bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermoregulatory profile of neurodegeneration‐induced dementia of the Alzheimer's type using intracerebroventricular streptozotocin in rats
Authors: Motzko‐Soares A. C. P. , Vizin R. C. L. , Martins T. M. S. , Hungaro A. R. O. , Sato J. R. , Almeida M. C. , Carrettiero D. C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimHere, we have extensively investigated the relationship between thermoregulation and neurodegeneration‐induced dementia of the Alzheimer's type using intracerebroventricular injections of streptozotocin (icv‐STZ).MethodsMale Wistar rats were treated with bilateral injections of icv‐STZ, and their thermoregulatory profiles (core body temperature, tail‐skin temperature, cold and heat defence responses and thermal place preference) were evaluated. Spatial memory, locomotor activity, social interaction, brain ventricular volume, and Aβ1‐42 and tau protein levels in the brain were analysed to characterize the effects of STZ on the brain and behaviour.ResultsIn addition to deficits in spatial memory, reduced social interaction and an increased brain ventricular volume, icv‐STZ rats presented a pattern of hyperthermia, as demonstrated by an increased core body temperature. Hyperthermia was due to the activation of both autonomic heat conservation and behavioural cold avoidance, as STZ‐treated rats presented tail‐cutaneous vasoconstriction and an altered thermal preference. They also showed a distinct cold defence response when exposed to cold.ConclusionOur data bring evidence that icv‐STZ in rats causes hyperthermia, with activation of both autonomic and behavioural thermoregulatory defence responses when challenged at colder temperatures, leading us to hypothesize that they are more efficient in preventing hypothermia. These data are relevant for a better understanding of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms.
Decreased levels of keratin 8 sensitize mice to streptozotocin‐induced diabetes
Authors: Alam C. M. , Silvander J. S. G. , Helenius T. O. , Toivola D. M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimDiabetes is a result of an interplay between genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Keratin intermediate filaments are stress proteins in epithelial cells, and keratin mutations predispose to several human diseases. However, the involvement of keratins in diabetes is not well known. K8 and its partner K18 are the main β‐cell keratins, and knockout of K8 (K8−/−) in mice causes mislocalization of glucose transporter 2, mitochondrial defects, reduced insulin content and altered systemic glucose/insulin control. We hypothesize that K8/K18 offer protection during β‐cell stress and that decreased K8 levels contribute to diabetes susceptibility.MethodsK8‐heterozygous knockout (K8+/−) and wild‐type (K8+/+) mice were used to evaluate the influence of keratin levels on endocrine pancreatic function and diabetes development under basal conditions and after T1D streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced β‐cell stress and T2D high‐fat diet (HFD).ResultsMurine K8+/− endocrine islets express ~50% less K8/K18 compared with K8+/+. The decreased keratin levels have little impact on basal systemic glucose/insulin regulation, β‐cell health or insulin levels. Diabetes incidence and blood glucose levels are significantly higher in K8+/− mice after low‐dose/chronic STZ treatment, and STZ causes more β‐cell damage and polyuria in K8+/− compared with K8+/+. K8 appears upregulated 5 weeks after STZ treatment in K8+/+ islets but not in K8+/−. K8+/− mice showed no major susceptibility risk to HFD compared to K8+/+.ConclusionPartial K8 deficiency reduces β‐cell stress tolerance and aggravates diabetes development in response to STZ, while there is no major susceptibility to HFD.
Murrayanine Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide‐induced Inflammation and Protects Mice from Sepsis‐associated Organ Failure
Authors: Gupta Shilpa , Khajuria Vidushi , wani Abubakar , Nalli Yedukondalu , Bhagat Asha , Ali Asif , Ahmed Zabeer 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMurrayanine (MK) is the main compound isolated fromMurraya koenigii,an aromatic plant belonging to the Rutaceae family, also known as curry leaf tree. Murrayanine was reported to possess potential antioxidant, antimycobacterial and antifungal effects. However, its effect in sepsis remains unclear. This study was designed to investigate the anti‐inflammatory effect ofMKusing bothin vitroandin vivoassay. Results of this study indicated thatMKdecreasedNO,TNF‐α andIL‐6 production in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulatedRAW264.7 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages. Moreover,iNOSandCOX‐2 protein expression as well as their downstream product,PGE2, was also decreased effectively inRAW264.7 cells. Furthermore,MKdecreased the phosphorylation ofIKBand repressedNF‐kBactivity inLPS‐activatedRAW264.7 cells. Additionally, we evaluatedMKefficacyin vivousingLPS‐induced sepsis, a systemic inflammation model in mice. Administration ofMKinhibits pro‐inflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α andIL‐6) secretion; decreasesAST,ALT,BUNandCRElevel in mouse sera; mitigates lung, liver and kidney injuries; and also increasesLPS‐challenged mice survival rate. Collectively, our results suggest thatMKexerts potential as a new anti‐inflammatory and immunosuppressive drug in sepsis treatment.
Neurocognitive functioning over the course of trauma‐focused psychotherapy for PTSD: Changes in verbal memory and executive functioning
Authors: Nijdam Mirjam J. , Martens Irene J. M. , Reitsma Johannes B. , Gersons Berthold P. R. , Olff Miranda 
Published: May 2018

