bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Myoepithelial cell-driven acini contraction in response to oxytocin receptor stimulation is impaired in lacrimal glands of Sjögren’s syndrome animal models
Authors: Hawley Dillon , Tang Xin , Zyrianova Tatiana , Shah Mihir , Janga Srikanth , Letourneau Alexandra , Schicht Martin , Paulsen Friedrich , Hamm-Alvarez Sarah , Makarenkova Helen P. , Zoukhri Driss 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe purpose of the present studies was to investigate the impact of chronic inflammation of the lacrimal gland, as occurs in Sjögren’s syndrome, on the morphology and function of myoepithelial cells (MECs). In spite of the importance of MECs for lacrimal gland function, the effect of inflammation on MECs has not been well defined. We studied changes in MEC structure and function in two animal models of aqueous deficient dry eye, NOD and MRL/lpr mice. We found a statistically significant reduction in the size of MECs in diseased compared to control lacrimal glands. We also found that oxytocin receptor was highly expressed in MECs of mouse and human lacrimal glands and that its expression was strongly reduced in diseased glands. Furthermore, we found a significant decrease in the amount of two MEC contractile proteins, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and calponin. Finally, oxytocin-mediated contraction was impaired in lacrimal gland acini from diseased glands. We conclude that chronic inflammation of the lacrimal gland leads to a substantial thinning of MECs, down-regulation of contractile proteins and oxytocin receptor expression, and therefore impaired acini contraction. This is the first study highlighting the role of oxytocin mediated MEC contraction on lacrimal gland function.
MicroRNAs distribution in different phenotypes of Aortic Stenosis
Authors: Fabiani Iacopo , Pugliese Nicola Riccardo , Calogero Enrico , Conte Lorenzo , Mazzanti Maria Chiara , Scatena Cristian , Scopelliti Claudia , Tantillo Elena , Passiatore Matteo , Angelillis Marco , Naccarato Giuseppe Antonio , Di Stefano Rossella , Petronio Anna Sonia , Di Bello Vitantonio 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAortic valve stenosis (AVS) represents a cluster of different phenotypes, considering gradient and flow pattern. Circulating micro RNAs may reflect specific pathophysiological processes and could be useful biomarkers to identify disease. We assessed 80 patients (81, 76.7–84 years; 46, 57.5%females) with severe AVS. We performed bio-humoral evaluation (including circulating miRNA-1, 21, 29, 133) and 2D-echocardiography. Patients were classified according to ACC/AHA groups (D1-D3) and flow-gradient classification, considering normal/low flow, (NF/LF) and normal/high gradient, (NG/HG). Patients with reduced ejection fractionwere characterized by higher levels of miRNA1 (p = 0.003) and miRNA 133 (p = 0.03). LF condition was associated with higher levels of miRNA1 (p = 0.02) and miRNA21 (p = 0.02). Levels of miRNA21 were increased in patients with reduced Global longitudinal strain (p = 0.03). LF-HG and LF-LG showed higher levels of miRNA1 expression (p = 0.005). At one-year follow-up miRNA21 and miRNA29 levels resulted significant independent predictors of reverse remodeling and systolic function increase, respectively. Different phenotypes of AVS may express differential levels and types of miRNAs, which may retain a pathophysiological role in pro-hypertrophic and pro-fibrotic processes.
Sex-specific regional grey matter volume correlates of daily activities
Authors: Ueno Tsukasa , Oishi Naoya , Murai Toshiya 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe human brain is plastic and continuously modified throughout life by our daily experiences and behaviours. However, no reports have comprehensively investigated structural brain correlates of our daily activities, including possible sex differences. In this study, we examined the relationship between a self-reported 24-hour Life-Log and regional brain volume measured by structural magnetic resonance imaging. We analysed brain volumes of 64 males and 53 females that were obtained from multiple scanning sites. We found several sex-specific correlations, including a positive correlation between superior frontal gyrus (Brodmann area 8) volume and domestic work hours, and a negative correlation between volume in the same region and job-work hours. Despite being a cross-sectional study, this study provides empirical evidence for how and to what extent brain structure is correlated with everyday activity.
