bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Telomerase reverse transcriptase protects against angiotensin II-induced microvascular endothelial dysfunction
Authors: Ait-Aissa Karima , Kadlec Andrew O. , Hockenberry Joseph , Gutterman David D. , Beyer Andreas M. 
Published: December 2017

A rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to cardiovascular disease by reducing nitric oxide (NO) levels, leading to loss of NO’s vasodilator and anti-inflammatory effects. Although primarily studied in larger conduit arteries, excess ROS release and a corresponding loss of NO also occur in smaller resistance arteries of the microcirculation, but the underlying mechanisms and therapeutic targets have not been fully characterized. We examined whether either of the two subunits of telomerase, telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) or telomerase RNA component (TERC), affect microvascular ROS production and peak vasodilation at baseline and in response to in vivo administration to angiotensin II (ANG II). We report that genetic loss of TERT [maximal dilation: 52.0 ± 6.1% with vehicle, 60.4 ± 12.9% with Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), and 32.2 ± 12.2% with polyethylene glycol-catalase (PEG-Cat) ( P < 0.05), means ± SD, n = 9–19] but not TERC [maximal dilation: 79 ± 5% with vehicle, 10.7 ± 9.8% with l-NAME ( P < 0.05), and 86.4 ± 8.4% with PEG-Cat, n = 4–7] promotes flow-induced ROS formation. Moreover, TERT knockout exacerbates the microvascular dysfunction resulting from in vivo ANG II treatment, whereas TERT overexpression is protective [maximal dilation: 88.22 ± 4.6% with vehicle vs. 74.0 ± 7.3% with ANG II (1,000 ng·kg−1·min−1) ( P = not significant), n = 4]. Therefore, loss of TERT but not TERC may be a key contributor to the elevated microvascular ROS levels and reduced peak dilation observed in several cardiovascular disease pathologies.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study identifies telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) but not telomerase RNA component as a key factor regulating endothelium-dependent dilation in the microcirculation. Loss of TERT activity leads to microvascular dysfunction but not conduit vessel dysfunction in first-generation mice. In contrast, TERT is protective in the microcirculation in the presence of prolonged vascular stress. Understanding the mechanism of how TERT protects against vascular stress represents a novel target for the treatment of vascular disorders.
Inhibition of mTOR protects the blood-brain barrier in models of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular cognitive impairment
Authors: Van Skike Candice E. , Jahrling Jordan B. , Olson Angela B. , Sayre Naomi L. , Hussong Stacy A. , Ungvari Zoltan , Lechleiter James D. , Galvan Veronica 
Published: December 2017

An intact blood-brain barrier (BBB) limits entry of proinflammatory and neurotoxic blood-derived factors into the brain parenchyma. The BBB is damaged in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which contributes significantly to the progression of AD pathologies and cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms underlying BBB breakdown in AD remain elusive, and no interventions are available for treatment or prevention. We and others recently established that inhibition of the mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway with rapamycin yields significant neuroprotective effects, improving cerebrovascular and cognitive function in mouse models of AD. To test whether mTOR inhibition protects the BBB in neurological diseases of aging, we treated hAPP(J20) mice modeling AD and low-density lipoprotein receptor-null (LDLR−/−) mice modeling vascular cognitive impairment with rapamycin. We found that inhibition of mTOR abrogates BBB breakdown in hAPP(J20) and LDLR−/− mice. Experiments using an in vitro BBB model indicated that mTOR attenuation preserves BBB integrity through upregulation of specific tight junction proteins and downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity. Together, our data establish mTOR activity as a critical mediator of BBB breakdown in AD and, potentially, vascular cognitive impairment and suggest that rapamycin and/or rapalogs could be used for the restoration of BBB integrity. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This report establishes mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin as a critical mediator of blood-brain barrier breakdown in models of Alzheimer's disease and vascular cognitive impairment and suggests that drugs targeting the target of rapamycin pathway could be used for the restoration of blood-brain barrier integrity in disease states.
Validity and reliability of a novel metabolic flexibility test in children with obesity
Authors: Chu Lisa , Morrison Katherine M. , Riddell Michael C. , Raha Sandeep , Timmons Brian W. 
Published: December 2017

