bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Can Mendeley bookmarks reflect readership? A survey of user motivations
Authors: Mohammadi Ehsan , Thelwall Mike , Kousha Kayvan
Published: March 2015

Although Mendeley bookmarking counts appear to correlate moderately with conventional citation metrics, it is not known whether academic publications are bookmarked in Mendeley in order to be read or not. Without this information, it is not possible to give a confident interpretation of altmetrics derived from Mendeley. In response, a survey of 860 Mendeley users shows that it is reasonable to use Mendeley bookmarking counts as an indication of readership because most (55%) users with a Mendeley library had read or intended to read at least half of their bookmarked publications. This was true across all broad areas of scholarship except for the arts and humanities (42%). About 85% of the respondents also declared that they bookmarked articles in Mendeley to cite them in their publications, but some also bookmark articles for use in professional (50%), teaching (25%), and educational activities (13%). Of course, it is likely that most readers do not record articles in Mendeley and so these data do not represent all readers. In conclusion, Mendeley bookmark counts seem to be indicators of readership leading to a combination of scholarly impact and wider professional impact.
Personalized generation of word clouds from tweets
Authors: Leginus Martin , Zhai ChengXiang , Dolog Peter
Published: March 2015

Active users of Twitter are often overwhelmed with the vast amount of tweets. In this work we attempt to help users browsing a large number of accumulated posts. We propose a personalized word cloud generation as a means for users' navigation. Various user past activities such as user published tweets, retweets, and seen but not retweeted tweets are leveraged for enhanced personalization of word clouds. The best personalization results are attained with user past retweets. However, users' own past tweets are not as useful as retweets for personalization. Negative preferences derived from seen but not retweeted tweets further enhance personalized word cloud generation. The ranking combination method outperforms the preranking approach and provides a general framework for combined ranking of various user past information for enhanced word cloud generation. To better capture subtle differences of generated word clouds, we propose an evaluation of word clouds with a mean average precision measure.
Atypical Hemispheric Specialization for Faces in Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Keehn Brandon , Vogel‐Farley Vanessa , Tager‐Flusberg Helen , Nelson Charles A.
Published: March 2015

Among the many experimental findings that tend to distinguish those with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are face processing deficits, reduced hemispheric specialization, and atypical neurostructural and functional connectivity. To investigate the earliest manifestations of these features, we examined lateralization of event‐related gamma‐band coherence to faces during the first year of life in infants at high risk for autism (HRA; defined as having an older sibling with ASD) who were compared with low‐risk comparison (LRC) infants, defined as having no family history of ASD. Participants included 49 HRA and 46 LRC infants who contributed a total of 127 data sets at 6 and 12 months. Electroencephalography was recorded while infants viewed images of familiar/unfamiliar faces. Event‐related gamma‐band (30–50 Hz) phase coherence between anterior–posterior electrode pairs for left and right hemispheres was computed. Developmental trajectories for lateralization of intra‐hemispheric coherence were significantly different in HRA and LRC infants: by 12 months, HRA infants showed significantly greater leftward lateralization compared with LRC infants who showed rightward lateralization. Preliminary results indicate that infants who later met criteria for ASD were those that showed the greatest leftward lateralization. HRA infants demonstrate an aberrant pattern of leftward lateralization of intra‐hemispheric coherence by the end of the first year of life, suggesting that the network specialized for face processing may develop atypically. Further, infants with the greatest leftward asymmetry at 12 months where those that later met criteria for ASD, providing support to the growing body of evidence that atypical hemispheric specialization may be an early neurobiological marker for ASD. Autism Res 2015, 8: 187–198. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical Estimation in Children With Autism
Authors: Aagten‐Murphy David , Attucci Claudia , Daniel Niki , Klaric Elena , Burr David , Pellicano Elizabeth
Published: March 2015

Number skills are often reported anecdotally and in the mass media as a relative strength for individuals with autism, yet there are remarkably few research studies addressing this issue. This study, therefore, sought to examine autistic children's number estimation skills and whether variation in these skills can explain at least in part strengths and weaknesses in children's mathematical achievement. Thirty‐two cognitively able children with autism (range = 8–13 years) and 32 typical children of similar age and ability were administered a standardized test of mathematical achievement and two estimation tasks, one psychophysical nonsymbolic estimation (numerosity discrimination) task and one symbolic estimation (numberline) task. Children with autism performed worse than typical children on the numerosity task, on the numberline task, which required mapping numerical values onto space, and on the test of mathematical achievement. These findings question the widespread belief that mathematical skills are generally enhanced in autism. For both groups of children, variation in performance on the numberline task was also uniquely related to their academic achievement, over and above variation in intellectual ability; better number‐to‐space mapping skills went hand‐in‐hand with better arithmetic skills. Future research should further determine the extent and underlying causes of some autistic children's difficulties with regards to number. Autism Res 2015, 8: 668–681. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigating interoception and body awareness in adults with and without autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Fiene Lisa , Brownlow Charlotte
Published: March 2015

