bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large‐scale morphotectonics of the ocean‐continent transition zone between the Western Pacific Ocean and the East Asian Continent: a link of deep process to the Earth' s surface system
Authors: Dmitrienko L. V. , Li S. Z. , Cao X. Z. , Suo Y. H. , Wang Y. M. , Dai L. M. , Somerville I. D.
Published: July 2016

As an active margin of the Pacific Plate, the ocean‐continent transition zone records major tectonic events from the Late Mesozoic to the present‐day. The development of the transition zone between the Western Pacific Ocean and the East Asian Continental Margin occurred in two stages. In the first stage, the formation of the Songliao and Bohai Bay basins was initiated earlier in the Mesozoic and then the active tectonic events that moved southeastwards to develop the East China Sea and Japan Sea basins in the Cenozoic. We use the methods of tectonics and geophysical analysis for the tectonic reconstruction of the transition zone in the most significant periods of tectonic activity in this area. We propose that the deep processes have a direct influence on the Meso‐Cenozoic surface geomorphologic system in the transition zone. This paper tries to reveal the mechanism of continental margin dynamics by comparing the stratigraphy, sedimentary character and magmatism for each of the four basins, as well as the gravity anomalies, the results of mantle tomography, and thickness of the crust and lithosphere. Our results show that the Songliao and Bohai Bay basins and the East China Sea and Japan Sea basins have similarities in their geomorphological characteristics and sequential tectonic evolution. The Meso‐Cenozoic morphotectonic processes are dominated by the subduction retreat of the (Palaeo‐)Pacific Plate and the eastward tectonic jump. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inflammation severely alters thyroid hormone signaling in the central nervous system during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in rat: Direct impact on OPCs differentiation failure
Authors: Fernández Mercedes , Baldassarro Vito A. , Sivilia Sandra , Giardino Luciana , Calzà Laura
Published: July 2016

Differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) into myelinating oligodendrocytes is severely impaired by inflammatory cytokines and this could lead to remyelination failure in inflammatory/demyelinating diseases. Due to the role of thyroid hormone in the maturation of OPCs and developmental myelination, in this study we investigated (i) the possible occurrence of dysregulation of thyroid hormone signaling in the CNS tissue during experimental neuroinflammation; (ii) the possible impact of inflammatory cytokines on thyroid hormone signaling and OPCs differentiation in vitro. The disease model is the experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in female Dark‐Agouti rats, whereas in vitro experiments were carried out in OPCs derived from neural stem cells. The main results are the following: (i) a strong upregulation of cytokine mRNA expression level was found in the spinal cord during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis; (ii) thyroid hormone signaling in the spinal cord (thyroid hormone receptors; deiodinase; thyroid hormone membrane transporter) is substantially downregulated, due to the upregulation of the thyroid hormone inactivating enzyme deiodinase 3 and the downregulation of thyroid hormone receptors, as investigated at mRNA expression level; (iii) when exposed to inflammatory cytokines, deiodinase 3 is upregulated in OPCs as well, and OPCs differentiation is blocked; (iv) deiodinase 3 inhibition by iopanoic acid recovers OPCs differentiation in the presence on inflammatory cytokines. These data suggest that cellular hypothyroidism occurs during experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, possibly impacting on thyroid hormone‐dependent cellular processes, including maturation of OPCs into myelinating oligodendrocytes. GLIA 2016;64:1573–1589
Type‐1 interferons contribute to the neuroinflammatory response and disease progression of the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Main Bevan S. , Zhang Moses , Brody Kate M. , Ayton Scott , Frugier Tony , Steer David , Finkelstein David , Crack Peter J. , Taylor Juliet M.
Published: July 2016

Type‐1 interferons (IFNs) are pleiotropic cytokines with a critical role in the initiation and regulation of the pro‐inflammatory response. However, the contribution of the type‐1 IFNs to CNS disorders, specifically chronic neuropathologies such as Parkinson's disease is still unknown. Here, we report increased type‐1 IFN signaling in both post mortem human Parkinson's disease samples and in the 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1, 2, 3, 6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) mouse model. In response to MPTP, mice lacking the type‐1 IFN receptor (IFNAR1−/−) displayed decreased type‐1 IFN signaling, an attenuated pro‐inflammatory response and reduced loss of dopaminergic neurons. The neuroprotective potential of targeting the type‐1 IFN pathway was confirmed by reduced neuroinflammation and DA cell death in mice treated with a blocking monoclonal IFNAR1 (MAR‐1) antibody. The MPTP/MAR‐1 treated mice also displayed increased striatal dopamine levels and improved behavioural outcomes compared to their MPTP/IgG controls. These data, implicate for the first time, a deleterious role for the type‐1 IFNs as key modulators of the early neuroinflammatory response and therefore the neuronal cell death in Parkinson's disease. GLIA 2016;64:1590–1604
Bariatric Surgery Induces White and Grey Matter Density Recovery in the Morbidly Obese: A Voxel‐Based Morphometric Study
Authors: Tuulari Jetro J. , Karlsson Henry K. , Antikainen Olli , Hirvonen Jussi , Pham Tam , Salminen Paulina , Helmiö Mika , Parkkola Riitta , Nuutila Pirjo , Nummenmaa Lauri
Published: July 2016

