bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neonatal mouse cortical but not isogenic human astrocyte feeder layers enhance the functional maturation of induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived neurons in culture
Authors: Lischka Fritz W. , Efthymiou Anastasia , Zhou Qiong , Nieves Michael D. , McCormack Nikki M. , Wilkerson Matthew D. , Sukumar Gauthaman , Dalgard Clifton L. , Doughty Martin L. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHuman induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell‐derived neurons and astrocytes are attractive cellular tools for nervous system disease modeling and drug screening. Optimal utilization of these tools requires differentiation protocols that efficiently generate functional cell phenotypes in vitro. As nervous system function is dependent on networked neuronal activity involving both neuronal and astrocytic synaptic functions, we examined astrocyte effects on the functional maturation of neurons from human iPS cell‐derived neural stem cells (NSCs). We first demonstrate human iPS cell‐derived NSCs can be rapidly differentiated in culture to either neurons or astrocytes with characteristic cellular, molecular and physiological features. Although differentiated neurons were capable of firing multiple action potentials (APs), few cells developed spontaneous electrical activity in culture. We show spontaneous electrical activity was significantly increased by neuronal differentiation of human NSCs on feeder layers of neonatal mouse cortical astrocytes. In contrast, co‐culture on feeder layers of isogenic human iPS cell‐derived astrocytes had no positive effect on spontaneous neuronal activity. Spontaneous electrical activity was dependent on glutamate receptor‐channel function and occurred without changes in INa, IK, Vm, and AP properties of iPS cell‐derived neurons. These data demonstrate co‐culture with neonatal mouse cortical astrocytes but not human isogenic iPS cell‐derived astrocytes stimulates glutamatergic synaptic transmission between iPS cell‐derived neurons in culture. We present RNA‐sequencing data for an immature, fetal‐like status of our human iPS cell‐derived astrocytes as one possible explanation for their failure to enhance synaptic activity in our co‐culture system.
Impact of fear of falling and fall history on disability incidence among older adults: Prospective cohort study
Authors: Makino Keitaro , Makizako Hyuma , Doi Takehiko , Tsutsumimoto Kota , Hotta Ryo , Nakakubo Sho , Suzuki Takao , Shimada Hiroyuki 
Published: December 2017

ObjectiveFear of falling (FOF) is a major health problem for older adults, present not just in fallers, but also nonfallers. This study examined the impact of FOF and fall history on disability incidence among community‐dwelling older adults from a prospective cohort study.MethodsA total of 5104 older adults living in community settings participated in baseline assessment and were followed up for about 4 years (median 52 mo, range 49‐55 mo). At baseline, participants were assessed the presence of FOF and their fall history, and divided into 4 groups: Fall (−) FOF (−), Fall (+) FOF (−), Fall (−) FOF (+), and Fall (+) FOF (+). Disability incidence was defined as national long‐term care insurance certification for personal support or care.ResultsDuring the follow‐up period, 429 participants (9.9%) were newly certified as having a disability and needing personal support for long‐term care insurance. Fall (−) FOF (+) group and Fall (+) FOF (+) group showed a significantly higher risk of disability incidence than Fall (−) FOF (−) group even after adjusting for covariates (Fall (−) FOF (+): hazard ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval, 1.01‐1.62, Fall (+) FOF (+): hazard ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval, 1.05‐1.98).ConclusionsFear of falling could be a simple and useful predictor of disability incidence in community‐dwelling older adults. Identifying and decreasing fall risk factors may prevent fall‐related injuries, but excessive FOF may be associated with increased risk of disability incidence.
