bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Symptom attribution and frontal cortical thickness in first‐episode schizophrenia
Authors: Asmal Laila , du Plessis Stefan , Vink Matthijs , Chiliza Bonginkosi , Kilian Sanja , Emsley Robin 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAimMisattribution of symptoms is a common feature of schizophrenia, and likely involves impairment of metacognitive function that may be mediated by the frontal cortex. We aimed to compare frontal cortical thickness in first‐episode schizophrenia (FES) patients with matched controls, and investigate its relationship with the symptom attribution dimension of insight in FES patients.MethodsWe examined frontal cortical thickness in 92 minimally treated FES patients at baseline presentation and 93 healthy controls aged 16–45 years. We examined for correlations between symptom attribution as determined by the Birchwood Insight Scale (BIS) symptom relabeling subscale score and cortical thickness of frontal regions of interest (ROIs). We then examined for an association between symptom attribution and cortical thickness using multiple regression analysis.Results
FES patients exhibited significantly reduced cortical thicknesses for a number of frontal regions, namely the left medial orbitofrontal, left superior frontal, left frontal pole, right rostral middle frontal, right lateral orbitofrontal and right superior frontal regions. Reduced cortical thickness in FES patients was associated with symptom misattribution for the left and right rostral middle frontal, left caudal anterior cingulate, right superior frontal, and left and right pars triangularis regions. Reduced left rostral middle frontal thickness and left anterior cingulate thickness remained significant on regression analysis.ConclusionOur findings suggest that frontal neuroanatomical deficits that are present early in the disease process may be critical to the pathogenesis of symptom attribution in schizophrenia.
Dynamics of sensorimotor cortex activation during absence and myoclonic seizures in a mouse model of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
Authors: Ding Li , Gallagher Martin J. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryObjectiveGeneralized epilepsy syndromes often confer multiple types of seizures, but it is not known if these seizures activate separate or overlapping brain networks. Recently, we reported that mice with a juvenile myoclonic epilepsy mutation (Gabra1[A322D]) exhibited both absence and myoclonic generalized seizures. Here, we determined the time course of sensorimotor cortex activation and the spatial distribution of spike voltage during these two seizures.MethodsWe implanted Gabra1+/A322D mice with multiple electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes over bilateral somatosensory cortex barrel fields (S1) and anterior (aM1) and posterior (pM1) motor cortices and recorded absence seizures/spike‐wave discharges (SWDs) and myoclonic seizures. We used nonlinear‐association analyses and cross‐correlation calculations to determine the strength, leading regions, and time delays of cortical coupling from the preictal to ictal states and within the spike and interspike periods. The distribution of spike voltage was also measured in SWDs and myoclonic seizures.ResultsEEG connectivity among all electrode pairs increased at the onset of both SWDs and myoclonic seizures. Surprisingly, during spikes of both seizure types, S1 led M1 with similar delay times. Myoclonic seizure spikes started more focally than SWD spikes, with a significant majority appearing first only in S1 electrodes, whereas a substantial fraction of SWD spikes were detected first in S1 and at least one M1 electrode. The absolute voltage of myoclonic seizure spikes was significantly higher than that of SWD spikes, and there was a greater relative voltage over M1 during myoclonic seizure spikes than in the first one to two SWD spikes.SignificanceThe leading sites in S1 and similar delay times suggest both SWDs and myoclonic seizures activate overlapping networks in sensorimotor cortex and thus, therapeutically targeting of this network could potentially treat both seizures. Spike focality, absolute voltage, and voltage distribution provide insight into neuronal activation during these two seizure types.
