bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fingolimod Limits Acute Aβ Neurotoxicity and Promotes Synaptic Versus Extrasynaptic NMDA Receptor Functionality in Hippocampal Neurons
Authors: Joshi Pooja , Gabrielli Martina , Ponzoni Luisa , Pelucchi Silvia , Stravalaci Matteo , Beeg Marten , Mazzitelli Sonia , Braida Daniela , Sala Mariaelvina , Boda Enrica , Buffo Annalisa , Gobbi Marco , Gardoni Fabrizio , Matteoli Michela , Marcello Elena , Verderio Claudia 
Published: January 2017

AbstractFingolimod, also known as FTY720, is an analogue of the sphingolipid sphingosine, which has been proved to be neuroprotective in rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Several cellular and molecular targets underlying the neuroprotective effects of FTY720 have been recently identified. However, whether the drug directly protects neurons from toxicity of amyloid-beta (Aβ) still remains poorly defined. Using a combination of biochemical assays, live imaging and electrophysiology we demonstrate that FTY720 induces a rapid increase in GLUN2A-containing neuroprotective NMDARs on the surface of dendritic spines in cultured hippocampal neurons. In addition, the drug mobilizes extrasynaptic GLUN2B-containing NMDARs, which are coupled to cell death, to the synapses. Altered ratio of synaptic/extrasynaptic NMDARs decreases calcium responsiveness of neurons to neurotoxic soluble Aβ 1–42 and renders neurons resistant to early alteration of calcium homeostasis. The fast defensive response of FTY720 occurs through a Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1P-R) -dependent mechanism, as it is lost in the presence of S1P-R1 and S1P-R3 antagonists. We propose that rapid synaptic relocation of NMDARs might have direct impact on amelioration of cognitive performance in transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 AD mice upon sub-chronic treatment with FTY720.
RNA-binding protein RBM3 prevents NO-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cells by modulating p38 signaling and miR-143
Authors: Yang Hai-Jie , Ju Fei , Guo Xin-Xin , Ma Shuang-Ping , Wang Lei , Cheng Bin-Feng , Zhuang Rui-Juan , Zhang Bin-Bin , Shi Xiang , Feng Zhi-Wei , Wang Mian 
Published: January 2017

