bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The CREB Transcription Factor Controls Transcriptional Activity of the Human RIC8B Gene
Authors: Maureira Alejandro , Sánchez Rodolfo , Valenzuela Nicole , Torrejón Marcela , Hinrichs María V. , Olate Juan , Gutiérrez José L. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTProper regulation of gene expression is essential for normal development, cellular growth, and differentiation. Differential expression profiles of mRNA coding for vertebrate Ric‐8B during embryo and adult stages have been observed. In addition, Ric‐8B is expressed in few cerebral nuclei subareas. These facts point to a dynamic control of RIC8B gene expression. In order to understand the transcriptional regulation of this gene, we searched for cis‐elements in the sequence of the human RIC8B promoter region, identifying binding sites for the basic/leucine zipper (bZip) CREB transcription factor family (CRE sites) and C/EBP transcription factor family (C/EBP sites). CRE sites were found clustered near the transcription start site, while the C/EBP sites were found clustered at around 300 bp upstream the CRE sites. Here, we demonstrate the ability of CREB1 and C/EBPβ to bind their respective elements identified in the RIC8B promoter. Comparative protein‐DNA interaction analyses revealed only the proximal elements as high affinity sites for CREB1 and only the distal elements as high affinity sites for C/EBPβ. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses, carried out using a human neuroblastoma cell line, confirmed the preferential association of CREB to the proximal region of the RIC8B promoter. By performing luciferase reporter assays, we found the CRE sites as the most relevant elements for its transcriptional activity. Taken together, these data show the existence of functional CREB and C/EBP binding sites in the human RIC8B gene promoter, a particular distribution of these sites and demonstrate a relevant role of CREB in stimulating transcriptional activity of this gene. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1797–1805, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dexamethasone‐Induced Skeletal Muscle Atrophy Increases O‐GlcNAcylation in C2C12 Cells
Authors: Massaccesi Luca , Goi Giancarlo , Tringali Cristina , Barassi Alessandra , Venerando Bruno , Papini Nadia 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTSkeletal muscle atrophy is a well‐known adverse effect of chronic treatment with glucocorticoids and it also occurs when stress conditions such as sepsis and cachexia increase the release of endogenous glucocorticoids. Although the mechanisms of action of these hormones have been elucidated, the possible molecular mechanisms causing atrophy are not yet fully understood. The involvement of the O‐GlcNAcylation process has recently been reported in disuse atrophy. O‐GlcNAcylation, a regulatory post‐translational modification of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins consists in the attachment of O‐GlcNAc residues on cell proteins and is regulated by two enzymes: O‐GlcNAc‐transferase (OGT) and O‐GlcNAcase (OGA). O‐GlcNAcylation plays a crucial role in many cellular processes and it seems to be related to skeletal muscle physiological function. The aim of this study is to investigate the involvement of O‐GlcNAcylation in glucocorticoid‐induced atrophy by using an “in vitro” model, achieved by treatment of C2C12 with 10 μM dexamethasone for 48 h. In atrophic condition, we observed that O‐GlcNAc levels in cell proteins increased and concomitantly protein phosphorylation on serine and threonine residues decreased. Analysis of OGA expression at mRNA and protein levels showed a reduction in this enzyme in atrophic myotubes, whereas no significant changes of OGT expression were found. Furthermore, inhibition of OGA activity by Thiamet G induced atrophy marker expression. Our current findings suggest that O‐GlcNAcylation is involved in dexamethasone‐induced atrophy. In particular, we propose that the decrease in OGA content causes an excessive and mostly durable level of O‐GlcNAc residues on sarcomeric proteins that might modify their function and stability. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1833–1842, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased expression of H19/miR‐675 is associated with a low fat‐free mass index in patients with COPD