Behavior‐driven arc expression is reduced in all ventral hippocampal subfields compared to CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus in rat dorsal hippocampus
Authors: Chawla M. K. , Sutherland V. L. , Olson K. , McNaughton B. L. , Barnes C. A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAnatomical connectivity and lesion studies reveal distinct functional heterogeneity along the dorsal–ventral axis of the hippocampus. The immediate early gene Arc is known to be involved in neural plasticity and memory and can be used as a marker for cell activity that occurs, for example, when hippocampal place cells fire. We report here, that Arc is expressed in a greater proportion of cells in dorsal CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG), following spatial behavioral experiences compared to ventral hippocampal subregions (dorsal CA1 = 33%; ventral CA1 = 13%; dorsal CA3 = 23%; ventral CA3 = 8%; and dorsal DG = 2.5%; ventral DG = 1.2%). The technique used here to obtain estimates of numbers of behavior‐driven cells across the dorsal–ventral axis, however, corresponds quite well with samples from available single unit recording studies. Several explanations for the two‐ to‐threefold reduction in spatial behavior‐driven cell activity in the ventral hippocampus can be offered. These include anatomical connectivity differences, differential gain of the self‐motion signals that appear to alter the scale of place fields and the proportion of active cells, and possibly variations in the neuronal responses to non‐spatial information within the hippocampus along its dorso‐ventral axis.
Ageing in India: Financial hardship from health expenditures
Authors: Lee Ting‐Hsuan J. , Saran Indrani , Rao Krishna D. 
Published: December 2017

SummaryIndia's rapidly ageing population raises concerns about the burden of health care payments among older individuals who may have both limited income and greater health care needs. Using a nationally representative household survey, we investigate the association between age and financial hardship due to health expenditures. We find that both the probability of experiencing health problems and mean total out‐of‐pocket health expenditures increase with age. Second, the probability of households experiencing catastrophic health expenditures increases with each additional member aged 60 and above—33% of households with one 60+ member and 38% of households with 2 or more 60+ members experienced catastrophic health expenditures, compared to only 20% in households with all members under the age of 60 years. Lastly, we show that individuals aged 60 and above had a much higher probability of becoming impoverished as a result of health expenditures—the probability of impoverishment for 60+ individuals was 3 percentage points higher than for individuals under the age of 60. Overall, around 4.8% of the older population, representing 4.1 million people, fell into poverty. The results suggest that there is an urgent need for public investments in financial protection programs for older people in India.
Determining hydrological regimes in an agriculturally used tropical inland valley wetland in Central Uganda using soil moisture, groundwater, and digital elevation data
Authors: Gabiri Geofrey , Diekkrüger Bernd , Leemhuis Constanze , Burghof Sonja , Näschen Kristian , Asiimwe Immaculate , Bamutaze Yazidhi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractInadequate knowledge exists on the distribution of soil moisture and shallow groundwater in intensively cultivated inland valley wetlands in tropical environments, which are required for determining the hydrological regime. This study investigated the spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture along 4 hydrological positions segmented as riparian zone, valley bottom, fringe, and valley slope in an agriculturally used inland valley wetland in Central Uganda. The determined hydrological regimes of the defined hydrological positions are based on soil moisture deficit calculated from the depth to the groundwater table. For that, the accuracy and reliability of satellite‐derived surface models, SRTM‐30m and TanDEM‐X‐12m, for mapping microscale topography and hydrological regimes are evaluated against a 5‐m digital elevation model (DEM) derived from field measurements. Soil moisture and depth to groundwater table were measured using frequency domain reflectometry sensors and piezometers installed along the hydrological positions, respectively. Results showed that spatial and temporal variability in soil moisture increased significantly (p < .05) towards the riparian zone; however, no significant difference was observed between the valley bottom and riparian zone. The distribution of soil hydrological regimes, saturated, near‐saturated, and nonsaturated regimes does not correlate with the hydrological positions. This is due to high spatial and temporal variability in depth to groundwater and soil moisture content across the valley. Precipitation strongly controlled the temporal variability, whereas microscale topography, soil properties, distance from the stream, anthropogenic factors, and land use controlled the spatial variability in the inland valley. TanDEM‐X DEM reasonably mapped the microscale topography and thus soil hydrological regimes relative to the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission DEM. The findings of the study contribute to improved understanding of the distribution of hydrological regimes in an inland valley wetland, which is required for a better agricultural water management planning.