Obesity is associated with lowered brain's grey (GM) and white matter (WM) density as measured by voxel‐based morphometry (VBM). Nevertheless, it remains unknown whether obesity has a causal influence on cerebral atrophy. We recruited 47 morbidly obese subjects (mean BMI = 42.2, SD = 4.0, 42 females and five males) eligible for bariatric surgery and 29 non‐obese subjects (mean BMI = 23.2, SD = 2.8, 23 females and six males) served as controls. Baseline scans were acquired with T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 1.5 Tesla; obese participants were scanned again six months after the surgery. Local GM and WM densities were quantified using VBM. Full‐volume analyses were used for comparing baseline between‐group differences as well as the effects of surgery‐induced weight loss in the morbidly obese. Metabolic variables were used in linear models to predict WM and GM densities. Obese subjects had initially lower GM densities in widespread cortical areas including frontal, parietal, and temporal regions as well as insulae. Lower WM densities were observed throughout the WM. Bariatric surgery and concomitant weight loss resulted in global increase in WM density. Grey matter increase was limited to occipital and inferior temporal regions. Metabolic variables were associated with brain densities. We conclude that weight loss results in global recovery of WM as well as local recovery of grey matter densities. These changes likely reflect improved brain tissue integrity. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3745–3756, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The modulatory effect of semantic familiarity on the audiovisual integration of face‐name pairs
Authors: Li Yuanqing , Wang Fangyi , Huang Biao , Yang Wanqun , Yu Tianyou , Talsma Durk
Published: July 2016

To recognize individuals, the brain often integrates audiovisual information from familiar or unfamiliar faces, voices, and auditory names. To date, the effects of the semantic familiarity of stimuli on audiovisual integration remain unknown. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we used familiar/unfamiliar facial images, auditory names, and audiovisual face‐name pairs as stimuli to determine the influence of semantic familiarity on audiovisual integration. First, we performed a general linear model analysis using fMRI data and found that audiovisual integration occurred for familiar congruent and unfamiliar face‐name pairs but not for familiar incongruent pairs. Second, we decoded the familiarity categories of the stimuli (familiar vs. unfamiliar) from the fMRI data and calculated the reproducibility indices of the brain patterns that corresponded to familiar and unfamiliar stimuli. The decoding accuracy rate was significantly higher for familiar congruent versus unfamiliar face‐name pairs (83.2%) than for familiar versus unfamiliar faces (63.9%) and for familiar versus unfamiliar names (60.4%). This increase in decoding accuracy was not observed for familiar incongruent versus unfamiliar pairs. Furthermore, compared with the brain patterns associated with facial images or auditory names, the reproducibility index was significantly improved for the brain patterns of familiar congruent face‐name pairs but not those of familiar incongruent or unfamiliar pairs. Our results indicate the modulatory effect that semantic familiarity has on audiovisual integration. Specifically, neural representations were enhanced for familiar congruent face‐name pairs compared with visual‐only faces and auditory‐only names, whereas this enhancement effect was not observed for familiar incongruent or unfamiliar pairs. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4333–4348, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Viscoelasticity of subcortical gray matter structures
Authors: Johnson Curtis L. , Schwarb Hillary , D.J. McGarry Matthew , Anderson Aaron T. , Huesmann Graham R. , Sutton Bradley P. , Cohen Neal J.
Published: July 2016

Viscoelastic mechanical properties of the brain assessed with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) are sensitive measures of microstructural tissue health in neurodegenerative conditions. Recent efforts have targeted measurements localized to specific neuroanatomical regions differentially affected in disease. In this work, we present a method for measuring the viscoelasticity in subcortical gray matter (SGM) structures, including the amygdala, hippocampus, caudate, putamen, pallidum, and thalamus. The method is based on incorporating high spatial resolution MRE imaging (1.6 mm isotropic voxels) with a mechanical inversion scheme designed to improve local measures in pre‐defined regions (soft prior regularization [SPR]). We find that in 21 healthy, young volunteers SGM structures differ from each other in viscoelasticity, quantified as the shear stiffness and damping ratio, but also differ from the global viscoelasticity of the cerebrum. Through repeated examinations on a single volunteer, we estimate the uncertainty to be between 3 and 7% for each SGM measure. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the use of specific methodological considerations—higher spatial resolution and SPR—both decrease uncertainty and increase sensitivity of the SGM measures. The proposed method allows for reliable MRE measures of SGM viscoelasticity for future studies of neurodegenerative conditions. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4221–4233, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Three New Derivatives and Others Constituents from the Roots and Twigs of Trilepisium madagascariense DC
Authors: Ango Yves P. , Kapche Gilbert D. W. F. , Kuete Victor , Mapitse Renameditswe , Yeboah Samuel O. , Ngadjui Bonaventure T.
Published: July 2016