Will life find a way? Evolution of marine species under global change
Authors: Calosi Piero , De Wit Pierre , Thor Peter , Dupont Sam 
Published: August 2016

AbstractProjections of marine biodiversity and implementation of effective actions for its maintenance in the face of current rapid global environmental change are constrained by our limited understanding of species’ adaptive responses, including transgenerational plasticity, epigenetics and natural selection. This special issue presents 13 novel studies, which employ experimental and modelling approaches to (i) investigate plastic and evolutionary responses of marine species to major global change drivers; (ii) ask relevant broad eco‐evolutionary questions, implementing multiple species and populations studies; (iii) show the advantages of using advanced experimental designs and tools; (iv) construct novel model organisms for marine evolution; (v) help identifying future challenges for the field; and (vi) highlight the importance of incorporating existing evolutionary theory into management solutions for the marine realm. What emerges is that at least some populations of marine species have the ability to adapt to future global change conditions. However, marine organisms’ capacity for adaptation appears finite, due to evolutionary trade‐offs and possible rapid losses in genetic diversity. This further corroborates the idea that acquiring an evolutionary perspective on how marine life will respond to the selective pressure of future global changes will guide us in better identifying which conservation efforts will be most needed and most effective.
Targeting of NADPH oxidase in vitro and in vivo suppresses fibroblast activation and experimental skin fibrosis
Authors: Dosoki Heba , Stegemann Agatha , Taha Muna , Schnittler Hans , Luger Thomas A. , Schröder Katrin , Distler Jörg H. W. , Kerkhoff Claus , Böhm Markus 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAlthough there is increasing evidence that oxidative stress is involved in collagen synthesis and myofibroblast activation, the NADPH oxidase (Nox) system is incompletely investigated in the context of human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and skin fibrosis. Using the pan‐Nox inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) as an initial tool, we show that gene expression of collagen type I, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) and fibronectin 1 is suppressed in HDFs. Detailed expression analysis of all Nox isoforms and adaptors revealed expression of RNA and protein expression of Nox4, p22phox and Poldip2 but neither Nox1 nor Nox2. Nox4 could be immunolocalized to the endoplasmic reticulum. Importantly, TGF‐β1 had a dose‐ and time‐dependent upregulating effect on NADH activity and Nox4 gene expression in HDFs. Genetic silencing of Nox4 as demonstrated by siRNA in HDFs as well as in murine fibroblasts established from Nox4 knockout mice confirmed that TGF‐β1‐mediated collagen type I gene, α‐SMA and fibronectin 1 gene expressions were Nox4‐dependent. This TGF‐β1 effect was mediated by Smad3 as shown by in silico promoter analysis, pharmacological inhibition and gene silencing of Smad3. The relevance of these findings is highlighted in the bleomycin‐induced scleroderma mouse model. DPI treatment attenuated skin fibrosis and myofibroblast activation. Moreover, Nox4 knockdown by siRNA reduced skin collagen synthesis, α‐SMA and fibronectin 1 expression in vivo. Finally, analyses of HDFs from patients with systemic sclerosis confirmed the expression of Nox4 and its adaptors, whereas Nox1 and Nox2 were not detectable. Our findings indicate that Nox4 targeting is a promising future treatment for fibrotic skin diseases.
Leaf margin analysis of Chinese woody plants and the constraints on its application to palaeoclimatic reconstruction
Authors: Li Yaoqi , Wang Zhiheng , Xu Xiaoting , Han Wenxuan , Wang Qinggang , Zou Dongting 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAimLeaf margin states have been found to be strongly related to temperature, and hence have been used to reconstruct palaeotemperatures. Here, we aimed to explore the uncertainties and conditions of use of this technique in China by testing the influences of plant life‐form, precipitation and evolutionary history on the relationship between percentage of untoothed species and temperature.LocationChina.MethodsUsing distribution maps and leaf margin states (untoothed versus toothed) of 10,480 Chinese woody dicots and dated family‐level phylogenies, we evaluated the phylogenetic signal of leaf margin state, and demonstrated the variation in the patterns of leaf margin percentage and the relationship with temperature across different life‐forms (evergreen and deciduous; trees, shrubs and lianas), regions with different precipitation and species quartiles with different family ages.ResultsSignificant phylogenetic signals were found for the percentage of untoothed species within families. Relationships between leaf margin percentage and temperature were: (1) weak or insignificant for all woody dicots, shrubs, evergreen and deciduous dicots, but strong for trees and lianas; (2) significantly enhanced with increasing precipitation, and (3) significantly weakened for trees belonging to old families.Main conclusionsOur results showed the complete leaf margin spectrum found in China and revealed great uncertainties in its relationship with temperature induced by life‐form, precipitation and evolutionary history. These findings suggest that analysis of leaf margins for palaeotemperature reconstruction should be done cautiously: (1) only dicot trees with a relatively young family age can be used and their leaf margin states are more strongly affected by winter cold than by mean annual temperature; (2) the transfer function between leaf margin percentage and temperature is only reliable in humid and semi‐humid regions of China.