Parenting as a moderator of the effects of cumulative risk on children's social–emotional adjustment and academic readiness
Authors: Ruberry Erika J. , Klein Melanie R. , Kiff Cara J. , Thompson Stephanie F. , Lengua Liliana J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThis study examined whether parenting moderated the association between cumulative risk and preschool children's adjustment problems, social competence, and academic readiness. The sample consisted of 306 families representing the full range of income, with 29% at or near poverty and 28% lower income. Cumulative risk and observed maternal parenting behaviours were assessed when the children were 36–40 months, and teachers rated outcomes at 63–68 months. Greater cumulative risk was more strongly related to higher adjustment problems when scaffolding was low and unrelated when it was high, suggesting a protective effect. Consistent limit setting was associated with higher academic readiness regardless of risk level and at low levels of risk it was associated with the highest levels of social competence. A pattern potentially indicating differential effectiveness emerged for warmth, such that, at lower levels of risk, higher warmth was associated with better outcomes, but at higher levels of risk, it was associated with higher levels of problems and poorer social competence and academic readiness. Results suggest that buffering effects of particular parenting behaviours, both alone and in combination, may be context‐specific.Highlights

This study examined whether parenting moderated the association between cumulative risk and preschool children's social–emotional adjustment outcomes.
Parental warmth, consistent limit‐setting and scaffolding conditioned the relations between risk and child outcomes, yet some of the patterns were unexpected.
Further work is needed to confirm whether effective parenting behaviors differ across risk contexts and if these can buffer children from developing adjustment problems.
Mechanoactivation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor induces β‐arrestin‐biased signaling through Gαi coupling
Authors: Wang Jialu , Hanada Kenji , Gareri Clarice , Rockman Howard A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractLigand activation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), a member of the G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) family, stimulates intracellular signaling to mediate a variety of physiological responses. The AT1R is also known to be a mechanical sensor. When activated by mechanical stretch, the AT1R can signal via the multifunctional adaptor protein β‐arrestin, rather than through classical heterotrimeric G protein pathways. To date, the AT1R conformation induced by membrane stretch in the absence of ligand was thought to be the same as that induced by β‐arrestin‐biased agonists, which selectively engage β‐arrestin thereby preventing G protein coupling. Here, we show that in contrast to the β‐arrestin‐biased agonists TRV120023 and TRV120026, membrane stretch uniquely promotes the coupling of the inhibitory G protein (Gαi) to the AT1R to transduce signaling. Stretch‐triggered AT1R‐Gαi coupling is required for the recruitment of β‐arrestin2 and activation of downstream signaling pathways, such as EGFR transactivation and ERK phosphorylation. Our findings demonstrate additional complexity in the mechanism of receptor bias in which the recruitment of Gαi is required for allosteric mechanoactivation of the AT1R‐induced β‐arrestin‐biased signaling.
miR‐24‐3p promotes cell migration and proliferation in lung cancer by targeting SOX7
Authors: Yan Liang , Ma Jinzhu , Zhu Yiping , Zan Jiawei , Wang Zhen , Ling Liefeng , Li Qiang , Lv Jun , Qi Shimei , Cao Yingya , Liu Ying , Cao Long , Zhang Yao , Qi Zhilin , Nie Liuwang 
Published: December 2017

AbstractLung cancer (LC) is one of the leading causes of cancer‐related death in the world. miR‐24‐3p plays critical roles in many cancer types, including LC. In this study, we first investigated whether miR‐24‐3p promoted LC cell migration and proliferation in vitro. We used three bioinformatics algorithms to predict the miR‐24‐3p target gene to study the molecular mechanism by which miR‐24‐3p contributes to LC progression. Then, we used the luciferase reporter assay to identify whether SOX7 was a direct target of miR‐24‐3p. Moreover, Western blotting and a quantitative real time‐polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that miR‐24‐3p downregulated SOX7 protein expression by a post‐transcriptional mechanism. Finally, we determined that SOX7 had opposing effects to those of miR‐24‐3p on LC cell proliferation and migration, suggesting that miR‐24‐3p promotes cell proliferation and migration by directly targeting SOX7. Furthermore, miR‐24‐3p accelerated tumor growth in xenograft mice by targeting SOX7. These results provide the first clue that miR‐24‐3p could play a role as an oncomiR in LC by regulating SOX7.
