bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Right ventricular systolic function in hypoplastic left heart syndrome: A comparison of manual and automated software to measure fractional area change
Authors: Ruotsalainen Hanna K. , Bellsham‐Revell Hannah R. , Bell Aaron J. , Pihkala Jaana I. , Ojala Tiina H. , Simpson John M. 
Published: February 2017

BackgroundQuantitative echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function is important in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). The aim of this study was to examine the repeatability of different echocardiographic techniques, both manual and automated, to measure fractional area change (FAC) in patients with HLHS and to correlate these measurements with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐derived ejection fraction (EF).MethodsFifty‐one children with HLHS underwent transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac MRI under the same general anesthetic as part of routine inter‐stage assessment. FAC was measured from the apical four‐chamber view using three different techniques: velocity vector imaging (VVI) (Syngo USWP 3.0; Siemens Healthineers), QLAB (Q‐lab R 10.0; Philips Healthcare), and manual endocardial contour tracing (Xcelera, Philips Healthcare). Intra‐ and inter‐observer variability was calculated using intra‐class correlation coefficient (ICC). FAC was correlated with MRI EF calculated using a single standard method.ResultsFractional area change had a good correlation with MRI‐derived EF with an R value for VVI, QLAB, and manual methods of .7, .6, and .4, respectively. Intra‐ and inter‐observer variability for FAC was good for automated echocardiographic methods (ICC>.85) but worse for manual method particularly inter‐observer variability of FAC and end‐systolic area. Both automated techniques tended to produce higher FAC values compared with manual measurements (P<.001).ConclusionAutomation improves the repeatability of FAC in HLHS. There are some differences between automated software in terms of correlation with MRI‐derived EF. Measurement bias and wide limits of agreement mean that the same echocardiographic technique should be used during the follow‐up of individual patients.
The susceptibility of selected conifer foliage to infection with Phytophthora lateralis
Authors: Schlenzig A. , Campbell R. B. , Roberts A. M. I. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThe foliage of seven different genera of conifers including 10 species and 17 different cultivars was tested for its susceptibility against two isolates of Phytophthora lateralis from two different lineages. Detached green shoot tips were floated in zoospore suspension and the lesion size was assessed after 7 days. xCupressocyparis leylandii, Juniperus media and Cedrus deodara were the most resistant hosts, whereas Chamaecyparis obtusa was most susceptible. Thuja plicata and Thuja occidentalis, Chamaecyparis pisifera and Chamaecyparis lawsoniana, Taxus baccata and Cupressus macrocarpa were of medium susceptibility. For comparison, a small subset of four hosts was also tested for stem susceptibility. The stems of whole potted plants were inoculated with the same two isolates as used for the leaf susceptibility tests. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana was highly susceptible, whereas the stems of xC. leylandii, T. baccata and T. plicata were not susceptible. Most conifers were similarly affected by both tested lineages of P. lateralis although the isolate of the Pacific Northwest lineage caused slightly longer lesions on C. lawsoniana in the stem inoculation tests.
Ca2+‐permeable AMPA receptors associated with epileptogenesis of hypothalamic hamartoma
Authors: Kitaura Hiroki , Sonoda Masaki , Teramoto Sayaka , Shirozu Hiroshi , Shimizu Hiroshi , Kimura Tadashi , Masuda Hiroshi , Ito Yosuke , Takahashi Hitoshi , Kwak Shin , Kameyama Shigeki , Kakita Akiyoshi 
Published: February 2017

SummaryHypothalamic hamartoma (HH), composed of neurons and glia without apparent cytologic abnormalities, is a rare developmental malformation in humans. Patients with HH often have characteristic medically refractory gelastic seizures, and intrinsic epileptogenesis within the lesions has been speculated. Herein we provide evidence to suggest that in HH neurons, Ca2+ permeability through α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors is aberrantly elevated. In needle biopsy specimens of HH tissue, field potential recordings demonstrated spontaneous epileptiform activities similar to those observed in other etiologically distinct epileptogenic tissues. In HH, however, these activities were clearly abolished by application of Joro Spider Toxin (JSTX), a specific inhibitor of the Ca2+‐permeable AMPA receptor. Consistent with these physiologic findings, the neuronal nuclei showed disappearance of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2) immunoreactivity. Furthermore, examination of glutamate receptor 2 (GluA2) messenger RNA (mRNA) revealed that editing efficiency at the glutamine/arginine site was significantly low. These results suggest that neurons in HH may bear Ca2+‐permeable AMPA receptors due to dislocation of ADAR2.
