bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Caregiver maltreatment causes altered neuronal DNA methylation in female rodents
Authors: Blaze Jennifer , Roth Tania L. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractNegative experiences with a caregiver during infancy can result in long-term changes in brain function and behavior, but underlying mechanisms are not well understood. It is our central hypothesis that brain and behavior changes are conferred by early childhood adversity through epigenetic changes involving DNA methylation. Using a rodent model of early-life caregiver maltreatment (involving exposure to an adverse caregiving environment for postnatal days 1–7), we have previously demonstrated abnormal methylation of DNA associated with thebrain-derived neurotrophic factor(Bdnf) gene in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of adult rats. The aim of the current study was to characterizeBdnfDNA methylation in specific cell populations within the mPFC. In the prefrontal cortex, there is approximately twice as many neurons as glia, and studies have recently shown differential and distinctive DNA methylation patterns in neurons versus nonneurons. Here, we extracted nuclei from the mPFC of adult animals that had experienced maltreatment and used fluorescence-activated cell sorting to isolate cell types before performing bisulfite sequencing to estimate methylation of cytosine–guanine sites. Our data indicate that early-life stress induced methylation of DNA associated withBdnf IVin a cell-type and sex-specific manner. Specifically, females that experienced early-life maltreatment exhibited greater neuronal cytosine–guanine methylation compared to controls, while no changes were detected inBdnfmethylation in males regardless of cell type. These changes localize the specificity of our previous findings to mPFC neurons and highlight the capacity of maltreatment to cause methylation changes that are likely to have functional consequences for neuronal function.
Positive valence bias and parent–child relationship security moderate the association between early institutional caregiving and internalizing symptoms
Authors: Vantieghem Michelle R. , Gabard-Durnam Laurel , Goff Bonnie , Flannery Jessica , Humphreys Kathryn L. , Telzer Eva H. , Caldera Christina , Louie Jennifer Y. , Shapiro Mor , Bolger Niall , Tottenham Nim 
Published: April 2017

AbstractInstitutional caregiving is associated with significant deviations from species-expected caregiving, altering the normative sequence of attachment formation and placing children at risk for long-term emotional difficulties. However, little is known about factors that can promote resilience following early institutional caregiving. In the current study, we investigated how adaptations in affective processing (i.e., positive valence bias) and family-level protective factors (i.e., secure parent–child relationships) moderate risk for internalizing symptoms in previously institutionalized (PI) youth. Children and adolescents with and without a history of institutional care performed a laboratory-based affective processing task and self-reported measures of parent–child relationship security. PI youth were more likely than comparison youth to show positive valence biases when interpreting ambiguous facial expressions. Both positive valence bias and parent–child relationship security moderated the association between institutional care and parent-reported internalizing symptoms, such that greater positive valence bias and more secure parent–child relationships predicted fewer symptoms in PI youth. However, when both factors were tested concurrently, parent–child relationship security more strongly moderated the link between PI status and internalizing symptoms. These findings suggest that both individual-level adaptations in affective processing and family-level factors of secure parent–child relationships may ameliorate risk for internalizing psychopathology following early institutional caregiving.
Enhancing executive functioning among toddlers in foster care with an attachment-based intervention
Authors: Lind Teresa , Lee Raby K. , Caron E. B. , Roben Caroline K. P. , Dozier Mary 
Published: April 2017

AbstractYoung children in foster care often experience adversity, such as maltreatment and lack of stability in early caregiving relationships. As a result, these children are at risk for a range of problems, including deficits in executive functioning. The Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up for Toddlers (ABC-T) intervention was designed to help foster parents behave in ways that promote the development of young children's emerging self-regulatory capabilities. Participants included 173 parent–toddler dyads in three groups: foster families that were randomly assigned to receive either the ABC-T intervention (n= 63) or a control intervention (n= 58), as well as low-risk parent–toddler dyads from intact families (n= 52). At a follow-up conducted when children were approximately 48 months old, children's executive functioning abilities were assessed with the attention problems scale of the Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach & Rescorla, 2000) and a graded version of the Dimensional Change Card Sort developed for preschoolers (Beck, Schaefer, Pang, & Carlson, 2011). Results showed that foster children whose parents received the ABC-T intervention and low-risk children never placed in foster care had fewer parent-reported attention problems and demonstrated greater cognitive flexibility during the Dimensional Change Card Sort than foster children whose parents received the control intervention. These results indicate that an attachment-based intervention implemented among toddlers in foster care is effective in enhancing children's executive functioning capabilities.