Authors: Lewis Amy , Lee Jen Y. , Donaldson Anna V. , Natanek S. Amanda , Vaidyanathan Srividya , Man William D.‐C. , Hopkinson Nicholas S. , Sayer Avan A. , Patel Harnish P. , Cooper Cyrus , Syddall Holly , Polkey Michael I. , Kemp Paul R. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundLoss of muscle mass and strength is a significant comorbidity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that limits their quality of life and has prognostic implications but does not affect everyone equally. To identify mechanisms that may contribute to the susceptibility to a low muscle mass, we investigated microRNA (miRNA) expression, methylation status, and regeneration in quadriceps muscle from COPD patients and the effect of miRNAs on myoblast proliferation in vitro. The relationships of miRNA expression with muscle mass and strength was also determined in a group of healthy older men.MethodsWe identified miRNAs associated with a low fat‐free mass (FFM) phenotype in a small group of patients with COPD using a PCR screen of 750 miRNAs. The expression of two differentially expressed miRNAs (miR‐675 and miR‐519a) was determined in an expanded group of COPD patients and their associations with FFM and strength identified. The association of these miRNAs with FFM and strength was also explored in a group of healthy community‐dwelling older men. As the expression of the miRNAs associated with FFM could be regulated by methylation, the relative methylation of the H19 ICR was determined. Furthermore, the proportion of myofibres with centralized nuclei, as a marker of muscle regeneration, in the muscle of COPD patients was identified by immunofluorescence.ResultsImprinted miRNAs (miR‐675 and from a cluster, C19MC which includes miR‐519a) were differentially expressed in the quadriceps of patients with a low fat‐free mass index (FFMI) compared to those with a normal FFMI. In larger cohorts, miR‐675 and its host gene (H19) were higher in patients with a low FFMI and strength. The association of miR‐519a expression with FFMI was present in male patients with severe COPD. Similar associations of miR expression with lean mass and strength were not observed in healthy community dwelling older men participating in the Hertfordshire Sarcopenia Study. Relative methylation of the H19 ICR was reduced in COPD patients with muscle weakness but was not associated with FFM. In vitro, miR‐675 inhibited myoblast proliferation and patients with a low FFMI had fewer centralized nuclei suggesting miR‐675 represses regeneration.ConclusionsThe data suggest that increased expression of miR‐675/H19 and altered methylation of the H19 imprinting control region are associated with a low FFMI in patients with COPD but not in healthy community dwelling older men suggesting that epigenetic control of this loci may contribute to a susceptibility to a low FFMI.
Reduced long axis strain is associated with heart failure and cardiovascular events in the multi‐ethnic study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Gjesdal Ola , Yoneyama Kihei , Mewton Nathan , Wu Colin , Gomes Antoinette S. , Hundley Gregory , Prince Martin , Shea Steven , Liu Kiang , Bluemke David A. , Lima Joao A.C. 
Published: January 2016

PurposeTo propose long axis strain (LAS), a novel index of global left ventricle (LV) function, as a sensitive and powerful predictor of hard cardiovascular events and heart failure in the Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).Materials and MethodsStrain is an index of relative myocardial deformation, and enables normalization for differences in heart size. Measurement of strain conventionally requires dedicated software and protocols for image acquisition. LAS, however, can be analyzed using a caliper tool from conventional LV long axis magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cine loops, reflecting the average myocardial contraction in the longitudinal direction. In all, 1651 participants (53% men) of the MESA study, without a history of myocardial infarction or heart failure, were assessed using conventional cine MR images. LV lengths were assessed at end‐diastole (EDL) and end‐systole (ESL), and LAS was calculated as 100*(EDL‐ESL)/EDL. Participants were followed for 6.8 ± 1.8 years for a composite endpoint of congestive heart failure or hard cardiovascular events, and the predictive ability of LAS was tested, unadjusted and adjusted for established cardiovascular risk factors.ResultsA total of 114 events were observed. Mean LAS was 11.7 ± 2.5% and 10.0 ± 2.7% in participants without and with events, respectively (P < 0.001). Increased LAS reduced the hazard ratio to 0.75 for univariate, and 0.88 for multivariate assessments, respectively (both P < 0.001).ConclusionAssessment of long axis LV deformation by LAS is feasible and reproducible. Moreover, LAS predicts hard cardiovascular events and congestive heart failure in a multi‐ethnic population without overt cardiovascular disease at inclusion. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:178–185.
