-acylneuraminic acids has not been comprehensively established, and detailed structural information regarding the interactions of different rotaviruses with
N
-glycolylneuraminic acids is lacking. In this study, distinct specificities of VP8* for
N
-acetyl- and
N
-glycolylneuraminic acids were revealed using biophysical techniques. VP8* protein from the porcine rotavirus CRW-8 and the bovine rotavirus Nebraska calf diarrhea virus (NCDV) showed a preference for
N
-glycolyl- over
N
-acetylneuraminic acids, in contrast to results obtained with rhesus rotavirus (RRV). Crystallographic structures of VP8* from CRW-8 and RRV with bound methyl-
N
-glycolylneuraminide revealed the atomic details of their interactions. We examined the influence of amino acid type at position 157, which is proximal to the ligand's
N
-acetyl or
N
-glycolyl moiety and can mutate upon cell culture adaptation. A structure-based hypothesis derived from these results could account for rotavirus discrimination between the
N
-acylneuraminic acid forms. Infectivity blockade experiments demonstrated that the determined carbohydrate specificities of these VP8* domains directly correlate with those of the corresponding infectious virus. This includes an association between CRW-8 adaption to cell culture, decreased competition by
N
-glycolylneuraminic acid for CRW-8 infectivity, and a Pro157-to-Ser157 mutation in VP8* that reduces binding affinity for
N
-glycolylneuraminic acid.
Frataxin deficiency unveils cell-context dependent actions of insulin-like growth factor I on neurons
Authors: Franco Carolina , Fernández Silvia , Torres-Alemán Ignacio 
Published: October 2012

Abstract

Background
Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of the mitochondrial iron chaperone frataxin (Fxn). FRDA has no cure, but disease-modifying strategies to increase frataxin are under study. Because insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has therapeutic effects in various types of cerebellar ataxia and exerts protective actions on mitochondrial function, we explored the potential Fxn-stimulating activity of this growth factor on brain cells.

Results
IGF-I normalized frataxin levels in frataxin-deficient neurons and astrocytes through its canonical Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. IGF-I also stimulated frataxin in normal astrocytes but not in normal neurons, whereas IGF-I stimulated the Akt/mTOR pathway in both types of cells. This cell context-dependent action of IGF-I on neurons suggested that the intrinsic regulation of Fxn in neurons is different than in astrocytes. Indeed, neurons express much higher levels of frataxin and are much more sensitive to Fxn deficiency than astrocytes; i.e.: only neurons die in the absence of frataxin. In addition, the half-life of frataxin is shorter in neurons than in astrocytes, while after blockade of the proteasome only neurons responded to IGF-I with an increase in frataxin levels. We also explore a potential therapeutic utility of IGF-I in FRDA-like transgenic mice (YG8R mice) and found that treatment with IGF-I normalized motor coordination in these moderately ataxic mice.

Conclusion
Exposure to IGF-I unveiled a cell-specific regulation of frataxin in neurons as compared to astrocytes. Collectively, these results indicate that IGF-I exerts cell-context neuroprotection in frataxin deficiency that maybe therapeutically effective.
Predictors of mortality in connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension: a cohort study
Authors: Ngian Gene-Siew , Stevens Wendy , Prior David , Gabbay Eli , Roddy Janet , Tran Ai , Minson Robert , Hill Catherine , Chow Ken , Sahhar Joanne , Proudman Susanna , Nikpour Mandana 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Introduction
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major cause of mortality in connective tissue disease (CTD). We sought to quantify survival and determine factors predictive of mortality in a cohort of patients with CTD-associated PAH (CTD-PAH) in the current era of advanced PAH therapy.

Methods
Patients with right heart catheter proven CTD-PAH were recruited from six specialised PAH treatment centres across Australia and followed prospectively. Using survival methods including Cox proportional hazards regression, we modelled for all-cause mortality. Independent variables included demographic, clinical and hemodynamic data.

Results
Among 117 patients (104 (94.9%) with systemic sclerosis), during 2.6 ± 1.8 (mean ± SD) years of follow-up from PAH diagnosis, there were 32 (27.4%) deaths. One-, two- and three-year survivals were 94%, 89% and 73%, respectively. In multiple regression analysis, higher mean right atrial pressure (mRAP) at diagnosis (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.24, P = 0.007), lower baseline six-minute walk distance (HR = 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.97, P = 0.04), higher baseline World Health Organization functional class (HR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.25 to 9.36, P = 0.04) and presence of a pericardial effusion (HR = 3.39, 95% CI: 1.07 to 10.68, P = 0.04) were predictive of mortality. Warfarin (HR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.78, P = 0.02) and combination PAH therapy (HR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.83, P = 0.03) were protective.

