bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melatonin inhibits tumorigenicity of glioblastoma stem‐like cells via the AKT–EZH2–STAT3 signaling axis
Authors: Chen Xueran , Hao Aijun , Li Xian , Du Zhaoxia , Li Hao , Wang Hongzhi , Yang Haoran , Fang Zhiyou 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGlioblastoma stem‐like cells (GSCs) displaying self‐renewing and tumor‐propagating capacity play a particularly important role in maintaining tumor growth, therapeutic resistance, and tumor recurrence. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies focusing on impairing GSC maintenance are urgently needed. Here, we used GSCs isolated from surgical specimens from patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) to study the roles and underlying mechanisms associated with melatonin in GSC biology. The results showed that melatonin directly targeted glioma tumor cells by altering GSC biology and inhibiting GSC proliferation. Additionally, melatonin altered profile of transcription factors to inhibit tumor initiation and propagation. Furthermore, EZH2 S21 phosphorylation and EZH2–STAT3 interaction in GSCs were impaired following melatonin treatment. These results suggested that melatonin attenuated multiple key signals involved in GSC self‐renewal and survival, and further supported melatonin as a promising GBM therapeutic.
The pharmacokinetics of transdermal flunixin meglumine in Holstein calves
Authors: Kleinhenz M. D. , Van Engen N. K. , Gorden P. J. , KuKanich B. , Rajewski S. M. , Walsh P. , Coetzee J. F. 
Published: April 2016

This study describes the pharmacokinetics of topical and intravenous (IV) flunixin meglumine in Holstein calves. Eight male Holsteins calves, aged 6 to 8 weeks, were administered flunixin at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg intravenously. Following a 10‐day washout period, calves were dosed with flunixin at 3.33 mg/kg topically (transdermal). Blood samples were collected at predetermined times from 0 to 48 h for the intravenous portions and 0 to 72 h following topical dosing. Plasma drug concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography with mass spectroscopy. Pharmacokinetic analysis was completed using noncompartmental methods. The mean bioavailability of topical flunixin was calculated to be 48%. The mean AUC for flunixin was determined to be 13.9 h × ug/mL for IV administration and 10.1 h × ug/mL for topical administration. The mean half‐life for topical flunixin was 6.42 h and 4.99 h for the intravenous route. The Cmax following topical application of flunixin was 1.17 μg/mL. The time to maximum concentration was 2.14 h. Mean residence time (MRT) following IV injection was 4.38 h and 8.36 h after topical administration. In conclusion, flunixin when administered as a topical preparation is rapidly absorbed and has longer half‐life compared to IV administration.
Practical measures for improving the ecological state of Lake Marken using in‐depth system knowledge
Authors: Genseberger Menno , Noordhuis Ruurd , Thiange Christophe , Boderie Pascal 
Published: April 2016

AbstractHigh suspended sediment concentrations in Lake Marken in the Netherlands result in reduced ecological values and prevent goals and standards from being met (Water Framework Directive, Natura 2000). A practical measure to improve the ecology currently being studied is the construction of sheltered areas in the north‐west part of Lake Marken. A strategy is being followed for implementation of these measures that combines in‐depth system knowledge with stakeholder aspects. This study discussed what knowledge of the underlying physical and ecological processes was needed and how it was applied, in the strategy. A coupled silt model for Lake Marken was used to study the effects of the structures on hydrodynamics, waves and sediments. The results of the silt model simulations were interpreted with in‐depth ecological expert knowledge to assess the ecological impacts of the structures. The effects of the considered sheltered areas on water transparency and wave and silt dynamics are limited, compared to the scale of the lake. These changes nevertheless provide local opportunities for ecology, and its effectiveness may be enhanced by local undeepening.
Genetic diversity and biogeography of native and introduced populations of Ulva pertusa (Ulvales, Chlorophyta)
Authors: Hanyuda Takeaki , Heesch Svenja , Nelson Wendy , Sutherland Judy , Arai Shogo , Boo Sung Min , Kawai Hiroshi 
Published: April 2016