Signs of reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder at age 12 years: Effects of institutional care history and high-quality foster care
Authors: Humphreys Kathryn L. , Nelson Charles A. , Fox Nathan A. , Zeanah Charles H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTwo disorders of attachment have been consistently identified in some young children following severe deprivation in early life: reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder. However, less is known about whether signs of these disorders persist into adolescence. We examined signs of reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder at age 12 years in 111 children who were abandoned at or shortly after birth and subsequently randomized to care as usual or to high-quality foster care, as well as in 50 comparison children who were never institutionalized. Consistent with expectations, those who experienced institutional care in early life had more signs of reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder at age 12 years than children never institutionalized. In addition, using a conservative intent-to-treat approach, those children randomized to foster care had significantly fewer signs of reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder than those randomized to care as usual. Analyses within the ever institutionalized group revealed no effects of the age of placement into foster care, but number of caregiving disruptions experienced and the percentage of the child's life spent in institutional care were significant predictors of signs of attachment disorders assessed in early adolescence. These findings indicate that adverse caregiving environments in early life have enduring effects on signs of attachment disorders, and provide further evidence that high-quality caregiving interventions are associated with reductions in both reactive attachment disorder and disinhibited social engagement disorder.
Using benchmarking to identify inter-centre differences in persistent ductus arteriosus treatment: can we improve outcome?
Authors: Jansen Esther J. S. , Dijkman Koen P. , van Lingen Richard A. , de Vries Willem B. , Vijlbrief Daniel C. , de Boode Willem P. , Andriessen Peter 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to identify inter-centre differences in persistent ductus arteriosus treatment and their related outcomes.Materials and methodsWe carried out a retrospective, multicentre study including infants between 24+0 and 27+6 weeks of gestation in the period between 2010 and 2011. In all centres, echocardiography was used as the standard procedure to diagnose a patent ductus arteriosus and to document ductal closure.ResultsIn total, 367 preterm infants were included. All four participating neonatal ICU had a comparable number of preterm infants; however, differences were observed in the incidence of treatment (33–63%), choice and dosing of medication (ibuprofen or indomethacin), number of pharmacological courses (1–4), and the need for surgical ligation after failure of pharmacological treatment (8–52%). Despite the differences in treatment, we found no difference in short-term morbidity between the centres. Adjusted mortality showed independent risk contribution of gestational age, birth weight, ductal ligation, and perinatal centre.ConclusionsUsing benchmarking as a tool identified inter-centre differences. In these four perinatal centres, the factors that explained the differences in patent ductus arteriosus treatment are quite complex. Timing, choice of medication, and dosing are probably important determinants for successful patent ductus arteriosus closure.
