bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prohibitin is a positive modulator of mitochondrial function in PC12 cells under oxidative stress
Authors: Anderson Corey J. , Kahl Anja , Qian Liping , Stepanova Anna , Starkov Anatoly , Manfredi Giovanni , Iadecola Costantino , Zhou Ping 
Published: May 2018

AbstractProhibitin (PHB) is a ubiquitously expressed and evolutionarily conserved mitochondrial protein with multiple functions. We have recently shown that PHB up‐regulation offers robust protection against neuronal injury in models of cerebral ischemia in vitro and in vivo, but the mechanism by which PHB affords neuroprotection remains to be elucidated. Here, we manipulated PHB expression in PC12 neural cells to investigate its impact on mitochondrial function and the mechanisms whereby it protects cells exposed to oxidative stress. PHB over‐expression promoted cell survival, whereas PHB down‐regulation diminished cell viability. Functionally, manipulation of PHB levels did not affect basal mitochondrial respiration, but it increased spare respiratory capacity. Moreover, PHB over‐expression preserved mitochondrial respiratory function of cells exposed to oxidative stress. Preserved respiratory capacity in differentiated PHB over‐expressing cells exposed to oxidative stress was associated with an elongated mitochondrial morphology, whereas PHB down‐regulation enhanced fragmentation. Mitochondrial complex I oxidative degradation was attenuated by PHB over‐expression and increased in PHB knockdown cells. Changes in complex I degradation were associated with alterations of respiratory chain supercomplexes. Furthermore, we showed that PHB directly interacts with cardiolipin and that down‐regulation of PHB results in loss of cardiolipin in mitochondria, which may contribute to destabilizing respiratory chain supercomplexes. Taken together, these data demonstrate that PHB modulates mitochondrial integrity and bioenergetics under oxidative stress, and suggest that the protective effect of PHB is mediated by stabilization of the mitochondrial respiratory machinery and its functional capacity, by the regulation of cardiolipin content.Open Science: This manuscript was awarded with the Open Materials Badge. For more information see: https://cos.io/our-services/open-science-badges/
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Costunolide promotes the proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells and induces hair growth in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Kim Young Eun , Choi Hyung Chul , Nam Gaewon , Choi Bu Young 
Published: May 2018

SummaryBackgroundCostunolide (COS), a naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone, is known to exert anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of costunolide on the promotion of hair growth.MethodsReal‐time cell analyzer (RTCA), measurement of 5α‐reductase activity, mRNA expression, and Western blotting were adopted to address whether COS can stimulate the proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (hHFDPCs). The effect of COS on in vivo hair growth was examined by reconstitution assay and shaven dorsal skin in C57BL/6 mice.ResultsCostunolide significantly promoted the proliferation of hHFDPCs, which is comparable to that of tofacitinib. COS also inhibited the 5α‐reductase activity in hHFDPCs. While COS increased the level of β‐catenin and Gli1 mRNA and proteins, it suppressed transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1–induced phosphorylation of Smad‐1/5 in hHFDPCs. COS increased the number of cultured hHFDPCs to induce hair follicles from mouse epidermal cells in Spheres formation of reconstitution assay. Topical application of COS on the shaven back of C57BL/6 mice significantly improved the hair growth.ConclusionsOur results illustrate that COS promotes hair growth in vitro and in vivo by regulating the amount of growth factors and/or the activity of cellular responses through coordination of the WNT‐β‐catenin, hedgehog‐Gli, and TGF‐β1–Smad pathways.