SUMMARYGenetic diversity of native and introduced populations of Ulva pertusa (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) was examined using genetic markers of chloroplast, mitochondria and nuclear non‐coding region sequences. In the preliminary investigations to genetically identify the species for further analyses, U. pertusa was found only from temperate coasts of the more extensive collection sites including tropical coasts suggesting that it is a temperate species and basically not distributed in tropical regions. For chloroplast and mitochondrial sequences, repeating patterns of short tandem repeat sequences and nucleotide substitutions were used to recognize the haplotypes (genetic types). A total of 48 haplotypes based on combinations of chloroplast and mitochondrial haplotypes were recognized in the 244 specimens collected in the presumptive native range (Northeast Asia) and introduced populations (North America, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Europe). Among them, 46 haplotypes (H1–H8 and H11–H48) were recognized in Northeast Asia, whereas only 1–5 haplotypes were recognized in the other areas. Nuclear microsatellite sequences were also analyzed. The lengths of the PCR products including the nuclear microsatellite region of 234 specimens were determined, and a total of 17 genotypes were recognized. Among them, 14 genotypes were found in Northeast Asia, whereas 1–7 genotypes were recognized in the other areas. Based on the results, the hypothesis that the native range of the species is in Northeast Asia was supported, and the populations outside this range were concluded to be non‐indigenous populations.
Phylogeography of Asparagopsis taxiformis revisited: Combined mtDNA data provide novel insights into population structure in Japan
Authors: Kurihara Akira , Horiguchi Hanna , Hanyuda Takeaki , Kawai Hiroshi 
Published: April 2016

SUMMARYSix intraspecific lineages (Lineages 1–6) of Asparagopsis taxiformis have been previously established based on mitochondrial cox2‐cox3 intergenic spacer and a partial cox1 sequences. ‘Lineage 2’ (L2) was suggested to be a recent introduction to the Mediterranean Sea, but its source population has not yet been identified. In order to clarify the nature of northwestern Pacific populations, we performed extensive sampling in Japan (60 individuals from 16 locations) and molecular phylogenetic analyses based on mitochondrial sequences. Sixteen additional individuals, collected from eight locations in the Indo‐Pacific, Caribbean, and Mediterranean regions, were also analyzed. Combined sequence analyses revealed that the Japanese populations only consisted of L2. Out of 19 combined haplotypes identified within L2, two are shared between Japan and the Mediterranean Sea and the Hawaiian Islands, and 12 were identified as endemic to Japan. Genetic analyses of population differentiation suggested that Japanese populations are genetically isolated from the Mediterranean and the Hawaiian populations. A genetic disjunction appears to separate two subpopulations within Japan: one between Toi and Kagoshima and the other between Ojikajima Island and Kagoshima in the Kyushu area.
Major International Information Flows Across the Safex Wheat Market
Authors: Motengwe Chris , Pardo Angel 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe study information flows across four wheat futures markets on four continents: Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange (ZCE), South African Futures Exchange (SAFEX), Euronext/Liffe and Kansas City Board of Trade (KCBT). Three approaches for studying information flows among non‐synchronous markets are applied: cointegration techniques, vector autoregressive analysis and multiple regression proposed. Although comparable underlying assets are traded in the four markets, our results indicate that no long‐run links exist among them. ZCE is by far the most endogenous market, and Euronext/Liffe is the most exogenous one. Finally, the model points to KCBT as the most influential and sensitive wheat market. Our findings indicate that the relative openness of the SAFEX wheat market supports information flows and linkages from KCBT and Euronext/Liffe. Therefore, our results suggest that more supportive policies to incentivise higher wheat production in South Africa are required to mitigate the impact of price shocks emanating from the global wheat markets.
Bending but Not Breaking?: Foreign Investor Pressure and Dividend Payouts by Japanese Firms
Authors: Jung Jiwook , Mun Eunmi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis article examines the global diffusion of shareholder‐oriented governance practices, using the case of dividend payouts by Japanese firms. While Japanese firms previously retained profits for rainy days or new ventures, their dividend payouts began to increase in the 1990s, rapidly catching up with the levels prevailing in the United States. Following prior research, we focus on the role of foreign investors in this process but provide a more nuanced account of their influence, using panel data on 2,036 publicly traded Japanese firms from 1990 to 2005. First, we show that pressure from foreign investors increased dividends by Japanese firms not only directly but also indirectly, by extending the cognitive boundaries of organizational fields of Japanese firms beyond their local peers and toward their global competitors. Second, we show that although Japanese firms that remained deeply embedded in the traditional, stakeholder‐oriented governance system resisted shareholder‐oriented governance practices, even such firms yielded under pressure from both foreign and domestic investors. We conclude with theoretical implications of our findings for the literature on the global diffusion of shareholder value and its broader political and social consequences.
Analysis of gemini pollen 3 mutant suggests a broad function of AUGMIN in microtubule organization during sexual reproduction in Arabidopsis
Authors: Oh Sung‐Aeong , Jeon Jien , Park Hyo‐Jin , Grini Paul Eivind , Twell David , Park Soon Ki 
Published: April 2016

