bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Autonomic Neurons with Sympathetic Character Derived From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Saito‐Diaz Kenyi , Wu Hsueh Fu , Zeltner Nadja 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe describe an in vitro differentiation protocol to derive autonomic neurons of the peripheral nervous system with the character of postganglionic sympathetic neurons from human pluripotent stem cells. This protocol has been used to generate autonomic neurons from healthy embryonic stem cells as well as from patient‐derived induced pluripotent stem cells, which were previously used to model familial dysautonomia, a genetic childhood disorder affecting the autonomic nervous system. Here, we describe each step in detail that is necessary to successfully derive these cells. First, we generate neural crest cells, which are purified using fluorescence‐activated cell sorting. This is followed by intermediate culture as neural crest spheroids, where the cells can be expanded, and lastly long‐term differentiation into neurons. The cells have morphological and molecular characteristics of autonomic neurons and thus can be employed to study diseases affecting the autonomic nervous system. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Identification of Toxicants from a Highly C10–C40-Contaminated Sediment Influenced by the Wood Industry: Petroleum Hydrocarbons or Biogenic Organic Compounds?
Authors: Dahl Mari , Survo Suvi , Välitalo Pia , Kabiersch Grit , Alitalo Olga-Sofia , Penttinen Olli-Pekka , Rantalainen Anna-Lea 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Sediment from a log pond located in south Finland contained 15 000 to 50 000 mg/kg dry weight of C10–C40 hydrocarbons. It was unclear whether they originated from the hydraulic fluid of the log hoist or the wood extractives. In the present study, methods of effect-directed analysis were used for the identification of toxicants. A combination of fractionation, biotesting, and chemical analyses revealed that the key toxicant of log pond sediment was retene, a dialkyl-substituted phenanthrene derived from wood resin acids. In addition, the most toxic fraction included 3 other wood-originated diterpenic compounds. Typical wood extractives such as sesquiterpenes and odd–carbon number alkanes in the range C21–C33 were identified in the fraction, which showed minor genotoxic potency. The most polar fraction contained triterpenes and showed estrogenic activity. No evidence for the presence of hydraulic fluid in sediment was found. The study also indicated that in cases where the organic matter content of sediment or soil is high, using the results of standard mineral oil analysis in risk management can lead to incorrect actions because standard methods do not differentiate petroleum hydrocarbons from biogenic hydrocarbons. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;9999:1–11. © 2019 SETAC
Abstract
A combination of fractionation, biotesting, and chemical analyses revealed that the wood-originated diterpenic compounds were the key toxicants in log pond sediment.
Amitriptyline at an Environmentally Relevant Concentration Alters the Profile of Metabolites Beyond Monoamines in Gilt-Head Bream
Authors: Ziarrusta Haizea , Ribbenstedt Anton , Mijangos Leire , Picart-Armada Sergio , Perera-Lluna Alex , Prieto Ailette , Izagirre Urtzi , Benskin Jonathan P. , Olivares Maitane , Zuloaga Olatz , Etxebarria Nestor 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The antidepressant amitriptyline is a widely used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor that is found in the aquatic environment. The present study investigates alterations in the brain and the liver metabolome of gilt-head bream (Sparus aurata) after exposure at an environmentally relevant concentration (0.2 µg/L) of amitriptyline for 7 d. Analysis of variance–simultaneous component analysis is used to identify metabolites that distinguish exposed from control animals. Overall, alterations in lipid metabolism suggest the occurrence of oxidative stress in both the brain and the liver—a common adverse effect of xenobiotics. However, alterations in the amino acid arginine are also observed. These are likely related to the nitric oxide system that is known to be associated with the mechanism of action of antidepressants. In addition, changes in asparagine and methionine levels in the brain and pantothenate, uric acid, and formylisoglutamine/N-formimino-L-glutamate levels in the liver could indicate variation of amino acid metabolism in both tissues; and the perturbation of glutamate in the liver implies that the energy metabolism is also affected. These results reveal that environmentally relevant concentrations of amitriptyline perturb a fraction of the metabolome that is not typically associated with antidepressant exposure in fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;00:1–13. © 2019 SETAC
Rediscovering a German Creole
Authors: Maitz Péter , König Werner , Volker Craig Alan , Lindenfelser Siegwalt , Götze Angelika , Lipfert Salome , Neumeier Katharina 
Published: January 2019

Abstract„Unserdeutsch”, a creole spoken in a former German South Pacific colony, and what is now Papua New Guinea, is being extensively documented and studied by linguists for the first time. There is no time to lose, because after a chequered history the world's only German‐based creole – long ignored – is facing extinction.