Induced histamine regulates Ni elution from an implanted Ni wire in mice by downregulating neutrophil migration
Authors: Kishimoto Yu , Asakawa Sanki , Sato Taiki , Takano Takayuki , Nakajyo Takahisa , Mizuno Natsumi , Segawa Ryosuke , Yoshikawa Takeo , Hiratsuka Masahiro , Yanai Kazuhiko , Ohtsu Hiroshi , Hirasawa Noriyasu 
Published: February 2017

AbstractHistamine regulates various inflammatory reactions. We have reported that the expression of histidine decarboxylase (HDC) was induced by subcutaneous implantation of nickel (Ni) wire. However, the source and functions of histamine in Ni elution and Ni wire‐induced inflammation have not been completely studied. We aimed to elucidate the effects of de novo synthesized histamine on leucocyte infiltration and Ni elution. Implantation of Ni wire induced an increase in the Ni ion content of the surrounding tissues and serum and in themRNAlevels ofHDC, a histamine‐producing enzyme, macrophage inflammatory protein‐2 (MIP‐2), a chemoattractant for neutrophils, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), a chemoattractant for monocytes. The Ni wire inducedHDCexpression even in mast cell‐deficientWBB6F1‐W/WVmice. InHDCknockout (HDC KO) mice, the Ni wire‐induced increase inMIP‐2mRNAexpression was significantly higher than that in wild‐type mice but notMCP‐1.MIP‐2 expression was enhanced in histamine H2 receptor knockout (H2RKO) mice but not inWBB6F1‐W/WVmice. Histamine inhibited NiCl2‐inducedMIP‐2mRNAexpression in mouse bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) obtained from wild‐type mice; this inhibition was not observed inBMDMs from H2RKOmice. Ni elution increased inHDC KOmice, in which leucocyte infiltration also increased, and was suppressed in mice treated with neutrophil‐specific antibody. These results suggest that the Ni wire inducedHDCexpression in non‐mast cells and that, in the chronic phase of inflammation, endogenous histamine reduced Ni elution, probably through regulation ofMIP‐2 expression and neutrophil migration.
Filaggrin has evolved from an “S100 fused‐type protein” (SFTP) gene present in a common ancestor of amphibians and mammals
Authors: Mlitz Veronika , Hussain Tajamul , Tschachler Erwin , Eckhart Leopold 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe expression of filaggrin in differentiated keratinocytes and the association of filaggrin mutations with ichthyosis vulgaris and atopic dermatitis suggest that this prototypical member of the S100 fused‐type protein (SFTP) family plays a key role in the epidermal barrier to the environment. Here, we report that SFTP genes are present not only in amniotes but also in amphibians. Four SFTPs are expressed in the skin of the frog Xenopus laevis. The results of this study indicate that filaggrin has evolved from an ancestral SFTP that may have contributed to skin modifications during the evolutionary transition to terrestrial life.
UVB represses melanocyte cell migration and acts through β‐catenin
Authors: Bertrand Juliette U. , Petit Valérie , Hacker Elke , Berlin Irina , Hayward Nicholas K. , Pouteaux Marie , Sage Evelyne , Whiteman David C. , Larue Lionel 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe exposure of skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation can have both beneficial and deleterious effects: it can lead, for instance, to increased pigmentation and vitamin D synthesis but also to inflammation and skin cancer. UVB may induce genetic and epigenetic alterations and have reversible effects associated with post‐translational and gene regulation modifications. β‐catenin is a main driver in melanocyte development; although infrequently mutated in melanoma, its cellular localization and activity are frequently altered. Here, we evaluate the consequence of UVB on β‐catenin in the melanocyte lineage. We report that in vivo, UVB induces cytoplasmic/nuclear relocalization of β‐catenin in melanocytes of newborn mice and adult human skin. In mouse melanocyte and human melanoma cell lines in vitro, UVB increases β‐catenin stability, accumulation in the nucleus and cotranscriptional activity, leading to the repression of cell motility and velocity. The activation of the β‐catenin signalling pathway and its effect on migration by UVB are increased by an inhibitor of GSK3β, and decreased by an inhibitor of β‐catenin. In conclusion, UVB represses melanocyte migration and does so by acting through the GSK3‐β‐catenin axis.
