bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relationships between serum irisin levels and metabolic parameters in Japanese patients with obesity
Authors: Fukushima Yaeko , Kurose Satoshi , Shinno Hiromi , Cao Thi Thu Ha , Tamanoi Atsuko , Tsutsumi Hiromi , Hasegawa Takaaki , Nakajima Toshiaki , Kimura Yutaka 
Published: May 2016

SummaryBackground/PurposeIrisin is a skeletal muscle myokine that causes the brown coloration of white fat, promotes fat burning, inhibits weight gain and may be useful for treatment of obesity. Irisin is also related to glucose/lipid metabolism and may prevent onset of diabetes, but a consensus on irisin secretion has not been reached. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between serum irisin levels and physical factors in untreated Japanese men and women with obesity.MethodsThe subjects were 66 untreated patients with obesity (body mass index ≥30 kg m−2) who visited our obesity clinic. The subjects included 19 men and 47 women with a mean age of 45.7 ± 13.4 years, mean body weight of 93.8 ± 17.6 kg, and mean body mass index of 36.5 ± 4.7 kg m−2. At the initial visit, blood sampling was performed, body composition was evaluated using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry, and exercise tolerance was determined in a cardiopulmonary exercise test. Homeostasis model of assessment – insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR), an index of insulin resistance, and the serum level of irisin were measured.ResultsIn men, serum irisin was positively correlated with fasting blood glucose (r = 0.491, P < 0.05), immunoreactive insulin (r = 0.536, P < 0.05), HOMA‐IR (r = 0.635, P < 0.01), body weight (r = 0.491, P < 0.05), lean body mass of the trunk (r = 0.579, P < 0.05) and whole lean body mass (r = 0.489, P < 0.05). In women, serum irisin was positively correlated with immunoreactive insulin (r = 0.502, P < 0.01) and HOMA‐IR (r = 0.385, P < 0.01). In both sexes, HOMA‐IR was an independent variable associated with obesity (men: β = 0.635, R2 = 0.369, P < 0.01; women: β = 0.385, R2 = 0.129, P < 0.01).ConclusionThe serum level of irisin was positively correlated with HOMA‐IR in Japanese patients with obesity of both sexes. This suggests that compensatory enhancement of irisin secretion may occur in response to insulin resistance.
Worksite nutrition supports and sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption
Authors: Hipp J. A. , Becker H. V. , Marx C. M. , Tabak R. G. , Brownson R. C. , Yang L. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryObjectiveThis study examined the link between worksite environmental supports for nutrition behaviours and sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and offers insight into potential intervention points for reducing SSB consumption and combatting overweight and obesity.MethodsPerceived worksite supports for healthy nutrition and self‐reported SSB consumption were analysed for 2,015 working adults in the state of Missouri using a subset of questions from the Supports at Home and Work for Maintaining Energy Balance (SHOW‐ME) study.ResultsEmployees' use of vending facilities and the availability of water coolers/water bottles was significantly associated with increased SSB consumption, while use of cafeterias was significantly associated with decreased SSB consumption. Symbols or signs to identify healthy alternatives were significantly associated with sports drink consumption.ConclusionsThis study supports previous work indicating the worksite as a necessary environment for nutrition interventions. When choices (vending and cafeteria) are provided, employees report making healthier decisions. For worksites without cafeterias, alternatives should be explored including mobile food trucks and farmer's markets.