AbstractNitric oxide (NO)-induced apoptosis in neurons is an important cause of neurodegenerative disease in humans. The cold-inducible protein RBM3 mediates the protective effects of cooling on apoptosis induced by various insults. However, whether RBM3 protects neural cells from NO-induced apoptosis is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effect of RBM3 on NO-induced apoptosis in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Firstly, we demonstrated that mild hypothermia (32 °C) induces RBM3 expression and confers a potent neuroprotective effect on NO-induced apoptosis, which was substantially diminished when RBM3 was silenced by siRNA. Moreover, overexpression of RBM3 exhibited a strong protective effect against NO-induced apoptosis. Signaling pathway screening demonstrated that only p38 inhibition by RBM3 provided neuroprotective effect, although RBM3 overexpression could affect the activation of p38, JNK, ERK, and AKT signaling in response to NO stimuli. Notably, RBM3 overexpression also blocked the activation of p38 signaling induced by transforming growth factor-β1. Furthermore, both RBM3 overexpression and mild hypothermia abolished the induction of miR-143 by NO, which was shown to mediate the cytotoxicity of NO in a p38-dependent way. These findings suggest that RBM3 protects neuroblastoma cells from NO-induced apoptosis by suppressing p38 signaling, which mediates apoptosis through miR-143 induction.
Treatment Outcomes of Patients with Locally Advanced Synchronous Esophageal and Head/Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Receiving Curative Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Chen Yen-Hao , Lu Hung-I. , Chien Chih-Yen , Lo Chien-Ming , Wang Yu-Ming , Chou Shang-Yu , Su Yan-Ye , Shih Li-Hsueh , Li Shau-Hsuan 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe present study investigated clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with locally advanced synchronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and head/neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) receiving curative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), and determined whether synchronous ESCC/HNSCC patients had worse prognosis compared to isolated ESCC patients. Using propensity score matching method, we compared 60 locally advanced synchronous ESCC/HNSCC patients with 60 matched isolated ESCC patients. Compared to 60 matched isolated ESCC patients, synchronous ESCC/HNSCC patients had significantly worse prognosis (13.5 months versus 17.2 months, P = 0.01), more grade 3–4 CCRT toxicity, and higher percentage of CCRT interruption. For synchronous ESCC/HNSCC group, the 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 52% and 13%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that early ESCC stage, non-T4b disease, and salvage operations were significantly associated with superior survival. In multivariate analysis, ESCC stage represented an independent prognosticator. For chemotherapy regimen during CCRT, cisplatin/5-fluorouracil had significantly more grade 3–4 mucositis/esophagitis and neutropenia than weekly cisplatin. In conclusion, synchronous ESCC/HNSCC patients receiving curative CCRT have worse prognosis and poorer compliance of CCRT compared to isolated ESCC patients. For these patients, ESCC stage and T4b disease were significantly associated with clinical outcomes, and salvage operation may improve overall survival.
Mode Coupling and Nonlinear Resonances of MEMS Arch Resonators for Bandpass Filters
Authors: Hajjaj Amal Z. , Hafiz Md Abdullah , Younis Mohammad I. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractWe experimentally demonstrate an exploitation of the nonlinear softening, hardening, and veering phenomena (near crossing), where the frequencies of two vibration modes get close to each other, to realize a bandpass filter of sharp roll off from the passband to the stopband. The concept is demonstrated based on an electrothermally tuned and electrostatically driven MEMS arch resonator operated in air. The in-plane resonator is fabricated from a silicon-on-insulator wafer with a deliberate curvature to form an arch shape. A DC current is applied through the resonator to induce heat and modulate its stiffness, and hence its resonance frequencies. We show that the first resonance frequency increases up to twice of the initial value while the third resonance frequency decreases until getting very close to the first resonance frequency. This leads to the phenomenon of veering, where both modes get coupled and exchange energy. We demonstrate that by driving both modes nonlinearly and electrostatically near the veering regime, such that the first and third modes exhibit softening and hardening behavior, respectively, sharp roll off from the passband to the stopband is achievable. We show a flat, wide, and tunable bandwidth and center frequency by controlling the electrothermal actuation voltage.
Trapped Fourth Ventricle in Recurrent Acoustic Schwannoma - A Rarity
Authors: Kumar Vinod , Hegde Ajay , Nair Rajesh , Menon Girish 
Published: January 2017

AbstractFourth ventricular dilatation is usually seen along with tri-ventriculomegaly in patients with communicating hydrocephalus. Isolated fourth ventricular dilatation is uncommon, especially as a sequelae following infective or post hemorrhagic communicating hydrocephalus. Communicating hydrocephalus is reported in vestibular schwannoma with an incidence of 3.7 to 23.5%, but 4th ventricular dilatation following its treatment has not been reported in the literature. We report a novel case of isolated fourth ventricular obstruction following surgery for recurrent vestibular schwannoma and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for communicating hydrocephalus. Management strategies range from endoscopic procedures to ventricular shunt placement. We describe the surgical technique for the placement of a fourth ventricular shunt with the use of a Y connector.
Facial Nerve Schwannomas Mimicking as Vestibular Schwannomas
Authors: Wise Sean , Cohen David , Bell Jason , Bojrab Dennis , LaRouere Michael , Kircher Matthew , Babu Seilesh , McNulty Beth 
Published: January 2017