This study aimed to investigate the current gap in the literature with regard to how adults with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) interpret elements of the interoceptive sense, which includes thirst, hunger, temperature, satiety, and the prediction of onset of illness. Adults with a diagnosed ASD (n = 74; 36 males, 38 females) were compared to a control group (n = 228; 53 males, 174 females, 1 unspecified) in their self‐reported perceptions of body awareness utilizing the Body Awareness Questionnaire (BAQ) and thirst awareness using the Thirst Awareness Scale (TAS). Those in the ASD group reported a clinically significant lower body and thirst awareness compared to the control group, and this was a large effect (BAQ; d = −1.26, P < 0.001; TAS; d = −1.02, P < 0.001). These findings are of clinical importance, as difficulty with sensing internal bodily states could theoretically impact on the physical and mental health, social interactions and self‐awareness of adults with ASD. Autism Res 2015, 8: 709–716. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sensory Integration as a Treatment for Automatically Maintained Stereotypy
Authors: Moore Keira M. , Cividini‐Motta Catia , Clark Kathy M. , Ahearn William H.
Published: March 2015

According to sensory integration (SI) theory, many symptoms of autism are caused by an inability to integrate and adaptively respond to sensory input. Despite little evidence supporting SI, this form of therapy is a popular treatment for children with autism. Should these treatments work, they should be most effective for behavior maintained by sensory consequences (automatically maintained). SI activities may make these sensory consequences less reinforcing. The purpose of this study was to determine whether SI treatments could reduce automatically‐maintained stereotypy. Five individuals with autism participated. An occupational therapist prescribed sensory activities that competed with stereotypy for SI treatments. Two types of SI treatments were tested: sensory diets and brushing with deep‐pressure therapy. The effect of these treatments on stereotypy was evaluated in an ABAB design. Neither the sensory diet alone, brushing and deep pressure alone, nor both treatments combined were effective interventions for stereotypy. These results do not support the use of SI as a treatment for stereotypy. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pain in multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy compared to Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kass‐Iliyya Lewis , Kobylecki Christopher , McDonald Kathryn R. , Gerhard Alexander , Silverdale Monty A.
Published: March 2015

Background

Pain is a common nonmotor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD). The pathophysiology of pain in PD is not well understood. Pain characteristics have rarely been studied in atypical parkinsonian disorders such as Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).

Aim of the study

We aimed to evaluate pain intensity, location, and associated symptoms in atypical parkinsonian disorders compared to PD.

Methods

Twenty‐one patients with MSA, 16 patients with PSP, and 65 patients with PD were screened for pain using question 1.9 of the MDS‐UPDRS. Pain intensity was quantified using the short form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMPQ). Pain locations were documented. Motor disability was measured using UPDRS‐III. Affective symptoms were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

Results

Pain was significantly more common and more severe in PD and MSA compared to PSP (P < 0.01). Pain locations were similar with limb pain being the most common followed by neck and back pain. Pain intensity correlated with HADS scores but not motor severity.

Conclusions

Pain is more common and more intense in PD and MSA than PSP. Differences in distribution of neurodegenerative pathologies may underlie these differential pain profiles.
Functional connectivity of the striatum in experts of stenography
Authors: Ito Takehito , Matsuda Tetsuya , Shimojo Shinsuke
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Stenography, or shorthand, is a unique set of skills that involves intensive training which is nearly life‐long and orchestrating various brain functional modules, including auditory, linguistic, cognitive, mnemonic, and motor. Stenography provides cognitive neuroscientists with a unique opportunity to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the neural plasticity that enables such a high degree of expertise. However, shorthand is quickly being replaced with voice recognition technology. We took this nearly final opportunity to scan the brains of the last alive shorthand experts of the Japanese language.

Methods

Thirteen right‐handed stenographers and fourteen right‐handed controls participated in the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study.

Results

The fMRI data revealed plastic reorganization of the neural circuits around the putamen. The acquisition of expert skills was accompanied by structural and functional changes in the area. The posterior putamen is known as the execution center of acquired sensorimotor skills. Compared to nonexperts, the posterior putamen in stenographers had high covariation with the cerebellum and midbrain.The stenographers' brain developed different neural circuits from those of the nonexpert brain.

Conclusions

The current data illustrate the vigorous plasticity in the putamen and in its connectivity to other relevant areas in the expert brain. This is a case of vigorous neural plastic reorganization in response to massive overtraining, which is rare especially considering that it occurred in adulthood.
Creating Identity and Community: Latino Gay and Bisexual Men's Motives for Participation in the AIDS Movement
Authors: Kuhns Lisa M. , Ramirez‐Valles Jesus
Published: March 2015