Frequency of alpha oscillation predicts individual differences in perceptual stability during binocular rivalry
Authors: Katyal Sucharit , He Sheng , He Bin , Engel Stephen A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWhen ambiguous visual stimuli have multiple interpretations, human perception can alternate between them, producing perceptual multistability. There is a large variation between individuals in how long stable percepts endure, on average, between switches, but the underlying neural basis of this individual difference in perceptual dynamics remains obscure. Here, we show that in one widely studied multistable paradigm–binocular rivalry–perceptual stability in individuals is predicted by the frequency of their neural oscillations within the alpha range (7–13 Hz). Our results suggest revising models of rivalry to incorporate effects of neural oscillations on perceptual alternations, and raise the possibility that a common factor may influence dynamics in many neural processes.
The dynamic contribution of the high‐level visual cortex to imagery and perception
Authors: Boccia Maddalena , Sulpizio Valentina , Teghil Alice , Palermo Liana , Piccardi Laura , Galati Gaspare , Guariglia Cecilia 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMental imagery and visual perception rely on the same content‐dependent brain areas in the high‐level visual cortex (HVC). However, little is known about dynamic mechanisms in these areas during imagery and perception. Here we disentangled local and inter‐regional dynamic mechanisms underlying imagery and perception in the HVC and the hippocampus (HC), a key region for memory retrieval during imagery. Nineteen healthy participants watched or imagined a familiar scene or face during fMRI acquisition. The neural code for familiar landmarks and faces was distributed across the HVC and the HC, although with a different representational structure, and generalized across imagery and perception. However, different regional adaptation effects and inter‐regional functional couplings were detected for faces and landmarks during imagery and perception. The left PPA showed opposite adaptation effects, with activity suppression following repeated observation of landmarks, but enhancement following repeated imagery of landmarks. Also, functional coupling between content‐dependent brain areas of the HVC and HC changed as a function of task and content. These findings provide important information about the dynamic networks underlying imagery and perception in the HVC and shed some light upon the thin line between imagery and perception which has characterized the neuropsychological debates on mental imagery.
High‐Quality Diets Are Associated With Reduced Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Chronic Liver Disease: The Multiethnic Cohort
Authors: Bogumil David , Park Song‐Yi , Le Marchand Loïc , Haiman Christopher A. , Wilkens Lynne R. , Boushey Carol J. , Setiawan Veronica Wendy 
Published: January 2019

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and chronic liver disease (CLD) are major sources of morbidity and mortality globally. Both HCC incidence and CLD mortality are known to vary by race. There is limited research on the association between dietary measures and these outcomes in a diverse population. We prospectively investigated the associations between four diet quality index (DQI) scores (Healthy Eating Index‐2010, Alternative Healthy Eating Index‐2010, Alternate Mediterranean Diet [aMED], and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), HCC incidence, and CLD mortality in the Multiethnic Cohort. We analyzed data from 169,806 African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Latinos, and whites, aged 45 to 75 years. DQI scores were calculated by using a validated food frequency questionnaire administered at baseline. During an average 17 years of follow‐up, 603 incident cases of HCC and 753 CLD deaths were identified among study participants. Multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for each DQI were estimated using Cox regression. Higher aMED scores, reflecting favorable adherence to a healthful diet, were associated with a lower risk of HCC (quintile [Q]5 versus Q1 HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.51‐0.90; trend, P = 0.02). In racial/ethnic‐specific analyses, there was no significant heterogeneity across groups (interaction, P = 0.32); however, the association only remained statistically significant among Latinos (Q4 versus Q1 HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.29‐0.79; trend, P = 0.006). All DQI measures were inversely associated with CLD mortality, with no significant heterogeneity by race/ethnicity. Conclusion: Higher aMED scores were associated with a lower risk of HCC. A higher score of any DQI was associated with a lower risk of CLD mortality. These results suggest that better diet quality may reduce HCC incidence and CLD mortality.