SummaryIn flowering plants, male gametes arise via meiosis of diploid pollen mother cells followed by two rounds of mitotic division. Haploid microspores undergo polar nuclear migration and asymmetric division at pollen mitosis I to segregate the male germline, followed by division of the germ cell to generate a pair of sperm cells. We previously reported two gemini pollen (gem) mutants that produced twin‐celled pollen arising from polarity and cytokinesis defects at pollen mitosis I in Arabidopsis. Here, we report an independent mutant, gem3, with a similar division phenotype and severe genetic transmission defects through pollen. Cytological analyses revealed that gem3 disrupts cell division during male meiosis, at pollen mitosis I and during female gametophyte development. We show that gem3 is a hypomorphic allele (aug6‐1) of AUGMIN subunit 6, encoding a conserved component in the augmin complex, which mediates microtubule (MT)‐dependent MT nucleation in acentrosomal cells. We show that MT arrays are disturbed in gem3/aug6‐1 during male meiosis and pollen mitosis I using fluorescent MT‐markers. Our results demonstrate a broad role for the augmin complex in MT organization during sexual reproduction, and highlight gem3/aug6‐1 mutants as a valuable tool for the investigation of augmin‐dependent MT nucleation and dynamics in plant cells.
Geometric models for measuring sediment wedge volume in retention check dams
Authors: Ramos‐Diez Iván , Navarro‐Hevia Joaquín , Fernández Roberto San Martín , Díaz‐Gutiérrez Virginia , Mongil‐Manso Jorge 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCheck dams play an important role worldwide in sediment retention, although their effectiveness is currently the subject of debate. In this study, 11 geometric models with their field methodology and equations are proposed to estimate the retained sediment quickly, easily and with a sufficient degree of approximation. The models were applied to a sample of check dams in the Saldaña badlands (Spain) in accordance with the shape of the valley to determine the volume of retained sediment and compare them with other widely used methods. Our geometric method gave lower volumes than topographic methods, but higher volumes than simple methods. This method is thus useful as a first approximation to estimate the sediment trapped by check dams and small silted dams, minimizing fieldwork, calculations and cost. Furthermore, it allows the selection of a better fit to the sediment wedge shape and higher accuracy than the simple methods used until now.
Effects of acute aerobic exercise on a task‐switching protocol and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor concentrations in young adults with different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness
Authors: Tsai Chia‐Liang , Pan Chien‐Yu , Chen Fu‐Chen , Wang Chun‐Hao , Chou Feng‐Ying 
Published: April 2016

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?
Neurocognitive functions can be enhanced by acute aerobic exercise, which could be associated with changes in serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations. We aimed to explore acute exercise‐induced changes in BDNF concentrations, neuropsychological and neurophysiological performances when individuals with different levels of cardiorespiratory fitness performed a cognitive task.