Motives are situated vocabularies providing insight into the social context and identities of activists and volunteers. In this paper, we examine motives for participation in the AIDS movement. We focus on an understudied group of volunteers and activists (N = 75) in the USA, Latino gay and bisexual men. Participants elaborated on 11 motives: values, helping others, reciprocity, understanding, personal development, career enhancement, community concern, social change, esteem enhancement, personal experience, and social networking. Across almost all categories of motives, activists spoke of working for, and meeting, other Latinos and other Latino gay and bisexual males, and about fighting what they consider oppressing forces. Motives were articulated within the context of a collective identity. Participants' descriptions highlight the process by which they create and reproduce identity and community through their involvement and as they articulate their motives. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical and sensory characteristics of Italian virgin olive oils from Grossa di Gerace cv
Authors: Di Serio Maria Gabriella , Di Giacinto Luciana , Di Loreto Giuseppina , Giansante Lucia , Pellegrino Massimiliano , Vito Raffaella , Perri Enzo
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study was to provide an additional element of knowledge and evaluation on extra virgin olive oil from the Italian region Calabria, belonging to the Grossa di Gerace cv. Then, the following chemical, physical–chemical, and sensory analyses have been performed: free acidity, peroxide value, UV spectrophotometric indices, ethyl esters, waxes, tocopherols, fatty acids, triglycerides, sterols, alcohols, phenolic substances, dynamic headspace volatile compounds, and sensory profile. The analytical investigation allowed us to highlight the great potential of this cultivar: a “quality” product that will satisfy consumer expectations for a particular food, and especially a “typicality” because of its unique attributes in the zone of production. According to the results provided by the analysis carried out on the extra virgin olive oil samples from “Grossa di Gerace” and its mixtures with another important cultivar of Calabria, “Carolea,” and thanks to statistical tools, 17 variables have been identified that could be considered markers of single cultivar olive oils of “Grossa di Gerace”: phytol, palmitic acid, 1‐hexanol, trans‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol, α‐amyrin, 3,4‐DHPEA‐EA‐H, palmitoleic acid, apigenin, methyl‐luteolin, geranylgeraniol, 3,4‐DHPEA‐EA, OOL + LnPP, PoOO, PoOP + SPoL + SOLn + SPoPo, citrostadienol, luteolin, and trans‐2‐hexenal. The Principal Components Analysis (PCA) applied to the 17 variables has permitted us to distinguish blends with more than 10% of “Carolea.”

Practical applications: The study carried out on single cultivar extra virgin olive oil of Grossa di Gerace has been executed for several practical applications: (i) the knowledge of the chemical profile of the oil is useful to define the sensory, nutritional, and conservative quality of this product; (ii) the identification of analytical parameters is useful for a Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) characterization; (iii) to protect the single cultivar extra virgin olive oil, inserted into the ATP, from mixtures with other oils, by the identified analytical markers.

According to the results provided by the analysis carried out on the extra virgin olive oil samples from “Grossa di Gerace” and its mixtures with another important cultivar of Calabria, “Carolea,” and thanks to statistical tools, 17 variables have been identified that could be considered markers of single cultivar olive oils of “Grossa di Gerace.” The Principal Components Analysis applied to the 17 variables has permitted us to distinguish blends with more than 10% of “Carolea.”
Chromosomal DNA damage in APOE ɛ4 carriers and noncarriers does not appear to be different
Authors: Chua Ann , Thomas Philip , Clifton Peter , Fenech Michael
Published: March 2015

DNA damage may play a key role in promoting disease‐onset and accelerated disease progression in Alzheimer's disease (AD) by increasing the rates of neuronal cell death. The ɛ4 allele of the APOE gene is the best characterised genetic risk factor for AD, however, it is unknown if APOE ɛ4 carriers exhibit increased levels of DNA damage which may contribute to increased AD risk. 175 healthy participants (aged 34–67 years old) from South Australia were recruited into the study and provided a single blood sample for the isolation of peripheral blood lymphocytes, APOE genotyping and lymphocyte chromosomal DNA damage analysis using the Cytokinesis‐Block micronucleus cytome (CBMN‐Cyt) assay with the micronucleus index being the primary outcome measure. When compared to non‐APOE ɛ4 carriers, APOE ɛ4 carriers did not exhibit altered rates of i) cell division, represented by the nuclear division index (NDI, P = 0.372), ii) cell death as represented by apoptotic (P = 0.457) and necrotic (P = 0.393) frequencies and iii) chromosomal DNA damage as indicated by the number of micronuclei (MNi, P = 0.795), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs, P = 0.221) or nuclear buds (NBUDs, P = 0.293) scored in binucleated cells. In conclusion, although we and others have previously shown that rates of chromosomal DNA damage measured using the CBMN‐Cyt assay are elevated in individuals with cognitive impairment, in this South Australian cohort the frequency of genome instability is not substantially influenced by the presence of the APOE ɛ4 allele. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 56:694–708, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Precast concrete wall with end columns (PreWEC) for earthquake resistant design
Authors: Sritharan Sri , Aaleti Sriram , Henry Richard Stuart , Liu Kuang‐Yen , Tsai Keh‐Chyuan
Published: March 2015