Three new compounds, trilepisflavene (1), trilepisdepsidone (2), and daturadiol stearate (3), together with nine known compounds, 2‐hydroxy‐4‐[(4‐hydroxy‐2‐methoxy‐6‐methylbenzoyl)oxy]‐6‐methylbenzoic acid (4), lichexanthone (5), naringenin (6), 3′,4′,5,7‐tetrahydroxyflavanone (7), 2‐hydroxybenzoic acid (8), methyl 2,4‐dihydroxy‐6‐methylbenzoate (9), β‐amyrin (10), eurothridiol palmitate (11), and β‐sitosterol (12), were isolated from the AcOEt extract of the twigs and the roots of Trilepisium madagascariense. Acetylation of eurothridiol palmitate was carried out and a new acetylated derivative (13) was obtained. The structures of the isolated and acetylated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Antimicrobial activity of all these compounds was evaluated using Mueller–Hinton broth (MHB) and Mueller–Hinton agar (MHA) method. Trilepisdepsidone, 2‐hydroxy‐4‐[(4‐hydroxy‐2‐methoxy‐6‐methylbenzoyl)oxy]‐6‐methylbenzoic acid, 3′,4′,5,7‐tetrahydroxyflavanone, and naringenin exhibited moderate to weak antimicrobial activity.
New Highly Oxidized Formamidobisabolene‐Derived Sesquiterpenes from a Hainan Sponge Axinyssa variabilis
Authors: Liu Hai‐Li , Xue Duo‐Qing , Chen Si‐Han , Li Xu‐Wen , Guo Yue‐Wei
Published: July 2016

Two new highly oxidized formamidobisabolene sesquiterpenes (1 and 2), together with seven known related analogues (3 – 9), were isolated from a Hainan sponge Axinyssa variabilis. Their structures were determined by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR and MS spectra analyses, and by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those of the related model compounds. The plausible biosynthetic relationship between compounds 1 – 9 has also been described.
In‐vivo multispectral video endoscopy towards in‐vivo hyperspectral video endoscopy
Authors: Hohmann Martin , Kanawade R. , Klämpfl F. , Douplik A. , Mudter J. , Neurath M. F. , Albrecht H.
Published: July 2016

For in‐vivo diagnostics of cancer and pre‐cancer in the stomach, there is no endoscopic procedure offering both high sensitivity and high specificity. Our data suggest that multispectral or hyperspectral imaging may be helpful to solve this problem. It is successfully applied to the detection and analysis of easily reachable carcinomas, ex‐vivo samples of hollow organ mucosal carcinomas and also histological samples. An endoscopy system which allows flexible multispectral videoendoscopy for in‐vivo diagnostics has so far been unavailable. To overcome this problem, we modified a standard Olympus endoscopy system to conduct in‐vivo multispectral imaging of the upper GI tract. The pilot study is performed on 14 patients with adeno carcinomas in the stomach. For analysis, Support Vector Machine with linear and Gaussian Kernel, AdaBoost, RobustBoost and Random‐Forest‐walk are used and compared for the data classification with a leave‐one‐out strategy. The margin of the carcinoma for the training of the classifier is drawn by expert‐labeling. The cancer findings are cross‐checked by biopsies. We expect that the present study will help to improve the further development of hyperspectral endoscopy and to overcome some of the problems to be faced in this process.

magnified image
Glucose Promotes a Pro‐Oxidant and Pro‐Inflammatory Stromal Microenvironment Which Favors Motile Properties in Breast Tumor Cells
Authors: Kallens Violeta , Tobar Nicolás , Molina Jessica , Bidegain Arantzazú , Smith Patricio C. , Porras Omar , Martínez Jorge
Published: July 2016

Chronic inflammation and metabolic reprogramming have been proposed as hallmarks of cancer development. Currently, many of the functional clues between these two phenomena are studied under the integrative view of functional stroma–epithelia interaction. It has been proposed that stromal cells, due to their abundance and avidity for glucose, are able to modify the metabolic behavior of an entire solid tumor. In the present study, using a mammary stromal cell line derived from healthy tissue subjected to long‐term culture in low (5 mM) or high (25 mM) glucose, we found that the hyperglycemic condition favors the establishment of a pro‐inflammatory and pro‐oxidant environment characterized by the induction of the COX‐2/PGE2 axis. In this condition, epithelial migration was stimulated. Moreover, we also found that stromal‐derived PGE2, acting as a stimulator of IL‐1 epithelial expression was one of the factors that promote the acquisition of motile properties by epithelial cells and the maintenance of a COX‐2/PGE2‐dependent inflammatory condition. Overall, our work provides experimental evidence that glucose stimulates a tumor inflammatory environment that, as a result of a functional cross‐talk between stroma and epithelia, may be responsible for tumor progression. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 994–1002, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF THE TRAUMA‐INFORMED PRACTICE SCALES
Authors: Goodman Lisa A. , Sullivan Cris M. , Serrata Josie , Perilla Julia , Wilson Joshua M. , Fauci Jennifer E. , DiGiovanni Craig D.
Published: July 2016