Existing methods for diagnosing diabetes and for identifying risk of diabetes development are completed under resting conditions and based on adult data. Studying additional methods to identify metabolic risk in children is warranted. Our objective was to examine the validity and reliability of a metabolic flexibility (MetFlex) test for screening glycemia and insulin resistance (IR) in children. We hypothesized higher MetFlex during exercise would be correlated with lower fasting glucose and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and higher whole body insulin sensitivity index (WBISI) and insulin secretion-sensitivity index-2 (ISSI-2). Thirty-four children with obesity (14 boys, 20 girls) attended two visits. At visit 1, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was followed by anthropometric and aerobic fitness (V̇o2max) assessments. Insulin and glucose during the OGTT were used to calculate HOMA-IR, WBISI, and ISSI-2. At visit 2, a 13C-enriched carbohydrate drink was ingested before 60 min of exercise at 45% V̇o2max. Breath measurements were collected to calculate area under the curve exogenous carbohydrate to measure MetFlex. Pearson’s r correlation showed no significant association between MetFlex during exercise with fasting glucose ( r = −0.288, P = 0.110). MetFlex was associated with log-HOMA-IR ( r = −0.597, P = 0.024), log-WBISI ( r = 0.575, P = 0.051), and log-ISSI-2 ( r = 0.605, P = 0.037) in boys but not girls. When repeated ( n = 18), MetFlex was deemed a reliable test (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.692). MetFlex during exercise was negatively associated with IR and β-cell function in boys. Further research is required to explore clinical utility of the MetFlex test and explain the lack of association in girls. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study is the first to investigate the validity and reliability of a novel noninvasive metabolic flexibility (MetFlex) test for identifying insulin resistance in children with obesity. MetFlex was measured during exercise using [13C]glucose stable isotope methodology. Findings showed that MetFlex was negatively associated with insulin resistance in boys but not in girls with obesity. Future work is required to investigate these sex differences. MetFlex test results were deemed reliable when repeated on a separate day.
Mitochondrial dysfunction in iPSC-derived neurons of subjects with chronic mountain sickness
Authors: Zhao Helen , Perkins Guy , Yao Hang , Callacondo David , Appenzeller Otto , Ellisman Mark , La Spada Albert R. , Haddad Gabriel G. 
Published: December 2017

Patients with chronic mountain sickness (CMS) suffer from hypoxemia, erythrocytosis, and numerous neurologic deficits. Here we used induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons from both CMS and non-CMS subjects to study CMS neuropathology. Using transmission electron microscopy, we report that CMS neurons have a decreased mitochondrial volume density, length, and less cristae membrane surface area. Real-time PCR confirmed a decreased mitochondrial fusion gene optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) expression. Immunoblot analysis showed an accumulation of the short isoform of OPA1 (S-OPA1) in CMS neurons, which have reduced ATP levels under normoxia and increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and caspase 3 activation after hypoxia. Improving the balance between the long isoform of OPA1 and S-OPA1 in CMS neurons increased the ATP levels and attenuated LDH release under hypoxia. Our data provide initial evidence for altered mitochondrial morphology and function in CMS neurons, and reveal increased cell death under hypoxia due in part to altered mitochondrial dynamics. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from chronic mountain sickness (CMS) subjects have altered mitochondrial morphology and dynamics, and increased sensitivity to hypoxic stress. Modification of OPA1 can attenuate cell death after hypoxic treatment, providing evidence that altered mitochondrial dynamics play an important role in increased vulnerability under stress in CMS neurons.
Transmitter release site organization can predict synaptic function at the neuromuscular junction
Authors: Laghaei Rozita , Ma Jun , Tarr Tyler B. , Homan Anne E. , Kelly Lauren , Tilvawala Megha S. , Vuocolo Blake S. , Rajasekaran Harini P. , Meriney Stephen D. , Dittrich Markus 
Published: December 2017