An innovative seismic resisting system consisting of a Precast Wall with End Columns (or PreWEC) has been developed, and its performance has been verified using large‐scale cyclic testing. The wall and end columns in the PreWEC system are anchored individually to a foundation using unbonded post‐tensioning. A newly designed, low‐cost mild steel connector is used to connect the wall and end columns horizontally along the vertical joint. The connectors are easily replaceable and provide additional hysteretic energy dissipation to the system. The PreWEC system can be economically designed to have a lateral load carrying capacity similar to that of a comparable reinforced concrete wall, while minimizing damage and providing self‐centering capability. In addition to confirming these benefits, the large‐scale test demonstrated that the PreWEC system: (i) would provide superior seismic performance compared to other currently available structural wall systems especially for the precast industry; and (ii) meets all the mandatory acceptance criteria established by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for special unbonded post‐tensioned precast structural walls and building frame special reinforced concrete shear wall systems, as defined in the American Concrete Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7‐05. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heme oxygenase‐1 modulates microRNA expression in cultured astroglia: Implications for chronic brain disorders
Authors: Lin Shih‐Hsiung , Song Wei , Cressatti Marisa , Zukor Hillel , Wang Eugenia , Schipper Hyman M.
Published: March 2015

Background

Over‐expression of the heme‐degrading enzyme, heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) promotes iron deposition, mitochondrial damage, and autophagy in astrocytes and enhances the vulnerability of nearby neuronal constituents to oxidative injury. These neuropathological features and aberrant brain microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns have been implicated in the etiopathogeneses of various neurodevelopmental and aging‐related neurodegenerative disorders.

Objective

To correlate glial HO‐1 overexpression with altered miRNA patterns, which have been linked to the aforementioned “core” neuropathological features.

Methods

miRNA microchip assays were performed on HMOX1‐ and sham‐transfected primary rat astroglia and affected miRNAs were further validated by qPCR. The roles of the heme degradation products, carbon monoxide (CO), iron (Fe) and bilirubin on miRNA expression were assessed and salient mRNA targets of the impacted miRNAs were ascertained.

Results

In HMOX1‐transfected astrocytes, rno‐miR‐140*, rno‐miR‐17, and rno‐miR‐16 were significantly up‐regulated, and rno‐miR‐297, rno‐miR‐206, rno‐miR‐187, rno‐miR‐181a, rno‐miR‐138 and rno‐miR‐29c were down‐regulated, compared to sham‐transfected controls. CO and Fe were implicated in the HMOX1 effects, whereas bilirubin was inert or counteracted the HMOX1‐related changes. mRNA levels of Ngfr, Vglut1, Mapk3, Tnf‐α, and Sirt1, known targets of the down‐regulated miRNAs and abnormal in various human brain disorders, were significantly increased in the HMOX‐1‐transfected astrocytes.

Conclusions

In chronic CNS disorders, altered expression of salient miRNAs and their mRNA targets may contribute to the neural damage accruing from the over‐expression of glial HO‐1. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. GLIA 2015;63:1270–1284
Physical exercise and acute restraint stress differentially modulate hippocampal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor transcripts and epigenetic mechanisms in mice
Authors: Ieraci Alessandro , Mallei Alessandra , Musazzi Laura , Popoli Maurizio
Published: March 2015

Physical exercise and stressful experiences have been shown to exert opposite effects on behavioral functions and brain plasticity, partly by involving the action of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Although epigenetic modifications are known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of the different BDNF transcripts, it is poorly understood whether epigenetic mechanisms are also implied in the BDNF modulation induced by physical exercise and stress. Here, we show that total BDNF mRNA levels and BDNF transcripts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 were reduced immediately after acute restraint stress (RS) in the hippocampus of mice, and returned to control levels 24 h after the stress session. On the contrary, exercise increased BDNF mRNA expression and counteracted the stress‐induced decrease of BDNF transcripts. Physical exercise‐induced up‐regulation of BDNF transcripts was accounted for by increase in histone H3 acetylated levels at specific BDNF promoters, whereas the histone H3 trimethylated lysine 27 and dimethylated lysine 9 levels were unaffected. Acute RS did not change the levels of acetylated and methylated histone H3 at the BDNF promoters. Furthermore, we found that physical exercise and RS were able to differentially modulate the histone deacetylases mRNA levels. Finally, we report that a single treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors, prior to acute stress exposure, prevented the down‐regulation of total BDNF and BDNF transcripts 1, 2, 3, and 6, partially reproducing the effect of physical exercise. Overall, these results suggest that physical exercise and stress are able to differentially modulate the expression of BDNF transcripts by possible different epigenetic mechanisms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Orexinergic theta rhythm in the rat hippocampal formation: In vitro and in vivo findings
Authors: Bocian Renata , Kazmierska Paulina , Kłos‐Wojtczak Paulina , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Konopacki Jan
Published: March 2015

Previous in vivo data suggested that orexin neuropeptides (ORXAand ORXB) synthetized in hypothalamic neurons were involved in the mechanism of generation of the hippocampal formation theta rhythm. Surprisingly, this suggestion has never been directly proved by experiments using intraseptal or intrahippocampal administration of orexins. In this study, involving the use of in vitro hippocampal formation slices and in vivo model of anesthetized rat, we provide the first convergent electropharmacological evidence that in the presence of both ORXAand ORXBthe hippocampal formation neuronal network is capable of producing oscillations in the theta band. This effect of orexin peptides was antagonized by selective blockers of orexin receptors (OX1R and OX2R), SB 334867 and TCS OX2 29, respectively. These results provide evidence for a novel, orexinergic mechanism responsible for the production of theta rhythm in the hippocampal formation neuronal network. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Network structure of functional hippocampal lateralization in birds
Authors: Jonckers Elisabeth , Güntürkün Onur , De Groof Geert , Van der Linden Annemie , Bingman Verner P.
Published: March 2015