Impact of meteorological and geographical factors on the distribution of Phlebotomus chinensis in northwestern mainland China
Authors: Gao X. , Xiao J. H. , Liu B. Y. , Wang H. B. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPhlebotomine sandflies (Diptera: Phlebotomidae) are vectors of the zoonotic disease leishmaniasis. To better understand the distribution of phlebotomine sandflies in order to facilitate control of leishmaniasis transmission, the present study explored the impacts of climate and landscape on local abundances of Phlebotomus chinensis in northwestern mainland China. Identification records were used to create a geodatabase for the locations at which P. chinensis had been collected in the region, and a regional‐scale map was developed to show the distribution of P. chinensis. Location data and data on environmental factors during the years in which the samples were collected were incorporated, and a presence‐only modelling method was used to evaluate the species' habitat preferences and to predict its potential distribution in northwestern mainland China. Jackknife analysis revealed that several meteorological variables, including maximum temperature in the warmest quarter, precipitation in the driest month, daily average temperature and daily precipitation, significantly affected the presence of this species. Moreover, the presence of P. chinensis was significantly associated with grassland and shrubland. Probability distributions using maximum entropy were used to map the distribution ranges of P. chinensis based on suitable habitats in northwestern mainland China. The models generated can be used to develop detailed strategies for the prevention and control of leishmaniasis.
Minority politics and the social construction of hierarchy: the case of the Druze community
Authors: Halabi Yakub 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis article examines the behaviour of a minority as a political unit and its endeavours to construct an informal state‐like hierarchy. The article examines the history of the Druze minority during the major crises of 1830s and 1860 Lebanon, 1925 Syrian Great Uprising, 1936–1939 Palestinian Great Revolt and the 1948 Zionist–Arab War. The article explores how inter‐subjectivity among Druze individuals around principles such as ‘preserving of brotherhood’, their imagination of themselves of belonging to a large community and the inter‐subjectivity around the prominence of certain clans, notables and religious clergies allowed the minority to behave as a community and create its own informal hierarchy within the loose hierarchy of their own state. The hierarchy that was established was based upon elements of inter‐subjectivity that include communal solidarity, faith‐based binding foundations, the seniority of certain clan leaders and the prominence of certain clergies, where the clan leaders and clergies were authorized to settle daily disputes and in steering the foreign affairs of the minority.
Legume nodulation: The host controls the party
Authors: Ferguson Brett J. , Mens Céline , Hastwell April H. , Zhang Mengbai , Su Huanan , Jones Candice H. , Chu Xitong , Gresshoff Peter M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractGlobal demand to increase food production and simultaneously reduce synthetic nitrogen fertilizer inputs in agriculture are underpinning the need to intensify the use of legume crops. The symbiotic relationship that legume plants establish with nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia bacteria is central to their advantage. This plant–microbe interaction results in newly developed root organs, called nodules, where the rhizobia convert atmospheric nitrogen gas into forms of nitrogen the plant can use. However, the process of developing and maintaining nodules is resource intensive; hence, the plant tightly controls the number of nodules forming. A variety of molecular mechanisms are used to regulate nodule numbers under both favourable and stressful growing conditions, enabling the plant to conserve resources and optimize development in response to a range of circumstances. Using genetic and genomic approaches, many components acting in the regulation of nodulation have now been identified. Discovering and functionally characterizing these components can provide genetic targets and polymorphic markers that aid in the selection of superior legume cultivars and rhizobia strains that benefit agricultural sustainability and food security. This review addresses recent findings in nodulation control, presents detailed models of the molecular mechanisms driving these processes, and identifies gaps in these processes that are not yet fully explained.
Single cell‐type analysis of cellular lipid remodelling in response to salinity in the epidermal bladder cells of the model halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum
Authors: Barkla Bronwyn J. , Garibay‐Hernández Adriana , Melzer Michael , Rupasinghe Thusitha W.T. , Roessner Ute 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSalt stress causes dramatic changes in the organization and dynamic properties of membranes, however, little is known about the underlying mechanisms involved. Modified trichomes, known as epidermal bladder cells (EBC), on the leaves and stems of the halophyte Mesembryanthemum crystallinum can be successfully exploited as a single‐cell‐type system to investigate salt‐induced changes to cellular lipid composition. In this study, alterations in key molecular species from different lipid classes highlighted an increase in phospholipid species, particularly those from phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidic acid (PA), where the latter is central to the synthesis of membrane lipids. Triacylglycerol (TG) species decreased during salinity, while there was little change in plastidic galactolipids. EBC transcriptomic and proteomic data mining revealed changes in genes and proteins involved in lipid metabolism and the upregulation of transcripts for PIPKIB, PI5PII, PIPKIII, and phospholipase D delta suggested the induction of signalling processes mediated by phosphoinositides and PA. TEM and flow cytometry showed the dynamic nature of lipid droplets in these cells under salt stress. Altogether, this work indicates that the metabolism of TG might play an important role in EBC response to salinity as either an energy reserve for sodium accumulation and/or driving membrane biosynthesis for EBC expansion.