Prevalence of severe-profound hearing loss in South Korea: a nationwide population-based study to analyse a 10-year trend (2006–2015)
Authors: Im Gi Jung , Ahn Joong Ho , Lee Jun Ho , do Han Kyung , Lee Seung Hwan , Kim Jin-Sook , Jang Hyunsook , Chung Jong Woo 
Published: June 2018

AbstractTo estimate prevalence of severe-profound hearing loss (HL) in South Korea, and analyse a 10-year trend of HL according to age, sex, and region by using a nationwide population-based database. Retrospective review from Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2006 to 2015. The degree of severe-profound HL was classified into six grades, based mostly on HL worse than 60 dB HL for both ears. Absolute number of HL was the highest in 2011 (0.25 million; males, 0.14 million; females, 0.11 million); it decreased gradually until 2015. Total HL prevalence was the highest in 2010 (0.5%; 251,954), and decreased annually to 2015 (0.46%; 237,272). The trend of HL prevalence showed a gradual decrease from 2010 to 2015. Prevalence of severe-profound HL was always higher in the male population (1.19 times higher than female in 2015). Prevalence of HL was higher in rural areas than in urban areas (1.4 times higher in 2015). Number of severe-profound HL in South Korea decreased gradually in all age groups annually, even though some older age groups had the highest peak in 2010–2011. Prevalence of severe-profound HL decreases gradually in all age groups annually in South Korea, although the absolute number of HL cases increases rapidly among those aged over 80 years.
A Nearctic-Neotropical Migratory Songbird’s Nesting Phenology and Clutch Size are Predictors of Accumulated Cyclone Energy
Authors: Heckscher Christopher M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe breeding season phenology of Nearctic-Neotropical migratory songbirds is constrained by subsequent seasons resulting in single-brooded behavior (one successful clutch per year) in some species. Early cessation of the nesting season prior to an active hurricane season will allow for behavioral plasticity during a physiologically challenging migration. Hurricane activity shows a high degree of inter-annual variability. I show that a single-brooded Nearctic-breeding species’ (Catharus fuscescens) nesting phenology and clutch size are significant predictors of Accumulated Cyclone Energy. The most skilled predictive model includes both mean clutch initiation date and mean clutch size (R2 = 0.84). Spearman rank correlation coefficients for both predictors with subsequent major hurricanes (1998–2016) are −0.55 and 0.52, respectively. Therefore, May and June clutch initiation and clutch size showed stronger correlations with subsequent hurricanes than early season (prior to August) meteorological predictions widely publicized by CSU, NOAA, and TSR (≤0.45, 2003–2014). Rainfall anomalies in the southern Amazon basin associated with ENSO cycles are a possible proximate cue affecting phenology and clutch size. This discovery potentially has far-reaching ornithological, meteorological, and social implications and shows that tropical storms significantly constrain breeding season behavior providing renewed evidence that hurricane activity is a primary factor regulating Nearctic-Neotropical migratory songbird populations.
Post-ERCP biliary complications in patients with biliary type sphincter of Oddi dysfunction
Authors: Miyatani Hiroyuki , Mashima Hirosato , Sekine Masanari , Matsumoto Satohiro 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) has a high risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Cholangitis, colicky pain, and jaundice from cholestasis also occur after ERCP. However, these post-ERCP biliary complications have not been sufficiently evaluated in SOD. Thus, the risk factors and post-ERCP biliary complications in biliary-type SOD were evaluated. From December 1996 to January 2017, 72 patients with suspected biliary-type SOD were selected, and 60 patients who underwent ERCP were included in this study. The incidence of biliary complications compared to control group and factors associated with post-ERCP cholangitis were investigated. More frequent biliary complications, including biliary pain and abnormal liver function, occurred in SOD group than in control group, especially in type I SOD patients. Post-ERCP cholangitis occurred significantly more often with bile duct diameter ≥12 mm (26%, 5/19) than with bile duct diameter <11 mm (2.4%, 1/41; p = 0.016). Age ≥75 years was also a risk factor for post-ERCP cholangitis (p = 0.013). Multivariate analysis confirmed that bile duct diameter ≥12 mm was a significant risk factor for post-ERCP cholangitis. Post-ERCP biliary complications occurred frequently in biliary-type SOD, especially type I. Biliary diameter ≥12 mm was an important risk factor for post-ERCP cholangitis.