Heat transfer study of convective fin with temperature‐dependent internal heat generation by hybrid block method
Authors: Alkasassbeh Mohammad , Omar Zurni , Mebarek‐Oudina Fateh , Raza Jawad , Chamkha Ali 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPurposeIn this study, an implicit one‐step hybrid block method using two off‐step points involving the presence of a third derivative for solving second‐order boundary value problems are subjected to Dirichlet‐mixed conditions.MethodologyTo derive this method, the approximate power series solution is interpolated at while its second and third derivatives are collocated at all points on the integrated interval of approximation.FindingsThe new derived method not only performs better compared with the existing methods when solving the same problems but also obtains better properties of the numerical method. Afterward, the proposed method is applied to solve the problem of a convective fin with temperature‐dependent internal heat generation. The effects of various physical parameters on temperature distribution are also examined.
Differential responses of myoblasts and myotubes to photobiomodulation are associated with mitochondrial number
Authors: Serrage Hannah J. , Joanisse Sophie , Cooper Paul R. , Palin William , Hadis Mohammed , Darch Owen , Philp Andrew , Milward Mike R. 
Published: January 2019

ObjectivePhotobiomodulation (PBM) is the application of light to promote tissue healing. Current indications suggest PBM induces its beneficial effects in vivo through upregulation of mitochondrial activity. However, how mitochondrial content influences such PBM responses have yet to be evaluated. Hence, the current study assessed the biological response of cells to PBM with varying mitochondrial contents.MethodsDNA was isolated from myoblasts and myotubes (differentiated myoblasts), and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was amplified and quantified using a microplate assay. Cells were seeded in 96‐wellplates, incubated overnight and subsequently irradiated using a light‐emitting diode array (400, 450, 525, 660, 740, 810, 830 and white light, 24 mW/cm2, 30‐240 seconds, 0.72‐5.76J/cm2). The effects of PBM on markers of mitochondrial activity including reactive‐oxygen‐species and real‐time mitochondrial respiration (Seahorse XFe96) assays were assessed 8 hours post‐irradiation. Datasets were analysed using general linear model followed by one‐way analysis of variance (and post hoc‐Tukey tests); P = 0.05).ResultsMyotubes exhibited mtDNA levels 86% greater than myoblasts (P < 0.001). Irradiation of myotubes at 400, 450 or 810 nm induced 53%, 29% and 47% increases (relative to non‐irradiated control) in maximal respiratory rates, respectively (P < 0.001). Conversely, irradiation of myoblasts at 400 or 450 nm had no significant effect on maximal respiratory rates.ConclusionThis study suggests that mitochondrial content may influence cellular responses to PBM and as such explain the variability of PBM responses seen in the literature.
Bioactive chitosan‐based scaffolds with improved properties induced by dextran‐grafted nano‐maghemite and l‐arginine amino acid
Authors: Scialla Stefania , Barca Amilcare , Palazzo Barbara , D'Amora Ugo , Russo Teresa , Gloria Antonio , De Santis Roberto , Verri Tiziano , Sannino Alessandro , Ambrosio Luigi , Gervaso Francesca 
Published: January 2019

AbstractOver the past years, fundamentals of magnetism opened a wide research area of interest, in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The integration of magnetic nanoarchitectures into synthetic/natural scaffold formulations allowed obtaining “on demand” responsive structures able to guide the regeneration process. The aim of this work was the design and characterization of three‐dimensional (3D) chitosan‐based scaffolds containing dextran‐grafted maghemite nanoarchitectures (DM) and functionalized with l‐arginine (l‐Arg) amino acid as bioactive agent. A homogeneous pore distribution and a high degree of interconnection were obtained for all the structures with DMs, which resulted well distributed inside the polymer matrix. All the results suggest that the simultaneous presence of DMs and l‐Arg conferred interesting mechano‐structural and bioactive properties toward osteoblast‐like and human mesenchymal stem cells, differentially stimulating their proliferation both in the absence and in the presence of a time‐dependent magnetic field. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1244–1252, 2019.