ObjectivesIndividuals with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have neurocognitive deficits in verbal memory and executive functioning. In this study, we examined whether memory and executive functioning changed over the course of treatment and which clinical variables were associated with change.DesignNeuropsychological assessments were administered at baseline and endpoint of a randomized controlled trial as secondary outcome.MethodsTrauma survivors (n = 88) diagnosed with PTSD received trauma‐focused psychotherapy within a 17‐week randomized controlled trial. Neuropsychological tests were the California Verbal Learning Test, Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test, Stroop Color Word Test, and Trail Making Test.ResultsSignificant, small‐ to medium‐sized improvements in verbal memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning were found after trauma‐focused psychotherapy (Cohen's d 0.16–0.68). Greater PTSD symptom decrease was significantly related to better post‐treatment neurocognitive performance (all p < .005). Patients with comorbid depression improved more than patients with PTSD alone on interference tasks (p < .01). No differences emerged between treatment conditions and between patients on serotonergic antidepressants and those who were not.ConclusionsThis study suggests that neurocognitive deficits in PTSD can improve over the course of trauma‐focused psychotherapy and are therefore at least partly reversible. Improvements over treatment are in line with previous neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies and effect sizes exceed those of practice effects. Future research should determine whether these changes translate into improved functioning in the daily lives of the patients.Practitioner points

Patients with PTSD have difficulties performing verbal memory tasks (e.g., remembering a grocery list, recall of a story) and executive functioning tasks (e.g., shifting attention between two tasks, ignoring irrelevant information to complete a task).

Verbal memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning significantly improved in patients with post‐traumatic stress disorder over the course of trauma‐focused psychotherapy.

Improvements were equal in size for two different trauma‐focused psychotherapies (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy and brief eclectic psychotherapy for PTSD).

Medium‐sized effects were found for recall of a story, whereas effects in other aspects of verbal memory, information processing speed, and executive functioning were small‐sized.

No causal attributions can be made because we could not include a control group without treatment for ethical reasons.

Findings may be more reflective of patients who completed treatment than patients who prematurely dropped out as completers were overrepresented in our sample.
Negativity bias in infants’ expectations about agents’ dispositions
Authors: Chae Joanna Joo Kyung , Song Hyun‐joo 
Published: May 2018

