bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterisation of a novel anti-viral peptide against avian influenza virus H9N2
Authors: Rajik Mohamed , Jahanshiri Fatemeh , Omar Abdul Rahman , Ideris Aini , Hassan Sharifah Syed , Yusoff Khatijah 
Published: June 2009

Abstract

Background
Avian influenza viruses (AIV) cause high morbidity and mortality among the poultry worldwide. Their highly mutative nature often results in the emergence of drug resistant strains, which have the potential of causing a pandemic. The virus has two immunologically important glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), and one ion channel protein M2 which are the most important targets for drug discovery, on its surface. In order to identify a peptide-based virus inhibitor against any of these surface proteins, a disulfide constrained heptapeptide phage display library was biopanned against purified AIV sub-type H9N2 virus particles.

Results
After four rounds of panning, four different fusion phages were identified. Among the four, the phage displaying the peptide NDFRSKT possessed good anti-viral properties in vitro and in ovo. Further, this peptide inhibited the hemagglutination activity of the viruses but showed very little and no effect on neuraminidase and hemolytic activities respectively. The phage-antibody competition assay proved that the peptide competed with anti-influenza H9N2 antibodies for the binding sites. Based on yeast two-hybrid assay, we observed that the peptide inhibited the viral replication by interacting with the HA protein and this observation was further confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation.

Conclusion
Our findings show that we have successfully identified a novel antiviral peptide against avian influenza virus H9N2 which act by binding with the hemagglutination protein of the virus. The broad spectrum activity of the peptide molecule against various subtypes of the avian and human influenza viruses and its comparative efficiency against currently available anti-influenza drugs are yet to be explored.
Up-Regulation of α5-Integrin by E-Cadherin Loss in Hypoxia and Its Key Role in the Migration of Extravillous Trophoblast Cells during Early Implantation
Authors: Arimoto-Ishida Emi , Sakata Masahiro , Sawada Kenjiro , Nakayama Masahiro , Nishimoto Fumihito , Mabuchi Seiji , Takeda Takashi , Yamamoto Toshiya , Isobe Aki , Okamoto Yoko , Lengyel Ernst , Suehara Noriyuki , Morishige Ken-ichirou , Kimura Tadashi 
Published: June 2009