Conclusions
In this cohort of CTD-PAH patients, three-year survival was 73%. Independent therapeutic predictors of survival included warfarin and combination PAH therapy. Our findings suggest that anticoagulation and combination PAH therapy may improve survival in CTD-PAH. This observation merits further evaluation in randomised controlled trials.
The Analysis of the Parameters of Three-phase Coexistence in the Course of Long-term Contact between a Superhydrophobic Surface and an Aqueous Medium
Authors: Boinovich Ludmila , Emelyanenko Alexandre M 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
A method to estimate the portion of wetted area and the intrinsic wettability state (hydrophobic versus hydrophilic) of elements of texture in the case of a heterogeneous wetting regime is proposed and discussed.
Streptococcus milleri Group Cutaneous Abscess Associated with Insulin Injection to Distal Lower Extremity in an Insulin-Dependent Diabetic Man
Authors: Kerr Kevin J. , Fugit Randolph V. 
Published: October 2012

Purpose We report a case of Streptococcus milleri group (SMG)-associated cutaneous abscess in an older diabetic man. The infection developed after subcutaneous insulin injection to the distal lower extremity. This is the first known account of SMG-associated abscess secondary to insulin administration. Summary A 60-year-old Caucasian insulin-dependent diabetic male developed a severe cutaneous infection including abscess and surrounding cellulitis at the site of a self-administered insulin glargine injection on the medial portion of his right lower leg. The infection developed rapidly within 1 day following the injection. Cultures from purulent drainage were positive for SMG. The infection resolved rapidly with an antibiotic regimen including 1 dose of clindamycin followed by intravenous pipercillin/tazobactam plus vancomycin and concluded with outpatient treatment with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Organisms belonging to SMG are increasingly recognized as pyogenic pathogens responsible, most commonly, for abscess infections. SMG infections have been reported in diabetics; however, this is the first known case of SMG-associated abscess secondary to subcutaneous insulin administration. Conclusion A 60-year-old diabetic male experienced a severe SMG-associated abscess in the distal lower extremity after self-injection with insulin glargine. The infection resolved rapidly with intravenous and oral antibiotics. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for abscess infection from SMG at insulin injection sites.
The Case for Routine Parathyroid Hormone Monitoring
Authors: Sprague Stuart M. , Moe Sharon M. 
Published: October 2012

Summary
Parathyroid hormone (PTH) is a uremic toxin with multiple systemic effects including bone disorders (renal osteodystrophy), myopathy, neurologic abnormalities, anemia, pruritus, and cardiomyopathy. Hyperparathyroidism is common in CKD and results in significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated. Clinical practice guidelines from the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes initiative broadened the optimal PTH range to >2 and <9 times the upper limit of normal for the assay measured. Furthermore, the guidelines recommend following trends in PTH to determine the appropriate therapy. These guidelines overcome issues with the assay variability and help clinicians make judgments when treating individual patients. They also require frequent measurement in order to determine trends and implement appropriate treatments.
Echocardiographic findings and clinical signs in dairy cows with primary cardiac lymphoma: 7 cases (2007–2010)
Authors: Buczinski Sébastien 
Published: October 2012