Characteristics of oxygenated hemoglobin concentration change during pleasant and unpleasant image‐recall tasks in patients with depression: Comparison with healthy subjects
Authors: Kondo Akihiko , Shoji Yoshihisa , Morita Kiichiro , Sato Mamoru , Ishii Youhei , Yanagimoto Hiroko , Nakano Shinya , Uchimura Naohisa 
Published: May 2018

AimPatients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have been reported to show cognitive impairment in attention, cognition control, and motivation. The prefrontal cortex plays an important role in the pathophysiology of depression. Neurophysiological abnormalities have been examined in MDD patients by several neuroimaging studies. However, the underlying neural mechanism is still unclear. We evaluated brain function during pleasant and unpleasant image‐recall tasks using multichannel near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in MDD patients.MethodsThe subjects were 25 MDD patients and 25 age‐ and sex‐matched healthy controls. Patients were classified according to DSM‐IV‐TR criteria. We measured the oxygenated hemoglobin concentration change (δoxyHb) in the forehead and temporal lobe during image‐recall task with pleasant (e.g., puppy) and unpleasant (e.g., snake) images using NIRS. To check whether all subjects understood the task, they were asked to draw pictures of both image tasks after NIRS measurement.ResultsThe δoxyHb in the healthy group was significantly higher than that in the MDD group in the bilateral frontal region during the unpleasant condition. A significant negative correlation between the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score and δoxyHb was observed in the left frontal region during the unpleasant condition.ConclusionWe suggest that image‐recall tasks related to emotion measured by NIRS might be a visually useful psychophysiological marker to understand the decrease in the frontal lobe function in MDD patients. In particular, we suggest that the decrease in δoxyHb in the left frontal lobe is related to the severity of depression.
Documentary analysis as an assessment tool
Authors: Lawson Lauren V. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundDocumentary analysis of existing information, such as newspaper articles, is an identified method for use in an assessment to provide a descriptive explanation of existing problems or assets. The intention of this case study is to explore the effectiveness of documentary analysis of newspaper articles as a tool to inform an assessment of factors influencing the implementation of a medical respite for the homeless. Two questions framed the assessment; (a) What was occurring or might occur that will affect the development of a medical respite; and (b) What opportunities or threats are generated as a result?MethodsArticles from two local newspapers identified themes related to the three external forces of change that impact medical respites; (a) funding; (b) community resistance; and (c) the health care system.ResultsThree themes emerged: a) uncertain funding; b) neighborhood resistance, and c) improved access to healthcare would result from the Affordable Care Act.ConclusionUse of documentary analysis of newspaper articles provided applicable content for the assessment. Themes from the assessment informed strategic planning, such as addressing potential neighborhood resistance.
Vitrification of ovarian tissue of Brazilian North‐eastern donkeys (Equus asinus) using different cryoprotectants
Authors: Lopes Kátia Regina F. , Praxedes Erica Camila G. , Campos Livia B. , Bezerra Marcelo B. , Lima Gabriela L. , Saraiva Márcia Viviane A. , Silva Alexandre R. 