Immediate‐type allergic and protease‐mediated reactions are involved in scratching behaviour induced by topical application of Dermatophagoides farinae extract in NC/Nga mice
Authors: Yamada Yoshihito , Ueda Yuhki , Nakamura Aki , Kanayama Shoji , Tamura Rie , Hashimoto Kei , Matsumoto Tatsumi , Ishii Ritsuko 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD)‐like dermatitis can be induced by repeated topical application of an ointment containing Dermatophagoides farinae body (Dfb) extract in NC/Nga mice. This AD‐like murine model also exhibits a biphasic increase in the number of scratching behaviour after topical application of Dfb ointment. In this study, we investigated the possible mechanisms underlying the scratching behaviour in each phase. An increase in the content of mast cell‐derived mediators such as histamine and 5‐hydroxytryptamine in the lesional skin and increased vascular permeability were observed in the early phase after the Dfb ointment application. Chlorpheniramine (H1 receptor antagonist) and cromoglycate (mast cell stabilizer) reduced the scratching behaviour in the early phase but not that in the later phase. Furthermore, the content of various endogenous pruritogens such as interleukin‐31 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin in the lesional skin was increased 1 or 24 hours after the Dfb ointment application. Elevated expression of proteinase‐activated receptor‐2 (PAR‐2) was also observed in the epidermis. Finally, gabexate (serine protease inhibitor) reduced the scratching behaviour in both phases, and anti‐PAR2 antibody also showed a tendency to reduce both scratching behaviours. These findings suggest that immediate‐type allergic reactions caused by mast cell degranulation and PAR‐2 activation by proteases are involved in the scratching behaviour in this AD‐like model.
Metformin alleviates ageing cellular phenotypes in Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Park Seul‐Ki , Shin Ok Sarah 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMetformin is a popular antidiabetic biguanide, which has been considered as a candidate drug for cancer treatment and ageing prevention. Hutchinson–Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) is a devastating disease characterized by premature ageing and severe age‐associated complications leading to death. The effects of metformin on HGPS dermal fibroblasts remain largely undefined. In this study, we investigated whether metformin could exert a beneficial effect on nuclear abnormalities and delay senescence in fibroblasts derived from HGPS patients. Metformin treatment partially restored normal nuclear phenotypes, delayed senescence, activated the phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase and decreased reactive oxygen species formation in HGPS dermal fibroblasts. Interestingly, metformin reduced the number of phosphorylated histone variant H2AX‐positive DNA damage foci and suppressed progerin protein expression, compared to the control. Furthermore, metformin‐supplemented aged mice showed higher splenocyte proliferation and mRNA expression of the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase 2 than the control mice. Collectively, our results show that metformin treatment alleviates the nuclear defects and premature ageing phenotypes in HGPS fibroblasts. Thus, metformin can be considered a promising therapeutic approach for life extension in HGPS.
Most fish destined for fishmeal production are food‐grade fish
Authors: Cashion Tim , Le Manach Frédéric , Zeller Dirk , Pauly Daniel 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMarine fisheries target and catch fish both for direct human consumption (DHC) as well as for fishmeal and fish oil, and other products. We derived the fractions used for each for 1950–2010 by fishing country, and thus provide a factual foundation for discussions of the optimal use of fisheries resources. From 1950 to 2010, 27% (~20 million tonnes annually) of globally reconstructed marine fisheries landings were destined for uses other than DHC. Importantly, 90% of fish destined for uses other than DHC are food‐grade or prime food‐grade fish, while fish without a ready market for DHC make up a much smaller proportion. These findings have implications for how we are using fish to feed ourselves or, more appropriately, how we are not using fish to feed ourselves.
