bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Involvement of d‐amino acid oxidase in cerebral ischaemia induced by transient occlusion of the middle cerebral artery in mice
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhao Meng‐Jing , Wang Zi‐Ying , Han Qiao‐Qiao , Wu Hai‐Yun , Mao Xiao‐fang , Wang Yong‐Xiang 
Published: June 2019

Background and Purposed‐Amino acid oxidase (DAAO) is a flavine adenine dinucleotide‐containing flavoenzyme and specifically catalyses oxidative deamination of d‐amino acids. This study aimed to explore the association between increased cerebral DAAO expression or enzymic activity and the development of cerebral ischaemia.Experimental ApproachA mouse model of transient (90 min) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was established, and western blotting, enzymic activity assay, and fluorescent immunostaining techniques were used.Key ResultsThe expression and enzymic activity of DAAO increased over time in the cortical peri‐infarct area of the mice subjected to transient MCAO. The DAAO was specifically expressed in astrocytes, and its double immunostaining with the astrocytic intracellular marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein, in the cortical peri‐infarct area was up‐regulated following ischaemic insult, with peak increase on Day 5 after MCAO. Single intravenous injection of the specific and potent DAAO inhibitor Compound SUN reduced the cerebral DAAO enzymic activity and attenuated neuronal infarction and neurobehavioural deficits with optimal improvement apparent immediately after the MCAO procedure. The neuroprotective effect was dose dependent, with ED50 values of 3.9–4.5 mg·kg−1. Intracerebroventricular injection of the DAAO gene silencer siRNA/DAAO significantly reduced cerebral DAAO expression and attenuated MCAO‐induced neuronal infarction and behavioural deficits.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur results, for the first time, demonstrated that increased cerebral astrocytic DAAO expression and enzymic activity were causally associated with the development of neuronal destruction following ischaemic insults, suggesting that targeting cerebral DAAO could be a potential approach for treatment of neurological conditions following cerebral ischaemia.
Neutrophil extracellular traps in nasal secretions of patients with stable and exacerbated chronic rhinosinusitis and their contribution to induce chemokine secretion and strengthen the epithelial barrier
Authors: Hwang Jae Woong , Kim Jae Hyung , Kim Hyun Jung , Choi In Hak , Han Hye Min , Lee Ki Jung , Kim Tae Hoon , Lee Sang Hag 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundNeutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) participate in innate immunity by trapping microorganisms. Their pathophysiological implications have not been defined in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).ObjectiveWe investigated the presence of NETs in nasal secretion of patients with stable or exacerbated CRS and evaluated whether NETs participate in the secretion of chemokines in sinonasal epithelial cells, the epithelial permeability, and transendothelial leucocyte migration, and elucidate whether NETs are released by macrolides and dexamethasone.MethodsThe presence of NETs in nasal secretion and the release of NETs from neutrophils stimulated with macrolides or dexamethasone were evaluated by dsDNA Assay kit and fluorescence microscope. The chemokine secretion, epithelial permeability, and transendothelial leucocyte migration were measured in cultured cells incubated with NETs, the supernatant of unstimulated neutrophils (unstim), NETs inhibitor (DPI), or H3Cit, where the expression of junctional complex proteins and ICAM‐1 was evaluated by real‐time PCR, Western blots, and confocal microscope.ResultsThe amount of NETs and NETs‐forming neutrophils in nasal secretion increased in exacerbated CRS. Epithelial cells treated with NETs or H3Cit secreted chemokines and showed decreased permeability associated with up‐regulated junctional complex proteins. Increased transendothelial leucocyte migration associated with up‐regulated ICAM‐1 was noted in endothelial cells treated with NETs or H3Cit. These findings were not found in cells treated with unstim, or DPI. NETs were released by macrolides, but not by dexamethasone.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceNETs formation increased in exacerbated CRS, inducing chemokine secretion, strengthening the epithelial barrier, and promoting the neutrophils infiltration. Therefore, the release of NETs in CRS might be beneficial or detrimental to CRS patients.
Sema7A, a brain immune regulator, regulates seizure activity in PTZ‐kindled epileptic rats
Authors: Deng Jing , Xu Tao , Yang Juan , Zhang Ke‐Ming , Li Qi , Yu Xin‐Yuan , Li Rong , Fu Jie , Jiang Qian , Ma Jing‐Xi , Chen Yang‐Mei 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimsSemaphorin7A (Sema7A) plays an important role in the immunoregulation of the brain. In our study, we aimed to investigate the expression patterns of Sema7A in epilepsy and further explore the roles of Sema7A in the regulation of seizure activity and the inflammatory response in PTZ‐kindled epileptic rats.MethodsFirst, we measured the Sema7A expression levels in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and in rats of a PTZ‐kindled epilepsy rat model. Second, to explore the role of Sema7A in the regulation of seizure activity, we conducted epilepsy‐related behavioral experiments after knockdown and overexpression of Sema7A in the rat hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Possible Sema7A‐related brain immune regulators (eg, ERK phosphorylation, IL‐6, and TNF‐α) were also investigated. Additionally, the growth of mossy fibers was visualized by anterograde tracing using injections of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into the DG region.ResultsSema7A expression was markedly upregulated in the brain tissues of TLE patients and rats of the epileptic model after PTZ kindling. After knockdown of Sema7A, seizure activity was suppressed based on the latency to the first epileptic seizure, number of seizures, and duration of seizures. Conversely, overexpression of Sema7A promoted seizures. Overexpression of Sema7A increased the expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines, IL‐6 and TNF‐α, ERK phosphorylation, and growth of mossy fibers in PTZ‐kindled epileptic rats.ConclusionSema7A is upregulated in the epileptic brain and plays a potential role in the regulation of seizure activity in PTZ‐kindled epileptic rats, which may be related to neuroinflammation. Sema7A promotes the inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α and IL‐6 as well as the growth of mossy fibers through the ERK pathway, suggesting that Sema7A may promote seizures by increasing neuroinflammation and activating pathological neural circuits. Sema7A plays a critical role in epilepsy and could be a potential therapeutic target for this neurological disorder.
Church: A creature from which “word”? Reflecting on the meaning of the remembrance of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in Latin America
Authors: Beros Daniel C. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTo answer the question, “From which word is the church supposed to be created,” I briefly delineate what I understand to be the reality and circumstances in which Latin American churches are situated. Then, I present a basic outline of main factors constituting the reality of these churches as churches. Particular attention is given to the Evangelical church at La Plata. Subsequently, I present essential perspectives from the theological tradition of the Reformation—particularly its Lutheran expression—that are most important and need to be regained, while taking into account complex “external” and “internal” realities that churches are facing in the current day and age.
Temperature‐dependent competition between juvenile salmonids in small streams
Authors: Watz Johan , Otsuki Yasuhiko , Nagatsuka Kenta , Hasegawa Koh , Koizumi Itsuro 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Biotic interactions affect species distributions, and environmental factors that influence these interactions can play a key role when range shifts in response to environmental change are modelled.