We have investigated the impact of transmitter release site (active zone; AZ) structure on synaptic function by physically rearranging the individual AZ elements in a previously published frog neuromuscular junction (NMJ) AZ model into the organization observed in a mouse NMJ AZ. We have used this strategy, purposefully without changing the properties of AZ elements between frog and mouse models (even though there are undoubtedly differences between frog and mouse AZ elements in vivo), to directly test how structure influences function at the level of an AZ. Despite a similarly ordered ion channel array substructure within both frog and mouse AZs, frog AZs are much longer and position docked vesicles in a different location relative to AZ ion channels. Physiologically, frog AZs have a lower probability of transmitter release compared with mouse AZs, and frog NMJs facilitate strongly during short stimulus trains in contrast with mouse NMJs that depress slightly. Using our computer modeling approach, we found that a simple rearrangement of the AZ building blocks of the frog model into a mouse AZ organization could recapitulate the physiological differences between these two synapses. These results highlight the importance of simple AZ protein organization to synaptic function. NEW & NOTEWORTHY A simple rearrangement of the basic building blocks in the frog neuromuscular junction model into a mouse transmitter release site configuration predicted the major physiological differences between these two synapses, suggesting that transmitter release site structure and organization is a strong predictor of function.
Impact of light-adaptive mechanisms on mammalian retinal visual encoding at high light levels
Authors: Borghuis Bart G. , Ratliff Charles P. , Smith Robert G. 
Published: December 2017

A persistent change in illumination causes light-adaptive changes in retinal neurons. Light adaptation improves visual encoding by preventing saturation and by adjusting spatiotemporal integration to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and utilize signaling bandwidth efficiently. In dim light, the visual input contains a greater relative amount of quantal noise, and vertebrate receptive fields are extended in space and time to increase SNR. Whereas in bright light, SNR of the visual input is high, the rate of synaptic vesicle release from the photoreceptors is low so that quantal noise in synaptic output may limit SNR postsynaptically. Whether and how reduced synaptic SNR impacts spatiotemporal integration in postsynaptic neurons remains unclear. To address this, we measured spatiotemporal integration in retinal horizontal cells and ganglion cells in the guinea pig retina across a broad illumination range, from low to high photopic levels. In both cell types, the extent of spatial and temporal integration changed according to an inverted U-shaped function consistent with adaptation to low SNR at both low and high light levels. We show how a simple mechanistic model with interacting, opponent filters can generate the observed changes in ganglion cell spatiotemporal receptive fields across light-adaptive states and postulate that retinal neurons postsynaptic to the cones in bright light adopt low-pass spatiotemporal response characteristics to improve visual encoding under conditions of low synaptic SNR. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The mammalian retina is capable of functioning under an extraordinary (~1 billion fold) range of light intensities, from starlight conditions to bright sunlight. This is achieved primarily through light-adaptive mechanisms that adjust visual sensitivity at the level of the rod and cone photoreceptors. Although it is well established that visual function improves with increasing light, our results suggest that there is an apparent limit to this improvement, set at the stage of photoreceptor synaptic release. Our data provide a new, quantitative account of visual signaling at light levels at the high end of the naturally occurring range and further our insight into light-adaptive mechanisms in the mammalian retina.
Brain-Mimetic 3D Culture Platforms Allow Investigation of Cooperative Effects of Extracellular Matrix Features on Therapeutic Resistance in Glioblastoma
Authors: Xiao Weikun , Zhang Rongyu , Sohrabi Alireza , Ehsanipour Arshia , Sun Songping , Liang Jesse , Walthers Christopher M. , Ta Lisa , Nathanson David A. , Seidlits Stephanie K. 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) tumors exhibit potentially actionable genetic alterations against which targeted therapies have been effective in treatment of other cancers. However, these therapies have largely failed in GBM patients. A notable example is kinase inhibitors of EGFR, which display poor clinical efficacy despite overexpression and/or mutation of EGFR in &gt;50% of GBM. In addressing this issue, preclinical models may be limited by the inability to accurately replicate pathophysiologic interactions of GBM cells with unique aspects of the brain extracellular matrix (ECM), which is relatively enriched in hyaluronic acid (HA) and flexible. In this study, we present a brain-mimetic biomaterial ECM platform for 3D culturing of patient-derived GBM cells, with improved pathophysiologic properties as an experimental model. Compared with orthotopic xenograft assays, the novel biomaterial cultures we developed better preserved the physiology and kinetics of acquired resistance to the EGFR inhibition than gliomasphere cultures. Orthogonal modulation of both HA content and mechanical properties of biomaterial scaffolds was required to achieve this result. Overall, our findings show how specific interactions between GBM cell receptors and scaffold components contribute significantly to resistance to the cytotoxic effects of EGFR inhibition.
Significance: Three-dimensional culture scaffolds of glioblastoma provide a better physiological representation over current methods of patient-derived cell culture and xenograft models. Cancer Res; 78(5); 1358–70. ©2017 AACR.
<b>A first record of the Bentfin Devil Ray <I>Mobula thurstoni</I> (Lloyd, 1908) (Myliobatiformes: Mobulidae) from the Indian EEZ of the Andaman Sea</b>
Authors: Shirke Swapnil Shivdas , Nashad M. , Sukham Monalisha Devi , Pradeep H. D. 
Published: December 2017