Vibrational and reorientational dynamics, crystal structure and solid–solid phase transition studies in [Ca(H2O)6]Cl2 supported by theoretical (DFT) calculations
Authors: Hetmańczyk Joanna , Hetmańczyk Łukasz , Migdał‐Mikuli Anna , Mikuli Edward 
Published: January 2016

[Ca(H2O)6]Cl2 between 93 and 300 K possesses two solid phases. One phase transition (PT) of the first‐order type at
= 218.0 K (on heating) and
= 208.0 K (on cooling) was determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal hysteresis of this PT (10 K), as well as the heat flow anomaly sharpness, suggests that the detected PT is a first‐order one. The entropy change value [ΔS ≈ 8.5 J mol−1 K−1 ≈ Rln(2.8)] associated with the observed PT suggests a moderate degree of molecular dynamical disorder of the high‐temperature phase. The temperature dependencies of the full width at half maximum values of the infrared band are due to ρ(H2O)A2 mode (at 205 cm−1), and two Raman bands are arising from τ(H2O)E and τ(H2O)A1 modes (at ca. 410 and 682 cm−1, respectively), suggesting that the observed PT is associated with a sudden change of speed of the H2O reorientational motions. The estimated mean value of activation energy for the reorientation of the H2O ligands in the high‐temperature phase is ca. 11.4 kJ mol−1 from Raman spectroscopy and 11.9 kJ mol−1 from infrared spectroscopy. X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction measurement and spectroscopic studies (infrared, Raman and inelastic neutron scattering) also confirm that [Ca(H2O)6]Cl2 includes two sets of differently bonded H2O molecules. Ab initio calculations of the complete unit cell of one molecule of calcium chloride with a different number of water molecules (2, 4 and 6) have also been carried out. A comparison of Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR), Fourier Transform Raman Scattering (FT‐RS) and inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopies results with periodic density functional theory calculations was used to provide a complete assignment of the vibrational spectra of [Ca(H2O)6]Cl2. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of methods for the measurement of CO2 and CH4 emissions from surface water reservoirs: Results from an international workshop held at Three Gorges Dam, June 2012
Authors: Zhao Yan , Sherman Bradford , Ford Phillip , Demarty Maud , DelSontro Tonya , Harby Atle , Tremblay Alain , Øverjordet Ida Beathe , Zhao Xinfeng , Hansen Bjørn Henrik , Wu Bingfang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFluxes of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) from hydroelectric and water supply reservoirs are receiving increasing attention around the world with a number of research groups having undertaken measurements of these emissions across a range of lakes and reservoirs located in different climates and landscapes. The use of floating chambers (aka flux chambers) is the most common technique for direct measurement of these fluxes. However, the relative performance of different measurement systems, especially different chamber designs, is not well documented. We report the results of an international workshop held in June 2012 at Three Gorges Dam, China, to compare measurements performed by four groups with extensive chamber monitoring experience: the Chinese Academy of Science (China), CSIRO (Australia), SINTEF (Norway), Hydro‐Québec/Environnement Illimité (Canada). A fifth group, Eawag (Switzerland), performed hydroacoustic surveys to detect ebullition in the water column. We recommend CH4 as a more suitable trace gas for comparing methodologies due to its relative stability in the surface layer of the water column, for example, it is not subject to significant diurnal changes due to photosynthesis and respiration. Measured fluxes agreed to within 20% between the four teams suggesting that the shape and dimensions of the floating chambers and the chamber gas flow rates (i.e., chamber residence time) did not have an appreciable systematic effect on the measured fluxes for the relatively low wind speeds prevalent at the reservoir. The CO2 and CH4 fluxes measured during the workshop agree well with previous measurements in Three Gorges Reservoir.