Abstract
Objective—To describe echocardiographic and clinical findings in cattle with cardiac manifestation of lymphoma.
Design—Retrospective case series.
Animals—7 adult Holstein dairy cows with cardiac lymphoma.
Procedures—Medical and necropsy records of all cows that underwent transthoracic echocardiography from January 2007 through April 2010 because of clinical signs of cardiac diseases or bovine lymphoma were reviewed. The diagnosis of cardiac manifestation of lymphoma was confirmed by necropsy examination or cytologic evaluation of pericardial fluid obtained by pericardiocentesis.
Results—Most commonly, cows had clinical signs of right-sided congestive heart failure secondary to cardiac tamponade with moderate to severe anechoic pericardial effusion (5/7 cows). In 2 cows, tachycardia was the only clinical sign in relation to cardiac disease and a heterogenic mass was observed protruding into the right atrium.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The use of transthoracic echocardiography aided in the diagnosis of primary cardiac lymphoma in cows. Transthoracic echocardiography may help to quantify the severity of pericardial effusion and to orient needle placement for pericardiocentesis to determine a final diagnosis. A mass within the right atrium was also suggestive of cardiac lymphoma and should be differentiated from mural bacterial endocarditis.
Economic Performance of U.S. Multinational Agribusinesses: Foreign Direct Investment and Firm Strategy
Authors: Garcia‐Fuentes Pablo A. , Ferreira Gustavo F. C. , Kennedy P. Lynn 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTThis study borrows the theoretical framework developed by Lee and Habte‐Giorgis (2004) to empirically assess the sequential relationships between firm strategic factors, foreign direct investment (FDI) activity, and financial performance for a sample of U.S.‐based multinational agribusinesses. After using hierarchical regressions and path analysis, this study finds a positive direct effect of FDI on performance, a complementary effect between FDI and firm strategic factors (positive and significant interaction terms) on performance, and a positive effect of FDI on performance given a threshold for firm size. Specifically, it provides insights about the direct effect of FDI on performance, as well as about the joint effect of firm size and FDI, marketing intensity and FDI, and capital intensity and FDI on performance. These findings provide evidence that FDI activity is an important factor for U.S. agribusiness financial strength. [JEL classifications: F230, Q130, L250].
Feasibility analysis of the remediation of fuel oil‐contaminated soil and groundwater around the railroad station of Y city, Korea with surfactant‐aided soil flushing
Authors: Lee Hwan , Lee Yoonjin 
Published: October 2012

ABSTRACTVarious surveys including geophysical, trench, topographical, and global positioning system were performed to evaluate the status of fuel–oil pollution in Y city in Korea. The target area was a railway station, that has been in operation since 1973. The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) and benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX) were analyzed in samples collected from 54 representative points and from soil gas in sampling wells. The mean value of TPH and BTEX was 7504, 10 mg/kg. The target area for the remediation process for TPH was estimated at 18 376 m3. The results suggested that soil flushing is a possible purification method for this polluted area. © 2012 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ultrahigh frequency lensless ultrasonic transducers for acoustic tweezers application
Authors: Lam Kwok Ho , Hsu Hsiu‐Sheng , Li Ying , Lee Changyang , Lin Anderson , Zhou Qifa , Kim Eun Sok , Shung Kirk Koping 
Published: October 2012

AbstractSimilar to optical tweezers, a tightly focused ultrasound microbeam is needed to manipulate microparticles in acoustic tweezers. The development of highly sensitive ultrahigh frequency ultrasonic transducers is crucial for trapping particles or cells with a size of a few microns. As an extra lens would cause excessive attenuation at ultrahigh frequencies, two types of 200‐MHz lensless transducer design were developed as an ultrasound microbeam device for acoustic tweezers application. Lithium niobate single crystal press‐focused (PF) transducer and zinc oxide self‐focused transducer were designed, fabricated and characterized. Tightly focused acoustic beams produced by these transducers were shown to be capable of manipulating single microspheres as small as 5 µm two‐dimensionally within a range of hundreds of micrometers in distilled water. The size of the trapped microspheres is the smallest ever reported in the literature of acoustic PF devices. These results suggest that these lensless ultrahigh frequency ultrasonic transducers are capable of manipulating particles at the cellular level and that acoustic tweezers may be a useful tool to manipulate a single cell or molecule for a wide range of biomedical applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 881–886. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Catalytic Hydrocarboxylation of Olefins with CO2 and H2 – a DFT Computational Analysis
Authors: Ostapowicz Thomas G. , Hölscher Markus , Leitner Walter 
Published: October 2012