Sensitivity to sounds in sport-related concussed athletes: a new clinical presentation of hyperacusis
Authors: Assi Hussein , Moore R. Davis , Ellemberg Dave , Hébert Sylvie 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSensitivity to sounds is one frequent symptom of a sport-related concussion, but its assessment rarely goes beyond a single question. Here we examined sensitivity to sounds using psychoacoustic and psychometric outcomes in athletes beyond the acute phase of injury. Fifty-eight college athletes with normal hearing who either had incurred one or more sport-related concussions (N = 28) or who had never suffered head injury (N = 30) participated. Results indicated that the Concussed group scored higher on the Hyperacusis questionnaire and displayed greater sensitivity to sounds in psychoacoustic tasks compared to the Control group. However, further analyses that separated the Concussed group in subgroups with Sound sensitivity symptom (N = 14) and Without sound sensitivity symptom (N = 14) revealed that athletes with the sound complaint were the ones responsible for the effect: Concussed athletes with self-reported sound sensitivity had lower Loudness Discomfort Thresholds (LDLs), higher Depression and Hyperacusis scores, and shifted loudness growth functions compared to the other subgroup. A simple mediation model disclosed that LDLs exert their influence both directly on Hyperacusis scores as well as indirectly via depressive symptoms. We thus report a new clinical presentation of hyperacusis and discuss possible mechanisms by which it could arise from concussion.
Baclofen acts in the central amygdala to reduce synaptic transmission and impair context fear conditioning
Authors: Delaney A. J. , Crane J. W. , Holmes N. M. , Fam J. , Westbrook R. F. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe two main sub-divisions of the Central amygdala (CeA), the lateral-capsular (CeA-LC) and the medial (CeA-M), contain extensive networks of inhibitory interneurons. We have previously shown that activation of GABAB-receptors reduces excitatory transmission between axons of the pontine parabrachial nucleus and neurons of the CeA-LC by inhibiting glutamate release from presynaptic terminals13. Here we have characterised GABAB-receptor activation on other excitatory and inhibitory projections within the CeA. Using whole-cell, patch-clamp recordings, we found that the GABAB-receptor agonist baclofen significantly reduced excitatory and inhibitory transmission from all tested inputs into the CeA-LC and CeA-M. In all but one of the inputs, reductions in transmission were accompanied by an increase in paired pulse ratio, indicating that presynaptic GABAB-receptors acted to reduce the release probability of synaptic vesicles. To examine the impact of GABAB-receptors in the CeA on contextual fear-conditioning, we infused baclofen into the CeA immediately prior to training. Compared to vehicle-infused rats, baclofen-infused rats displayed significantly less freezing both during the final stages of the training period and at test 24 hours later. The results of this study demonstrate that, by suppressing excitatory and inhibitory transmission, activation of presynaptic GABAB-receptors in the CeA inhibits the development of context conditioned fear.
Overgrowth and strain investigation of (11–20) non-polar GaN on patterned templates on sapphire
Authors: Jiu L. , Gong Y. , Wang T. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractNon-polar (11–20) GaN with significantly improved crystal quality has been achieved by means of overgrowth on regularly arrayed micro-rod templates on sapphire in comparison with standard non-polar GaN grown without any patterning processes on sapphire. Our overgrown GaN shows massively reduced linewidth of X-ray rocking curves with typical values of 270 arcsec along the [0001] direction and 380 arcsec along the [1–100] direction, which are among the best reports. Detailed X-ray measurements have been performed in order to investigate strain relaxation and in-plane strain distribution. The study has been compared with the standard non-polar GaN grown without any patterning processes and an extra non-polar GaN sample overgrown on a standard stripe-patterned template. The standard non-polar GaN grown without involving any patterning processes typically exhibits highly anisotropic in-plane strain distribution, while the overgrown GaN on our regularly arrayed micro-rod templates shows a highly isotropic in-plane strain distribution. Between them is the overgrown non-polar GaN on the stripe-patterned template. The results presented demonstrate the major advantages of using our regularly arrayed micro-rod templates for the overgrowth of non-polar GaN, leading to both high crystal quality and isotropic in-plane strain distribution, which is important for the further growth of any device structures.