In a field experiment using enclosures, we studied the effects of the thermal habitat on intra‐ versus inter‐specific competition of juvenile Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma and white‐spotted charr Salvelinus leucomaenis, as measured by differences in specific growth rates during summer in allopatric and sympatric treatments. Previous laboratory experiments have shown mixed results regarding the importance of temperature‐dependent competitive abilities as a main driver for spatial segregation in stream fishes, and no study so far has confirmed its existence in natural streams.

Under natural conditions in areas where the two species occur in sympatry, Dolly Varden dominate spring‐fed tributaries (cold, stable thermal regime), whereas both species often coexist in non‐spring‐fed tributaries (warm, unstable thermal regime). Enclosures (charr density = 6 per m2) were placed in non‐spring‐fed (10–14°C) and spring‐fed (7–8°C) tributaries.

In enclosures placed in non‐spring‐fed tributaries, Dolly Varden grew 0.81% per day in allopatry and had negative growth (−0.33% per day) in sympatry, whereas growth rates were similar in allopatry and sympatry in spring‐fed tributaries (0.68 and 0.58% per day). White‐spotted charr grew better in sympatry than in allopatry in both thermal habitats. In non‐spring‐fed tributaries, they grew 0.17 and 0.79% per day and in spring‐fed tributaries 0.46 and 0.75% per day in allopatry and sympatry, respectively.