Spurred by research demonstrating the pervasiveness and impact of trauma, domestic violence programs are increasingly adopting a trauma‐informed approach. In the absence of measurement tools, however, they are unable to determine whether indeed clients experience their practices as trauma‐informed. The aim of this study was to create and validate a set of scales that measure the degree to which DV programs are using trauma informed practices (TIP) from survivors' perspectives. We generated measure items based on a literature review, interviews with experts, and focus groups with survivors and advocates; administered the draft measure in the context of a survey of 370 survivors from 15 DV programs; and evaluated its factor structure, reliability, and validity. Results supported the validity and reliability of the TIP Scales, which assess six domains: Environment of Agency and Mutual Respect, Access to Information on Trauma, Opportunities for Connection, Emphasis on Strengths, Cultural Responsiveness/Inclusivity, and Support for Parenting.
SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AMONG AFRICAN AMERICANS: FINDINGS FROM THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF AMERICAN LIFE
Authors: Mouzon Dawne M. , Taylor Robert Joseph , Nguyen Ann W. , Chatters Linda M.
Published: July 2016

Despite their low social standing, there remains a paucity of research on psychological distress among African Americans. We use data from the 2001–2003 National Survey of American Life to explore a wide array of social and economic predictors of psychological distress among African American adults aged 18 years and older, including previous incarceration, history of welfare receipt, and having a family member who is either currently incarcerated or homeless. Younger age, lower income, lower educational attainment, and lower self‐rated health and childhood health are associated with higher levels of psychological distress among African Americans. We also find a strong association between higher levels of material hardship, previous incarceration history, and the presence of a family member who is either incarcerated or homeless and higher levels of psychological distress. The findings highlight the importance of considering unique types of social disadvantage experienced by African Americans living in a highly stratified society.
NETWORK STRUCTURE, MULTIPLEXITY, AND EVOLUTION AS INFLUENCES ON COMMUNITY‐BASED PARTICIPATORY INTERVENTIONS
Authors: Wang Rong , Tanjasiri Sora Park , Palmer Paula , Valente Thomas W.
Published: July 2016

This study applies an ecological perspective to the context of community‐based participatory research (CBPR). Specifically, it examines how endogenous and exogenous factors influence the dynamics of CBPR partnerships, including the tendency toward reciprocity and transitivity, the organizational type, the level of resource sufficiency, the level of organizational influence, and the perceived CBPR effect on organizations. The results demonstrate that network structure is related to the selection and retention of interorganizational networks over time, and organizations of the same type are more likely to form partnerships with each other. It shows that the dynamics of the CBPR initiative presented in this article were driven by the structure of the interorganizational networks rather than their individual organizational attributes. Implications for sustaining CBPR partnerships are drawn from the findings.
DNA Methylation Profiling in Chondrocyte Dedifferentiation In Vitro
Authors: Duan Li , Liang Yujie , Ma Bin , Wang Daming , Liu Wei , Huang Jianghong , Xiong Jianyi , Peng Liangquan , Chen Jielin , Zhu Weimin , Wang Daping
Published: July 2016

DNA methylation has emerged as a crucial regulator of chondrocyte dedifferentiation, which severely compromises the outcome of autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) treatment for cartilage defects. However, the full‐scale DNA methylation profiling in chondrocyte dedifferentiation remains to be determined. Here, we performed a genome‐wide DNA methylation profiling of dedifferentiated chondrocytes in monolayer culture and chondrocytes treated with DNA methylation inhibitor 5‐azacytidine (5‐AzaC). This research revealed that the general methylation level of CpG was increased while the COL‐1A1 promoter methylation level was decreased during the chondrocyte dedifferentiation. 5‐AzaC could reduce general methylation levels and reverse the chondrocyte dedifferentiation. Surprisingly, the DNA methylation level of COL‐1A1 promoter was increased after 5‐AzaC treatment. The COL‐1A1 expression level was increased while that of SOX‐9 was decreased during the chondrocyte dedifferentiation. 5‐AzaC treatment up‐regulated the SOX‐9 expression while down‐regulated the COL‐1A1 promoter activity and gene expression. Taken together, these results suggested that differential regulation of the DNA methylation level of cartilage‐specific genes might contribute to the chondrocyte dedifferentiation. Thus, the epigenetic manipulation of these genes could be a potential strategy to counteract the chondrocyte dedifferentiation accompanying in vitro propagation. J. Cell. Physiol. 232: 1708–1716, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of Diffusion Metrics Obtained at 1.5T and 3T in Human Brain With Diffusional Kurtosis Imaging
Authors: Shaw Calvin B. , Jensen Jens H. , Deardorff Rachael L. , Spampinato Maria Vittoria , Helpern Joseph A.
Published: July 2016

Purpose

To quantitatively compare diffusion metrics for human brain estimated with diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) at applied field strengths of 1.5 and 3T.

Materials and Methods

DKI data for brain were acquired at both 1.5 and 3T from each of six healthy volunteers using a twice‐refocused diffusion‐weighted imaging sequence. From these data, parametric maps of mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (D‖), radial diffusivity (D⊥), fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusional kurtosis (MK), axial kurtosis (K‖), radial kurtosis (K⊥), and kurtosis fractional anisotropy (KFA) were estimated. Comparisons of the results from the two field strengths were made for each metric using both Bland–Altman plots and linear regression to calculate coefficients of determination (R2) and best fit lines.