Multipod structures of lamellae‐forming diblock copolymers in three‐dimensional confinement spaces: Experimental observation and computer simulation
Authors: Higuchi Takeshi , Pinna Marco , Zvelindovsky Andrei V. , Jinnai Hiroshi , Yabu Hiroshi 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTThe three‐dimensional (3D) confinement effect on the microphase‐separated structure of a diblock copolymer was investigated both experimentally and computationally. Block copolymer nanoparticles were prepared by adding a poor solvent into a block copolymer solution and subsequently evaporating the good solvent. The 3D structures of the nanoparticles were quantitatively determined with transmission electron microtomography (TEMT). TEMT observations revealed that various complex structures, including tennis‐ball, mushroom‐like, and multipod structures, were formed in the 3D confinement. Detailed structural analysis, showed that one block of the diblock copolymer slightly prefers to segregate into the particle surface compared with the other block. The observed structures were further elaborated using cell dynamics computer simulation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016, 54, 1702–1709
Synthesis of Fatty Acid Esters of Selected Higher Polyols Over Homogeneous Metallic Catalysts
Authors: Nowicki Janusz , Stańczyk Dorota , Drabik Jolanta , Mosio‐Mosiewski Jan , Woszczyński Piotr , Warzała Marek 
Published: May 2016

AbstractStudies on the synthesis of esters of natural origin fatty acids (oleic acid) and a branched synthetic isostearic acid derived from oleic acid with commercially available selected higher polyols in the presence of homogeneous metallic catalysts have been carried out. The effects of the synthesis temperature, molar ratio and the catalysts amount have also been studied. It was shown that higher fatty acid conversion and selectivity to tri‐ and tetraesters were obtained for organotin catalyst Fascat 2003, which was used as the esterification catalyst. Anti‐wear test confirmed good tribological properties of the obtained esters.
Prediction of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia with neuronally derived blood exosome protein profile
Authors: Winston Charisse N. , Goetzl Edward J. , Akers Johnny C. , Carter Bob S. , Rockenstein Edward M. , Galasko Douglas , Masliah Eliezer , Rissman Robert A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIntroductionLevels of Alzheimer's disease (AD)‐related proteins in plasma neuronal derived exosomes (NDEs) were quantified to identify biomarkers for prediction and staging of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD.MethodsPlasma exosomes were extracted, precipitated, and enriched for neuronal source by anti‐L1CAM antibody absorption. NDEs were characterized by size (Nanosight) and shape (TEM) and extracted NDE protein biomarkers were quantified by ELISAs. Plasma NDE cargo was injected into normal mice, and results were characterized by immunohistochemistry to determine pathogenic potential.ResultsPlasma NDE levels of P‐T181‐tau, P‐S396‐tau, and Aβ1–42 were significantly higher, whereas those of neurogranin (NRGN) and the repressor element 1‐silencing transcription factor (REST) were significantly lower in AD and MCI converting to AD (ADC) patients compared to cognitively normal controls (CNC) subjects and stable MCI patients. Mice injected with plasma NDEs from ADC patients displayed increased P‐tau (PHF‐1 antibody)–positive cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus compared to plasma NDEs from CNC and stable MCI patients.ConclusionsAbnormal plasma NDE levels of P‐tau, Aβ1–42, NRGN, and REST accurately predict conversion of MCI to AD dementia. Plasma NDEs from demented patients seeded tau aggregation and induced AD‐like neuropathology in normal mouse CNS.
Maternal separation prior to neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia: Impact on emotional aspects of behavior and markers of synaptic plasticity in hippocampus
Authors: Markostamou Ioanna , Ioannidis Anestis , Dandi Evgenia , Mandyla Maria‐Aikaterini , Nousiopoulou Evangelia , Simeonidou Constantina , Spandou Evangelia , Tata Despina Α. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractExposure to early‐life stress is associated with long‐term alterations in brain and behavior, and may aggravate the outcome of neurological insults. This study aimed at investigating the possible interaction between maternal separation, a model of early stress, and subsequent neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia on emotional behavior and markers of synaptic plasticity in hippocampus. Therefore, rat pups (N= 60) were maternally separated for a prolonged (MS 180min) or a brief (MS 15min) period during the first six postnatal days, while a control group was left undisturbed. Hypoxia‐ischemia was applied to a subgroup of each rearing condition on postnatal day 7. Emotional behavior was examined at three months of age and included assessments of anxiety (elevated plus maze), depression‐like behavior (forced swimming) and spontaneous exploration (open field). Synaptic plasticity was evaluated based on BDNF and synaptophysin expression in CA3 and dentate gyrus hippocampal regions. We found that neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia caused increased levels of anxiety, depression‐like behavior and locomotor activity (ambulation). Higher anxiety levels were also seen in maternally separated rats (MS180min) compared to non‐maternally separated rats, but prolonged maternal separation prior to HI did not potentiate the HI‐associated effect. No differences among the three rearing conditions were found regarding depression‐like behavior or ambulation. Immunohistochemical evaluation of synaptophysin revealed that both prolonged maternal separation (MS180min) and neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia significantly reduced its expression in the CA3 and dentate gyrus. Decreases in synaptophysin expression in these areas were not exacerbated in rats that were maternally separated for a prolonged period prior to HI. Regarding BDNF expression, we found a significant decrease in immunoreactivity only in the hypoxic‐ischemic rats that were subjected to the prolonged maternal separation paradigm. The above findings suggest that early‐life stress prior to neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia leads to significant alterations in synaptic plasticity of the dorsal hippocampus during adulthood, but does not exacerbate HI‐related changes in emotional behavior.