Published: May 2018

ContentsThe aim of this study was to assess a vitrification protocol for asinine ovarian tissue, to preserve preantral follicles using different cryoprotectant solutions, composed of various concentrations (EG 3 M or 6 M) of dimethyl sulfoxide or ethylene glycol isolate, or as a combination (DMSO 3 M + EG 3 M). Ten pairs of ovaries from Brazilian north‐eastern breed jennies were obtained through videolaparoscopy, and cortical fragments were submitted to a solid‐surface vitrification (SSV) using each cryoprotectant solution. The ovarian tissue was evaluated for follicular morphology and viability, DNA integrity (TUNEL technique) and the presence of nucleolar organizing regions in granulosa cells (AgNOR technique). After thawing, the percentage of normal preantral follicles was significantly reduced in the vitrified ovarian tissue fragments compared to the fresh control (p < 0.05). When comparing treatments, the use of DMSO 3 M (81.7 ± 37.5%), EG 3 M (83.7 ± 27.4%) and the combination of both DMSO 3 M + EG 3 M (81.8 ± 46.8%) allowed a greater percentage of follicular survival in contrast to DMSO 6 M (69.8 ± 16.5%) and EG 6 M (72.3 ± 18.0%; p < 0.05). When vitrified using the DMSO + EG combination, a higher percentage (62.5 ± 29.1%) of viable follicles (trypan blue) was observed in relation to the other vitrification treatments (p < 0.05). The TUNEL technique identified that all treatments tested showed DNA fragmentation in the follicular cells, except in the case of the DMSO 3 M + EG 3 M treatment. When evaluating the presence of NORs, no significant differences were observed in the amount of NORs between the fresh and vitrified groups using DMSO 3 M + EG 3 M (p > 0.05). We concluded that the combination DMSO 3 M + EG was more efficient for the vitrification of ovarian tissue taken from Equus asinus, allowing adequate preservation of PAFs morphology, viability, DNA integrity and cell proliferative capacity.
Bad News Has Wings: Dread Risk Mediates Social Amplification in Risk Communication
Authors: Jagiello Robert D. , Hills Thomas T. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSocial diffusion of information amplifies risk through processes of birth, death, and distortion of message content. Dread risk—involving uncontrollable, fatal, involuntary, and catastrophic outcomes (e.g., terrorist attacks and nuclear accidents)—may be particularly susceptible to amplification because of the psychological biases inherent in dread risk avoidance. To test this, initially balanced information about high or low dread topics was given to a set of individuals who then communicated this information through diffusion chains, each person passing a message to the next. A subset of these chains were also reexposed to the original information. We measured prior knowledge, perceived risk before and after transmission, and, at each link, number of positive and negative statements. Results showed that the more a message was transmitted the more negative statements it contained. This was highest for the high dread topic. Increased perceived risk and production of negative messages was closely related to the amount of negative information that was received, with domain knowledge mitigating this effect. Reexposure to the initial information was ineffectual in reducing bias, demonstrating the enhanced danger of socially transmitted information.
Assessment and misassessment of potassium, phosphorus, and protein in the hemodialysis diet
Authors: St‐Jules David E. , Goldfarb David S. , Pompeii Mary Lou , Liebman Scott E. , Sherman Richard A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDiet is a key determinant of several common and serious disease complications in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The recommended balance and variety of foods in the HD diet is designed to limit high potassium and phosphorus foods while maintaining protein adequacy. In this report, we examine the potassium, phosphorus, and protein content of foods, and identify critical challenges, and potential pitfalls when translating nutrient prescriptions into dietary guidelines. Our findings highlight the importance of individualized counseling based on a comprehensive dietary assessment by trained diet professionals, namely renal dietitians, for managing diet‐related complications in HD patients.
Acid‐base homeostasis during hemodialysis: New insights into the mystery of bicarbonate disappearance during treatment
Authors: Sargent John A. , Marano Marco , Marano Stefano , Gennari F. John 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn patients receiving hemodialysis, it has long been recognized that much more bicarbonate is delivered during treatment than ultimately appears in the blood. To gain insight into this mystery, we developed a model that allows a quantitative analysis of the patient's response to rapid alkalinization during hemodialysis. Our model is unique in that it is based on the distribution of bicarbonate in the extracellular fluid and assesses its removal from this compartment by mobilization of protons (H+) from buffers and other sources. The model was used to analyze the pattern of rise in blood bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3−]), calculated from measurements of pH and PCO2, in patients receiving standard bicarbonate hemodialysis. Model analysis demonstrated two striking findings: (1) 35% of the bicarbonate added during hemodialysis was due to influx and metabolism of acetate, despite its low concentration in the bath solution, because of the rapidly collapsing gradient for bicarbonate influx. (2) Almost 90% of the bicarbonate delivered to the patients was neutralized by H+ generation. Virtually all the new H+ came from intracellular sources and included both buffering and organic acid production. The small amount of added bicarbonate retained in the extracellular fluid increased blood [HCO3−], on average, by 6 mEq/L in our patients. Almost all this rise occurred during the first 2 hours. Thereafter, blood [HCO3−] changed minimally and always remained less than bath [HCO3−]. This lack of equilibrium was due to the continued production of organic acid. Release of H+ from buffers is a reversible physiological response, restoring body alkali stores. By contrast, organic acid production is an irreversible process during hemodialysis and is metabolically inefficient and potentially catabolic. Our analysis underscores the need to develop new approaches for alkali repletion during hemodialysis that minimize organic acid production.