Anisotropic forces from spatially constrained focal adhesions mediate contact guidance directed cell migration
Authors: Ray Arja , Lee Oscar , Win Zaw , Edwards Rachel M. , Alford Patrick W. , Kim Deok-Ho , Provenzano Paolo P. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDirected migration by contact guidance is a poorly understood yet vital phenomenon, particularly for carcinoma cell invasion on aligned collagen fibres. We demonstrate that for single cells, aligned architectures providing contact guidance cues induce constrained focal adhesion maturation and associated F-actin alignment, consequently orchestrating anisotropic traction stresses that drive cell orientation and directional migration. Consistent with this understanding, relaxing spatial constraints to adhesion maturation either through reduction in substrate alignment density or reduction in adhesion size diminishes the contact guidance response. While such interactions allow single mesenchymal-like cells to spontaneously ‘sense’ and follow topographic alignment, intercellular interactions within epithelial clusters temper anisotropic cell–substratum forces, resulting in substantially lower directional response. Overall, these results point to the control of contact guidance by a balance of cell–substratum and cell–cell interactions, modulated by cell phenotype-specific cytoskeletal arrangements. Thus, our findings elucidate how phenotypically diverse cells perceive ECM alignment at the molecular level.
Practice makes perfect: self-reported adherence a positive marker of inhaler technique maintenance
Authors: Azzi Elizabeth , Srour Pamela , Armour Carol , Rand Cynthia , Bosnic-Anticevich Sinthia 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPoor inhaler technique and non-adherence to treatment are major problems in the management of asthma. Patients can be taught how to achieve good inhaler technique, however maintenance remains problematic, with 50% of patients unable to demonstrate correct technique. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical, patient-related and/or device-related factors that predict inhaler technique maintenance. Data from a quality-controlled longitudinal community care dataset was utilized. 238 patients using preventer medications where included. Data consisted of patient demographics, clinical data, medication-related factors and patient-reported outcomes. Mixed effects logistic regression was used to identify predictors of inhaler technique maintenance at 1 month. The variables found to be independently associated with inhaler technique maintenance using logistic regression (Χ2(3,n = 238) = 33.24,p < 0.000) were inhaler technique at Visit 1 (OR 7.1), device type (metered dose inhaler and dry powder inhalers) (OR 2.2) and self-reported adherent behavior in the prior 7 days (OR 1.3). This research is the first to unequivocally establish a predictive relationship between inhaler technique maintenance and actual patient adherence, reinforcing the notion that inhaler technique maintenance is more than just a physical skill. Inhaler technique maintenance has an underlying behavioral component, which future studies need to investigate.
Inhibition of late sodium current suppresses calcium-related ventricular arrhythmias by reducing the phosphorylation of CaMK-II and sodium channel expressions
Authors: Wei Xiao-Hong , Yu Shan-Dong , Ren Lu , Huang Si-Hui , Yang Qiao-Mei , Wang Ping , Chu Yan-Peng , Yang Wei , Ding Yan-Sheng , Huo Yong , Wu Lin 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCardiac arrhythmias associated with intracellular calcium inhomeostasis are refractory to antiarrhythmic therapy. We hypothesized that late sodium current (INa) contributed to the calcium-related arrhythmias. Monophasic action potential duration at 90% completion of repolarization (MAPD90) was significantly increased and ventricular arrhythmias were observed in hearts with increased intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) by using Bay K 8644, and the increase became greater in hearts treated with a combination of ATX-II and Bay K 8644 compared to Bay K 8644 alone. The prolongations caused by Bay K 8644 and frequent episodes of ventricular tachycardias, both in absence and presence of ATX-II, were significantly attenuated or abolished by late INa inhibitors TTX and eleclazine. In rabbit ventricular myocytes, Bay K 8644 increased ICaL density, calcium transient and myocyte contraction. TTX and eleclazine decreased the amplitude of late INa, the reverse use dependence of MAPD90 at slower heart rate, and attenuated the increase of intracellular calcium transient and myocyte contraction. TTX diminished the phosphorylation of CaMKII-δ and Nav 1.5 in hearts treated with Bay K 8644 and ATX-II. In conclusion, late INa contributes to ventricular arrhythmias and its inhibition is plausible to treat arrhythmias in hearts with increased [Ca2+]i