Of rodents and humans: A comparative review of the neurobehavioral effects of early life SSRI exposure in preclinical and clinical research
Authors: Glover Matthew E. , Clinton Sarah M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been a mainstay pharmacological treatment for women experiencing depression during pregnancy and postpartum for the past 25 years. SSRIs actviablockade of the presynaptic serotonin transporter and result in a transient increase in synaptic serotonin. Long‐lasting changes in cellular function such as serotonergic transmission, neurogenesis, and epigenetics, are thought to underlie the therapeutic benefits of SSRIs. In recent years, though, growing evidence in clinical and preclinical settings indicate that offspring exposed to SSRIsin uteroor as neonates exhibit long‐lasting behavioral adaptions. Clinically, children exposed to SSRIs in early life exhibit increased internalizing behavior reduced social behavior, and increased risk for depression in adolescence. Similarly, rodents exposed to SSRIs perinatally exhibit increased traits of anxiety‐ or depression‐like behavior. Furthermore, certain individuals appear to be more susceptible to early life SSRI exposure than others, suggesting that perinatal SSRI exposure may pose greater risks for negative outcome within certain populations. Although SSRIs trigger a number of intracellular processes that likely contribute to their therapeutic effects, early life antidepressant exposure during critical neurodevelopmental periods may elicit lasting negative effects in offspring. In this review, we cover the basic development and structure of the serotonin system, how the system is affected by early life SSRI exposure, and the behavioral outcomes of perinatal SSRI exposure in both clinical and preclinical settings. We review recent evidence indicating that perinatal SSRI exposure perturbs the developing limbic system, including altered serotonergic transmission, neurogenesis, and epigenetic processes in the hippocampus, which may contribute to behavioral domains (e.g., sociability, cognition, anxiety, and behavioral despair) that are affected by perinatal SSRI treatment. Identifying the molecular mechanisms that underlie the deleterious behavioral effects of perinatal SSRI exposure may highlight biological mechanisms in the etiology of mood disorders. Moreover, because recent studies suggest that certain individuals may be more susceptible to the negative consequences of early life SSRI exposure than others, understanding mechanisms that drive such susceptibility could lead to individualized treatment strategies for depressed women who are or plan to become pregnant.
Chemical enrichment in Ultra-Faint Dwarf galaxies
Authors: Romano Donatella 
Published: May 2016

AbstractOur view of the Milky Way's satellite population has radically changed after the discovery, ten years ago, of the first Ultra-Faint Dwarf galaxies (UFDs). These extremely faint, dark-matter dominated, scarcely evolved stellar systems are found in ever-increasing number in our cosmic neighbourhood and constitute a gold-mine for studies of early star formation conditions and early chemical enrichment pathways. Here we show what can be learned from the measurements of chemical abundances in UFD stars read through the lens of chemical evolution studies, point out the limitations of the classic approach, and discuss the way to go to improve the models.
Gas accretion from halos to disks: observations, curiosities, and problems
Authors: Elmegreen Bruce G. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractAccretion of gas from the cosmic web to galaxy halos and ultimately their disks is a prediction of modern cosmological models but is rarely observed directly or at the full rate expected from star formation. Here we illustrate possible large-scale cosmic HI accretion onto the nearby dwarf starburst galaxy IC10, observed with the VLA and GBT. We also suggest that cosmic accretion is the origin of sharp metallicity drops in the starburst regions of other dwarf galaxies, as observed with the 10-m GTC. Finally, we question the importance of cosmic accretion in normal dwarf irregulars, for which a recent study of their far-outer regions sees no need for, or evidence of, continuing gas buildup.