The negative effect of inter‐specific competition from white‐spotted charr on Dolly Varden thus depended on the thermal habitat. However, there was no strong evidence of a temperature‐dependent effect of intra‐ and inter‐specific competition on white‐spotted charr growth.

Multiple factors may shape species distribution patterns, and we show that temperature may mediate competitive outcomes and thus coexistence in stream fish. These effects of temperature will be important to incorporate into mechanistic and dynamic species distribution models.
The effect of O2 and pressure on thiosulfate oxidation by Thiomicrospira thermophila
Authors: Houghton Jennifer L. , Foustoukos Dionysis I. , Fike David A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMicrobial sulfur cycling in marine sediments often occurs in environments characterized by transient chemical gradients that affect both the availability of nutrients and the activity of microbes. High turnover rates of intermediate valence sulfur compounds and the intermittent availability of oxygen in these systems greatly impact the activity of sulfur‐oxidizing micro‐organisms in particular. In this study, the thiosulfate‐oxidizing hydrothermal vent bacterium Thiomicrospira thermophila strain EPR85 was grown in continuous culture at a range of dissolved oxygen concentrations (0.04–1.9 mM) and high pressure (5–10 MPa) in medium buffered at pH 8. Thiosulfate oxidation under these conditions produced tetrathionate, sulfate, and elemental sulfur, in contrast to previous closed‐system experiments at ambient pressure during which thiosulfate was quantitatively oxidized to sulfate. The maximum observed specific growth rate at 5 MPa pressure under unlimited O2 was 0.25 hr−1. This is comparable to the μmax (0.28 hr−1) observed at low pH (<6) at ambient pressure when T. thermophila produces the same mix of sulfur species. The half‐saturation constant for O2 () estimated from this study was 0.2 mM (at a cell density of 105 cells/ml) and was robust at all pressures tested (0.4–10 MPa), consistent with piezotolerant behavior of this strain. The cell‐specific was determined to be 1.5 pmol O2/cell. The concentrations of products formed were correlated with oxygen availability, with tetrathionate production in excess of sulfate production at all pressure conditions tested. This study provides evidence for transient sulfur storage during times when substrate concentration exceeds cell‐specific and subsequent consumption when oxygen dropped below that threshold. These results may be common among sulfur oxidizers in a variety of environments (e.g., deep marine sediments to photosynthetic microbial mats).
Technological Diversification: A Systematic Review of Antecedents, Outcomes and Moderating Effects
Authors: Ceipek René , Hautz Julia , Mayer Michael C.J. , Matzler Kurt 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTechnological diversification has been linked to a wide range of phenomena, including financial performance, innovation, product diversification and inter‐organizational relationships. This is the first systematic review of this literature and provides an overview of its historical development and conceptual foundations. It finds that the role of contingency factors impacting the positive relationship between technological diversification and financial performance needs further exploration. Also, it finds that the research on the links between technological diversification and inter‐organizational relationships requires consolidation. This paper suggests three avenues for further research. First, it sets out an agenda for identifying the antecedents of technological diversification. Second, it identifies contextual factors that could shape the relationship between technological diversification and performance. Third, it argues that technological diversification research must engage with contemporary technological and organizational developments such as digital organizations, open boundaries and networks.
Multidisciplinary quality improvement programme for older patients admitted to a vascular surgery ward*
Authors: Mudge Alison M. , McRae Prue , Donovan Peter J. , Reade Michael C. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundOlder vascular surgical patients are at high risk of hospital‐associated complications and prolonged stays.AimsTo implement a multidisciplinary co‐management model for older vascular patients and evaluate impact on length of stay (LOS), delirium incidence, functional decline, medical complications and discharge destination.MethodsProspective pre‐post evaluation of a quality improvement intervention, enrolling pre‐intervention (August 2012–January 2013) and post‐intervention cohort (September 2013–March 2014). Participants were consenting patients aged 65 years and over admitted to the vascular surgical ward of a metropolitan teaching hospital for at least 3 days. Intervention was physician‐led co‐management plus a multidisciplinary improvement programme targeting delirium and functional decline. Primary outcomes were LOS, delirium and functional decline. Secondary outcomes were medical complications and discharge destination. Process measures included documented consultation patterns. Administrative data were also compared for all patients aged 65 and older for 12 months pre‐ and post‐intervention.ResultsWe enrolled 112 participants pre‐intervention and 123 participants post‐intervention. LOS was reduced post‐intervention (geometric mean 7.6 days vs 9.3 days; ratio of geometric means 0.82 (95% confidence interval CI0.68–1.00), P = 0.04). There was a trend to less delirium (18 (14.6%) vs 24 (21.4%), P = 0.17) and functional decline (18 (14.6%) vs 27 (24.3%), P = 0.06), with greatest reductions in the urgently admitted subgroup. Administrative data showed reduced median LOS (5.2 days vs 6 days, P = 0.03) and greater discharge home (72% vs 50%, P < 0.01).ConclusionsPhysician‐led co‐management plus a multidisciplinary improvement programme may reduce LOS and improve functional outcomes in older vascular surgical patients.
Production of very‐high‐amylose cassava by post‐transcriptional silencing of branching enzyme genes
Authors: Zhou Wenzhi , Zhao Shanshan , He Shutao , Ma Qiuxiang , Lu Xinlu , Hao Xiaomeng , Wang Hongxia , Yang Jun , Zhang Peng 
Published: June 2019