This study investigated 6‐ and 10‐month‐old infants’ abilities to infer others’ preferences based on social interactions using looking time and choice measures. Infants were randomly assigned to either a helping/neutral or hindering/neutral condition. Those in the helping/neutral condition were first familiarized with a helping event, in which an agent helped a circle climb a hill, and a neutral event, in which another agent followed the same path as the helping agent but had no interaction with the circle. During the test phase, the circle approached either the helper or the neutral agent. In the hindering/neutral condition, the infants were familiarized with a hindering event, in which an agent hindered the circle from reaching the top of the hill, and a neutral event, in which another agent followed the same path as the hindering agent but had no interaction with the circle. During the test phase, the circle approached either the hinderer or the neutral agent. For the looking‐time measure, infants in the hindering/neutral condition looked reliably longer at the approach‐hinderer than at the approach‐neutral agent event, whereas those in the helping/neutral condition looked for equal amounts of time at both test events. These results suggest that the infants expected the circle to avoid the hinderer but did not expect it to approach the helper. In the choice task, infants chose the helper more often than the neutral agent and the neutral agent more often than the hinderer, suggesting an ability to generate their own preferences for a particular agent based on the valence of helping and hindering actions. This research demonstrates infants’ sensitivity to the moral valence of agents’ social interactions, which may serve as a foundation for advanced socio‐moral reasoning.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Research on infants’ ability in social evaluation has established that even preverbal infants can distinguish between positive and negative social interactions.

Infants as young as 6 months of age can distinguish between helping and hindering actions and can generate their own preference towards helpful agents.

What does this study add?

The present study sheds light on infants’ ability to infer a third‐party's preference, which is a more challenging task for the infants than generating their own preference.

Specifically, 6‐ and 10‐month‐old infants could infer others’ preference for the neutral agent over the hinderer.

Such results demonstrate infants’ sensitivity to the moral valence of agents’ social interactions and provide an evidence of negativity bias in social evaluation.
Improving socio‐emotional health for pupils in early secondary education with Pyramid: A school‐based, early intervention model
Authors: Jayman Michelle , Ohl Maddie , Hughes Bronach , Fox Pauline 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundPolicymakers are focusing increased attention on the role of schools to promote and support children's mental health, and evidence‐based models of good practice are in demand. Pyramid Club is a school‐based, socio‐emotional intervention, demonstrably effective with primary‐aged pupils.AimsThis study extends previous Pyramid Club evaluations by examining effectiveness with pupils in early secondary education; service users’ perceptions and experiences were investigated to increase understanding of Pyramid's impact, thus supporting enhanced practice.SampleParticipants (n = 126) comprised selected pupils, aged 11–14 (52 males; 74 females), who completed the 10 week programme (Pyramid group) and a non‐intervention comparison group. Club leaders (n = 23) were trained, Pyramid volunteers.MethodsA mixed‐methods design was implemented. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), informant‐rated version (Goodman, 1997, J Child Psychol Psychiat, 38, 581) and self‐report version (Goodman, Meltzer, & Bailey, 1998, Europ Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 7, 125), was used to measure socio‐emotional well‐being: pre‐club (baseline assessment), post‐test (within 2 weeks of programme completion), and at 12‐month follow‐up (informant‐rated version only). Focus groups were conducted separately with Pyramid pupils and Club leaders.ResultsFindings from informants and self‐reports identified significant improvements for the Pyramid group in total difficulties and on pertinent SDQ subscales (e.g., emotional symptoms and peer relationship problems) at post‐test. Improvements were sustained at 12‐month follow‐up. Comparison pupils demonstrated minimal change over time. Thematic analysis of qualitative data supported the quantitative findings and provided valuable insights into the Pyramid Club experience.ConclusionsFindings contribute to evidence‐based, preventative models for the early adolescent population and support the social validity of Pyramid Club.
Independence and accountability in public and private governance
Authors: Anand Anita , Sossin Lorne 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWhile it is often claimed that the efficacy of accountability officers depends on their independence, the issue of “independence” is fraught with ambiguity: who needs to be independent from whom? This article considers the relationship between independence and accountability from both public and private legal perspectives. We identify three areas for improvement in public sector ethics. First, avenues for civil recovery following misconduct by public officials should be explored. Second, accountability offices should encourage whistleblowing as a means to bring potentially significant cases forward. Third, the tenets underpinning the usefulness of independent directors on corporate boards should be used to assist in defining the role of accountability officers.
GRP78‐targeted in‐silico virtual screening of novel anticancer agents
Authors: Viswanath Ambily Nath Indu , Lim Ji Woong , Seo Seon Hee , Lee Jae Yeol , Lim Sang Min , Pae Ae Nim 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOverexpression of GRP78 in a variety of cancers such as glioblastoma, leukemia, lung, prostate, breast, gastric, and colon makes it a prime target for anticancer drug development. Present study reports GRP78‐based design of novel anticancer agents using in‐silico methods. As a first step toward the work, the interactions between GRP78 and 15 known ligands were modeled by docking simulation. The docked complex, GRP78‐13, superior to other compounds with respect to its experimental activity and energy descriptors, was deduced into a structure‐based pharmacophore. This hypothesis was applied as a screening filter to Asinex and Chemdiv databases. Finally, 23 hits were tested in vitro. Among these, VH1019 and VH1011 induced a concentration‐dependent strong broad antiproliferative effect in glioma (U87‐MG), breast cancer (MCF‐7), and prostate cancer (DU‐145) cell lines as compared to nontumorigenic control, neonatal foreskin fibroblast (HFF‐1). These compounds showed preferential growth inhibition of cancer cells over normal cells. The acetohydrazide derivative VH1019 was identified as a potential new chemotype for GRP78 inhibitors with an IC50 of 12.7 μM in MCF‐7.
Adaptable image segmentation via simple pixel classification
Authors: Kharma Nawwaf , Mazhurin Anton , Saigol Kamil , Sabahi Farzad 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe propose an approach to image segmentation that views it as one of pixel classification using simple features defined over the local neighborhood. We use a support vector machine for pixel classification, making the approach automatically adaptable to a large number of image segmentation applications. Since our approach utilizes only local information for classification, both training and application of the image segmentor can be done on a distributed computing platform. This makes our approach scalable to larger images than the ones tested. This article describes the methodology in detail and tests it efficacy against 5 other comparable segmentation methods on 2 well‐known image segmentation databases. Hence, we present the results together with the analysis that support the following conclusions: (i) the approach is as effective, and often better than its studied competitors; (ii) the approach suffers from very little overfitting and hence generalizes well to unseen images; (iii) the trained image segmentation program can be run on a distributed computing environment, resulting in linear scalability characteristics. The overall message of this paper is that using a strong classifier with simple pixel‐centered features gives as good or better segmentation results than some sophisticated competitors and does so in a computationally scalable fashion.
Dyeing of silk fabric with natural dye from camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) plant leaf extract
Authors: Khan Asfandyar , Hussain Muhammad Tahir , Jiang Huiyu 
Published: May 2018