Chemo-dynamical evolution model: Enrichment of r-process elements in the Local Group dwarf galaxies
Authors: Hirai Yutaka , Ishimaru Yuhri , Saitoh Takayuki R. , Fujii Michiko S. , Hidaka Jun , Kajino Toshitaka 
Published: May 2016

AbstractNeutron star mergers are one of the candidate astrophysical site(s) of r-process. Several chemical evolution studies however pointed out that the observed abundance of r-process is difficult to reproduce by neutron star mergers. In this study, we aim to clarify the enrichment of r-process elements in the Local Group dwarf galaxies. We carry out numerical simulations of galactic chemo-dynamical evolution using an N-body/smoothed particle hydrodynamics code, ASURA. We construct a chemo-dynamical evolution model for dwarf galaxies assuming that neutron star mergers are the major source of r-process elements. Our models reproduce the observed dispersion in [Eu/Fe] as a function of [Fe/H] with neutron star mergers with a merger time of 100 Myr. We find that star formation efficiency and metal mixing processes during the first ≲ 300 Myr of galaxy evolution are important to reproduce the observations. This study supports that neutron star mergers are a major site of r-process.
PN populations in the local group and distant stellar populations
Authors: Reid Warren 
Published: May 2016

AbstractOur understanding of galactic structure and evolution is far from complete. Within the past twelve months we have learnt that the Milky Way is about 50% wider than was previously thought. As a consequence, new models are being developed that force us to reassess the kinematic structure of our Galaxy. Similarly, we need to take a fresh look at the halo structure of external galaxies in our Local Group. Studies of stellar populations, star-forming regions, clusters, the interstellar medium, elemental abundances and late stellar evolution are all required in order to understand how galactic assembly has occurred as we see it. PNe play an important role in this investigation by providing a measure of stellar age, mass, abundances, morphology, kinematics and synthesized matter that is returned to the interstellar medium (ISM). Through a method of chemical tagging, halo PNe can reveal evidence of stellar migration and galactic mergers. This is an outline of the advances that have been made towards uncovering the full number of PNe in our Local Group galaxies and beyond. Current numbers are presented and compared to total population estimates based on galactic mass and luminosity. A near complete census of PNe is crucial to understanding the initial-to-final mass relation for stars with mass >1 to <8 times the mass of the sun. It also allows us to extract more evolutionary information from luminosity functions and compare dust-to-gas ratios from PNe in different galactic locations. With new data provided by the Gaia satellite, space-based telescopes and the rise of giant and extra-large telescopes, we are on the verge of observing and understanding objects such as PNe in distant galaxies with the same detail we expected from Galactic observations only a decade ago.
Planetary Nebulae and their parent stellar populations. Tracing the mass assembly of M87 and Intracluster light in the Virgo cluster core
Authors: Arnaboldi Magda , Longobardi Alessia , Gerhard Ortwin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe diffuse extended outer regions of galaxies are hard to study because they are faint, with typical surface brightness of 1% of the dark night sky. We can tackle this problem by using resolved star tracers which remain visible at large distances from the galaxy centers. This article describes the use of Planetary Nebulae as tracers and the calibration of their properties as indicators of the star formation history, mean age and metallicity of the parent stars in the Milky Way and Local Group galaxies. We then report on the results from a deep, extended, planetary nebulae survey in a 0.5 deg2region centered on the brightest cluster galaxy NGC 4486 (M87) in the Virgo cluster core, carried out with SuprimeCam@Subaru and FLAMES-GIRAFFE@VLT. Two planetary nebulae populations are identified out to 150 kpc distance from the center of M87. One population is associated with the M87 halo and the second one with the intracluster light in the Virgo cluster core. They have different line-of-sight velocity and spatial distributions, as well as different planetary nebulae specific frequencies and luminosity functions. The intracluster planetary nebulae in the surveyed region correspond to a luminosity of four times the luminosity of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The M87 halo planetary nebulae trace an older, more metal-rich, parent stellar population. A substructure detected in the projected phase-space of the line-of-sight velocity vs. major axis distance for the M87 halo planetary nebulae provides evidence for the recent accretion event of a satellite galaxy with luminosity twice that of M33. The satellite stars were tidally stripped about 1 Gyr ago, and reached apocenter at a major axis distance of 60–90 kpc from the center of M87. The M87 halo is still growing significantly at the distances where the substructure is detected.