Functional hemispheric asymmetry is a common feature of vertebrate brain organization, yet little is known about how hemispheric dominance is implemented at the neural level. One notable example of hemispheric dominance in birds is the leading role of the left hippocampal formation in controlling navigational processes that support homing in pigeons. Relying on resting state fMRI analyses (where Functional connectivity (FC) can be determined by placing a reference ‘seed’ for connectivity in one hemisphere), we show that following seeding in either an anterior or posterior region of the hippocampal formation of homing pigeons and starlings, the emergent FC maps are consistently larger following seeding of the left hippocampus. Left seedings are also more likely to result in FC maps that extend to the contralateral hippocampus and outside the boundaries of the hippocampus. The data support the hypothesis that broader FC is one neural‐organizational property that confers, with respect to navigation, functional dominance to the left hippocampus of birds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Assessing individual risk for high‐risk colorectal adenoma at first‐time screening colonoscopy
Authors: Cao Yin , Rosner Bernard A. , Ma Jing , Tamimi Rulla M. , Chan Andrew T. , Fuchs Charles S. , Wu Kana , Giovannucci Edward L.
Published: March 2015

Assessing risk of colorectal adenoma at first‐time colonoscopy that are of higher likelihood of developing advanced neoplasia during surveillance could help tailor first‐line colorectal cancer screening. We developed prediction models for high‐risk colorectal adenoma (at least one adenoma ≥1 cm, or with advanced histology, or ≥3 adenomas) among 4,881 asymptomatic white men and 17,970 women who underwent colonoscopy as their first‐time screening for colorectal cancer in two prospective US studies using logistic regressions. C‐statistics and Hosmer–Lemeshow tests were used to evaluate discrimination and calibration. Ten‐fold cross‐validation was used for internal validation. A total of 330 (6.7%) men and 678 (3.8%) women were diagnosed with high‐risk adenoma at first‐time screening colonoscopy. The model for men included age, family history of colorectal cancer, BMI, smoking, sitting watching TV/VCR, regular aspirin/NSAID use, physical activity, and a joint term of multivitamin and alcohol. For women, the model included age, family history of colorectal cancer, BMI, smoking, alcohol, beef/pork/lamb as main dish, regular aspirin/NSAID, calcium, and oral contraceptive use. The C‐statistic of the model for men was 0.67 and 0.60 for women (0.64 and 0.57 in cross‐validation). Both models calibrated well. The predicted risk of high‐risk adenoma for men in the top decile was 15.4% vs. 1.8% for men in the bottom decile (Odds Ratio [OR] = 9.41), and 6.6% vs. 2.1% for women (OR = 3.48). In summary, we developed and internally validated an absolute risk assessment tool for high‐risk colorectal adenoma among the US population that may provide guidance for first‐time colorectal cancer screening.
Divergent ontogenies of trophic morphology in two closely related haplochromine cichlids
Authors: Santos‐Santos Javier H. , Audenaert Leen , Verheyen Erik , Adriaens Dominique
Published: March 2015

Fish develop morphological specializations in their trophic and locomotor systems as a result of varying functional demands in response to environmental pressures at different life stages. These specializations should maximize particular performances in specialists, adapting them to their trophic and habitat niches at each ontogenetic stage. Because differential growth rates of the structural components comprised in the head are likely to be linked to the diet of a fish throughout its development, we investigated the ontogenetic development of two haplochromine cichlid species belonging to different trophic guilds. We employed geometric morphometric techniques to evaluate whether starting from morphologically similar fry they diverge into phenotypes that characterize trophic guilds and locomotor types. Our examination of overall body shape shows that certain specialized morphological features are already present in fry, whereas other traits diverge through ontogeny due to differences in species‐specific allometric variation. Allometric shape variation was found to be more relevant for the biter specialist than for the sucker morphotype. Our results confirm that phenotypic changes during ontogeny can be linked to dietary and habitat shifts in these fish. Furthermore, evidence for an integrated development of trophic and locomotor specializations in morphology was observed. J. Morphol. 276:860–871, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modulation of satellite cells activity and MyoD in rat thyroarytenoid muscle after reinnervation
Authors: Kodama Haruka , Kumai Yoshihiko , Nishimoto Kohei , Sanuki Tetsuji , Yumoto Eiji
Published: March 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

To examine modulation of M‐cadherin, a marker for satellite cells (SCs); and MyoD, which may indicate the myogenic activity following recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) denervation and immediate reinnervation; and to elucidate the correlation between their modulations and establishment of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in the reinnervated rat thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle.

Study Design

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction qPCR and histologic assessment of the TA muscle following RLN transection and anastomosis.

Methods

Rats were divided into three groups: 1) denervation alone (DNV) (n = 60), 2) denervation with anastomosis (ANS) (n = 60), and 3) sham‐operated controls (n = 12). Animals were sacrificed at 3 days and 1, 3, and 5 weeks after treatment. TA muscles harvested from 40 animals from each DNV and ANS group; all of sham group were subjected to qPCR for assessment of the modulation of M‐cadherin and MyoD; and the remaining larynges of DNV and ANS group were used for histologic analysis.