Effect of silver diamine fluoride and ammonium hexafluorosilicate applications with and without Er:YAG laser irradiation on the microtensile bond strength in sound and caries‐affected dentin
Authors: Kucukyilmaz Ebru , Savas Selcuk , Akcay Merve , Bolukbasi Basak 
Published: January 2016

Background and ObjectiveCariostatic and preventive agents are applied to create caries‐resistant dentin surfaces and may affect subsequent resin bonding. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different agents with and without Er:YAG laser irradiation on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of resin composite to sound dentin (SD) and caries‐affected dentin (CAD), and to assess the morphological and chemical changes in the specimens.Materials and MethodsNinety‐six extracted molar teeth were divided into a control group (deionized water) and two experimental groups (ammonium hexafluorosilicate [SiF], silver diamine fluoride [SDF]), that subdivided according to different conditions (SD, CAD, SD+laser irradiation, CAD+laser irradiation). After treatment procedures, the teeth were restored and the µTBS was tested with a universal testing machine. Morover, 144 teeth were prepared and after treatment modalities; morphological changes of the surface were investigated and elemental analyses were performed using scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS). The data were analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests.ResultsSDF and SiF applications reduced the µTBS values in both the SD and CAD subgroups (P < 0.05). Laser irradiation increased the µTBS values in the SiF group and the values were adversely affected in the SDF group (P < 0.05). Fluoride content of the specimens increased in all of the treatment groups, compared with the control group. Silver content was detected only in the SDF group, and silicon was detected only in the SiF group.ConclusionsThe µTBS values of resin composite, surface morphology and chemical characteristics of dentin were affected by the material type, dentin condition and laser irradiation and the use of SiF and SDF solutions under the resin restorations do not seem appropriate. Lasers Surg. Med. 48:62–69, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parallel Jacobi–Davidson with block FSAI preconditioning and controlled inner iterations
Authors: Ferronato Massimiliano , Janna Carlo , Pini Giorgio 
Published: January 2016

SummaryThe Jacobi–Davidson (JD) algorithm is considered one of the most efficient eigensolvers currently available for non‐Hermitian problems. It can be viewed as a coupled inner‐outer iteration, where the inner one expands the search subspace and the outer one reduces the eigenpair residual. One of the difficulties in the JD efficient use stems from the definition of the most appropriate inner tolerance, so as to avoid useless extra work and keep the number of outer iterations under control. To this aim, the use of an efficient preconditioner for the inner iterative solver is of paramount importance. The present paper describes a fresh implementation of the JD algorithm with controlled inner iterations and block factorized sparse approximate inverse preconditioning for non‐Hermitian eigenproblems in a parallel computational environment. The algorithm performance is investigated by comparison with a freely available software package such as SLEPc. The results show that combining the inner tolerance control with an efficient preconditioning technique can allow for a significant improvement of the JD performance, preserving a good scalability. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐pot fabrication of robust interpenetrating hydrogels via orthogonal click reactions
Authors: Murakami Takuya , Brown Hugh R. , Hawker Craig J. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTInterpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogels have been fabricated through a facile one‐pot approach from tetra/bifunctional telechelic macromonomers with epoxy, amine, azide, and alkyne groups by orthogonal double click reactions: epoxy‐amine reaction and copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition. Both the crosslinked networks are simultaneously constructed in water from the biocompatible poly (ethylene glycol)‐based macromonomers. The crosslinking density of each network was finely tuned by the macromonomer structure, permitting control of network molecular weights between crosslinks of the final gels. Compared to corresponding single network gels, the IPN gels containing both tightly and loosely crosslinked networks exhibited superior mechanical properties with shear moduli above 15 kPa and fracture stresses over 40 MPa. The synthetic versatility of this one‐pot approach will further establish design principles for the next generation of robust hydrogel materials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 1459–1467
The impact of food allergens on airway responsiveness in schoolchildren with asthma: A DBPCFC study
Authors: Krogulska Aneta , Dynowski Jarosław , Jędrzejczyk Magdalena , Sardecka Izabela , Małachowska Beata , Wąsowska‐Królikowska Krystyna 
Published: January 2016