Revolutionary advances in 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymers as biomaterials
Authors: Ishihara Kazuhiko 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIn the last 40 years, many strategies to fabricate biocompatible and antithrombogenic polymers have been proposed, especially in Japan. The development of one such polymers composed of 2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine unit, is described in this review, with specific examples of use in biomedical devices. These polymers are typically incorporated into other materials to effectively prevent unfavorable biological responses and reactions. For example, the polymers suppress protein adsorption and cell adhesion to materials in contact with plasma or whole blood, even in the absence of anticoagulant. These properties are due to the extreme hydrophilicity and electrically neutral nature of the polymers, as well as to the ability of phosphorylcholine to induce bulk‐like behavior in surrounding waters. Accordingly, these polymers have been used worldwide to modify the surfaces and improve the overall biocompatibility of such medical devices as long‐term implantable artificial organs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 933–943, 2019.
Progress and history of the 10th Federation of African Immunological Societies Congress
Authors: Sibanda Elopy , Barbouche Mohamed-Ridha 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
The 10th Federation of African Immunological Societies (FAIS) Congress, held in Tunisia in November 2017, marked a significant scientific milestone. It enabled scientists from across the continent to promote immunology research and to showcase major achievements made by immunologists throughout Africa. This issue of the Journal of Leukocyte Biology (JLB) features manuscripts from the FAIS Congress. As noted in these papers, research in infectious diseases remains the focus of the African immunology community; however, increasingly noncommunicable diseases—such as autoimmunity, allergy, primary immunodeficiency, cancer and transplantation immunology—are also an emerging priority. This overview gives a brief history of the FAIS meeting, which also commemorated the 25th anniversary of the FAIS. It describes the current activities of the organization, as well as its history and the future opportunities for this Federation.
In 25 years the African immunology fraternity has expanded to 15 countries and is producing quality research in regionally relevant topics.
MRI biomarkers in osseous tumors
Authors: Fukuda Takeshi , Wengler Kenneth , de Carvalho Ruben , Boonsri Pattira , Schweitzer Mark E. 
Published: January 2019

Although radiography continues to play a critical role in osseous tumor assessment, there have been remarkable advances in cross‐sectional imaging. MRI has taken a lead in this assessment due to high tissue contrast and spatial resolution, which are well suited for bone lesion assessment. More recently, although somewhat lagging other organ systems, quantitative parameters have shown promising potential as biomarkers for osseous tumors. Among these sequences are chemical shift imaging (CSI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) from diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI), quantitative dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)‐MRI, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In this article, we review the background and recent roles of these quantitative MRI biomarkers for osseous tumors.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy Stage: 3J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2019. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:702–718.
Optimization of parabolic cell for gas Raman analysis
Authors: Yu Anlan , Zuo Duluo , Wang Xinbing 
Published: January 2019

AbstractRaman spectroscopy is a widely practicable technique in gas analysis, but the application in simultaneous detection of multiple‐trace gas is still a challenge for its weak signal level. To extend the application of Raman gas analysis to detection of trace gas constituents, a closed parabolic sample cell proposed in our previous work is optimized by optical analysis and experimental verification. The optical analysis shows that for a parabolic reflector with rim diameter 6p (p, semi‐latus rectum), the collecting solid angle can be as large as 90% of full space (4π) and the power‐collecting efficiency can be as high as 80%. The variation of the Raman signal level with the position of collecting aperture and the parameter p of parabolic reflector was verified by the experimental results. At the optimized structure parameters, we get a signal‐to‐background ratio of 122 and a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 305 in the Raman spectra of ambient air with exposure time of 1 s. From the results of standard analytic gaseous samples, the limits of detection of 33 ppm‐bar for H2, 38 ppm‐bar for CO, 19 ppm‐bar for CH4, 27 ppm‐bar for C2H6, 23 ppm‐bar for C2H4, and 20 ppm‐bar for C2H2 were obtained with exposure time of 200 s. These results indicate that the parabolic sample cell is a competitive Raman collector, which showing good balance in signal enhancement and background level.