Results

The expression levels of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding M‐cadherin and MyoD in the TA muscle of the DNV group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the control throughout the study period. These mRNA levels in the ANS group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at ≤ 1 week than in the controls but fell to control levels at ≥ 3 weeks. In the ANS group, recovery of muscle area and NMJs structure occurred by 3 weeks.

Conclusion

These data suggested that NMJ formation following reinnervation might prompt recovery of M‐cadherin and MyoD mRNA expression to the quiescent level of SCs.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 125:E245–E251, 2015
Trophic structure and food resources of epipelagic and mesopelagic fishes in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre ecosystem inferred from nitrogen isotopic compositions
Authors: Choy C. Anela , Popp Brian N. , Hannides Cecelia C. S. , Drazen Jeffrey C.
Published: March 2015

We used bulk tissue δ13C and δ15N values and δ15N values of individual amino acids (AA) to characterize the trophic structure of a pelagic fish assemblage from the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) ecosystem. We focus on energy flow between fishes inhabiting distinct epipelagic, mesopelagic, and upper bathypelagic habitats and on predatory fish foraging across and within these depth habitats. Trophic positions (TPs) estimated from a combination of trophic and source AA δ15N values (TPTr‐Src) spanned a narrow range of 0.7 TP for 10 species of large fishes, including tunas, billfishes, and gempylids (TPTr‐Src 4.3‐5.0). Similarly, 13 species of small micronekton fishes encompassed a range of 1.2 TP (TPTr‐Src 2.6‐3.8). The δ15N values of three source AAs were found to increase with increasing depth of capture across the 13 micronekton fish species (δ15NPhe range = 6.6‰; δ15NGly range = 13.4‰; δ15NSer range = 13.6‰), indicating that some species from epipelagic, mesopelagic, and upper bathypelagic communities access distinct food resources, such as suspended particles. These isotopic depth trends are consistent with previous observations in particulate organic matter and zooplankton from the NPSG, providing new evidence that large pelagic and micronekton fishes access a food web fueled by particles formed in surface waters but that are highly modified by microbes as they slowly settle to remote depths. On the contrary, no significant relationships between the δ15N values of source AAs and habitat depth were observed in the large predator fish group, of which many species move and forage across large depth gradients.
Modeling circulation and seasonal fluctuations in perennially ice‐covered and ice‐walledLakeUntersee,Antarctica
Authors: Steel H. C. B. , McKay C. P. , Andersen D. T.
Published: March 2015

Lake Untersee, Antarctica, is a freshwater perennially ice covered lake bounded along its north by the Anuchin glacier. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model, used on a representative wedge‐shaped lake and actual bathymetry for Lake Untersee, produces estimates for circulation and long‐term temperature and mixing trends. Modeled circulation is dominated by an anticyclonic gyre in front of the glacier, with slowerflow exhibited around the lake's perimeter, allowing effective mixing throughout most of the lake with time scales of one month. Estimated velocities bound maximal glacial flour particle size atfor effective transport throughout the lake, consistent with the sediment's mostly fine composition observed in field studies, and mixing time scales mean nonuniformities in measuredconcentration likely require recent or ongoing sources. Areas in which large temperature gradients prevent exchange of fluid demonstrate minimal mixing, such as the lake's upper water layers and the anoxic basin in the south, and circulation is consistently slowed in the northern sheltered bay area. Mean flow velocities fluctuate by about one fifth of their magnitude between summer and winter, and the lake's almost homothermal body temperature varies by about one tenth of a degree over the same period. While calculated temperature profiles qualitatively agree with field data, the model's long‐term equilibrium temperature differs substantially, likely due to poor description of heat transfer with the glacier. Model robustness tests show results differ by ∼ 10% when either grid scale or water temperature are halved.
Evidence for the assimilation of ancient glacier organic carbon in a proglacial stream food web
Authors: Fellman Jason B. , Hood Eran , Raymond Peter A. , Hudson John , Bozeman Maura , Arimitsu Mayumi
Published: March 2015

We used natural abundance δ13C, δ15N, and Δ14C to compare trophic linkages between potential carbon sources (leaf litter, epilithic biofilm, and particulate organic matter) and consumers (aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish) in a nonglacial stream and two reaches of the heavily glaciated Herbert River. We tested the hypothesis that proglacial stream food webs are sustained by organic carbon released from glacial ecosystems. Carbon sources and consumers in the nonglacial stream had carbon isotope values that ranged from −30‰ to −25‰ for δ13C and from −14‰ to 53‰ for Δ14C reflecting a food web sustained mainly on contemporary primary production. In contrast, biofilm in the two glacial stream sites was highly Δ14C‐depleted (−215‰ to 175‰) relative to the nonglacial stream consistent with the assimilation of ancient glacier organic carbon. IsoSource modeling showed that in upper Herbert River, macroinvertebrates (Δ14C = −171‰ to 22‰) and juvenile salmonids (Δ14C = −102‰ to 17‰) reflected a feeding history of both biofilm (∼ 56%) and leaf litter (∼ 40%). We estimate that in upper Herbert River on average 36% of the carbon incorporated into consumer biomass is derived from the glacier ecosystem. Thus, 14C‐depleted glacial organic carbon was likely transferred to higher trophic levels through a feeding history of bacterial uptake of dissolved organic carbon and subsequent consumption of 14C‐depleted biofilm by invertebrates and ultimately fish. Our findings show that the metazoan food web is sustained in part by glacial organic carbon such that future changes in glacial runoff could influence the stability and trophic structure of proglacial aquatic ecosystems.
The Core Inefficiency of Peer Review and a Potential Solution
Authors: Vines Timothy H.
Published: March 2015