Results

Diffusion metrics measured at 1.5 and 3T were observed to be similar. Linear regression of the full datasets had coefficients of determination varying from a low of R2 = 0.86 for KFA to a high of R2 = 0.97 for FA. The slopes of the 3T vs. 1.5T best linear fits varied from 0.881 ± 0.009 for KFA to 1.038 ± 0.010 for D‖. From a Bland–Altman analysis of selected regions of interest, the mean differences of the metrics for the two field strengths were all found to be less than 6%, except for KFA, which showed the largest relative discrepancy of 10%.

Conclusion

Diffusion metrics measured with DKI at 1.5 and 3T are strongly correlated and typically differ by only a few percent. The somewhat higher discrepancy for the KFA is argued to mainly reflect the effects of signal noise. This supports the robustness DKI results with respect to field strength.

Level of Evidence: 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;45:673–680.
Risk factors for genital human papillomavirus among men in Tanzania
Authors: Olesen Tina Bech , Mwaiselage Julius , Iftner Thomas , Kahesa Crispin , Rasch Vibeke , Frederiksen Kirsten , Munk Christian , Kjaer Susanne K.
Published: July 2016

The objective of the study was to assess risk factors for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) among men in Tanzania, both overall and in relation to HIV status. In a cross‐sectional study conducted among 1,813 men in Tanzania, penile swabs were tested for HPV using Hybrid Capture 2 (HC2). Study participants were offered HIV testing. Risk factors for HPV (HC2 high‐risk and/or low‐risk positivity) were assessed using logistic regression with adjustment for age, lifetime number of sexual partners, and HIV status. Altogether, 372 men (20.5%) were HPV‐positive. Among men tested for HIV (n = 1,483), the HIV prevalence was 9.4%. The odds ratio (OR) of HPV increased with increasing age. HIV‐positivity was associated with an increased odds ratio of HPV (OR = 1.91; 95%CI: 1.30–2.82), whereas the odds of HPV tended to be lower in circumcised men than in uncircumcised men (OR = 0.77; 95%CI: 0.54–1.09). When stratifying by HIV status, we found lower odds of HPV in overweight HIV‐positive men (BMI > 25) than in normal weight HIV‐positive men (OR = 0.25; 95%CI: 0.08–0.78). This did not apply to HIV‐negative men. Circumcision tended to decrease the odds of HPV both in HIV‐positive men and in HIV‐negative men, although not being statistically significant. In conclusion, HIV is a strong risk factor for HPV among men in Tanzania. Additionally, in HIV‐positive men a high BMI seems to be associated with a lower risk of HPV. Finally, we observed a tendency toward a lower risk of HPV both among HIV‐positive and HIV‐negative circumcised men compared to their uncircumcised counterparts. J. Med. Virol. 89:345–351, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Why Cortical Neurons Cannot Divide, and Why Do They Usually Die in the Attempt?
Authors: Aranda‐Anzaldo Armando , Dent Myrna A.R.
Published: July 2016

Cortical neurons are prime examples of terminally differentiated, postmitotic cells. However, under experimental or pathological conditions, they can re‐enter the cell cycle and replicate DNA but are unable to divide, dying by apoptosis or becoming either polyploid or aneuploid. Any cellular state that depends on the action of genes and their products can be reverted or bypassed by spontaneous or induced mutations, yet there are currently no reports of dividing cortical neurons. Thus, it seems unlikely that the remarkably stable postmitotic condition of cortical neurons depends on specific gene functions. This Review summarizes evidence that the postmitotic state of cortical neurons depends on the high stability of its underlying nuclear structure that results from an entropy‐driven process aimed at dissipating the intrinsic structural stress present in chromosomal DNA in such a way that the structural stability of the neuronal nucleus becomes an insurmountable energy barrier for karyokinesis and mitosis. From this perspective, the integral properties of the nuclear higher order structure in neurons provide an explanation not only for why cortical neurons cannot divide but also for why they usually die if they happen to replicate their DNA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sirtuins as modifiers of Parkinson's disease pathology
Authors: Tang Bor Luen
Published: July 2016

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement disorder associated with the elderly which, other than symptomatic therapies, has no effective treatment or preventive measures. Sirtuins and their pharmacological activators/inhibitors have been associated with a range of neuroprotective effects, and a large body of work on sirtuins' influence on PD pathology has accumulated over the past decade. Here, evidence for sirtuins' activities as modifiers of PD pathology and how the mammalian sirtuin paralogues may have conflicting impacts on PD pathogenesis and disease progression is reviewed. The possible cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying sirtuin activities in PD are discussed in the light of current knowledge with reference to autophagy, mitochondrial homeostasis, and microtubule dynamics. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microstructure of urinary stones as studied by means of multimodal nonlinear optical imaging
Authors: Pucetaite Milda , Tamosaityte Sandra , Galli Roberta , Sablinskas Valdas , Steiner Gerald
Published: July 2016