Thermal Imagery of Groundwater Seeps: Possibilities and Limitations
Authors: Mundy Erin , Gleeson Tom , Roberts Mark , Baraer Michel , McKenzie Jeffrey M. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractQuantifying groundwater flow at seepage faces is crucial because seepage faces influence the hydroecology and water budgets of watersheds, lakes, rivers and oceans, and because measuring groundwater fluxes directly in aquifers is extremely difficult. Seepage faces provide a direct and measurable groundwater flux but there is no existing method to quantitatively image groundwater processes at this boundary. Our objective is to determine the possibilities and limitations of thermal imagery in quantifying groundwater discharge from discrete seeps. We developed a conceptual model of temperature below discrete seeps, observed 20 seeps spectacularly exposed in three dimensions at an unused limestone quarry and conducted field experiments to examine the role of diurnal changes and rock face heterogeneity on thermal imagery. The conceptual model suggests that convective air‐water heat exchange driven by temperature differences is the dominant heat transfer mechanism. Thermal imagery is effective at locating and characterizing the flux of groundwater seeps. Areas of active groundwater flow and ice growth can be identified from thermal images in the winter, and seepage rates can be differentiated in the summer. However, the application of thermal imagery is limited by diverse factors including technical issues of image acquisition, diurnal changes in radiation and temperature, and rock face heterogeneity. Groundwater discharge rates could not be directly quantified from thermal imagery using our observations but our conceptual model and experiments suggest that thermal imagery could quantify groundwater discharge when there are large temperature differences, simple cliff faces, non‐freezing conditions, and no solar radiation.
Variability in platelet dense granule adenosine triphosphate release findings amongst patients tested multiple times as part of an assessment for a bleeding disorder
Authors: Badin M. S. , Graf L. , Iyer J. K. , Moffat K. A. , Seecharan J. L. , Hayward C. P. M. 
Published: August 2016

SummaryIntroductionLumi‐aggregometry quantification of platelet dense granule adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release is commonly used for diagnosing platelet function disorders. As the test findings show considerable variability for healthy controls, we postulated that patient findings might also be variable and investigated patients who were assessed for dense granule ATP release defects more than once.MethodsAnalyses were performed on prospectively collected data for first and second tests for subjects tested for dense granule ATP release defects more than once by the Hamilton Regional Laboratory Program (HRLMP) between January 2007 and June 2013 (cohort I). Similar analyses were performed for subjects who were recruited to a platelet disorder study (cohort II) and were assessed for ATP release defects more than once before October 2015.ResultsA total of 150 unique subjects had multiple ATP release tests. Results with individual agonists were variable for many subjects. While normal findings with all tested agonists were often confirmed by the second test (cohort I: 83%; cohort II: 100%), impaired release with multiple agonists was confirmed in only some subjects (cohort I: 34%; cohort II: 54%). Inconsistent findings were common (cohort I: 36%; cohort II: 39%). ISTH bleeding scores showed no relationship to the test findings. The finding of impaired ATP release with 2 or more agonists on both tests was not associated with an increased likelihood of a definite bleeding disorder.ConclusionThe variability in platelet dense granule ATP release findings amongst patients assessed for diagnostic purposes suggests that the test has limited value for diagnosing platelet disorders.