Time is one of the most important commodities in scientific research, and yet so much of it is spent on peripheral and sometimes unnecessary activities. One of the most time consuming aspects of science is making it public. Even once a paper is written, the process of finding a journal that is willing to publish it can take months or years.
Cobalamin coenzyme forms are not likely to be superior to cyano‐ and hydroxyl‐cobalamin in prevention or treatment of cobalamin deficiency
Authors: Obeid Rima , Fedosov Sergey N. , Nexo Ebba
Published: March 2015

Methylcobalamin (MeCbl) and adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) are coenzymes for methionine synthase and methylmalonyl‐CoA mutase, respectively. Hydroxylcobalamin (HOCbl) and cyanocobalamin (CNCbl) are frequently used for supplementation. MeCbl and AdoCbl have recently emerged as alternative forms in supplements. In the light of metabolic transformation of Cbl into its cofactor forms, this review discusses current evidence on efficacy and utility of different Cbl forms in preventing or treating Cbl deficiency. Cbl‐transporting proteins bind and mediate the uptake of all aforementioned forms of Cbl. After internalization and lysosomal release, Cbl binds to the cytosolic chaperon MMACHC that is responsible for (i) flavin‐dependent decyanation of [CN‐Co3+]Cbl to [Co2+]Cbl; (ii) glutathione‐dependent dealkylation of MeCbl and AdoCbl to [Co2+/1+]Cbl; and (iii) glutathione‐dependent decyanation of CNCbl or reduction of HOCbl under anaerobic conditions. MMACHC shows a broad specificity for Cbl forms and supplies the Cbl2+ intermediate for synthesis of MeCbl and AdoCbl. Cobalamin chemistry, physiology, and biochemistry suggest that MeCbl and AdoCbl follow the same route of intracellular processing as CNCbl does. We conclude that supplementing MeCbl or AdoCbl is unlikely to be advantageous compared to CNCbl. On the other hand, there are obvious advantages of high parenteral doses (1–2 mg) of HOCbl in treating inborn errors of Cbl metabolism.
PGSE, OGSE, and sensitivity to axon diameter in diffusion MRI: Insight from a simulation study
Authors: Drobnjak Ivana , Zhang Hui , Ianuş Andrada , Kaden Enrico , Alexander Daniel C
Published: March 2015

Purpose

To identify optimal pulsed gradient spin‐echo (PGSE) and oscillating gradient spin‐echo (OGSE) sequence settings for maximizing sensitivity to axon diameter in idealized and practical conditions.

Methods

Simulations on a simple two‐compartment white matter model (with nonpermeable cylinders) are used to investigate a wide space of clinically plausible PGSE and OGSE sequence parameters with trapezoidal diffusion gradient waveforms. Signal sensitivity is measured as a derivative of the signal with respect to axon diameter. Models of parallel and dispersed fibers are investigated separately to represent idealized and practical conditions.

Results

Simulations show that, for the simple case of gradients perfectly perpendicular to straight parallel fibers, PGSE always gives maximum sensitivity. However, in real‐world scenarios where fibers have unknown and dispersed orientation, low‐frequency OGSE provides higher sensitivity. Maximum sensitivity results show that on current clinical scanners (Gmax = 60 mT/m, signal to noise ratio (SNR) = 20) axon diameters below 6 µm are indistinguishable from zero. Scanners with stronger gradient systems such as the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Connectom scanner (Gmax = 300 mT/m) can extend this sensitivity limit down to 2–3 µm, probing a much greater proportion of the underlying axon diameter distribution.

Conclusion

Low‐frequency OGSE provides additional sensitivity to PGSE in practical situations. OGSE is particularly advantageous for systems with high performance gradients. Magn Reson Med 75:688–700, 2016. © 2015 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and caregivers: Impact of assistive communication from early stages
Authors: Londral Ana , Pinto Anabela , Pinto Susana , Azevedo Luis , De Carvalho Mamede
Published: March 2015