Objective The objective of this study was to identify preoperative and intraoperative findings that may aid in distinguishing facial nerve schwannomas (FNS) from vestibular schwannomas (VSs), particularly in cases limited to the internal auditory canal (IAC) and cerebellopontine angle (CPA).
Study Design This was a retrospective study.
Setting This study was set at a Tertiary Referral Center.
Patients Seventeen cases from October 2002 to July 2015 with an IAC/CPA mass presumed to be a VS who were found to have a FNS intraoperatively.
Main Outcome Measures The main outcome measures included preoperative presentation, intraoperative findings, and subsequent intervention.
Results Preoperative hearing loss and imbalance were seen in 70.5 and 64.7%, respectively. Suspicious intraoperative findings included: facial nerve incorporated intimately with the tumor capsule in 12 cases; spontaneous action potentials noted while drilling the bony IAC in 3 cases; and action potentials noted on stimulation of the entire tumor capsule in 10 cases. The mean long-term facial function was House–Brackmann grade II and the mean length of follow-up was 4.86 years.
Conclusion FNSs are rare and may be difficult to distinguish from VS preoperatively. Surgical findings that should raise concern include spontaneous action potentials during drilling the bony IAC, absence of a plane of dissection between the facial nerve and tumor, or stimulation of the tumor capsule.
The discourses of the Greek crisis
Authors: Hatzidaki Ourania , Goutsos Dionysis 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The introduction to the volume offers an overview of existing research on the discourse pertaining to the Greek crisis and relates this to the papers included in it. It is suggested that previous works mainly focused on how the Greek crisis has been communicated by the mass media, and viewed from abroad. By contrast, this volume looks at how the Greeks themselves construe their own predicament, investigating a rich diversity of local voices, elite, non-elite and resistance. Methodologically, contrary to extant research, which principally draws on the results of content analysis, this volume concentrates on the mechanics of Greek crisis rhetoric. To this end, papers combine a sizeable array of corpus linguistics and critical discourse analysis techniques, employed in multifarious ways so as to provide nuanced analyses of Greek crisis discourses.
The dream that turned into a nightmare
Authors: Kostopoulou Georgia 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
This study aims at shedding light on the evolution of the pre-electoral discourse of two of the most prominent politicians of the 2000s, centre right-wing Kostas Karamanlis and social-democrat George Papandreou and, in particular, on the transformation of their lexical choices across three pre-crisis national election campaigns (2004, 2007 and 2009). Furthermore, it critically presents lexical choices with positive and negative prosody for the voting audience and examines how they function as rhetorical tools for persuading and manipulating the addressees (traditional, potential and swing voters) in the light of the broader socio-political context.
The “theory of the two extremes”
Authors: Hatzidaki Ourania 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
This chapter reports on a large-scale quantitative and qualitative investigation of the use of the notion of “extremism” in the public discourse of significant political actors during the Greek crisis. It focuses on its employment as a rhetorical tool for the stigmatization of political opponents, specifically for the delegitimation, by the government representatives at the time (New Democracy and PASOK), of potentially threatening political/electoral rivals (principally SYRIZA and the Left, and secondarily Golden Dawn). We also examine the reaction of the stigmatized, by analysing the discourse of the parliamentary opposition, extra-parliamentary web fora and social-revolutionary terrorists, where several strategies of response are identified. We observe that respondents universally prefer lower-key rhetorical techniques, probably in an effort to disconfirm the politically costly extremism reproach.
“Tragic event” vs. “cowardly murder”
Authors: Fragaki Georgia 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
This chapter discusses the representation, in texts published on the Golden Dawn official website, of Pavlos Fyssas’ murder by a Golden Dawn member and the subsequent murders of two members of this party by as yet unidentified perpetrators. The diachronically-sensitive analysis of keywords, clusters and concordances relating to processes and participants suggests that the discourse treatment of the two cases differs fundamentally: lexicogrammatical choices position the two incidents at removed points on a detachment vs. involvement scale, and also reveal significantly different levels of interest in the actor(s) and abettors associated with each incident. The discourse strategies identified in the texts (e.g. denial, variously downtoning or foregrounding of events, counterattack by reversal of accusations) concur with these choices and allow Golden Dawn to appear as a victim (victim-victimizer reversal).