Natural dye extracted from the leaves of camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) was applied to silk fabric, with and without metallic salt mordants, using the exhaust dyeing method. Three techniques, meta‐mordanting, post‐mordanting and pre‐mordanting, were employed, using potash alum, ferrous sulphate and zinc sulphate as mordants. Dyed silk fabric was analysed for K/S, CIE L*a*b* values, and colourfastness performance to washing, light and crocking. Optimal results were obtained for dyeing at 90 °C for 60 min at pH 4. A yellowish shade was observed when silk fabric was dyed without mordants, and a variety of pale to dark reddish colour shades were achieved with the trio of mordants; ferrous sulphate produced the dullest and darkest shades. Colourfastness to washing was fair to good, colourfastness to light was poor to fair, and colourfastness to crocking was good to excellent.
Influence of variability in assessment of Breslow thickness, mitotic rate and ulceration among US pathologists interpreting invasive melanoma, for the purpose of AJCC staging
Authors: Taylor Laura , Hood Kyle , Reisch Lisa , Elmore Joann , Piepkorn Michael , Barnhill Raymond , Knezevich Stevan , Radick Andrea , Elder David 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundMelanoma staging has depended on depth of invasion (Breslow thickness, BT), mitotic rate (MR) and ulceration. In anticipation of the AJCC's eighth edition, variability in pathologists' assessment of these factors and consequently in tumor staging was assessed.MethodsOne‐hundred and fifteen cases of invasive melanoma, established by a consensus panel, were assessed by 187 pathologists. Variation was studied in BT, the detection of mitotic figures, and ulceration. The sources of this variation and its effect on tumor staging are considered.ResultsOn average, participant assessments closely approached consensus BT. Greater variation was identified in the classification of mitogenicity, which (like ulceration) upstages a T1 melanoma from T1a to T1b in the seventh but not eighth edition. In cases with a T1a diagnosis by the consensus panel, 15.6% of participants identified one or more mitotic figures (indicative of a false positive); and in cases diagnosed asT1b by the consensus panel, 32.0% of participants failed to find mitotic figures (false negative).ConclusionVariability in the staging of T1 melanoma among pathologists when using the AJCC seventh edition criteria is closely related to the detection of mitotic figures, with BT playing a less prominent role. Decreased variability is expected after implementation of the eighth edition.
A temperate pollinator with high thermal tolerance is still susceptible to heat events predicted under future climate change
Authors: Sutton Timothy L. , DeGabriel Jane L. , Riegler Markus , Cook James M. 
Published: May 2018