TMUB1 Inhibits BRL-3A Hepatocyte Proliferation by Interfering with the Binding of CAML to Cyclophilin B through its TM1 Hydrophobic Domain
Authors: Lan Xiang , Fu Hangwei , Li Guangyao , Zeng Wei , Lin Xia , Zhu Yuanxin , Liu Menggang , Chen Ping 
Published: June 2018

AbstractTransmembrane and ubiquitin-like domain-containing 1 (Tmub1) encodes a protein (TMUB1) containing an ubiquitin-like domain and plays a negative regulatory role during hepatocyte proliferation, but its mechanism in this process is still unknown. Here, TMUB1 interfered with the binding of calcium-modulating cyclophilin ligand (CAML) to cyclophilin B, which may represent a key role in the negative regulatory process of TMUB1 in hepatocyte proliferation. Co-immunoprecipitation assays in rat BRL-3A cells confirmed the interaction between TMUB1 and CAML; significant regulation of the influx of Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) and hepatocyte proliferation occurred following TMUB1 overexpression or knockout. Deletion of the TM1 hydrophobic domain of TMUB1 completely abolished this interaction and led to loss of TMUB1’s regulatory effects on cytological behavior. Furthermore, overexpression of TMUB1 completely abolished the interaction between CAML and its downstream protein cyclophilin B, which can act upstream of calcineurin by increasing [Ca2+]i during cell proliferation. Taken together, our results indicate that TMUB1 regulates BRL-3A hepatocyte proliferation by interacting with CAML and further interferes with the binding of CAML to cyclophilin B to decrease cellular [Ca2+]i.
Eosinophils support adipocyte maturation and promote glucose tolerance in obesity
Authors: Lee Eun-Hui , Itan Michal , Jang Jinsun , Gu Hyeon-Jung , Rozenberg Perri , Mingler Melissa K. , Wen Ting , Yoon Jiyoung , Park Shi-Young , Roh Joo Young , Choi Cheol Soo , Park Woo-Jae , Munitz Ariel , Jung YunJae 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAccumulating data have indicated a fundamental role of eosinophils in regulating adipose tissue homeostasis. Here, we performed whole-genome RNA sequencing of the small intestinal tract, which suggested the presence of impaired lipid metabolism in eosinophil-deficient ΔdblGATA mice. ΔdblGATA mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) showed reduced body fat mass, impaired enlargement of adipocytes, decreased expression of adipogenic genes, and developed glucose intolerance. HFD induced accumulation of eosinophils in the perigonadal white adipose tissue. Concordantly, adipocyte-differentiated 3T3-L1 cells promoted the migration of eosinophils through the expression of CCL11 (eotaxin-1) and likely promoted their survival through the expression of interleukin (IL)-3, IL-5, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. HFD-fed ΔdblGATA mice showed increased infiltration of macrophages, CD4+ T-cells, and B-cells, increased expression of interferon-γ, and decreased expression of IL-4 and IL-13 in white adipose tissue. Interferon-γ treatment significantly decreased lipid deposition in adipocyte-differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, while IL-4 treatment promoted lipid accumulation. Notably, HFD-fed ΔdblGATA mice showed increased lipid storage in the liver as compared with wild-type mice. We propose that obesity promotes the infiltration of eosinophils into adipose tissue that subsequently contribute to the metabolic homeostasis by promoting adipocyte maturation.
Dengue in pregnancy and maternal mortality: a cohort analysis using routine data
Authors: Paixao Enny S. , Harron Katie , Campbell Oona , Teixeira Maria Glória , Costa Maria da Conceição N. , Barreto Mauricio L. , Rodrigues Laura C. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractDengue is a mosquito-borne disease with major public health importance due to its growing incidence and geographical spread. There is a lack of knowledge on its contribution to maternal death. We conducted a population-based cohort study to investigate the association between symptomatic dengue during pregnancy and deaths in Brazil from 2007 to 2012. We did this by linking routine records of confirmed dengue cases to records of deaths of women who had a live birth. Using the Firth method, we estimated odds ratios for maternal deaths associated with dengue during pregnancy. Dengue increased the risk of maternal death by 3 times (95%CI,1.5–5.8) and dengue haemorrhagic fever increased the risk of maternal death by 450 times (95%CI,186.9–1088.4) when compared to mortality of pregnant women without dengue. The increase in risk occurred mostly during acute dengue 71.5 (95%CI,32.8–155.8), compared with no dengue cases. This study showed an increased risk of adverse outcomes in pregnant women with dengue. Therefore in areas where dengue is circulating, the health of pregnant women should be not only a public health priority, but health professionals attending pregnant women with dengue should more closely observe these patients to be able to intervene in a timely way and avoid deaths.