Catheter blockage factors in patients cared for in their own home requiring long‐term urinary catheterisation
Authors: Maeda Shuko , Takiuti Takako , Kohno Yumiko , Nakai Hisao , Fukuda Moriyoshi , Moriyama Manabu T. 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTEarly urinary catheter removal from patients cared for in their own home is often difficult because of incontinence and care burdens, resulting in long duration of catheterization. Urinary tract infection and catheter blockage are major complications associated with long‐term catheterization. Preventing these complications is important for patients who require long‐term catheterization in their own home.This study aimed to examine the occurrence characteristics of urinary catheter blockage and to identify the causative factors of catheter blockage in patients cared for in their own home requiring long‐term urinary catheterization.The study targeted 154 patients cared for in their own home requiring long‐term urinary catheterization. Patient data were collected by questionnaire by the nurse manager.Catheter blockage occurred in 33·8% of patients requiring long‐term catheterization within the first 6 months, and the mean frequency in these patients was 3·0, indicating that catheter blockage occurs repeatedly. The following management factors significantly correlated with the frequency of catheter blockage: ‘check urine volume’, ‘check for flexion and distortion of the catheter’ and ‘check urinary tract infection symptoms’ for catheter management by caregivers. Symptoms correlated with catheter blockage included ‘cloudiness of the urine’, ‘decreased urine volume’, ‘abdominal pain’ and ‘duration of catheterization’. In the future, we would like to prepare the protocol to help visiting nurses improve their abilities to manage catheter blockage in patients requiring long‐term catheterization, by incorporating the findings from this study.
B‐Type Natriuretic Peptide Modulates Pulmonary Vein Arrhythmogenesis: A Novel Potential Contributor to the Genesis of Atrial Tachyarrhythmia in Heart Failure
Authors: LIN YUNG‐KUO , CHEN YAO‐CHANG , CHEN YI‐ANN , YEH YUNG‐HSIN , CHEN SHIH‐ANN , CHEN YI‐JEN 
Published: August 2016

BNP Modulates PV ElectrophysiologyBackgroundHeart failure (HF) plays a critical role in the genesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). A high B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level occurs in patients with HF and in patients with AF. However, the role of BNP in the pathophysiology of AF is not clear. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effects of BNP on pulmonary vein (PV) arrhythmogenesis.Methods and ResultsWhole‐cell patch clamp and fluorescence were used to study the action potential, ionic currents, and calcium homeostasis in isolated single rabbit PV cardiomyocytes before and after a BNP infusion, with or without ODQ (10 μM), milrinone (50 μM), or ouabain (1 μM). BNP increased PV spontaneous activity by 28.2 ± 7.5% at 100 nM and by 23.8 ± 9.1% at 300 nM. Similar to those with BNP, milrinone 50 μM increased the PV beating rate from 3.0 ± 0.2 to 3.6 ± 0.3 Hz (P < 0.0005, n = 7). In the presence of ODQ application, BNP didn't change PV spontaneous activity. BNP (100 nM) increased calcium transients (F/F0 from 1.6 ± 0.1 to 1.9 ± 0.2, n = 20, P < 0.05) and increased the pacemaker current (0.4 ± 0.1 to 1.0 ± 0.2 pA/pF, n = 17, P < 0.0005) in PV cardiomyocytes. Moreover, BNP (100 nM) increased the transient inward current, sodium currents, sodium‐calcium exchanger currents, and L‐type calcium current; but reduced late sodium currents and the Na‐K pump in PV cardiomyocytes.ConclusionBNP increases PV arrhythmogenesis, which may contribute to the genesis of atrial tachyarrhythmogenesis in HF. Cyclic GMP activation, phosphodiesterase 3 inhibition and Na+/K+‐ATPase inhibition might participate in the BNP modulation of PV electrophysiology.