AbstractDuring early pregnancy, cytotrophoblast cells differentiate into extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells and invade the uterine spiral arteries. This physiological process is essential for the development of maternal-fetal circulation. Because EVT cells are exposed to a low-oxygen environment during this process, we investigated the role of hypoxia in the mechanism that regulates the invasive behavior of EVT cells. Real-time PCR and immunofluorescent analysis were performed to investigate how hypoxia influences the expression of E-cadherin in villous explants cultures and in trophoblast-derived BeWo cells. We determined that hypoxia induced E-cadherin down-regulation through Snail up-regulation in villous explant cultures. The influence of E-cadherin loss was examined by analyzing the expression of α5-integrin and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) by Western blot and evaluating trophoblast invasion using a matrigel invasion assay. E-cadherin loss induced the up-regulation of α5-integrin, which leads to the tyrosine phosphorylation of FAK, resulting in an increase in the invasive activity of EVT cells. An α5-integrin neutralizing antibody inhibited the invasion of EVT cells by attenuating FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. Immunohistochemical analysis using clinical placental bed biopsies revealed that α5-integrin was up-regulated and FAK tyrosine phosphorylated (Try861) as EVT cells invade the uterine myometrium, whereas E-cadherin expression was down-regulated. These results suggest that α5-integrin up-regulation induced by E-cadherin loss under hypoxia has a crucial role in regulating the migration of EVT cells. This finding should help us reach a better understanding of the pathogenesis of critical gestational diseases, such as preeclampsia.
The Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition Using Captopril on Energy Balance and Glucose Homeostasis
Authors: de Kloet Annette D. , Krause Eric G. , Kim Dong-Hoon , Sakai Randall R. , Seeley Randy J. , Woods Stephen C. 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that the renin-angiotensin-system contributes to the etiology of obesity. To evaluate the role of the renin-angiotensin-system in energy and glucose homeostasis, we examined body weight and composition, food intake, and glucose tolerance in rats given the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril (∼40 mg/kg · d). Rats given captopril weighed less than controls when fed a high-fat diet (369.3 ± 8.0 vs. 441.7 ± 8.5 g after 35 d; P &lt; 0.001) or low-fat chow (320.1 ± 4.9 vs. 339.8 ± 5.1 g after 21 d; P &lt; 0.0001). This difference was attributable to reductions in adipose mass gained on high-fat (23.8 ± 2.0 vs. 65.12 ± 8.4 g after 35 d; P &lt; 0.0001) and low-fat diets (12.2 ± 0.7 vs. 17.3 ± 1.3 g after 21 d; P &lt; 0.001). Rats given captopril ate significantly less [3110.3 ± 57.8 vs. 3592.4 ± 88.8 kcal (cumulative 35 d high fat diet intake); P &lt; 0.001] despite increased in neuropeptide-Y mRNA expression in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and had improved glucose tolerance compared with free-fed controls. Comparisons with pair-fed controls indicated that decreases in diet-induced weight gain and adiposity and improved glucose tolerance were due, primarily, to decreased food intake. To determine whether captopril caused animals to defend a lower body weight, animals in both groups were fasted for 24 h and subsequently restricted to 20% of their intake for 2 d. When free food was returned, captopril and control rats returned to their respective body weights and elicited comparable hyperphagic responses. These results suggest that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition protects against the development of diet-induced obesity and glucose intolerance.
Extraction of Actinides and Fission Products by the New Ligand, N,N,N′,N′-Tetraoctyl-3,6-dioxaoctanediamide
Authors: Sasaki Yuji , Morita Yasuji , Kitatsuji Yoshihiro , Kimura Takaumi 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
New reagent, N,N,N′,N′-tetraoctyl-3,6-dioxaoctanediamide (DOODA-C8), was synthesized and examined for the actinide and fission product extractions. Extraction from nitric acid to n-dodecane was studied and it was found that DOODA-C8 can extract UVI, PuIV, AmIII, lanthanides (Ln)III, and TcVII. The D values of FeIII, PdII, and ZrIV indicate weak complexation with DOODA-C8. The aqueous conditions for the partitioning process can be prepared in the absence of masking agents.
Effects of transdermal testosterone or oral dydrogesterone on hypoactive sexual desire disorder in transsexual women: results of a pilot study
Authors: Kronawitter Desiree , Gooren Louis J , Zollver Hendryk , Oppelt Patricia G , Beckmann Matthias W , Dittrich Ralf , Mueller Andreas 
Published: June 2009

ObjectiveIt has been reported that hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) affects one-third of transsexual women (defined as postoperative male-to-female transsexuals) receiving estrogen replacement whose bioavailable androgen levels are lower than in ovulating women and comparable with those in surgically postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transdermal testosterone treatment and of oral dydrogesterone in transsexual women with HSDD receiving estrogens.MethodsSeven transsexual women with HSDD were treated with a testosterone patch and nine transsexual women with HSDD were treated with oral dydrogesterone over 24 weeks. The primary end point was the change in the brief profile of female sexual function (B-PFSF) score. Secondary end points were changes in hormonal parameters and side effect assessments.ResultsA significant increase in total testosterone and free testosterone levels was observed in the group receiving transdermal testosterone. At 24 weeks, there was a significant improvement in the B-PFSF score showing an improvement in sexual desire among transsexual women treated with the testosterone patch, whereas no change in the B-PFSF score was observed in transsexual women treated with oral dydrogesterone. No side effects were reported.ConclusionsIn this pilot study, sexual desire in transsexual women improved significantly after treatment with the testosterone patch, without noticeable side effects.
Development of Blood Compatible Alpha-lipoic acid Coated Stent with a Good Adhesive by Low Temperature Plasma Polymerization
Authors: Song Sun-Jung , Kim Kyoung Seok , Cho Dong Lyun , Jeong Myung Ho 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTNeointimal hyperplasia is a main cause for in-stent restenosis after stent-implantation and is triggered by inflammatory response to foreign materials. It can be inhibited if the stent is modified to have good blood compatibility by coating drug compounds. Low temperature plasma polymerization of 1, 2-diaminocyclohexane was performed to prepare more adhesive polymeric thin film onto the metallic stent. Then, the chemical grafting of α-lipoic acid (ALA) was carried out to improve blood compatibility of stent. Drugs containing carboxylic groups can be chemically grafted through the formation of amide bond in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide methiodide onto the DACH deposited stent surface. ALA grafted film showed good mechanical stability and blood compatibility.
Microstructures of Electron Beam Melted (EBM) Biomaterial Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Safdar Adnan , Wei Liu-Ying 
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACTTi-6Al-4V alloy is an attractive biomaterial. The current work evaluates the microstructures of the solid and net-shape Ti-6Al-4V alloy produced by Electron Beam Melting (EBM) system using SEM/EDX and optical microscope. The microstructures are influenced by the cooling rate, processing parameters of the EBM system and re-heating of the existing layer during the melting of subsequent layers. Layer structure and columnar grains have been observed, with growing direction parallel to the built direction. The interior of these grains consists of alternating α / β phases. The β phase in the colonies resembles rod shape embedded in the α platelet. Along the grain boundaries more or less continuous α layers were observed. In comparison to solid samples uneven surfaces and pores were seen in the net shape structure. Microhardness evaluation of the EBM produced alloys was also carried out and compared with conventionally produced alloys.
Rapid chemical vapor sensing and micro gas chromatography detection using optofluidic ring resonators
Authors: Sun Yuze , Shopova Siyka I. , White Ian M. , Zhu Hongying , Frye-Mason Greg , Ja Shiou-jyh , Thompson Aaron , Fan Xudong 
Published: June 2009