SummaryBackground and ObjectiveDespite the growing evidence of a possible link between asthma and food allergy (FA), so far, the involvement of food in inducing respiratory symptoms has not been fully evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of food allergens on respiratory symptoms and bronchial reactivity (BHR) in schoolchildren with asthma.MethodsThe initial study group consisted of 362 children with asthma. In the end, 22 children with concomitant FA, and 18 without FA, were selected to participate in the study. Spirometry and Methacholine Inhalation Challenge (MIC) were conducted prior to and after the completion of a double blind placebo control food challenge (DBPCFC).ResultsThe food‐induced asthmatic reactions were observed in nine (2.5%) out of all 362 children with asthma. Mean FEV1 prior to and after allergen or placebo challenge did not differ between the groups studied. Increase of BHR after DBPCFC was seen in 17 (4.7%) children with asthma. The mean PC20 value in children with FA was 1.41 ± 1.12 mg/ml prior to the allergen challenge and 0.86 ± 0.71 mg/ml (P = 0.002) after the test, whereas these values were 1.93 ± 1.68 mg/ml and 2.02 ± 1.75 mg/ml, respectively, in children without FA (P > 0.05). Significant differences were noted after the allergen provocation in children with FA as compared to children without FA (P = 0.007).ConclusionsAlthough food allergens are a rare trigger of food‐induced asthmatic reactions in schoolchildren with asthma, they could enhance BHR, despite a lack of evident clinical respiratory signs and decreased in FEV1 values after food challenge. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2016;51:787–795. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of acidification, lipid removal and mathematical normalization on carbon and nitrogen stable isotope compositions in beaked whale (Ziphiidae) bone
Authors: Tatsch Ana Carolina C. , Secchi Eduardo R. , Botta Silvina 
Published: January 2016

RationaleThe analysis of stable isotopes in tissues such as teeth and bones has been used to study long‐term trophic ecology and habitat use in marine mammals. However, carbon isotope ratios (δ13C values) can be altered by the presence of 12C‐rich lipids and carbonates. Lipid extraction and acidification are common treatments used to remove these compounds. The impact of lipids and carbonates on carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (δ15N values), however, varies among tissues and/or species, requiring taxon‐specific protocols to be developed.MethodsThe effects of lipid extraction and acidification and their interaction on carbon and nitrogen isotope values were studied for beaked whale (Ziphiidae) bone samples. δ13C and δ15N values were determined in quadruplicate samples: control, lipid‐extracted, acidified and lipid‐extracted followed by acidification. Samples were analyzed by means of elemental analysis isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the efficiency of five mathematical models developed for estimating lipid‐normalized δ13C values from untreated δ13C values was tested.ResultsSignificant increases in δ13C values were observed after lipid extraction. No significant changes in δ13C values were found in acidified samples. An interaction between both treatments was demonstrated for δ13C but not for δ15N values. No change was observed in δ15N values for lipid‐extracted and/or acidified samples. Although all tested models presented good predictive power to estimate lipid‐free δ13C values, linear models performed best.ConclusionsGiven the observed changes in δ13C values after lipid extraction, we recommend a priori lipid extraction or a posteriori lipid normalization, through simple linear models, for beaked whale bones. Furthermore, acidification seems to be an unnecessary step before stable isotope analysis, at least for bone samples of ziphiids. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zum Einfluss von Knotenblechanschlüssen auf das Tragverhalten von druckbelasteten Fachwerkstäben
Authors: Lange Jörg , Abel Tobias 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFachwerkstäbe, die mittels Knotenblechanschlüssen an die Gurte von Fachwerken angeschlossen werden, weisen unter Umständen eine reduzierte Druckbeanspruchbarkeit auf. Der Grund hierfür liegt häufig in der reduzierten Steifigkeit des Knotenblechs gegenüber dem Fachwerkstab. Reine festigkeitsbasierte Nachweise an den Knotenblechen reichen dann nicht aus, um auch die Forderung des Stabilitätsnachweises einzuhalten.Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die Einflüsse einzelner Parameter sowie die Erfordernisse bei der Modellbildung für Fachwerkstäbe mit Knotenblechanschlüssen aufgezeigt. Weiterhin werden Konstruktionsregeln vorgestellt, die den Anwender bei der Ermittlung der erforderlichen Knotenblechsteifigkeit unterstützen können.The influence of gusset plates on the bearing behaviour of truss members in compression. Web members of trusses may be connected to the top or bottom chord by gusset plates, which might lead to a reduction of their buckling resistance. This is due to the smaller stiffness of the gusset plate in comparison to the member. A design of the plate based on the strength of the material only is not sufficient in these cases since the stability must be checked too.In this paper the effects of various parameters are presented. Furthermore it is shown how web members and gusset plates should be modelled to obtain reasonable results. Design aides are given to help determining an appropriate stiffness.