The role of glutamine synthetase isozymes in enhancing nitrogen use efficiency of N-efficient winter wheat
Authors: Zhang Zhiyong , Xiong Shuping , Wei Yihao , Meng Xiaodan , Wang Xiaochun , Ma Xinming 
Published: April 2017

AbstractGlutamine synthetase (GS) isozymes play critical roles in nitrogen (N) metabolism. However, the exact relationship between GS and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) remain unclear. We have selected and compared two wheat cultivars, YM49 and XN509, which were identified as the N-efficient and N-inefficient genotypes, respectively. In this study, agronomical, morphological, physiological and biochemical approaches were performed. The results showed that TaGS1 was high expressed post-anthesis, and TaGS2 was highly expressed pre-anthesis in N-efficient genotype compared to N-inefficient genotype. GS1 and GS2 isozymes were also separated by native-PAGE and found that the spatial and temporal distribution of GS isozymes, their expression of gene and protein subunits in source-sink-flow organs during development periods triggered the pool strength and influenced the N flow. According to the physiological role of GS isozymes, we illustrated four metabolic regulation points, by which acting collaboratively in different organs, accelerating the transport of nutrients to the grain. It suggested that the regulation of GS isozymes may promote flow strength and enhance NUE by a complex C-N metabolic mechanism. The relative activity or amount of GS1 and GS2 isozymes could be a potential marker to predict and select wheat genotypes with enhanced NUE.
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells combine with Treated dentin matrix to build biological root
Authors: Luo Shiwei , Pei Fei , Zhang Wen , Guo Weihua , Li Rui , He Wei , Tian Weidong 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTreated dentin matrix (TDM) as a kind of scaffolding material has been proved odontogenic induction ability on dental-derived stem cells. Given the limited resources of dental stem cells, it is necessary to seek new seed cell which easily obtained. Jaw bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (JBMMSC) as non-dental-derived stem cell relates to the development of teeth and jaws which suggest us JBMMSCs could act as a new seed cell for tooth tissue engineering. To assess the odontogenic and osteogenic potential of JBMMSCs, cells were induced by TDM extraction in vitro and combined with TDM in vivo. Results were analyzed by PCR, Western Blotting and histology. PCR and Western Blotting showed odontogenic and osteogenic makers were significantly enhanced in varying degrees after induced by TDM extraction in vitro. In vivo, JBMMSCs expressed both odontogenic and osteogenic-related protein, and the latter showed stronger positive expression. Furthermore, histological examination of the harvested grafts was observed the formation of bone-like tissue. Therefore, osteogenic differentiation ability of JBMMSCs were enhanced significantly after being inducted by TDM which illustrates that non-odontogenic derived stem cells are still promising seed cells in tooth root tissue engineering.
Optical nonlinearity enhancement with graphene-decorated silicon waveguides
Authors: Ishizawa Atsushi , Kou Rai , Goto Takahiro , Tsuchizawa Tai , Matsuda Nobuyuki , Hitachi Kenichi , Nishikawa Tadashi , Yamada Koji , Sogawa Tetsuomi , Gotoh Hideki 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBroadband on-chip optical frequency combs (OFCs) are important for expanding the functionality of photonic integrated circuits. Here, we demonstrate a huge local optical nonlinearity enhancement using graphene. A waveguide is decorated with graphene by precisely manipulating graphene’s area and position. Our approach simultaneously achieves both an extremely efficient supercontinuum and ultra-short pulse generation. With our graphene-decorated silicon waveguide (G-SWG), we have achieved enhanced spectral broadening of femtosecond pump pulses, along with an eightfold increase in the output optical intensity at a wavelength approximately 200 nm shorter than that of the pump pulses. We also found that this huge nonlinearity works as a compressor that effectively compresses pulse width from 80 to 15.7 fs. Our results clearly show the potential for our G-SWG to greatly boost the speed and capacity of future communications with lower power consumption, and our method will further decrease the required pump laser power because it can be applied to decorate various kinds of waveguides with various two-dimensional materials.