AbstractOne of the major challenges for the utilization of carbon dioxide as a chemical feedstock is to devise thermodynamically feasible transformations to valuable chemicals through efficient catalytic processes. In this paper, we examine the feasibility of the experimentally not yet realized direct hydrocarboxylation of alkenes, using computational methods. A conceivable catalytic cycle was devised for the addition of H2 and CO2 to ethene, which affords propionic acid. The corresponding energy profiles were calculated with state‐of‐the‐art DFT methods for three rhodium pincer complexes as potential catalyst. Several junctions within the productive catalytic cycle were identified, leading to competing hydrogenation reactions of ethene or CO2. A profound analysis of the reaction network by means of the energetic span model allowed us to identify parameters that facilitate the carboxylation and that favor it over the hydrogenation reaction. A comparison of the relevant activation energies revealed that two of the three investigated complexes slightly favour the hydrogenation of ethene, but one complex preferentially stays within the carboxylation cycle.
A hematology consensus agreement on antifungal strategies for neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies and stem cell transplant recipients
Authors: Girmenia Corrado , Aversa Franco , Busca Alessandro , Candoni Anna , Cesaro Simone , Luppi Mario , Pagano Livio , Rossi Giuseppe , Venditti Adriano , Nosari Anna Maria 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn the attempt to establish key therapy definitions and provide shared approaches to invasive fungal diseases in neutropenic patients, trials of empiric, preeemptive and targeted antifungal therapy (EAT, PAT and TAT) were reviewed, and a Consensus Development Conference Project was convened. The Expert‐Panel concurred that all antifungal treatments, including EAT, should always follow an adequate diagnostic strategy and that the standard definition of PAT may be misleading: being PAT guided by the results of a diagnostic work‐up, it should better be termed diagnostic‐driven antifungal therapy (DDAT). The Expert‐Panel agreed that radiological findings alone are insufficient for the choice of a TAT and that the identification of the etiologic pathogen is needed. The Consensus Agreement proceeded identifying which clinical and microbiological findings were sufficient to start a DDAT and which were not. Finally, an algorithm to rationalize the choice of antifungal drugs on the basis of clinical manifestations, antifungal prophylaxis, instrumental and laboratory findings was drawn up. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Osteosarcoma cells induce endothelial cell proliferation during neo‐angiogenesis
Authors: de Nigris Filomena , Mancini Francesco Paolo , Schiano Concetta , Infante Teresa , Zullo Alberto , Minucci Pellegrino Biagio , Al‐Omran Mohammed , Giordano Antonio , Napoli Claudio 
Published: October 2012

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms inducing endothelial cell (EC) proliferation following tumor microenvironment stimuli may be important for the development of antiangiogenic therapies. Here, we show that cyclin‐dependent kinase 2 and 5 (Cdk2, Cdk5) are important mediators of neoangiogenesis in in vitro and in vivo systems. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a specific Yin Yang 1 (YY1) protein‐dependent signal from osteosarcoma (SaOS) cells determines proliferation of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Following tumor cell stimuli, HAECs overexpress Cdk2 and Cdk5, display increased Cdk2 activity, undergo enhanced proliferation, and form capillary‐like structures. Moreover, Roscovitine, an inhibitor of Cdks, blunted overexpression of Cdk2 and Cdk5 and Cdk2 activity induced by the YY1‐dependent signal secreted by SaOS cells. Furthermore, Roscovitine decreased HAEC proliferation and angiogenesis (the latter by 70% in in vitro and 50% in in vivo systems; P < 0.01 vs. control). Finally, the finding that Roscovitine triggers apoptosis in SaOS cells as well as in HAECs by activating caspase‐3/7 indicates multiple mechanisms for the potential antitumoral effect of Roscovitine. Present work suggests that Cdk2 and Cdk5 might be pharmacologically accessible targets for both antiangiogenic and antitumor therapy. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 846–852, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Living radical polymerization of acrylonitrile catalyzed by copper with a high concentration of radical initiator and its application in removal of Ag(I) after modification
Authors: Liu Delong , Chen Hou , Ji Naiyi , Tan Zhi 
Published: October 2012

AbstractIn this study, we reported the synthesis of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) via living radical polymerization in N, N‐dimethylformamide using carbon tetrachloride as initiator, copper(II) chloride (CuCl2)/hexamethylenetetramine as catalyst system, and 2,2‐azobisisobutyronitrile as a high concentration of thermal radical initiator. The polymerization proceeded in controlled/living manner as indicated by first‐order kinetics of the polymerization with respect to the monomer concentration, linear increase of the molecular weight with monomer conversion and narrow polydispersity. Higher polymerization rate and narrower molecular weight distributions were observed with CuCl2 less than 50 ppm. The rate of polymerization showed a trend of increase along with temperature. The modified PAN containing amidoxime group was used for extraction of Ag(I) ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption kinetics data indicated that the adsorption process followed pseudo‐second‐order rate model. The isotherm adsorption process could be described by the Freundlich isotherm model. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013