Introduction: In this study we performed a longitudinal investigation to assess the impact of early introduction of assistive communication devices (ACDs) on quality of life (QoL) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and their caregivers. Methods: Patients were followed for 7–10 months (3 evaluation periods). Bulbar‐onset ALS patients (N = 27) and paired caregivers (N = 17) were included. Fifteen randomly selected patients received early support in ACD use. Patients were assessed using the ALS Functional Rating Scale—revised (ALSFRS‐R), the McGill QoL (MQoL), the Communication Effectiveness Index (CETI), and performance in writing; and caregivers were assessed with the MQoL and World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL‐BREF). Results: Patients with early support had higher MQoL Psychological and MQoL Existential well‐being domains; caregivers had higher MQoL Support domain and their MQoL Psychological domain positively associated with patient CETI. Most patients could communicate using a touchscreen keyboard to write, even when handwriting and speech were not possible. Conclusion: Early intervention with an ACD seems to have a positive impact on QoL and gives patients the opportunity to improve skills for communication in later disease stages. Muscle Nerve 52: 933–941, 2015
Magnetic resonance imaging pattern recognition in sporadic inclusion‐body myositis
Authors: Tasca Giorgio , Monforte Mauro , De Fino Chiara , Kley Rudolf A. , Ricci Enzo , Mirabella Massimiliano
Published: March 2015

Introduction: In sporadic inclusion‐body myositis (IBM), additional tools are needed to confirm the diagnosis, particularly in clinically atypical or pathologically unproven patients. The aims of this study were to define the pattern of muscle MRI in IBM and to assess its accuracy in differentiating IBM from other myopathies that overlap with it clinically or pathologically. Methods: Blind assessment was done on the scans of 17 definite IBM, 2 possible IBM, and 118 patients with other myopathies. Results: The diagnostic accuracy to detect definite IBM was 95% for the typical pattern (with 100% specificity) and 97% for both typical and consistent patterns (with 97% specificity). Conclusions: Muscle MRI is an accurate tool for diagnostic work‐up of suspected IBM patients and may be particularly helpful in patients with early disease or who lack the classical IBM pathology. Muscle Nerve 52: 956–962, 2015
Territory and fiber orientation of vastus medialis motor units: A Surface electromyography investigation
Authors: Gallina Alessio , Vieira Taian
Published: March 2015

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether muscle fibers innervated by single motor neurons are confined in small subvolumes of the vastus medialis (VM) and if motor unit fiber orientation depends on their position within the muscle. Methods: Single motor units were identified from a grid of surface electrodes. The size of their surface representation and fiber orientation were extracted using an algorithm validated on simulated signals. Results: The action potentials of 77 motor units were represented locally on the skin (10th–90th percentiles: 14–25 mm). According to simulations, this indicates territories smaller than 11.8–64.8 mm. Motor units in distal regions of VM had fibers at a greater angle than those in proximal regions (R = –0.54, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Motor units with small territories and varying fiber orientations may be an anatomical predisposition to regulate how regions within VM apply forces to the patella. This could help to redistribute loads within the joint in painful conditions. Muscle Nerve 52: 1057–1065, 2015
F‐wave and motor‐evoked potentials during motor imagery and observation in apraxia of Parkinson disease
Authors: Gündüz Ayşegül , Kiziltan Meral E.
Published: March 2015

Introduction: The amplitudes of F‐waves and motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) increase during imagination or active motor performance. The aim of this study was to investigate F‐wave and MEP facilitation during assessment of apraxia. Methods: Eight Parkinson disease (PD) patients with apraxia, 11 patients without apraxia, and 8 healthy volunteers were enrolled. F‐waves and MEPs were recorded during 4 states (resting, imagination, observation, and active movement). Results: The mean amplitude of the F‐waves increased significantly during imagination and active movement as compared with at rest in healthy individuals (P = 0.028) and in the nonapraxia group (P = 0.005). PD patients with apraxia did not have similar facilitation. The mean amplitude of the MEPs also showed a similar loss of facilitation in PD with apraxia. Conclusions: Loss of facilitation during the preparation for movement is closely related to the “gold standard” clinical praxis battery. This study provides additional support and a potential electrophysiological assessment method for apraxia in PD. Muscle Nerve 52: 1072–1077, 2015
Muscle magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in X‐linked myopathy with excessive autophagy
Authors: Mercier Sandra , Magot Armelle , Caillon Florence , Isidor Bertrand , David Albert , Ferrer Xavier , Vital Anne , Coquet Michelle , Penttilä Sini , Udd Bjarne , Mussini Jean‐Marie , Pereon Yann
Published: March 2015

Introduction: X‐linked myopathy with excessive autophagy (XMEA) is an X‐linked recessive myopathy due to recently reported mutations in the VMA21 gene. Methods: Four men from 2 separate families were studied. The clinical presentation, genetic data, muscle biopsy, and muscle MRI were analyzed. Results: A known VMA21 mutation, c.163+4A>G, and a new mutation, c.163+3A>G, respectively, were found in the 2 families. The clinical course was characterized by onset in childhood and progressive muscle weakness with a limb‐girdle pattern. Muscle biopsy revealed a mild myopathy with an increased number of giant autophagic vacuoles. Whole‐body muscle MRI showed that pelvic girdle and proximal thighs were the most and earliest affected territories, with sparing of rectus femoris muscles. Muscle changes essentially consisted of degenerative fatty replacement. Conclusions: This study highlights a distinctive MRI pattern of muscle involvement, which can be helpful for diagnosis of XMEA, even before muscle biopsy or genetic analysis. Muscle Nerve 52: 673–680, 2015