Acrolein acts as a neurotoxin in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of rat: involvement of α-synuclein aggregation and programmed cell death
Authors: Wang Yi-Ting , Lin Hui-Ching , Zhao Wei-Zhong , Huang Hui-Ju , Lo Yu-Li , Wang Hsiang-Tsui , Lin Anya Maan-Yuh 
Published: April 2017

AbstractClinical studies report significant increases in acrolein (an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde) in the substantia nigra (SN) of patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). In the present study, acrolein-induced neurotoxicity in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was investigated by local infusion of acrolein (15, 50, 150 nmoles/0.5 μl) in the SN of Sprague-Dawley rats. Acrolein-induced neurodegeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system was delineated by reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) levels, dopamine transporter levels and TH-positive neurons in the infused SN as well as in striatal dopamine content. At the same time, apomorphine-induced turning behavior was evident in rats subjected to a unilateral infusion of acrolein in SN. Acrolein was pro-oxidative by increasing 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal and heme oxygenase-1 levels. Furthermore, acrolein conjugated with proteins at lysine residue and induced α-synuclein aggregation in the infused SN. Acrolein was pro-inflammatory by activating astrocytes and microglia. In addition, acrolein activated caspase 1 in the infused SN, suggesting acrolein-induced inflammasome formation. The neurotoxic mechanisms underlying acrolein-induced neurotoxicity involved programmed cell death, including apoptosis and necroptosis. Compared with well-known Parkinsonian neurotoxins, including 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine and rotenone which do not exist in the SN of PD patients, our in vivo study shows that acrolein acts as a Parkinsonian neurotoxin in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system of rat brain.
Occurrence of fibrates and their metabolites in source and drinking water in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China
Authors: Ido Akiko , Hiromori Youhei , Meng Liping , Usuda Haruki , Nagase Hisamitsu , Yang Min , Hu Jianying , Nakanishi Tsuyoshi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractFibrates, which are widely used lipidaemic-modulating drugs, are emerging environmental pollutants. However, fibrate concentrations in the environment have not been thoroughly surveyed. Here, we determined concentrations of the most commonly used fibrates and their metabolites in source water and drinking water samples from ten drinking water treatment plants in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China, using solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. All the target compounds were detected in at least some of the source water samples, at concentrations ranging from 0.04 ng/L (fenofibrate) to 1.53 ng/L (gemfibrozil). All the compounds except fenofibrate were also detected in at least some of the drinking water samples, at recoveries ranging from 35.5% to 91.7%, suggesting that these compounds are poorly removed by typical drinking water treatment processes. In a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonistic activity assay, the target compounds showed no significant activity at nanogram per litre concentrations; therefore, our results suggest that the fibrate concentrations in drinking water in Shanghai and Zhejiang, China do not significantly affect human health. However, because of the increasing westernization of the Chinese diet, fibrate use may increase, and thus monitoring fibrate concentrations in aquatic environments and drinking water in China will become increasingly important.
Replacing Sanger with Next Generation Sequencing to improve coverage and quality of reference DNA barcodes for plants
Authors: Wilkinson Mike J. , Szabo Claudia , Ford Caroline S. , Yarom Yuval , Croxford Adam E. , Camp Amanda , Gooding Paul 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe estimate the global BOLD Systems database holds core DNA barcodes (rbcL + matK) for about 15% of land plant species and that comprehensive species coverage is still many decades away. Interim performance of the resource is compromised by variable sequence overlap and modest information content within each barcode. Our model predicts that the proportion of species-unique barcodes reduces as the database grows and that ‘false’ species-unique barcodes remain >5% until the database is almost complete. We conclude the currentrbcL + matKbarcode is unfit for purpose. Genome skimming and supplementary barcodes could improve diagnostic power but would slow new barcode acquisition. We therefore present two novel Next Generation Sequencing protocols (with freeware) capable of accurate, massively parallelde novoassembly of high quality DNA barcodes of >1400 bp. We explore how these capabilities could enhance species diagnosis in the coming decades.