1. Mutualisms may be particularly vulnerable to climate change as interacting species are likely to respond differently, which could destabilise interactions.2. Temperate zone insects typically experience mean temperatures below their thermal optima, making them less vulnerable than tropical insects to small increases in mean temperature. However, they are likely to experience a higher frequency of extreme heat events, putting mutualism persistence in jeopardy.3. This study investigated the potential impacts of climate change on Pleistodontes imperialis, a temperate Australian fig wasp that pollinates Port Jackson figs (Ficus rubiginosa). Wasp emergence and longevity were measured at temperatures ranging from those commonly experienced in nature (25 °C) to high values (> 40 °C) that are currently infrequent, but which are becoming more common with climate change.4. Wasp emergence was unaffected by temperatures up to 39 °C, but it declined drastically above 39 °C. Adult longevity was unaffected by temperatures up to 30 °C, but decreased at 35 °C and above. Low humidity reduced wasp longevity across all temperatures.5. Fitness reductions were observed at temperatures ∼5 °C above the summer daily mean maximum, suggesting that P. imperialis has a high thermal tolerance, but is vulnerable to extreme heat. Figs located in the shade may provide protected microhabitats under hot conditions.6. Tropical pollinators may be threatened by small increases in mean temperature. In contrast, it is shown here that temperate pollinators may face a different primary threat from climate change – the increasing frequency of extreme heat events – despite their higher thermal tolerances.
Roles of discharge and temperature in recruitment of a cold‐water fish, the European grayling Thymallus thymallus, near its southern range limit
Authors: Bašić Tea , Britton J. Robert , Cove Richard J. , Ibbotson Anton T. , Gregory Stephen D. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRecruitment of salmonids is a result of density‐dependent factors, specifically egg production in the previous year, and density‐independent environmental processes driven by discharge and temperature. With the plethora of knowledge on major drivers of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar and brown trout Salmo trutta recruitment, there is a requirement to explore less known species, such as European grayling Thymallus thymallus, whose postemergence time coincides with period of increasing temperature and low discharge. This study assessed drivers of grayling recruitment in a southern English chalk stream, a system vulnerable to discharge and temperature alterations under future climate change predictions. The analyses explored age 0+ grayling survival in relation to conspecific and heterospecific densities and discharge‐ and temperature‐derived factors. The final mixed‐effects model revealed a positive relationship between age 0+ grayling survival and incubation temperature anomaly and age 0+ trout abundance. Similarly, postincubation temperature anomaly had a positive effect on 0+ grayling survival, but only up to a threshold temperature of 13.5°C, beyond which it had a negative effect. In contrast, increasing number of days with low discharge postincubation negatively influenced age 0+ grayling survival, with no evidence of an effect of elevated discharges following spawning. Our results emphasise the importance of maintaining natural discharge regimes in salmonid rivers by tackling multiple stressors operating at the catchment scale, including land and water use to mitigate for predicted climate driven changes. In addition, further research on recruitment drivers in less stable, rain‐fed systems, is required.