This manuscript deals with the Bent-fin Devil Ray Mobula thurstoni for its first time occurrence in the Andaman & Nicobar waters around the Indian EEZ which is a new locality record confirming the range extension of the species to the southeast of Bay of Bengal (the Andaman Sea). A female specimen of 318mm disc length and weighing 2.47Kg was caught by a multiday bottom trawler operated off North Bay and was landed at Junglighat fishing harbour, South Andaman. A detailed diagnostic description and morphometric measurements of M. thurstoni is provided. For the first time this species has been described from Indian waters and compared with the other related species, and so documenting its first occurrence in the Andaman & Nicobar waters.
<b>Preliminary checklist of springtails (Arthropoda: Collembola) of Uttar Pradesh, India</b>
Authors: Yadav Ramesh Singh 
Published: December 2017

Collembola, the fauna of a hidden habitat, are symbols of soil health. A survey of Collembolan fauna in different habitats in different regions of Uttar Pradesh was carried out from 2008 to 2010. Thirty-seven species were captured belonging to 27 genera from eight subfamilies of eight different families. Thirteen species are first reports from India and from Uttar Pradesh. The subfamily Entomobryinae (27.03%) was dominant whereas the subfamily Isotminae had maximum diversity.
<b>Ichthyofauna of Udayasamudram Reservoir in Nalgonda District, Telangana</b>
Authors: Shyamsundar Rachamalla , Krishna Prasad Kante , Srinivasulu Chelmala 
Published: December 2017

The present paper discusses about the diversity of fish fauna in Udayasamudram Reservoir in Nalgonda District, Telangana State, India. Surveys were conducted from March 2013 to February 2016, and fish specimens were collected to study the diversity. A total of 38 species of fishes belonging to seven orders, 15 families and 32 genera were identified. Order Cypriniformes dominated with 14 species followed by Perciformes with 10 species, Siluriformes with nine species, Beloniformes with two species, Osteoglossiformes, Synbranchiformes and Anguilliformes with one species each. The result of this study revealed that Udayasamudram reservoir supports diverse fish population. Therefore, it needs proper management and utilization of fish wealth. We present the checklist of Ichthyofauna of Udayasamudram reservoir fort the first time.
<b>Largest fungal fruit body from India</b>
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Mehra Prahlad Singh , Harsh N.S.K. , Pandey Amit , Pandey Vijay Vardhan 
Published: December 2017

A giant fungal fruit body of Phellinus pachyphloeus (Pat.) Pat. was recorded from Dehradun. Till date it is the largest fungal fruit body ever recorded from India and second from the world.
<b>The persistence of the Striped Hyena <I>Hyaena hyaena</I> Linnaeus, 1758 (Mammalia: Carnivora: Hyaenidae) as a predator of Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Eschscholtz, 1829 (Reptilia: Testudines: Cheloniidae) eggs</b>
Authors: Karnad Divya 
Published: December 2017