Interannual variation in seasonal diatom sedimentation reveals the importance of late winter processes and their timing for sediment signal formation
Authors: Maier Dominique Béatrice , Diehl Sebastian , Bigler Christian 
Published: January 2019

AbstractDisentangling the process information contained in a diatom sediment signature is crucial for reliable future predictions based on paleolimnological records. In this study, we combine limnological and paleolimnological monitoring to address the fundamental question: Which environmental information is contained in a diatom sediment signal? We compared annual diatom sequential sediment trap records with the diatom record of the annually varved lake sediment of Nylandssjön (northern Sweden) from three meteorologically different years (2012–2014). The seasonal patterns in diatom sedimentation were strikingly different in varve years 2012 and 2014 compared to varve year 2013. In 2012 and 2014, up to 70% of the annual flux occurred in a single spring month and was dominated by Cyclotella glomerata. In contrast, in 2013, peak fluxes were much lower and more annually integrated. Next, we compared the full‐year diatom trap results with year round in‐lake physical, chemical, and biological monitored parameters, as well as meteorological variables. Annual averages of environmental conditions did not explain the interannual variability in diatom sedimentation. Instead, the seasonality of diatom sedimentation was determined by the timing of the spring diatom bloom relative to lake over‐turn in winters with warm vs. cold air temperature. With our combined limnological and paleolimnological monitoring approach, we find that an annual diatom signal can either contain primarily seasonal climate information from a short time period or be annually integrated. We synthesize our results in a novel conceptual model, which describes the response of sediment diatom signals to two distinct sequences of late‐winter conditions.
National platform for Rare Diseases Data Registry of Japan
Authors: Furusawa Yoshihiko , Yamaguchi Izumi , Yagishita Naoko , Tanzawa Kazumasa , Matsuda Fumihiko , Yamano Yoshihisa ,   RADDAR‐J Research and Development Group
Published: January 2019

AbstractIntroductionIn Japan, there are approximately 300 projects conducting research on rare diseases supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (MHLW) and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED). Diverse data, including clinical, genomic, and sample‐related data, are generated by these projects. However, at present, such data are managed individually by each project. This makes it difficult for third parties to ascertain the data generated by projects.MethodsAgain this background, at the beginning of 2017, the AMED started the National Platform for Rare Diseases Data Registry of Japan (RADDAR‐J), whose mission is to construct a cross‐sectional data integration platform incorporating projects supported by the AMED and MHLW. RADDAR‐J promotes data sharing by the projects in accordance with the data‐sharing policy established by the AMED, which classifies data sharing into three categories based on the strategies used to protect the rights of researchers while promoting data sharing. RADDAR‐J integrates and analyzes data shared by each project to add value to the resources and promote secondary use by third parties while protecting the rights of the researchers who shared their data. The platform is designed to provide incentives to projects that shared their data by supporting registry construction or genomic analysis to promote data sharing. RADDAR‐J also has the function of data identification to securely integrate data originating from the same person. RADDAR‐J accelerates clinical research by encouraging each project to utilize a central ethics committee.Results/ConclusionThe use of the platform by projects is expected to lead to streamlined data collection, improved quality assurance, improved access to data, and promotion of joint research and the secondary use of shared data. These benefits will accelerate research into diagnosis and treatment technologies and will hopefully lead to improved quality of life for patients with rare diseases.