Tracing aetiology and pathogenesis of urinary stone disease is of great importance in order to prescribe appropriate treatment and prevent recurrences. For this purpose, morphological examination combined with determination of chemical composition of urinary stones is fundamental. In this work, we have evaluated the potential of multimodal nonlinear optical imaging for investigation of (micro)structure and chemical composition of human urinary stones. The method provides high‐resolution multimodal images of the cross‐sectioned stones without any labelling or some other pretreatment of the samples. We have shown that various constituents of urinary stones can be well discriminated in the multimodal images according to their optical signals. In addition, small structures (1–5 µm in size) were observed in the cross‐sections of urinary stones of various types. These structures were identified as crystallites of uric acid. They could either act as an active element during formation of urinary stones or, more probably, be accidentally incorporated into their structure, as it is suggested by random distribution of the crystallites. The results of this work show that multimodal nonlinear optical imaging can provide relevant information about growth processes of urinary stones and deliver useful insights in aetiology and pathogenesis of urolithiasis. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Deficit irrigation reduces postharvest rib pinking in wholehead Iceberg lettuce, but at the expense of head fresh weight
Authors: Monaghan James M , Vickers Laura H , Grove Ivan G , Beacham Andrew M
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

Postharvest pinking is a serious issue affecting lettuce quality. Previous studies suggested the possibility of using deficit irrigation to control discolouration; however, this approach may also affect yield. This study investigated the effect of varying irrigation deficits on iceberg lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) to determine the relationship between irrigation deficit, pinking and fresh weight.

RESULTS

The deficit imposed and head fresh weight obtained depended on both the duration and timing of withholding irrigation. Withholding irrigation for a period of 2 or 3 weeks in the middle or end of the growth period significantly reduced rib pinking compared to well‐watered controls. Withholding irrigation for 2 weeks at the start of the growth period or 1 week at the end did not significantly reduce pinking. Withholding irrigation also reduced head fresh weight such that minimising pinking would be predicted to incur a loss of 40% relative to well‐watered controls. However, smaller benefits to pinking reduction were achieved with less effect on head fresh weight.

CONCLUSION

Deficit irrigation could be used to provide smaller but higher quality heads which are less likely to be rejected. The balance of these factors will determine the degree of adoption of this approach to growers. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD, and Psychosocial Functioning Among Male and Female U.S. OEF/OIF Veterans
Authors: Jackson Colleen E. , Green Jonathan D. , Bovin Michelle J. , Vasterling Jennifer J. , Holowka Darren W. , Ranganathan Gayatri , Rosen Raymond C. , Keane Terence M. , Marx Brian P.
Published: July 2016

This study examined the unique and combined relationship between mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with psychosocial functioning in a cohort of 1,312 U.S. male and female veterans of Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) enrolled in the Veterans After‐Discharge Longitudinal Registry (Project VALOR). We assessed mTBI with structured screening questions reflective of current TBI classification standards and PTSD via the SCID‐IV PTSD module; all other variables were assessed by self‐report questionnaires. We identified significant diagnostic group differences in psychosocial functioning for both sexes. Individuals with PTSD, with or without a history of mTBI, reported significantly worse psychosocial functioning than individuals with mTBI alone or neither mTBI nor PTSD (males, η2p = .11, p < .001; females, η2p = .14, p < .001), even after adjusting for demographics and severity of chronic pain. The results suggested that veterans experiencing PTSD, regardless of whether they had a history of mTBI, were at increased risk for long‐term psychosocial impairment. Further research examining possible benefits from improved access to resources and treatment to address these needs would be valuable.
Influence of demography and environment on persistence in toad populations
Authors: Lambert Brad A. , Schorr Robert A. , Schneider Scott C. , Muths Erin
Published: July 2016

Effective conservation of rare species requires an understanding of how potential threats affect population dynamics. Unfortunately, information about population demographics prior to threats (i.e., baseline data) is lacking for many species. Perturbations, caused by climate change, disease, or other stressors can lead to population declines and heightened conservation concerns. Boreal toads (Anaxyrus boreas boreas) have undergone rangewide declines due mostly to the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), with only a few sizable populations remaining in the southern Rocky Mountains, USA, that are disease‐free. Despite the apparent region‐wide occurrence of Bd, our focal populations in central Colorado were disease free over a 14‐year capture‐mark‐recapture study until the recent discovery of Bd at one of the sites. We used recapture data and the Pradel reverse‐time model to assess the influence of environmental and site‐specific conditions on survival and recruitment. We then forecast changes in the toad populations with 2 growth models; one using an average lambda value to initiate the projection, and one using the most recent value to capture potential effects of the incursion of disease into the system. Adult survival was consistently high at the 3 sites, whereas recruitment was more variable and markedly low at 1 site. We found that active season moisture, active season length, and breeding shallows were important factors in estimating recruitment. Population growth models indicated a slight increase at 1 site but decreasing trends at the 2 other sites, possibly influenced by low recruitment. Insight into declining species management can be gained from information on survival and recruitment and how site‐specific environmental factors influence these demographic parameters. Our data are particularly useful because they provide baseline data on demographics in populations before a disease outbreak and enhance our ability to detect changes in population parameters potentially caused by the disease. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Effects of haying on breeding birds in CRP grasslands
Authors: Igl Lawrence D. , Johnson Douglas H.
Published: July 2016