Golden Dawn and the traits of extreme right-wing discourse amidst the Greek crisis
Authors: Saridakis Ioannis E. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
This is a corpus-driven study of the lexical and textual semantics and pragmatics of Greek neo-nationalist discourse at the time of the Greek crisis. A corpus of texts culled from Golden Dawn’s website has been examined by corpus linguistics and critical discourse analysis techniques in order to investigate the positioning of Greek neo-nationalist discourse and identify the conceptual link between the rampant crisis and the ideology of this extreme-right party. The focus is on the lexical and argumentative means used by Golden Dawn to formulate its core ideological pillars by exploiting the crisis and to establish itself in the political and social arena.
Scope and partitivity of plural indefinite noun phrases in Spanish
Authors: Colomina-Almiñana Juan J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIt has been argued that European Spanish plural indefinite noun phrases includingalgunosconvey a partitive effect because the restrictoralg-provides additional properties. The reason thatalgunosimplicates a “non-all-things” effect is because it refers only to an indeterminate part of the whole. The scope of bare plurals andunos, in contrast, does not exhibit this characteristic. This article argues that, contrarily to this claim, the scope of bare plurals andunosalso induces partitivity because occurrences of these words include unarticulated constituents. Therefore, European Spanish indefinite noun phrases pragmatically presuppose the relevant part of what the speaker intends to refer, which is also shared by the audience since it is part of the common ground both occupy. Hence, bare plurals andunosare always contextually restricted, since a covert (optional) variable present in the logical form cannot capture this contextual restriction.
Aligning caller and call-taker
Authors: Koole Tom , Verberg Nina 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis paper reports on conversation analytic research for the Dutch national emergency call-centre. In a corpus study of 120 emergency calls we show that callers’ orientations to their communicative tasks are not aligned to the institutional communicative tasks of the call-takers. In a subsequent workplace experiment involving over 2000 calls, it appeared that the use of an alternative question rather than a wh-question, significantly altered callers’ emergency deliveries and adapted them to call-takers’ communicative needs. The analysis shows two aspects of callers’ responses to the different question formats: (i) The alternative questions produced significantly more type-conforming answers than the wh-questions, and also (ii) callers treated their non-conforming answer to alternative question more often as dispreferred than their non-conforming answers to wh-questions. Callers thus treated the preference for type-conformity to be stronger for alternative questions than for wh-questions.
Building tribal communities in the collaborative economy: an innovation framework
Authors: Barnes Stuart J. , Mattsson Jan 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
In recent years, there has been a groundswell of initiatives aimed at providing platforms to share resources among people. Collaborative consumption provides a model for a ‘sharing economy’ where the dominant logic of consumers is resource access rather than ownership. This study examines the nature and development of a variety of collaborative consumption businesses; in particular, we explore how start-up entrepreneurs see the problems of creating a tribal community among customers and users. Interviews were carried out with founders and co-founders of collaborative consumption ventures during 2014–15. The results suggest that these organisations face many common issues. We develop and apply a framework to understand some of these. We find that collaborative consumption entrepreneurs strive to build a tribal community by matching, in an innovative way, supply and demand. This is typically done by co-creating shared commonality, developing scalable electronic platforms, and building trust into platforms using social media to develop proxy social capital. Consequently, by using existing ecosystems of social media, tribal communities can be formed and scaled much more quickly than via traditional marketing approaches.
How does social support affect functional impairment in late life? Findings of a multicenter prospective cohort study in Germany
Authors: Hajek André , Brettschneider Christian , Mallon Tina , van der Leeden Carolin , Mamone Silke , Wiese Birgitt , Weyerer Siegfried , Werle Jochen , Fuchs Angela , Pentzek Michael , Riedel-Heller Steffi G. , Stein Janine , Bickel Horst , Weeg Dagmar , Heser Kathrin , Wagner Michael , Maier Wolfgang , Scherer Martin , Luck Tobias , König Hans-Helmut 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