Potassium channel gene associations with joint processing speed and white matter impairments in schizophrenia
Authors: Bruce H. A. , Kochunov P. , Paciga S. A. , Hyde C. L. , Chen X. , Xie Z. , Zhang B. , Xi H. S. , O'Donnell P. , Whelan C. , Schubert C. R. , Bellon A. , Ament S. A. , Shukla D. K. , Du X. , Rowland L. M. , O'Neill H. , Hong L. E. 
Published: February 2017

Patients with schizophrenia show decreased processing speed on neuropsychological testing and decreased white matter integrity as measured by diffusion tensor imaging, two traits shown to be both heritable and genetically associated indicating that there may be genes that influence both traits as well as schizophrenia disease risk. The potassium channel gene family is a reasonable candidate to harbor such a gene given the prominent role potassium channels play in the central nervous system in signal transduction, particularly in myelinated axons. We genotyped members of the large potassium channel gene family focusing on putatively functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a population of 363 controls, 194 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) and 28 patients with affective disorders with psychotic features who completed imaging and neuropsychological testing. We then performed three association analyses using three phenotypes – processing speed, whole‐brain white matter fractional anisotropy (FA) and schizophrenia spectrum diagnosis. We extracted SNPs showing an association at a nominal P value of <0.05 with all three phenotypes in the expected direction: decreased processing speed, decreased FA and increased risk of SSD. A single SNP, rs8234, in the 3′ untranslated region of voltage‐gated potassium channel subfamily Q member 1 (KCNQ1) was identified. Rs8234 has been shown to affect KCNQ1 expression levels, and KCNQ1 levels have been shown to affect neuronal action potentials. This exploratory analysis provides preliminary data suggesting that KCNQ1 may contribute to the shared risk for diminished processing speed, diminished white mater integrity and increased risk of schizophrenia.
Experimental fossilization of mat‐forming cyanobacteria in coarse‐grained siliciclastic sediments
Authors: Newman S. A. , Klepac‐Ceraj V. , Mariotti G. , Pruss S. B. , Watson N. , Bosak T. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMicrobial fossils and textures are commonly preserved in Ediacaran and early Cambrian coarse‐grained siliciclastic sediments that were deposited in tidal and intertidal marine settings. In contrast, the fossilization of micro‐organisms in similar marine environments of post‐Cambrian age is less frequently reported. Thus, temporal discrepancies in microbial preservation may have resulted from the opening and closing of a unique taphonomic window during the terminal Proterozoic and early Phanerozoic, respectively. Here, we expand upon previous work to identify environmental factors which may have facilitated the preservation of cyanobacteria growing on siliciclastic sand, by experimentally determining the ability of microbial mats to trap small, suspended mineral grains, and precipitate minerals from ions in solution. We show that (i) fine grains coat the sheaths of filamentous cyanobacteria (e.g., Nodosilinea sp.) residing within the mat, after less than 1 week of cell growth under aerobic conditions, (ii) clay minerals do not coat sterile cellulose fibers and rarely coat unsheathed cyanobacterial cells (e.g., Nostoc sp.), (iii) stronger disturbances (where culture jars were agitated at 170 rpm; 3 mm orbital diameter) produce the smoothest and most extensive mineral veneers around cells, compared with those agitated at slower rotational speeds (150 and 0 rpm), and (iv) mineral veneers coating cyanobacterial cells are ~1 μm in width. These new findings suggest that sheathed filamentous cyanobacteria may be preferentially preserved under conditions of high fluid energy. We integrate these results into a mechanistic model that explains the preservation of microbial fossils and textures in Ediacaran sandstones and siltstones, and in fine‐grained siliciclastic deposits that contain exceptionally preserved microbial mats.
Nitrate decline unlikely to have triggered release of dissolved organic carbon and phosphate to streams
Authors: Kalbitz Karsten , Kaiser Klaus , McDowell William H. 
Published: February 2017

Concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) increased in many surface waters in Europe and North America over the last two or three decades. Musolff et al. (2017) recently suggested that decreasing atmospheric N deposition has triggered increasing dissimilatory reduction and dissolution of Fe oxides in riparian zone soil, which has caused the release of sorbed organic matter (as well as sorbed phosphate). The wide organic carbon‐to‐iron ratios found by Musolff et al. (2017) are inconsistent with actual ratios found during reductive dissolution of Fe oxides. It is extremely unlikely that increased reductive dissolution of Fe oxides is the dominant mechanism causing the observed increases in stream DOC.