AbstractHigh amylose starch can be produced by plants deficient in the function of branching enzymes (BEs). Here we report the production of transgenic cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) with starches containing up to 50% amylose due to the constitutive expression of hair‐pin dsRNAs targeting the BE1 or BE2 genes. All BE1‐RNAi plant lines (BE1i) and BE2‐RNAi plant lines (BE2i) were grown up in the field, but with reduced total biomass production. Considerably high amylose content in the storage roots of BE2i plant lines was achieved. Storage starch granules of BE1i and BE2i plants had similar morphology as wild type (WT), however, the size of BE1i starch granules were bigger than that of WT. Comparisons of amylograms and thermograms of all three sources of storage starches revealed dramatic changes to the pasting properties and a higher melting temperature for BE2i starches. Glucan chain length distribution analysis showed a slight increase in chains of DP>36 in BE1i lines and a dramatic increase in glucan chains between DP 10‐20 and DP>40 in BE2i lines. Furthermore, BE2i starches displayed a B‐type X‐ray diffraction pattern instead of the A‐type pattern found in BE1i and WT starches. Therefore, cassava BE1 and BE2 function differently in storage root starch biosynthesis.
Risk factors for abnormal postpartum glucose outcome in women with gestational diabetes mellitus diagnosed by modified The International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria
Authors: Wang Teng , Zheng Wei , Huang Wenyu , Zhang Li , Tian Zhihong , Zhang Ting , Yan Qi , Li Guanghui 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAimTo characterize postpartum glycemic outcome and related risk factors in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by modified The International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria.MethodsThis is a cohort study of 583 patients with GDM diagnosed by modified IADPSG criteria for Chinese women from 2016 to 2017. According to their oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) results at 6–12 weeks postpartum, the subjects were categorized into normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and abnormal glucose tolerance (AGT) groups using the World Health Organization criteria. Multivariate pregestational and gestational factors were compared between the NGT and AGT groups.ResultsA total of 174 (29.9%) and 17 (2.9%) subjects were found to have AGT and diabetes, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated 2 h postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) at the diagnosis of GDM (odds ratio [OR], 1.485; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.253–1.760) and multigravida (OR, 2.187; 95% CI, 1.152–4.150) were independent predictors of AGT in GDM women. Subjects with elevated OGTT 2 h PPG at gestational 24–28 weeks had a 2.254‐fold increased risk (95% CI, 1.439–3.530) of developing AGT. Presence of multigravida further increased the risk to 7.329 (95% CI, 2.879–18.659). Women with two or three elevated glucose levels at OGTT had higher risk for postpartum dysglycemia. There was a robust and continuous association of OGTT 2 h PPG at gestational 24–28 weeks with abnormal postpartum glycemic outcomes.ConclusionIn GDM women, OGTT 2 h PPG at gestational 24–28 weeks appear to confer a continuously increased risk for postpartum dysglycemia, which is further increased by the presence of multigravida. Multigravida and women with two or three elevated glucose levels during OGTT have higher risks of impaired postpartum glucose metabolism.
Hostile, Benevolent, and Ambivalent Ableism: Contemporary Manifestations
Authors: Nario‐Redmond Michelle R. , Kemerling Alexia A. , Silverman Arielle 
Published: June 2019