Escherichia coli populations adapt to complex, unpredictable fluctuations by minimizing trade‐offs across environments
Authors: Karve S. M. , Bhave D. , Nevgi D. , Dey S. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn nature, organisms are simultaneously exposed to multiple stresses (i.e. complex environments) that often fluctuate unpredictably. Although both these factors have been studied in isolation, the interaction of the two remains poorly explored. To address this issue, we selected laboratory populations of Escherichia coli under complex (i.e. stressful combinations of pH, H2O2 and NaCl) unpredictably fluctuating environments for ~900 generations. We compared the growth rates and the corresponding trade‐off patterns of these populations to those that were selected under constant values of the component stresses (i.e. pH, H2O2 and NaCl) for the same duration. The fluctuation‐selected populations had greater mean growth rate and lower variation for growth rate over all the selection environments experienced. However, whereas the populations selected under constant stresses experienced trade‐offs in the environments other than those in which they were selected, the fluctuation‐selected populations could bypass the across‐environment trade‐offs almost entirely. Interestingly, trade‐offs were found between growth rates and carrying capacities. The results suggest that complexity and fluctuations can strongly affect the underlying trade‐off structure in evolving populations.
Phytosterol recovery from oilseeds: Recent advances
Authors: Sujith Kumar M. S. , Mawlong Ibandalin , Singh Dhiraj 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPhytosterols are high value compounds having hypocholesterolemic and antioxidant properties, predominantly present in seed oils. High temperature during pretreatment of oilseeds and high initial moisture content (>10%) results in the degradation of phytosterols and have considerable effect on its yield during extraction. As more than 40% of sterols are lost during oil refining processes, the by‐products of refining industries can be excellent sources of this value‐added product. This review focuses on the scope of various strategies to maximize the yield of phytosterols from oilseeds. Storage as well as pretreatment of oilseeds are as important as the method of extraction to prevent degradation of sterols. Solvent crystallization, counter current chromatography, supercritical fluid extraction, and enzymatic transesterification are some of the current techniques employed for phytosterol recovery.Practical applicationsPhytosterols are high value compounds present in seed oils having cholesterol‐lowering properties. Its extraction and isolation from oilseeds for the purpose of fortification of food stuffs would be the best way to harness its virtues. But since they are present in very low quantity in oils (0.5 to 2 %), its recovery becomes quite difficult. Phytosterols are also lost during seed storage, pretreatment and oil refining processes. Hence it is necessary to take appropriate measures to retain these valuable compounds in oil. This review focuses on the scope of various strategies to maximize its yield during extraction by different methods.
Strong leadership: the case for global connections
Authors: Rosser Elizabeth A , Scammell Janet , Bevan Ann , Hundley Vanora A 
Published: August 2016

Aims and objectivesTo identify how nurse leaders view and experience the opportunities offered by one of the largest global nursing organisations Sigma Theta Tau International.BackgroundWorldwide, nursing leadership is challenged with addressing the complex issues impacting on care delivery. International nursing organisations are a means to bring together individuals to promote leadership and scholarship for nursing practice to promote patient safety and quality care. The newly established all‐England chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International is a recent addition to the society in terms of nurse leadership in Europe, as such faces challenges as it establishes its identity and seeks to interpret the organisational vision: to advance world health through nursing leadership and scholarship. Moving forward, members views were sought on the goals of the chapter and how they may be enacted.DesignIn July 2013, all chapter members at that time had been nominated on the basis of achievement in nurse leadership; all were invited to participate in an online survey. The online questionnaire contained a series of closed and open questions.ResultsMost respondents joined because they believed in the vision and networking opportunities Sigma Theta Tau International provides. Three themes were extracted from the data: the value of networking and communication, leadership and the development of culturally sensitive organisations and the need for shared scholarship for nursing practice.ConclusionFindings indicate the growth of effective leadership at all levels of nursing could be harnessed through successful collaboration and keen support for robust connections between practice and education to promote quality care.Relevance to clinical practiceWhilst challenging, globalisation presents an opportunity for a nursing society such as Sigma Theta Tau International to work collaboratively to address healthcare issues. A nursing society that explores and resolves its own complex issues by actively promoting leadership and collaborative scholarship reveals a potential to empower the profession to share our collective solutions towards enhancing clinical practice.