Abstract
We develop rapid chemical vapor sensors and micro gas chromatography (μGC) analyzers based on the optofluidic ring resonator (OFRR). An OFRR is a micro-sized thin-walled glass capillary; the circular cross-section of the capillary acts as an optical ring resonator while the whispering gallery modes or circulating waveguide modes (WGMs) supported by the ring resonator interact with the vapor samples passing through the capillary. The OFRR interior surface is coated with a vapor-sensitive polymer. The analyte and polymer interaction causes the polymer refractive index (RI) and the thickness to change, which is detected as a WGM spectral shift. Owing to the excellent fluidics, the OFRR vapor sensor exhibits sub-second detection and recovery time with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. On-column separation and detection in the OFRR based μGC system is also demonstrated, showing efficient separation of vapor mixtures and presenting highly reproducible retention time for the individual analyte. Compared to the conventional GC system, the OFRR μGC has the advantage of small size, rapid response, and high selectivity over a short length of column.
Enzymatic Biosensors with Integrated Thin Film a-Si:H Photodiodes
Authors: Pereira Ana Teresa , Chu Virginia , Prazeres Duarte M. F. , Conde Joao P. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractA microfabricated amorphous silicon photodiode is used to detect chemiluminescent and colorimetric horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzymatic reactions. Detections limits of 1 nM and 1 pM of HRP are obtained for chemiluminescent and colorimetric measurements, respectively, with the reactions carried out in solution volume of 50 μL in polystyrene microwells. Surface-adsorbed HRP can be detected with a limit of 1 fmol.cm-2 by both detection methods. Immunoassays were performed using HRP-labeled antibodies and the detection of specific antibody-antigen molecular recognition is demonstrated both in the plastic well and inside a microfluidic channel. The application of the a-Si:H/HRP system is extended by coupling HRP with oxidase enzyme systems for glucose detection and a sensitivity of 0.1 mmol/L was achieved.
Layer Cross-Fading at Organic/Organic Interfaces in OVPD-Processed Red Phosphorescent Organic Light Emitting Diodes as a New Concept to Increase Current and Luminous Efficacy
Authors: Lindla Florian , Boesing Manuel , Zimmermann Christoph , Jessen Frank , van Gemmern Philipp , Bertram Dietrich , Keiper Dietmar , Meyer Nico , Heuken M. , Kalisch Holger , Jansen Rolf H. 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe current and luminous efficacy of a red phosphorescent organic light emitting diode (OLED) with sharp interfaces between each of the organic layers can be increased from 18.8 cd/A and 14.1 lm/W (at 1,000 cd/m2) to 36.5 cd/A (+94%, 18% EQE) and 33.7 lm/W (+139%) by the introduction of a layer cross-fading zone at the hole transport layer (HTL) to emission layer (EL) interface. Layer cross-fading describes a procedure of linearly decreasing the fraction in growth rate of an organic layer during deposition over a certain thickness while simultaneously increasing the fraction in growth rate of the following layer. For OLED processing and layer cross-fading organic vapor phase deposition (OVPD) is used. The typical observation of a roll-off in current efficacy of phosphorescent OLED to higher luminance can be reduced significantly. An interpenetrating network of a prevailing hole and a prevailing electron conducting material is created in the cross-fading zone. This broadens the recombination zone and furthermore lowers the driving voltage. The concept of layer cross-fading to increase the efficacies is suggested to be useful in multi-colored OLED stacks as well.
Synthesis and Optical properties of Perylene Bisimide Incorporated Low Bandgap Polymers for Photovoltaics
Authors: Vajiravelu Sivamurugan , valiyaveettil suresh 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHerein we report on the synthesis of perylene diimide (PDI) based P1 and P2 conjugated polymers via Suzuki polymerization. The chemical structure of the polymers was elucidated using GPC, 1H, 13C NMR and elemental analysis. The absorption spectra of polymers were in the visible region from 250 – 800 nm in solution and in solid state. The optical band gap was (Egopt) found to be between 1.60 – 1.83 eV in solid state.
Reduced Contact Resistances in Organic Transistors with Secondary Gates on Source and Drain Electrodes
Authors: Nakayama Kengo , Uemura Takafumi , Uno M. , Takeya Jun 
Published: June 2009