Effects of tillage and liming on macropore networks derived from X‐ray tomography images of a silty clay soil
Authors: Hellner Q. , Koestel J. , Ulén B. , Larsbo M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSoil structure influences water infiltration, aeration and root growth and, thereby, also the conditions for sustainable crop production. Our objective was to quantify the effects of different soil management methods and land uses on the topsoil structure of a silty clay soil. We sampled 32 intact soil columns (18 cm high, 12.7 cm diameter) from an experimental silty clay field with four treatments: conventional tillage (CT), conventional tillage followed by liming (CTL), reduced tillage (RT) and unfertilized fallow (UF). The columns were analysed using 3‐D X‐ray tomography. The samples were taken in autumn after harvest, 7 yr after quick lime was applied to the CTL plots. Despite a relatively large number of replicates per treatment (8, 8, 8 and 6 (two UF samples were excluded), respectively), there were no significant differences between any of the investigated macropore network properties related to tilled treatments. The UF treatment, in contrast, exhibited more vertically oriented macropores, which were also better connected compared to the other treatments. This confirms previous findings that tillage may disrupt the vertical continuity of macropore clusters. The impact of liming on soil pore network properties may have been limited to pores smaller than the resolution in our X‐ray images. It is also possible that the effects of lime on soil structure were limited to a few years which means that any effect would have diminished by the time of this study. These matters should be further investigated in follow‐up studies to understand better the potential of lime amendments to clay soil.
Assessment of risk for transplant‐transmissible infectious encephalitis among deceased organ donors
Authors: Smalley Hannah K. , Anand Nishi , Buczek Dylan , Buczek Nicholas , Lin Timothy , Rajore Tanay , Wacker Muriel , Basavaraju Sridhar V. , Gurbaxani Brian M. , Hammett Teresa , Keskinocak Pinar , Sokol Joel , Kuehnert Matthew J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThere were 13 documented clusters of infectious encephalitis transmission via organ transplant from deceased donors to recipients during 2002‐2013. Hence, organs from donors diagnosed with encephalitis are often declined because of concerns about the possibility of infection, given that there is no quick and simple test to detect causes of infectious encephalitis.MethodsWe constructed a database containing cases of infectious and non‐infectious encephalitis. Using statistical imputation, cross‐validation, and regression techniques, we determined deceased organ donor characteristics, including demographics, signs, symptoms, physical exam, and laboratory findings, predictive of infectious vs non‐infectious encephalitis, and developed a calculator which assesses the risk of infection.ResultsUsing up to 12 predictive patient characteristics (with a minimum of 3, depending on what information is available), the calculator provides the probability that a donor may have infectious vs non‐infectious encephalitis, improving the prediction accuracy over current practices. These characteristics include gender, fever, immunocompromised state (other than HIV), cerebrospinal fluid elevation, altered mental status, psychiatric features, cranial nerve abnormality, meningeal signs, focal motor weakness, Babinski's sign, movement disorder, and sensory abnormalities.ConclusionIn the absence of definitive diagnostic testing in a potential organ donor, infectious encephalitis can be predicted with a risk score. The risk calculator presented in this paper represents a prototype, establishing a framework that can be expanded to other infectious diseases transmissible through solid organ transplantation.