Evaluation of climate‐related carbon turnover processes in global vegetation models for boreal and temperate forests
Authors: Thurner Martin , Beer Christian , Ciais Philippe , Friend Andrew D. , Ito Akihiko , Kleidon Axel , Lomas Mark R. , Quegan Shaun , Rademacher Tim T. , Schaphoff Sibyll , Tum Markus , Wiltshire Andy , Carvalhais Nuno 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTurnover concepts in state‐of‐the‐art global vegetation models (GVMs) account for various processes, but are often highly simplified and may not include an adequate representation of the dominant processes that shape vegetation carbon turnover rates in real forest ecosystems at a large spatial scale. Here, we evaluate vegetation carbon turnover processes in GVMs participating in the Inter‐Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI‐MIP, including HYBRID4, JeDi, JULES, LPJml, ORCHIDEE, SDGVM, and VISIT) using estimates of vegetation carbon turnover rate (k) derived from a combination of remote sensing based products of biomass and net primary production (NPP). We find that current model limitations lead to considerable biases in the simulated biomass and in k (severe underestimations by all models except JeDi and VISIT compared to observation‐based average k), likely contributing to underestimation of positive feedbacks of the northern forest carbon balance to climate change caused by changes in forest mortality. A need for improved turnover concepts related to frost damage, drought, and insect outbreaks to better reproduce observation‐based spatial patterns in k is identified. As direct frost damage effects on mortality are usually not accounted for in these GVMs, simulated relationships between k and winter length in boreal forests are not consistent between different regions and strongly biased compared to the observation‐based relationships. Some models show a response of k to drought in temperate forests as a result of impacts of water availability on NPP, growth efficiency or carbon balance dependent mortality as well as soil or litter moisture effects on leaf turnover or fire. However, further direct drought effects such as carbon starvation (only in HYBRID4) or hydraulic failure are usually not taken into account by the investigated GVMs. While they are considered dominant large‐scale mortality agents, mortality mechanisms related to insects and pathogens are not explicitly treated in these models.
Relationship between functional independence measure and geriatric nutritional risk index in pneumonia patients in long‐term nursing care facilities
Authors: Mitani Yuji , Oki Yutaro , Fujimoto Yukari , Yamaguchi Takumi , Iwata Kentaro , Watanabe Yu , Takahashi Kazuki , Yamada Kanji , Ishikawa Akira 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimThe prevention of pneumonia is an urgent issue among Japanese older adults. However, little has been reported on the relationship between a Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI) for the prevention of pneumonia in patients in long‐term care facilities in Japan. We aimed to clarify the relevance of FIM and GNRI for inpatients with and without pneumonia.MethodsWe identified 233 patients who were hospitalized in our long‐term nursing hospital from April 2012 to September 2013. We compared differences in FIM among GNRI classes for four groups: (i) pneumonia/high GNRI; (ii) pneumonia/low GNRI; (iii) no pneumonia/high GNRI; and (iv) no pneumonia/low GNRI. To assess the pneumonia predictors, we used a logistic regression for long‐term nursing patients. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed cut‐off values and the area under the curve.ResultsA total of 88 (37.8%) of 233 inpatients had pneumonia. FIM of the pneumonia/low GNRI groups was significantly lower than that of the no pneumonia/high and low GNRI groups. Logistic regression showed that FIM (P < 0.001; OR −1.035, 95% CI −1.019–1.051) and GNRI (P = 0.017; OR −1.038, 95% CI −1.007–1.070) were predictors of pneumonia. The cut‐off values for FIM and GNRI were 26.6 (P < 0.001, the area under the curve 0.70) and 80.5 (P < 0.001, the area under the curve 0.65), respectively.ConclusionLow activity and malnutrition might lead to the development of pneumonia. FIM and GNRI are useful predictor tools that could help to prevent pneumonia in Japanese patients in long‐term care facilities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1617–1622.