The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) is a voluntary program that is available to agricultural producers to help protect environmentally sensitive or highly erodible land. Management disturbances of CRP grasslands generally are not allowed unless authorized to provide relief to livestock producers during severe drought or a similar natural disaster (i.e., emergency haying and grazing) or to improve the quality and performance of the CRP cover (i.e., managed haying and grazing). Although CRP grasslands may not be hayed or grazed during the primary bird‐nesting season, these disturbances may have short‐term (1 yr after disturbance) and long‐term (≥2 yr after disturbance) effects on grassland bird populations. We assessed the effects of haying on 20 grassland bird species in 483 CRP grasslands in 9 counties of 4 states in the northern Great Plains, USA between 1993 and 2008. We compared breeding bird densities (as determined by total‐area counts) in idle and hayed fields to evaluate changes 1, 2, 3, and 4 years after haying. Haying of CRP grasslands had either positive or negative effects on grassland birds, depending on the species, the county, and the number of years after the initial disturbance. Some species (e.g., horned lark [Eremophila alpestris], bobolink [Dolichonyx oryzivorus]) responded positively after haying, and others (e.g., song sparrow [Melospiza melodia]) responded negatively. The responses of some species changed direction as the fields recovered from haying. For example, densities for common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), sedge wren (Cistothorus platensis), and clay‐colored sparrow (Spizella pallida) declined the first year after haying but increased in the subsequent 3 years. Ten species showed treatment × county interactions, indicating that the effects of haying varied geographically. This long‐term evaluation on the effects of haying on breeding birds provides important information on the strength and direction of changes in bird populations following a disturbance. Results from this study can help guide management of CRP and other grasslands and inform future agricultural programs that address biomass energy production. © 2016 This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Resource selection by cougars: Influence of behavioral state and season
Authors: Blake Linsey W. , Gese Eric M.
Published: July 2016

An understanding of how a predator uses the landscape can assist in developing management plans. We modeled resource selection by cougars (Puma concolor) during 2 behavioral states (moving and killing) and 2 seasons (summer and winter) with respect to landscape characteristics using locations from global positioning system (GPS)‐collared cougars in the Pryor Mountains, Montana and Wyoming, USA. Furthermore, we examined predation‐specific resource selection at 2 scales (fine and coarse). When possible, we backtracked from cache sites to kill sites and used a fine‐scale analysis to examine landscape characteristics of confirmed kills. At this fine scale, kill sites had less horizontal visibility, were more likely to be in juniper (Juniperus spp.)‐mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), and were less likely to be in grassland vegetation. For the coarse‐scale analysis of predation risk, we used the entire dataset of kills by buffering each cache site by 94.9 m, which was the 95% upper cut‐off point of the known distances dragged from kill sites to cache sites, thereby creating buffered cache sites that had a high probability of containing the kill site. We modeled seasonal cougar predation site selection by constructing resource selection functions for these buffered cache sites. The top model for summer predation risk consisted of vegetation class, distance to water, and slope. The top model for winter predation risk included vegetation class and elevation. These predation risk models were similar to but simpler than the resource selection models developed from the moving locations. Essentially, the behavioral state (i.e., killing vs. moving) of the cougar had little influence on resource selection, indicating that cougars are generally in hunting mode while moving through their landscape. To potentially reduce cougar predation on mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in our study area, managers can intersect the cougar predation‐risk resource selection functions with deer and sheep habitat to guide habitat modification efforts aimed at increasing horizontal visibility in risky vegetation classes. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Influence of Li addition to passivity behavior of pure Al in NaCl acidic solution
Authors: Wang H. N. , Liu C. Z. , Lu L. , Li R. S. , Lin D.
Published: July 2016

The passive films on pure Al, Al‐1Li alloy, and Al‐2Li alloy were formed at a passive potential of −0.75 VSCE by potenyiostatic polarization for 30 min in 0.1 mol/L NaCl acidic solution (pH = 2). The corrosion resistances, semiconducting properties, and compositions of the passive films were, respectively, investigated by electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS), Mott–Schottky (M–S) approach, and X‐ray depth photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that 1 and 2 wt% Li addition to pure Al improved its passivity resistance, especially for 2 wt% Li. Moreover, Li participated in the passive film formation process. The incorporation of Li2O by filling in the lattice interstitial position of Al2O3 could decrease oxygen vacancy concentration but did not change the n‐type semiconductor character of the passive films on pure Al. The increasing of passivity resistance was attributed to the decreasing of oxygen vacancy concentration and the increasing of Fermi energy of the passive films due to Li addition to pure Al.
An approach for modeling three‐phase piezoelectric composites
Authors: Guinovart‐Díaz Raúl , Rodríguez‐Ramos Reinaldo , Espinosa‐Almeyda Yoanh , López‐Realpozo Juan Carlos , Dumont Serge , Lebon Frédéric , Conci Aura
Published: July 2016