Which processes shape stellar population gradients of massive galaxies at large radii?
Authors: Hirschmann Michaela 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe investigate the differential impact of physical mechanisms, mergers (stellar accretion) and internal energetic phenomena, on the evolution of stellar population gradients in massive, present-day galaxies employing a set of high-resolution, cosmological zoom simulations. We demonstrate that negative metallicity and color gradients at large radii (>2Reff) originate from the accretion of metal-poor stellar systems. At larger radii, galaxies become typically more dominated by stars accreted from satellite galaxies in major and minor mergers. However, only strong galactic winds can sufficiently reduce the metallicity content of the accreted stars to realistically steepen the outer metallicity and colour gradients in agreement with present-day observations. In contrast, the gradients of the models without winds are inconsistent with observations (too flat). In the wind model, colour and metallicity gradients are significantly steeper for systems which have accreted stars in minor mergers, while galaxies with major mergers have relatively flat gradients, confirming previous results. This analysis greatly highlights the importance of both energetic processes and merger events for stellar population properties of massive galaxies at large radii. Our results are expected to significantly contribute to the interpretation of current and up-coming IFU surveys (like MaNGA and Califa), which in turn can help to better constrain still uncertain models for energetic processes in simulations.
Stellar orbital properties as diagnostics of the origin of the stellar halo
Authors: Valluri Monica , Loebman Sarah R. , Bailin Jeremy , Clarke Adam , Debattista Victor P. , Stinson Greg 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe examine metallicities, ages and orbital properties of halo stars in a Milky-Way like disk galaxy formed in the cosmological hydrodynamical MaGICC simulations. Halo stars were either accreted from satellites or they formed in situ in the disk or bulge of the galaxy and were then kicked up into the halo (“in situ/kicked-up” stars). Regardless of where they formed both types show surprisingly similar orbital properties: the majority of both types are on short-axis tubes with the same sense of rotation as the disk – implying that a large fraction of satellites are accreted onto the halo with the same sense of angular momentum as the disk.
Chemical Evolution of R-process Elements in the Hierarchical Galaxy Formation
Authors: Komiya Yutaka , Shigeyama Toshikazu 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe main astronomical source of r-process elements has not yet been identified. One plausible site is neutron star mergers (NSMs). From the perspective of Galactic chemical evolution, however, it has been pointed out that the NSM scenario is incompatible with observations. Recently, Tsujimoto & Shigeyama (2014) pointed out that NSM ejecta can spread into much larger volume than ejecta from a supernova. We re-examine the chemical evolution of r-process elements under the NSM scenario considering this difference in propagation of the ejecta. We find that the NSM scenario can be compatible with the observed abundances of the Milky Way halo stars.
The Milky Way evolution under the RAVE perspective
Authors: Kordopatis Georges ,   on behalf of the RAVE consortium
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe RAdial Velocity Experiment (RAVE) collected from 2003 to 2013 medium resolution spectra for 5ċ105 low-mass stars of our Galaxy, improving our understanding of the Milky Way evolution and of its properties outside the Solar neighbourhood. This proceeding gives an overview of RAVE results obtained in the last two years.
Investigating the earliest epochs of the Milky Way halo
Authors: Starkenburg Else ,   the Pristine Team
Published: May 2016

AbstractResolved stellar spectroscopy can obtain knowledge about chemical enrichment processes back to the earliest times, when the oldest stars were formed. In this contribution I will review the early (chemical) evolution of the Milky Way halo from an observational perspective. In particular, I will discuss our understanding of the origin of the peculiar abundance patterns in various subclasses of extremely metal-poor stars, taking into account new data from our abundance and radial velocity monitoring programs, and their implications for our understanding of the formation and early evolution of both the Milky Way halo and the satellite dwarf galaxies therein. I conclude by presenting the “Pristine” survey, a program on the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope to study this intriguing epoch much more efficiently.