AbstractSecondary-gate electrodes are introduced in organic thin-film transistors to reduce carrier-injection barriers into air-stable organic semiconductors. The additional gate electrodes buried in the gate insulators under the source and drain electrodes form “carrier-rich regions” in the vicinity of source and drain electrodes with the application of sufficiently high local electric fields. Fabricating the structure with dinaphtho[2,3-b:2′,3′-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene, known for its excellent air-stability, it turned out that the contact resistance is drastically reduced especially when operated at low gate voltage in the main channel. The result demonstrates carrier injection with a minimized potential barrier realizing that from the same semiconductor material in the absence of peculiar interfacial trap levels at metal-to-semiconductor junctions.
Formation of Ohmic Carrier Injection at Anode/organic Interfaces and Carrier Transport Mechanisms of Organic Thin Films
Authors: Matsushima Toshinori , Jin Guang-He , Kanai Yoshihiro , Yokota Tomoyuki , Kitada Seiki , Kishi Toshiyuki , Murata Hideyuki 
Published: June 2009

AbstractWe have shown that hole mobilities of a wide variety of organic thin films can be estimated using a steady-state space-charge-limited current (SCLC) technique due to formation of Ohmic hole injection by introducing a very thin hole-injection layer of molybdenum oxide (MoO3) between an indium tin oxide anode layer and an organic hole-transport layer. Organic hole-transport materials used to estimate hole mobilities are 4,4′,4″-tris(N-3-methylphenyl-N-phenyl-amino)triphenylamine (m-MTDATA), 4,4′,4″-tris(N-2-naphthyl-N-phenyl-amino)triphenylamine (2-TNATA), rubrene, N,N′-di(m-tolyl)-N,N′-diphenylbenzidine (TPD), and N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(1-naphthyl)-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (α-NPD). These materials are found to have electric-field-dependent hole mobilities. While field dependence parameters (β) estimated from SCLCs are almost similar to those estimated using a widely used time-of-flight (TOF) technique, zero field SCLC mobilities (μ0) are about one order of magnitude lower than zero field TOF mobilities.
Accurate and Simultaneous Determination of Carrier Density and Mobility in Organic Semi-conducting Materials
Authors: Shum Kai , Chen Zhuo , Xue Chenming , Jin Shi 
Published: June 2009

AbstractHow to accurately determine carrier mobility and density in organic semiconducting materials is a very important subject for their optoelectronic applications including light-emitting diodes, solar cells, and thin film field-effect transistors. In this work, we report on a unique data analysis procedure for space-charge limited currents to simultaneously obtain the carrier density and mobility in semiconducting organic-materials. This procedure has been used for a few newly synthesized perylene tetracarboxylic diimide (PDI) derivatives with tunable π-stack structures without altering the electronic characteristic of individual molecules. How π-stack structural variation and residual carrier density affect electron transport performance will be discussed.
Ultra-Low energy Ion Implantation of Si into HfO2-based layers for Non Volatile Memory Applications
Authors: Coulon Pierre-Eugène , Chan Shin Yu Kristel , Schamm Sylvie , Ben Assayag Gerard , Pécassou Béatrice , Slaoui Abdelilah , Bhabani Sahu , Carrada Marzia , Lhostis Sandrine , Bonafos Caroline 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe fabrication of NCs is carried out using an innovative method, ultra-low energy (≤5 keV) ion implantation (ULE-II) into thin (6-9 nm) HfO2–based layers in order to form after subsequent annealing a controlled 2D array of Si NCs. The implantation of Si into HfO2 leads to the formation of SiO2–rich regions at the projected range due to the oxidation of the implanted Si atoms. This anomalous oxidation that takes place at room temperature is mainly due to humidity penetration in damaged layers. Different solutions are investigated here in order to avoid this oxidation process and stabilize the Si-phase. Finally, unexpected structures as HfO2 NCs embedded with SiO2 matrix are obtained and show interesting memory characteristics. Interestingly, a large memory window of 1.18 V has been achieved at relatively low sweeping voltage of ± 6 V for these samples, indicating their utility for low operating voltage memory device.
Localized Silicon Nanocrystals Fabricated by Stencil Masked Low Energy Ion Implantation: Effect of the Stencil Aperture Size on the Implanted Dose
Authors: Diaz Regis , Dumas Carine , Grisolia Jeremie , Ondarçuhu Thierry , Schamm Sylvie , Arbouet Arnaud , Paillard Vincent , BenAssayag Gerard , Normand Pascal , Brugger Juergen 
Published: June 2009