In this work, three‐phase piezoelectric fibrous composites distributed in a parallelepiped cell is studied. The statement of the mathematical problems and the formulation of the local problems by means of the asymptotic homogenization method are presented. Closed‐form formulae are obtained for the effective properties of the composites for different configurations of the cells. The present method for thick and thin mesophases can provide a point of reference for comparisons with other numerical and approximate methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Backward bifurcation for some general recovery functions
Authors: Villavicencio Pulido Geiser , Barradas Ignacio , Luna Beatriz
Published: July 2016

We consider an epidemic model for the dynamics of an infectious disease that incorporates a nonlinear function h(I), which describes the recovery rate of infectious individuals. We show that in spite of the simple structure of the model, a backward bifurcation may occur if the recovery rate h(I) decreases and the velocity of the recovery rate
is below a threshold value in the beginning of the epidemic. These functions would represent a weak reaction or slow treatment measures because, for instance, of limited allocation of resources o sparsely distributed populations. This includes commonly used functionals, as the monotone saturating Michaelis–Menten, and non monotone recovery rates, used to represent a recovery rate limited by the increasing number of infected individuals. We are especially interested in control policies that can lead to recovery functions that avoid backward bifurcation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fabrication of unilateral conductive and transparent polymer thin films decorated with nanomaterials for flexible electrodes
Authors: Taş Mahmut , İşlek Cin Zeynep , Sam Parmak Ebru Devrim , Çelik Bedeloğlu Ayşe
Published: July 2016

Recently, electrically conductive, flexible, and transparent nanocomposite thin films consisting of nanomaterials on insulating polymer layers are of particular interest to scientific and industrial experts and have promising applications in energy, electronic, and environment areas, due to their remarkable properties. In this study, nanomaterials including silver nanowires, reduced graphene oxide, and carbon nanotubes, and also, conducting polymer poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate were embedded onto insulating polyamide 6‐based polymer layer to form unilateral (one‐sided) conductive nanocomposite thin film with advanced optical, electrical, and mechanical properties. Spin coating technique was used to fabricate these flexible, conductive, and transparent thin film layers. Thin conductive films decorated with silver nanowires exhibited sufficiently low sheet resistance of 105 Ω/sq with a transparency of ∼85%. The maximum measured stress and elongation was obtained as 2.24 N/mm2 and 12.5%, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1771–1778, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Pharmacologic Considerations for Solid Organ Transplant Recipients Who Become Pregnant
Authors: Casale Jillian P. , Doligalski Christina T.
Published: July 2016

Females of childbearing age represent a large population of solid organ transplant recipients. With fertility commonly restored after transplantation, the possibility of pregnancy becomes a reality for many patients. Since the first published report of a successful pregnancy after solid organ transplantation in 1963, the number of pregnancies reported for female organ recipients has continued to increase. Despite this, information on the management of immunosuppression during pregnancy is limited, and a summary of these data is lacking in the literature. In addition to the many pharmacotherapeutic challenges in this unique patient population, physiologic changes in the peripartum period significantly affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of commonly used immunosuppressive agents. These changes, as well as the adverse effects and safety concerns of medications, must all be taken in to consideration to optimize outcomes for both mother and baby. In this review, we provide clinicians caring for female solid organ transplant recipients who wish to become pregnant or who are currently pregnant with a comprehensive review of maternal and fetal risks of pregnancy after transplantation. In addition, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes of pregnancy will be discussed, and a summary of data regarding optimal immunosuppression management during pregnancy will be presented.
Inhibition of SGLT2 alleviates diabetic nephropathy by suppressing high glucose‐induced oxidative stress in type 1 diabetic mice
Authors: Hatanaka Takashi , Ogawa Daisuke , Tachibana Hiromi , Eguchi Jun , Inoue Tatsuyuki , Yamada Hiroshi , Takei Kohji , Makino Hirofumi , Wada Jun
Published: July 2016

It is unclear whether the improvement in diabetic nephropathy by sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors is caused by a direct effect on SGLT2 or by the improvement in hyperglycemia. Here, we investigated the effect of dapagliflozin on early‐stage diabetic nephropathy using a mouse model of type 1 diabetes and murine proximal tubular epithelial cells. Eight‐week‐old Akita mice were treated with dapagliflozin or insulin for 12 weeks. Body weight, urinary albumin excretion, blood pressure, as well as levels of blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c were measured. Expansion of the mesangial matrix, interstitial fibrosis, and macrophage infiltration in kidneys were evaluated by histology. Oxidative stress and apoptosis were evaluated in kidneys and cultured proximal tubular epithelial cells. Compared with nontreated mice, dapagliflozin and insulin decreased blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels equally. Urine volume and water intake increased significantly in the dapagliflozin‐treated group compared with those in the insulin‐treated group, but there were no differences in body weight or blood pressure between the two groups. Macrophage infiltration and fibrosis in renal interstitium improved significantly in the dapagliflozin group compared with the insulin group. Oxidative stress was attenuated by dapagliflozin, and suppression occurred in a dose‐dependent manner. RNAi knockdown of SGLT2 resulted in reduced oxidative stress. Dapagliflozin ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by suppressing hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress in a manner independent of hyperglycemia improvement in Akita mice. Our findings suggest that dapagliflozin may be a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.