Objective
to investigate how social support affects functional impairment (FI) in late life in a longitudinal approach.

Methods
in a multicenter prospective cohort study, subjects in old age (≥75 years at baseline) were interviewed every 1.5 years. Social support was quantified in the follow-up (FU) Waves 2 and 4 (FU Wave 2: n = 2,349; FU Wave 4: n = 1,484). FI was assessed by using the Lawton and Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale.

Results
fixed effects regressions showed that a decrease in social support is associated with FI in the total sample and in both sexes. The effect on FI was most pronounced with the dimension social integration, whereas changes in practical support only affected FI in the total sample and changes in emotional support only affected FI in men.

Conclusions
our findings emphasise the importance of social support for functional status in late life. Thus, strengthening social support in old age might be effective in maintaining functional abilities.
High-Salt Intake Augments the Activity of the RhoA/ROCK Pathway and Reduces Intracellular Calcium in Arteries From Rats
Authors: Crestani Sandra , Webb Robert Clinton , da Silva-Santos José Eduardo 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
We investigated the influence of salt overconsumption on the functionality of the RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway and calcium regulation in arteries.

METHODS
The aorta and small mesenteric arteries from rats fed a chow containing 2%, 4%, or 8% NaCl were evaluated in organ baths for the activity of the RhoA/ROCK pathway and intracellular calcium mobilization. Components of these pathways and intracellular calcium levels were also assessed in samples from 4% NaCl group.

RESULTS
In arteries from animals fed regular chow, the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 reduced the responses to phenylephrine, even when the smallest concentrations (1 and 3 μM) were tested. However, only higher concentrations of Y-27632 (10 and 50 μM) reduced phenylephrine-induced contraction in vessels from high-salt groups. Immunoblotting revealed augmented phosphorylation of the myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 and increased amounts of RhoA in the membrane fraction of aorta homogenates from the 4% NaCl group. Under calcium-free solution, vessels from NaCl groups presented reduced contractile responses to phenylephrine and caffeine, compared with the regular chow group. Moreover, decreased intracellular calcium at rest and after stimulation with ATP were found in aortic smooth muscle cells from 4% NaCl-fed rats, which also showed diminished levels of SERCA2 and SERCA3, but not of IP3 and ryanodine receptors, or STIM1 and Orai1 proteins.

CONCLUSIONS
Arteries from rats subjected to high-salt intake are unable to properly regulate intracellular calcium levels and present augmented activity of the calcium sensitization pathway RhoA/ROCK. These changes may precede the development of vascular diseases induced by high-salt intake.
Predictive Significance of Day-to-Day Blood Pressure Variability in Acute Ischemic Stroke for 12-Month Functional Outcomes
Authors: Shi Zhu , Li En S. , Zhong Jun S. , Yuan Juan L. , Li Lan R. , Zheng Cheng W. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Previous studies on the association between blood pressure (BP) variability in acute ischemic stroke and functional outcomes have yielded conflicting results. We aimed to investigate the predictive significance of day-to-day BP variability during the 7 days following stroke onset for functional outcomes at 12 months.

METHODS
A total of 229 patients (male 68.8%, mean age 66.7 ± 13.0 years) within 24 hours after onset were prospectively studied. The first 24 hours and day-to-day BP variability, including the SD, coefficient variation (CV), average real variation, and ΔBP (difference between the maximum and minimum BP), were derived and compared to functional outcomes. The functional outcomes were accessed using the baseline severity-adjusted analysis at 12 months post-stroke.

RESULTS
The patients with poor outcomes at 12 months had significantly higher morning systolic BP (SBP; 1–3 days after onset) than those with good outcomes. The day-to-day SBP variability parameters (1–7 days) such as SD, CV, and Δ SBP were significantly higher in the patients with poor outcomes than in those with good outcomes (17.0 ± 6.0 vs. 14.8 ± 5.3 mm Hg, 11.8 ± 3.9 vs. 10.6 ± 3.5, 48.3 ± 17.7 vs. 39.9 ± 15.5 mm Hg, respectively; P &lt; 0.05). After adjustment for demographic and clinical features, day-to-day Δ SBP was associated with poorer functional outcomes at 12 months (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.547, 1.097–2.181). Even after adjusting for the mean SBP, Δ SBP was independently associated with 12-month poor functional outcomes (odds ratio, 95% confidence interval: 1.577, 1.095–2.272).

CONCLUSIONS
Day-to-day SBP variability in acute ischemic stroke was associated with poor functional outcomes at 12 months.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION
Trial Number NCT02675972