AbstractDisabled people experience ableism in many forms from the seemingly benevolent to the blatantly hostile, and more ambivalent or mixed forms (e.g., paternalistic/condescending and jealous/envy). Rooted in historic and contemporary frameworks, this study explores the experiences of an international sample of disabled people (N =185) using six open‐ended questions to assess some of the manifestations of ableism documented in the literature. We found that experiences with paternalistic forms of ableism were among the most pervasive followed by inspirational, hostile, envious, and dehumanizing forms while fears of becoming disabled or “catching” disability were less commonly reported. Furthermore, some forms of ableism (e.g., infantilization, unwanted help, and invasions of privacy) were more common among those with visible impairments whereas invalidation and accusations of fraud were more common among those with less apparent conditions. Implications for policies related to hate crimes, health care, and media representations are discussed along with directions for future research.
Conserved and novel roles of miR164‐CUC2 regulatory module in specifying leaf and floral organ morphology in strawberry
Authors: Zheng Guanghui , Wei Wei , Li Yongping , Kan Lijun , Wang Fuxi , Zhang Xi , Li Feng , Liu Zhongchi , Kang Chunying 
Published: June 2019

Summary

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a kind of short noncoding RNA (20–24 nt), playing versatile roles in plant growth and development. Strawberry generates leaves and flowers with unique features. However, few miRNAs have been functionally characterised in strawberry, especially for their developmental regulation.

Here, we identified one ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutant, deeply serrated (des), in the woodland strawberry Fragaria vesca that has wrinkled leaves with deeper serrations, serrated petals and deformed carpels. The causative mutation occurs in the 19th nucleotide of the FvemiR164a mature sequence. Overexpressing FveMIR164A rescued the phenotypes of des/fvemir164a except the petal serrations.

Furthermore, we identified two allelic mutants of FveCUC2a, one target of FvemiR164a, which developed leaves with smooth margins and fused leaflets. Phenotypes of the double mutant fvemir164a fvecuc2a indicated that the two genes act linearly in leaf and carpel development, but synergistically in the development of other floral organs and inflorescence architecture.

This work demonstrates the conserved and novel roles of the miR164‐CUC2 module in leaf and flower development in different plant species, and reveals that the 19th nucleotide of FvemiR164a is important for its processing.
Secondary metabolites have more influence than morphophysiological traits on litter decomposability across genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kazakou Elena , Vasseur François , Sartori Kevin , Baron Etienne , Rowe Nick , Vile Denis 
Published: June 2019

Summary

Although interspecific variation in plant phenotype is recognised to impact afterlife processes such as litter decomposability, it is still unclear which traits and selection pressures explain these relationships. Examining intraspecific variation is crucial to identify and compare trait effects on decomposability, and investigate the potential role of natural selection.

We studied the genetic variability and relationships between decomposability, plant traits typically related to decomposability at species level (morphophysiological traits), and leaf metabolites among a set of genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana grown under controlled conditions. We also investigated correlations between decomposability and environmental variables at genotypes collection site. We investigated the genetic architecture of decomposability with genome‐wide association studies (GWAS).

There was large genetic variability in decomposability that was correlated with precipitation. Morphophysiological traits had a minor effect, while secondary metabolites, especially glucosinolates, were correlated with decomposability. Consistently, GWAS suggested that genes and metabolites related to the composition of cell membranes and envelopes control the variation of decomposability across genotypes.

Our study suggests that decomposability varies within species as a result of metabolic adaptation to climate. Our findings highlight that subtle variations of defence‐related metabolites like glucosinolates may strongly influence after‐life processes such as decomposability.