AbstractIn this paper, we develop a new method based on ultra-low-energy ion implantation through a stencil mask to locally fabricate Si nanocrystals in an ultrathin silica layer. We perform a 1 keV Si implantation with doses of 5×1015 Si+/cm2, 7.5×1015 Si+/cm2 and 1×1016 Si+/cm2 in a 7 nm thick silicon oxide layer through stencil mask apertures ranging from 1μm up to 5 μm. After the mask removal the samples are furnace annealed at a temperature of 1050°C for 90 min under N2 atmosphere. The samples are then characterized by mapping the implanted and non-implanted areas by atomic force microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The intensity and the wavelength of the PL peak are found to depend on the implanted NCs cell size. A slight blue shift from 730 nm up to 720 nm is observed with decreasing cell size. Simultaneously, the PL intensity decreases and the signal vanishes for submicron features (which should contain 102 to 103 NCs). AFM microcopy performed on the implanted regions shows that the well-known oxide swelling usually observed after NCs synthesis decreases from 3.5 nm down to 0 as the cell size decreases. This result demonstrates that the effective implanted dose clearly decreases with the size of the cells. This effect is probably due to an electrostatic charging of the Si3N4 membrane despite the metallization treatments applied to the mask surface.
A Simulation Model of Resistive Switching in Electrochemical Metallization Memory Cells (ECM)
Authors: Menzel Stephan , Klopstra Bart , Kügeler Carsten , Böttger Ulrich , Staikov Georgi , Waser Rainer 
Published: June 2009

AbstractThe storage principal of the Electrochemical Metallization Memory Cell is based on change of cell resistance induced by electro-chemical driven growth and rupture of a cupric or silver filament in an insulating matrix. This kind of switching was found in several materials as AgGeSe, CuGeS, silicon oxide or tungsten oxide [1].During write operation copper or silver is oxidized at the corresponding electrode and copper or silver ions are driven out of the copper or silver anode into the insulating matrix due to the applied field, whereas the insulating matrix serves as solid electrolyte. The silver or copper ions migrate towards the cathode. At the cathode electrochemical reduction occurs, and deposition of metallic copper or silver takes place. Fast diffusion paths in the solid electrolyte matrix or preferred nucleation sites (seeds) at the boundary lead to filamentary growth. This growing cupric or silver dendrite finally reaches the anode and switches the device to a low resistance state.Based on this switching mechanism a FEM simulation model was set up. To simplify the model space charges due to silver or copper migration are neglected. It is further assumed, that the conductivity in the solid electrolyte is only ionic. Hence, it is sufficient to solve the well-known Laplace equation to address the electric properties as well as ion migration. A “Level Set” method is used to track the boundary of the growing filament. The velocity of this boundary is proportional to the ionic current density calculated by Laplace equation. Based on this model simulations are applied to cell structures with multiple fast diffusion paths and seeds. Simulation results show that just one filament reaches the anode.In a second step, Butler-Vollmer boundary conditions are introduced. This nonlinearity leads to an exponential dependence between switching time and switching voltage. As switching voltage increases, switching time decreases.A simulation model capable of simulating ECM memory cells is presented. The model enables to simulate the behaviour of different cell geometries or different materials as solid electrolyte. Furthermore it gives deeper insight into the switching mechanism.This work was supported by the European project EMMA “Emerging Materials for Mass storage Architectures” (FP6-033751).