Development, Characterization and Electromechanical Actuation Behavior of Ionic Polymer Metal Composite Actuator based on Sulfonated Poly(1,4-phenylene ether-ether-sulfone)/Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Khan Ajahar , Jain Ravi Kant , Banerjee Priyabrata , Ghosh Bhaskar , Inamuddin  , Asiri Abdullah M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThis paper presents the development of new cost-effective hybrid-type sulfonated poly(1,4-phenylene ether-ether-sulfone) (SPEES) and functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) based actuators produced by the film-casting method followed by chemical reduction of Pt ions as electrodes. The preparation of SPEES was investigated in details and sulfonation of polymer was characterized by ion exchange capacity (IEC), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and degree of sulfonation measurements. SPEES having degree of sulfonation of 126% was blended with SWNT and used to fabricate IPMC actuator. The chemical composition and detailed structure of SPEES-SWNT ionic polymer membranes were confirmed by FTIR, EDX and transmittance electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs revealed the homogeneously distributed layers of Pt electrodes on the surfaces of IPMC membrane. The electrochemical and electromechanical properties of SPEES-SWNT-Pt-based IPMC actuator shows a better actuation performance than conventional IPMC actuators in terms of higher IEC, Proton conductivity, higher current density, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and large bending deflection. The robust, flexible and mechanically strong membranes prepared by the synergistic combination of SPEES and SWNT may have considerable potential as actuator materials for robotic and biomimetic applications.
Phase transitions as intermediate steps in the formation of molecularly engineered protein fibers
Authors: Mohammadi Pezhman , Aranko A. Sesilja , Lemetti Laura , Cenev Zoran , Zhou Quan , Virtanen Salla , Landowski Christopher P. , Penttilä Merja , Fischer Wolfgang J. , Wagermaier Wolfgang , Linder Markus B. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA central concept in molecular bioscience is how structure formation at different length scales is achieved. Here we use spider silk protein as a model to design new recombinant proteins that assemble into fibers. We made proteins with a three-block architecture with folded globular domains at each terminus of a truncated repetitive silk sequence. Aqueous solutions of these engineered proteins undergo liquid–liquid phase separation as an essential pre-assembly step before fibers can form by drawing in air. We show that two different forms of phase separation occur depending on solution conditions, but only one form leads to fiber assembly. Structural variants with one-block or two-block architectures do not lead to fibers. Fibers show strong adhesion to surfaces and self-fusing properties when placed into contact with each other. Our results show a link between protein architecture and phase separation behavior suggesting a general approach for understanding protein assembly from dilute solutions into functional structures.
Emotional ratings and skin conductance response to visual, auditory and haptic stimuli
Authors: Gatti Elia , Calzolari Elena , Maggioni Emanuela , Obrist Marianna 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe human emotional reactions to stimuli delivered by different sensory modalities is a topic of interest for many disciplines, from Human-Computer-Interaction to cognitive sciences. Different databases of stimuli eliciting emotional reaction are available, tested on a high number of participants. Interestingly, stimuli within one database are always of the same type. In other words, to date, no data was obtained and compared from distinct types of emotion-eliciting stimuli from the same participant. This makes it difficult to use different databases within the same experiment, limiting the complexity of experiments investigating emotional reactions. Moreover, whereas the stimuli and the participants’ rating to the stimuli are available, physiological reactions of participants to the emotional stimuli are often recorded but not shared. Here, we test stimuli delivered either through a visual, auditory, or haptic modality in a within participant experimental design. We provide the results of our study in the form of a MATLAB structure including basic demographics on the participants, the participant’s self-assessment of his/her emotional state, and his/her physiological reactions (i.e., skin conductance).