What is the main finding and its importance?
Only young adults with higher cardiorespiratory fitness could attain switching cost and neurophysiological benefits via acute aerobic exercise. The mechanisms might be fitness dependent. Although acute aerobic exercise could enhance serum BDNF concentrations, changes in peripheral BDNF concentrations could not be the potential factor involved in the beneficial effects on neurocognitive performance.
This study investigated the effects of acute aerobic exercise on neuropsychological and neurophysiological performances in young adults with different cardiorespiratory fitness levels when performing a task‐switching protocol and explored the potential associations between acute aerobic exercise‐induced changes in serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentrations and various neurocognitive outcomes. Sixty young adults were categorized into one control group (i.e. non‐exercise‐intervention; n = 20) and two exercise‐intervention (EI) groups [i.e. higher (EIH, n = 20) and lower (EIL, n = 20) cardiorespiratory fitness] according to their maximal oxygen consumption. At baseline and after either an acute bout of 30 min of moderate‐intensity aerobic exercise or a control period, the neuropsychological and neurophysiological performances and serum BDNF concentrations were measured when the participants performed a task‐switching protocol involving executive control and greater demands on working memory. The results revealed that although acute aerobic exercise decreased reaction times across three (i.e. pure, switching and non‐switching) conditions in both EI groups, only the EIH group showed a smaller switching cost and larger P3 amplitudes after acute exercise, supporting the view that the mechanisms of neural functioning that underlie the effects of such exercise may be fitness dependent. In addition, serum BDNF concentrations were elevated after acute exercise for both EI groups, but there were no significant correlations between the changes in BDNF concentrations and changes in neuropsychological and neurophysiological performances for either group, suggesting that serum BDNF could not be the potential factor involved in the beneficial effects on neuropsychological and neurophysiological performances seen in young adults after acute aerobic exercise.
DISC1 is a coordinator of intracellular trafficking to shape neuronal development and connectivity
Authors: Devine M. J. , Norkett R. , Kittler J. T. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe long, asymmetric and specialised architecture of neuronal processes necessitates a properly regulated transport network of molecular motors and cytoskeletal tracks. This allows appropriate distribution of cargo for correct formation and activity of the synapse, and thus normal neuronal communication. This communication is impaired in psychiatric disease, and ongoing studies have proposed that Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is an important genetic risk factor for these disorders. The mechanisms by which DISC1 dysfunction might increase propensity to psychiatric disease are not completely understood; however, an emerging theme is that DISC1 can function as a key regulator of neuronal intracellular trafficking. Transport of a wide range of potential cargoes – including mRNAs, neurotransmitter receptors, vesicles and mitochondria – can be modulated by DISC1, and therefore is susceptible to DISC1 dysfunction. This theme highlights the importance of understanding precisely how DISC1 can regulate intracellular trafficking, and suggests that a novel approach to the treatment of psychiatric disorders could be provided by targeting this protein and the trafficking machinery with which it interacts.
image
Multisite Evaluation of Cepheid Xpert Carba-R Assay for Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Organisms in Rectal Swabs
Authors: Tato M. , Ruiz-Garbajosa P. , Traczewski M. , Dodgson A. , McEwan A. , Humphries R. , Hindler J. , Veltman J. , Wang H. , Cantón R. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Rapid identification of patients who are colonized with carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO) is included in multiple national guidelines for containment of these organisms. In a multisite study, we evaluated the performance of the Cepheid Xpert Carba-R assay, a qualitative diagnostic test that was designed for the rapid detection and differentiation of the
bla
KPC
,
bla
NDM
,
bla
VIM
,
bla
OXA-48
, and
bla
IMP-1
genes from rectal swab specimens. A double rectal swab set was collected from 383 patients admitted at four institutions (2 in the United States, 1 in the United Kingdom, 1 in Spain). One swab was used for reference culture (MacConkey broth containing 1 mg/liter of meropenem and subcultured to a MacConkey agar plate with a 10-μg meropenem disk) and for sequencing of DNA obtained from carbapenem-nonsusceptible isolates for carbapenemase identification. The other swab was used for the Xpert Carba-R assay. In addition to the clinical rectal swabs, 250 contrived specimens (108 well-characterized CPO and 142 negative controls spiked onto negative rectal swabs) were tested. Overall, 149/633 (23.5%) samples were positive by the Xpert Carba-R assay. In 6 samples, multiple targets were detected (4 VIM/OXA-48, 1 IMP-1/NDM, and 1 NDM/KPC). The Xpert Carba-R assay detected 155 targets (26 IMP-1, 30 VIM, 27 NDM, 33 KPC, 39 OXA-48) within a time range of 32 to 48 min. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Xpert Carba-R assay compared to those of the reference culture and sequencing results were 96.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 92.2% to 98.9%), 98.6% (95% CI, 97.1% to 99.4%), 95.3%, and 99.0%, respectively. The Cepheid Xpert Carba-R assay is an accurate and rapid test to identify rectal colonization with CPO, which can guide infection control programs to limit the spread of these organisms.
Comparison of ESwab and Wound Fiber Swab Specimen Collection Devices for Use with Xpert SA Nasal Complete Assay
Authors: Beck Eric T. , Buchan Blake W. , Reymann Garrett C. , Ledeboer Nathan A. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