Retracted: Effects of microrna‐93 on mouse cardiac microvascular endothelial cells injury and inflammatory response by mediating SPP1 through the NF‐ΚB pathway
Authors: Ma Su‐Xia , Bai Zhi‐Feng , Wang Wei , Wu Hui‐Ying 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBackgroundThis study aims to investigate the regulative role of microRNA‐93 (miR‐93) in mouse cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) injury and inflammatory response by negatively targeting SPP1 gene via the NF‐κB signaling pathway.MethodsHealthy Balb/c mice were recruited to establish a mouse model with myocarditis using the CVB3 virus. Mice were grouped into normal, blank, negative control (NC), miR‐93 inhibitor, miR‐93 mimic, SPP1 short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and miR‐93 mimic+SPP1 shRNA groups. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were applied to determine the expressions of miR‐93, SPP1, VEGFA, p50, p65, Bax, and Bcl‐2. MTT assay was conducted to evaluate cell viability, annexin V‐fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide double staining was conducted to examine cell apoptosis, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to measure secretion of inflammatory factors, and chemical colorimetry was conducted to determine NO secretion.ResultsSPP1 was a target gene of miR‐93. Compared with the normal group, other six groups showed increased expressions of SPP1, p50, p65, VEGFA, and Bax, as well as cell apoptosis rate and secretion of cell inflammatory factors, and decreased expression of Bcl‐2, cell viability, and NO secretion. Compared with the blank group, the miR‐93 inhibitor group showed elevated expressions of SPP1, p50, p65, VEGFA, and Bax, as well as cell apoptosis rate and secretion of cell inflammatory factors, and reduced Bcl‐2, cell viability, and NO secretion. While the miR‐93 mimic and SPP1 shRNA groups displayed opposite results.ConclusionTaking our results together, we conclude that upregulation of miR‐93 reduces CMECs injury and inflammatory response by negatively targeting SPP1 via inactivating the NF‐κB signaling pathway.
Microbial production of glutaconic acid via extradiol ring cleavage of catechol
Authors: Sun Jing , Ren Yanxian , Raza Muslim , Sun Xinxiao , Yuan Qipeng 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDGlutaconic acid (GA), a potential precursor for nylons and biodegradable polyesters, can hardly be produced by microorganisms in nature. In this study, a metabolic engineering method was used to design a novel artificial pathway in Escherichia coli for GA production by connecting catechol biosynthesis and its extradiol cleavage degradation pathway.RESULTSResults of enzyme assays showed the kcat value of C23O (catechol 2, 3‐dioxygenase) toward catechol was 101.6 ± 2.0 s‐1, and the kcat value of DmpC (2‐hydroxymuconic semialdehyde dehydrogenase) toward 2‐hydroxymuconic semialdehyde was 11.1 ± 0.6 s‐1. The enzymes of full pathway were then split into four modules according to their various activities. After feeding experiments, the full pathway was introduced into E. coli strain BW25113, and the production of GA reached 18.1 ± 1.2 mg L‐1. After two genes of the pathway were incorporated into the chromosome, the resultant strain exhibited improved cell growth, and the titer of GA reached 35.3 ± 1.8 mg L‐1.CONCLUSIONSThe catalytic parameters of C23O and DmpC were tested and used for module assembling. Integration of genes in the pathway alleviated the metabolic burden of strain and resulted in higher production of GA. Moreover, this is the first report demonstrating the de novo biosynthesis of GA via extradiol ring cleavage of catechol from simple carbon sources in E. coli. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Cycles with two blocks in k‐chromatic digraphs
Authors: Kim Ringi , Kim Seog‐Jin , Ma Jie , Park Boram 
Published: December 2017

AbstractLet k and ℓ be positive integers. A cycle with two blocks is a digraph obtained by an orientation of an undirected cycle, which consists of two internally (vertex) disjoint paths of lengths at least k and ℓ, respectively, from a vertex to another one. A problem of Addario‐Berry, Havet and Thomassé [J. Combin. Theory Ser. B 97 (2007), 620–626] asked if, given positive integers k and ℓ such that , any strongly connected digraph D containing no has chromatic number at most . In this article, we show that such digraph D has chromatic number at most , improving the previous upper bound of Cohen et al. [Subdivisions of oriented cycles in digraphs with large chromatic number, to appear]. We also show that if in addition D is Hamiltonian, then its underlying simple graph is ‐degenerate and thus the chromatic number of D is at most , which is tight.