A few records of the Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena, a Near Threatened species, suggest that it can survive along coasts, preying on intertidal fauna. This record updates earlier information about the presence of the Striped Hyena preying on the Rushikulya Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea mass-nesting beach to show that the hyena persists in this human-dominated landscape. In addition, it provides details of the first direct sighting of the Striped Hyena feeding on sea turtle eggs. The implications of the presence of this predator for conservation and coastal development are discussed.
<b>Dragonflies and damselflies of University of North Bengal campus, West Bengal, India with new distribution record of <I>Agriocnemis kalinga</I> Nair & Subramanian, 2014</b>
Authors: Pal Aaratrik 
Published: December 2017

A study was made to determine the present status of the diversity of the dragonflies and damselflies from University of North Bengal campus and its surroundings. The study shows the presence of total 69 species of odonates belonging to 41 genera and nine families from the area. Agriocnemis kalinga Nair & Subramanian, 2014 is recorded for the first time from northern Bengal.
<b>Review and analysis of human and Mugger Crocodile conflict in Gujarat, India from 1960 to 2013</b>
Authors: Vyas Raju , Stevenson Colin 
Published: December 2017

Human-Crocodile conflict (HCC) occurs to varying degrees around the World, and with a number of crocodilian species (CrocBITE 2013). The Mugger or Marsh Crocodile Crocodylus palustris found in Gujarat State is the crocodilian species responsible for conflict with local people. This paper is a compilation of HCC occurring in various parts of Gujarat from 1960 to 2013. A total of 64 crocodile attacks were recorded: 44 (24 fatal & 20 non-fatal) on males, and 20 (9 fatal & 11 non-fatal) on females. By region 52 HCC were recorded in central Gujarat; five in Saurashtra, four in the northern region and three in Kutch; no crocodile attacks were recorded in southern Gujarat. Of the two major river systems in central Gujarat, 41 attacks occurred within the Vishwamitri-Dhadhar River System and 11 in the Narmada system. Most crocodile attacks happened between the months of April and September, peaking in May with 14 attacks. These months are the peak breeding season for the species in Gujarat. The most obvious contributors to HCC are lack of basic facilities in rural areas, poverty, illiteracy and the presence of adult animals close to human settlements and activities. Other contributing factors are lack of preventive measures by the forest department, absence of protocols for mugger crocodile rescue, and haphazard release of problematic animals.
Changes in Clergy Belief and Practice in Canada’s Largest Pentecostal Denomination
Authors: Stewart Adam , Gabriel Andrew K. , Shanahan Kevin 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
In 1985/86, Carl Verge conducted a survey of clergy belief and practice within The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC). In 2014, Adam Stewart and Andrew Gabriel conducted a follow-up survey of PAOC clergy to determine if any changes to belief and practice had occurred within this group during the last three decades. In this article we, first, describe the methodologies used in both surveys, second, compare and discuss the relationship between graduate education in religion and clergy belief and practice in 1985/86 and 2014, and, third, describe the overall decrease that has occurred in clergy commitment to traditional Pentecostal belief and practice since 1985/86. Finally, we conclude by proposing a theoretical framework developed by the sociologist of religion Peter Berger that helps to explain the change in commitment to traditional modes of pentecostal belief and practice among PAOC clergy as part of much broader realignments occurring across numerous religious traditions in late modern society.
“I Do Not Think I Could be a Christian on My Own”
Authors: Kuhlin Julia 
Published: December 2017

Abstract
In this article, I explore how eight female Pentecostals express their everyday religion in contemporary Sweden. This article indicates that a shift has taken place in religious practice in Swedish Pentecostalism from earlier decades. The world-rejecting attitude and individual pietistic heritage have been toned down and replaced by what I will term a relational piety that emphasizes the relational side of being “Christ-like” and encourages adherents to practice their everyday religion together. The informants depended on their family, friends, congregation, and Christian networks to maintain and deepen their religiosity and Christian lifestyle. The study is also an example of a broadly gender-equal expression of Pentecostalism and points to the movement’s ability to adjust to different contexts.