Paired nasal swab specimens were collected from patients who were undergoing routine methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) screening prior to elective cardiac or orthopedic procedures. Each patient was swabbed using a traditional wound fiber liquid Stuart swab and an ESwab device, a flocked swab with a modified liquid Amies microbiology transport medium. The two specimens were tested using the Cepheid Xpert SA Nasal Complete assay. Results demonstrated a 95.5% agreement between the ESwab and the FDA-cleared wound fiber swab collection device.
Clinical Evaluation of the Luminex NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel
Authors: Tang Yi-Wei , Gonsalves Sarah , Sun Janet Y. , Stiles Jeffrey , Gilhuley Kathleen A. , Mikhlina Albina , Dunbar Sherry A. , Babady N. Esther , Zhang Hongwei 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT
An evaluation of the Luminex NxTAG Respiratory Pathogen Panel was performed on 404 clinical respiratory specimens. Clinical sensitivities and specificities of the assay compared to those of the reference methods were 80.0% to 100.0% and 98.9% to 100.0%, respectively. Correct genotyping information was provided for 95.5% of influenza virus A specimens. The closed-tube format of the assay simplified the workflow and minimized carryover contamination.
Long-Term Spontaneous Control of HIV-1 Is Related to Low Frequency of Infected Cells and Inefficient Viral Reactivation
Authors: Noel Nicolas , Peña Ruth , David Annie , Avettand-Fenoel Veronique , Erkizia Itziar , Jimenez Esther , Lecuroux Camille , Rouzioux Christine , Boufassa Faroudy , Pancino Gianfranco , Venet Alain , Van Lint Carine , Martinez-Picado Javier , Lambotte Olivier , Sáez-Cirión Asier , Prado Julia G. 
Published: April 2016

ABSTRACT

HIV establishes reservoirs of infected cells that persist despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). In most patients, the virus begins to replicate soon after treatment interruption. However, a low frequency of infected cells at the time of treatment interruption has been associated with delayed viral rebound. Likewise, individuals who control the infection spontaneously, so-called HIV-1 controllers (HICs), carry particularly low levels of infected cells. It is unclear, however, whether and how this small number of infected cells contributes to durable viral control. Here we compared 38 HICs with 12 patients on effective combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) and found that the low frequency of infected cells in the former subjects was associated both with less efficient viral reactivation in resting CD4
+
T cells and with less efficient virion production
ex vivo
. We also found that a potent HIV-specific CD8
+
T cell response was present only in those HICs whose CD4
+
T cells produced virus
ex vivo
. Long-term spontaneous control of HIV infection in HICs thus appears to be sustained on the basis of the inefficient reactivation of viruses from a limited number of infected cells and the capacity of HICs to activate a potent HIV-specific CD8
+
T cell response to counteract efficient viral reactivation events.

IMPORTANCE
There is a strong scientific interest in developing strategies to eradicate the HIV-1 reservoir. Very rare HIV-1-infected patients are able to spontaneously control viremia for long periods of time (HIV-1 controllers [HICs]) and are put forward as a model of HIV-1 remission. Here, we show that the low viral reservoirs found in HICs are a critical part of the mechanisms underlying viral control and result in a lower probability of HIV-1 reactivation events, resulting in limited HIV-1 release and spread. We found that those HICs in whom viral reactivation and spread from CD4
+
T cells
in vitro
were the most difficult were those with diminished CD8
+
T cell responses. These results suggest that, in some settings, low HIV-1 reservoirs decisively contribute to at least the temporary control of infection without antiretroviral therapy. We believe that this work provides information of relevance in the context of the search for HIV-1 remission.