Biocatalysis in radiochemistry: Enzymatic incorporation of PET radionuclides into molecules of biomedical interest
Authors: da Silva Eunice S. , Gómez‐Vallejo Vanessa , López‐Gallego Fernando , Llop Jordi 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBiocatalysis is emerging as a new approach to radiolabel biologically active molecules with short half‐lived positron emitters for their use in positron emission tomography. Despite the golden era of biocatalysis in radiochemistry occurred in the 70s and 80s, advances in enzyme engineering during the last decade have significantly enhanced the toolbox of enzymes available for chemical reactions, which may find application in the context of radiochemistry. In the present review, we intend to give an overview of the biocatalytic approaches that have been reported during the last 4 decades for the synthesis of PET radiotracers using nitrogen‐13, carbon‐11, and fluorine‐18.
Creativity Research and Cultural Context: Past, Present, and Future
Authors: Sawyer R. Keith 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCreativity research has always been linked to its social and cultural context. In this essay, I give two examples of how creativity research has changed from the 1950s to the present, and I argue that these two changes are driven by social and cultural factors. First, I discuss a transformation in U.S. society from a 1950s emphasis on conformity, to a contemporary valorization of radical entrepreneurship that rejects the status quo. Second, I discuss a shift from a focus on creative forms associated with elite cultural groups, to a broader focus on universal creativity.
Gold film over very small (107 nm) spheres as efficient substrate for sensitive and reproducible surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection of biologically important molecules
Authors: Štolcová Lucie , Peksa Vlastimil , Proška Jan , Procházka Marek 
Published: December 2017

AbstractGold plasmonic nanostructures with high sensitivity and spectral reproducibility are key components of molecular sensors based on surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). In this paper, we report a “bottom‐up” fabrication of gold “film over nanosphere” (FON) substrates for SERS sensing on the basis of very small (107 nm in diameter) polystyrene spheres coated with 20 nm of gold. To obtain close‐packed spheres in a large scale area, the self‐assembly at the water–air interface was found to be very efficient. Sensitivity and reproducibility of the AuFON substrates were tested using various molecular probes: 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(1‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl)porphyrin, p‐aminothiophenol, and benzocaine. Relative standard deviation of SERS signal was found to be less than 20% confirming good spectral reproducibility especially using a 100× objective. Then, we demonstrated sensitive SERS detection of other biologically important molecules adsorbed on our AuFON substrates: thiolated‐polyA, protoporphyrin IX, and two alkaloids (nicotine and strychnine). Estimated limits of detection were 8.2 × 10−7 and 4.5 × 10−7 M (in order of 100 ng.ml−1) incubation concentration for strychnine and nicotine, respectively. Therefore, we conclude that the 20‐nm gold film deposited on polystyrene spheres of 107 nm in diameter provided both good spectral reproducibility and sensitivity. Their implementation into the SERS‐active system will enable to bring about new quantitative and analytical SERS applications.
Effects of medium‐chain triacylglycerols on Maillard reaction in bread baking
Authors: Toyosaki Toshiyuki 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo investigate the relationship between the fatty acid composition of medium‐chain triacylglycerols (MCTs) and the Maillard reaction induced during bread baking, a comparison with various fatty acids was conducted.RESULTSSaturated fatty acids had a remarkable inhibitory effect on the amount of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) generated from the Maillard reaction in bread baking compared to unsaturated fatty acids. The amount of AGEs produced by each fatty acid (mg kg−1) was as follows: C18:0, 18.7; C12:0, 35.2; C16:0, 21.4; C18:0, 38.2; C18:1, 68.7; C18:2, 80.1; C20:4, 80.8; C22:4, 89.8. Saturated fatty acids were possibly involved in the Maillard reaction and, as a result, acted to inhibit it. In the case of unsaturated fatty acids, amounts of AGEs during the Maillard reaction in baking tended to increase as the degree of unsaturation increased. In other words, there was a positive correlation between the degree of unsaturation and the amount of AGEs. It was also confirmed that the air pore distribution in baked bread was closely related to AGEs.CONCLUSIONThese results led us to conclude that the fatty acid composition of the added lipids also influences properties that determine the tastiness of bread. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry