bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The regulatory role of Dipeptidyl peptidase I on the activation of immune granulocytes
Authors: Chu Yi , Guo Yaming , Walls Andrew F. , Zhou Xiaoying 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDipeptidyl peptidase I (DPPI), a lysosomal cysteine protease, required for activation of serine proteases of granulocytes including mast cells (MCs), neutrophils (NPs) and others, which were found in synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). But, the role of DPPI associated with those cells in RA development is unclear. In this study, the collagen‐induced‐arthritis (CIA) rat‐model was employed to investigate the expression and activity levels of DPPI and its association with RA progress. Primary granulocytes were freshly extracted from bone‐marrows of normal or CIA rats, human mast cell line LAD‐2 and primary neutrophils, human‐recombinant‐DPPI, DPPI‐inhibitor Gly‐Phe‐CHN2, LTB4, anti‐IgE antibody, calcium ionophore were used to study the regulatory role of DPPI in cell activations. The increased DPPI activities in synovial fluids, serum, and bone‐marrow homogenates of CIA rats associated with RA severities progress were observed after injections. MMP2/9 expressions in SFs and bone‐marrow were in different patterns. Regular‐Blood‐Tests have shown the high leveled DPPI activities associated with granulocytes differentiations in‐vivo in blood of CIA rats. In‐vitro cell models, DPPI up‐regulated the proliferation of primary bone‐marrow granulocytes of normal rats, but inhibited that of CIA rats. DPPI up‐regulated and Gly‐Phe‐CHN2 down‐regulated MCs intracellular DPPI and chymase activities. Gly‐Phe‐CHN2 also inhibited the LTB4‐activated‐NPs and NP‐elastase activities. Following stimulation of calcium ionophore, the net‐releases of DPPI and β‐hexosaminidase from MCs were increased over a time‐course, while Gly‐Phe‐CHN2 down‐regulated MCs and NPs activation. Our findings demonstrate the role of DPPI in regulating MCs and NPs activation, and modulating proteolysis in the process of RA.
Bioelectrical signals improve cardiac function and modify gene expression of extracellular matrix components
Authors: Macfelda Karin , Kapeller Barbara , Holly Alexander , Podesser Bruno K. , Losert Udo , Brandes Kersten , Goettel Peter , Mueller Johannes 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimsBeyond the influence of stimulating devices on cardiac excitation, their use in treating patients with heart failure has positive effects on the myocardium at the molecular level. Electrical signals can induce a wide spectrum of effects in living tissue. Therefore, we sought to determine whether applying electrical microcurrent directly to failing hearts leads to functional improvement.Methods and resultsSixteen male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) with heart failure underwent application of a patch electrode to the left ventricular epicardium and placement of a subcutaneous counter electrode. The electrode delivered a 0.35 μA microcurrent to nine of the SHRs for 45 ± 3 days; the other seven SHRs were used as controls. At baseline and before the SHRs were humanely put to death, we measured the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the thickness of the LV posterior wall during systole and diastole (LVPWs/d). We used quantitative PCR to determine extracellular matrix parameters [collagen I–III, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, MMP‐9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (TIMP3), TIMP4, connexins (Cxs) 40/43/45, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, and interleukin (IL)‐6].Among SHRs undergoing microcurrent application, LVEF normalized (mean decrease, 22.8%; P = 0.009), and LVPWs decreased (mean, 35.3%; P = 0.001). Compared with the control group, the SHRs receiving microcurrent exhibited a mean decrease in the gene expression of collagen I (10.6%, P = 0.003), TIMP3 (18.5%, P = 0.005), Cx43 (14.3%, P = 0.003), Cx45 (12.7%, P = 0.020), TGF‐β (13.0%, P = 0.005), and IL‐6 (53.7%, P = 0.000). Microcurrent application induced no changes in the expression of collagen III, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, TIMP4, or Cx40.ConclusionsApplying microcurrent to the LV epicardium of SHRs leads to statistically significant functional improvement and alterations in the levels of inflammatory and extracellular matrix components.
Adjustments in channel morphology due to land‐use changes and check dam installation in mountain torrents of Calabria (southern Italy)
Authors: Fortugno Diego , Boix‐Fayos Carolina , Bombino Giuseppe , Denisi Pietro , Quiñonero Rubio Juan Manuel , Tamburino Vincenzo , Zema Demetrio Antonio 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn Mediterranean semi‐arid conditions, the availability of studies monitoring channel adjustments as a response to reforestation and check dams over representative observation periods, could help develop new management strategies. This investigation is an integrated approach assessing the adjustments of channel morphology in a typical torrent of southern Italy after land‐use changes and check dam construction across a period of about 60 years. A statistical analysis of historical rainfall records, an analysis of land‐use changes in the catchment area and a geomorphological mapping of channel adjustments were carried out and combined with field surveys of bed surface grain‐size over a 5‐km reach including 14 check dams. The analysis of the historical rainfall records showed a slight decrease in the amount and erosivity of precipitation. Mapping of land‐use changes highlighted a general increase of vegetal coverage on the slopes adjacent to the monitored reaches. Together with the check dam network installation, this increase could have induced a reduction in water and sediment supply. The different erosional and depositional forms and adjustments showed a general narrowing between consecutive check dams together with local modifications detected upstream (bed aggradation and cross‐section expansion together with low‐flow realignments) and downstream (local incision) of the installed check dams. Changes in the torrent bends were also detected as a response to erosional and depositional processes with different intensities.The study highlighted: the efficiency of check dams against the disrupting power of intense floods by stabilizing the active channel and the influence of reforestation in increasing hillslope protection from erosion and disconnectivity of water and sediment flows towards the active channel. Only slight management interventions (for instance, the conversion of the existing check dams into open structures) are suggested, in order to mobilize the residual sediment avoiding further generalized incision of the active channel and coast line erosion. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrospun polyethylene terephthalate/graphene oxide nanofibrous membrane followed by HPLC for the separation and determination of tamoxifen in human blood plasma
Authors: Sereshti Hassan , Bakhtiari Sadjad , Najarzadekan Hamid , Samadi Soheila 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAn electrospun polyethylene terephthalate/graphene oxide nanofibrous mat was fabricated and used as an effective and novel membrane for the solid‐phase extraction of tamoxifen in human blood plasma samples before detection by high‐performance liquid chromatography. The membrane was characterized by some identification techniques, such as FTIR spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The effective variables of the extraction procedure including desorption condition (type and volume of the eluent), adsorbent dose, pH of sample solution, salt concentration, and sample loading time were investigated and their optimum values were obtained using one factor at a time methodology. Under the optimized conditions, the results showed wide linear concentration range of 5–2000 ng/mL with a determination coefficient of 0.992. The limits of detection and limits of quantification were 1.3 and 5.0 ng/mL, respectively. The intra‐day and inter‐day precisions were 3.4 and 4.6%, respectively. The method was successfully applied to determination of tamoxifen in the blood plasma samples and satisfactory relative recoveries (92.6–98.3 %) were achieved.
Measurement and modeling of diffusion time dependence of apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy in prostate tissue ex vivo
Authors: Bourne Roger , Liang Sisi , Panagiotaki Eleftheria , Bongers Andre , Sved Paul , Watson Geoffrey 
Published: June 2017

The purpose of this study was to measure and model the diffusion time dependence of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and fractional anisotropy (FA) derived from conventional prostate diffusion‐weighted imaging methods as used in recommended multiparametric MRI protocols. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was performed at 9.4 T with three radical prostatectomy specimens, with diffusion times in the range 10–120 ms and b‐values 0–3000 s/mm2. ADC and FA were calculated from DTI measurements at b‐values of 800 and 1600 s/mm2. Independently, a two‐component model (restricted isotropic plus Gaussian anisotropic) was used to synthesize DTI data, from which ADC and FA were predicted and compared with the measured values. Measured ADC and FA exhibited a diffusion time dependence, which was closely predicted by the two‐component model. ADC decreased by about 0.10–0.15 μm2/ms as diffusion time increased from 10 to 120 ms. FA increased with diffusion time at b‐values of 800 and 1600 s/mm2 but was predicted to be independent of diffusion time at b = 3000 s/mm2. Both ADC and FA exhibited diffusion time dependence that could be modeled as two unmixed water pools — one having isotropic restricted dynamics, and the other unrestricted anisotropic dynamics. These results highlight the importance of considering and reporting diffusion times in conventional ADC and FA calculations and protocol recommendations, and inform the development of improved diffusion methods for prostate cancer imaging.
Performance stability of photovoltaic modules in different climates
Authors: Schweiger Markus , Bonilla Johanna , Herrmann Werner , Gerber Andreas , Rau Uwe 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe current–voltage (I‐V) characteristics of 15 different photovoltaic modules are monitored during more than 2 years of operation at four locations (Germany, Italy, India and Arizona) corresponding to four different climate zones. The electrical stability of the photovoltaic modules during the time of outdoor exposure is investigated in terms of measured I‐V curve translated to standard test conditions. This translation compensates the influence of module temperature, irradiance, spectral effects and soiling on the I‐V curves. The changes of output power after these corrections are attributed to initial consolidation phases, to long‐term degradation of the electrical properties and to seasonal cycles associated with metastabilities. Modules made from crystalline Si turn out to show no or only minor effects. Thin‐Film modules (CdTe, Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and thin‐film Si) exhibit a wide spread of metastable behaviour with consistent patterns for identical modules in different climates but with significant differences amongst different manufacturers of the same thin‐film technology. We show further that this metastable behaviour influences the energy yield of the modules. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeted functional investigations guided by integrative proteome network analysis revealed significant perturbations of renal tubular cell functions induced by high glucose
Authors: Aluksanasuwan Siripat , Khamchun Supaporn , Thongboonkerd Visith 
Published: June 2017

AbstractRecently, several studies employed various proteomic approaches to define diabetes‐induced changes in renal proteins. However, functional significance of those datasets in diabetic nephropathy remained unclear. We thus performed integrative proteome network analysis of such datasets followed by various targeted functional studies in distal renal tubular cells treated with high glucose (HG) (25 mM) compared to normal glucose (NG) (5.5 mM) and NG + mannitol (M) (5.5 + 19.5 mM). The data showed that at 96 h when cell proliferation/death, tight junction protein and β‐/F‐actin expression and organization, and transepithelial resistance remained unchanged, only HG caused increased levels of HSP90, HSP70, and HSP60, and increased accumulation of intracellular protein aggregates. In addition, HG also induced overproduction of intracellular ROS, decreased catalase level, increased level of oxidatively modified proteins, increased intracellular ATP level, and defective transepithelial Ca2+ transport. However, both HG and M increased the levels of ubiquitinated proteins. Taken together, this study demonstrated significant perturbations of distal renal tubular cells induced by HG based on targeted functional studies guided by integrative proteome network analysis. These data may, at least in part, lead to better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of diabetic nephropathy.
Value congruence and depressive symptoms among critical care clinicians: The mediating role of moral distress
Authors: Lamiani Giulia , Dordoni Paola , Argentero Piergiorgio 
Published: June 2017

AbstractClinicians working in intensive care units are often exposed to several job stressors that can negatively affect their mental health. Literature has acknowledged the role of value congruence and job control in determining clinicians' psychological well‐being and depressive symptoms. However, potential mediators of this association have been scarcely examined. This study aimed to test the mediating role of moral distress in the relationship between value congruence and job control, on the one hand, and depression, on the other hand. A cross‐sectional study involving physicians, nurses, and residents working in 7 intensive care units in the north of Italy was conducted. Clinicians were administered in the Italian Moral Distress Scale—Revised, the value and control subscales of the Areas of Worklife Scale, and the Beck Depression Inventory II. Structural equation modeling was used to test the mediation model. Analysis on 170 questionnaires (response rate 72%) found no relations between job control and moral distress. A total indirect effect of value congruence on depression through moral distress (β = −.12; p = .02) was found. Moral distress contributes to the development of depressive symptoms among critical care clinicians who perceive a value incongruence with their organization and therefore should be addressed.
Ethnic socialization, ethnic identity, life satisfaction and school achievement of Roma ethnic minority youth
Authors: Dimitrova Radosveta , Johnson Deborah J. , van de Vijver Fons J.R. 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTThis article is part of a Special Issue entitled Explaining Positive Adaptation of Immigrant Youth across Cultures.This study tested a mediation model of ethnic socialization (i.e., parental practices that promote children's knowledge about their history, heritage culture, cultural authenticity, and ethnic bias management) in Roma youth. Roma are the largest ethnic minority group in Europe subjected to severe discrimination, both currently and historically. Participants were 202 Roma youth aged 14 to 19 years old (M = 16.25, 53% females), who provided self‐reports on their experience of ethnic socialization, ethnic identity, school achievement, and life satisfaction. Cultural pride reinforcement was related to better school achievement, whereas cultural coping with antagonism was positively related to life satisfaction. The study confirmed the model in that ethnic socialization was positively related to life satisfaction through effects on ethnic identity but negatively associated with school achievement. Findings have implications for adaptive cultural mechanisms promoting positive developmental outcomes among historically disadvantaged groups including those intersecting immigrant and multigenerational ethnic minority group categories.
Con
Authors: Musalek M. 
Published: June 2017

The analysis of the historical development of the currently used diagnosis schizophrenia in DSM or ICD classification indicates that sticking to established terms and methodologies more and more develops to an obstacle in schizophrenia research. The aim of the currently used operational diagnostic approach was to reach reliability of diagnoses between different psychiatrists and researchers as high as possible. This should improve the communication between different research groups and better the comparison of study results. The aim of a high reliability has surely been reached, however, the expected striking progress in research and clinical praxis failed to materialize till today. Reliability, which means agreement, does not simultaneously means validity. Modern brain and genetic research requires more homogenous clinical syndromes or ‘diseases’ to examine them with scientifically based methodologies and technologies. The prerequisite for doing this, however, is going back to clinical and empirical realities and to integrate these realities into the development of a new generation of classification systems that are free of dogmatic thinking.Disclosure of interestThe author declares that he has no competing interest.
Combined Analysis of Large Genetic Samples: New Statistical Approaches Improve Gene Discovery
Authors: Smeland O. , Wang Y. , Kauppi K. , Frei O. , Dale A.M. , Andreassen O.A. 
Published: June 2017

IntroductionCognitive dysfunction is recognized as a core feature of schizophrenia and is considered an important predictor of functional outcomes. Despite this, current treatment strategies largely fail to ameliorate these cognitive impairments. In order to develop more efficient treatment strategies, a better understanding of the pathogenesis of cognitive dysfunction is needed. Accumulating evidence indicates that genetic risk of schizophrenia contributes to cognitive dysfunction. However, the precise genetic variants jointly influencing schizophrenia and cognitive function remain to be determined.AimsHere, we aimed to identify gene loci shared between schizophrenia and general cognitive function, a phenotype that captures the shared variation in performance across several cognitive domains.MethodsUsing a Bayesian statistical framework, we compared genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on schizophrenia from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium cohort (n = 79,757) with GWAS data on general cognitive function from the CHARGE Consortium (n = 53,949). By conditioning the false discovery rate (FDR) on shared associations, this statistical approach increases power to detect gene loci.ResultsWe observed substantial polygenetic overlap between schizophrenia and general cognitive function, which replicated across independent schizophrenia sub-studies. Using the conditional FDR approach we increased discovery of gene loci and identified 13 loci shared between schizophrenia and general cognitive function. The majority of these loci (11/13) shows opposite directions of allelic effects in the phenotypes, in line with previous genetic studies and the observed cognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia.ConclusionsOur study extends the current understanding of the genetic etiology influencing schizophrenia and general cognitive function by identifying shared gene loci between the phenotypes.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
A Dimensional Perspective on Sexual Orientation and Gender
Authors: Castellini G. 
Published: June 2017

Gender identity - the subjective experience of membership to a gender - is generally taken for granted by most of the persons. It is part of our general identity, and provides a sense of continuity of the self, and interrogative on this aspect of our life are barely present in our consciousness. Exceptions are represented by stages of development such as adolescence or some categories of persons who do not identify themselves into the dichotomous world of men/female. The debate on gender identity recently has broken into the consciousness for Psychopathology, rising interrogatives from different perspectives, including Medicine, Phycology, Anthropology, and Ethic.In the present symposium we resume the historical trajectory of gender definition, emphasizing the importance of a different perspective on gender than the common definition provided by western culture. We propose a phenomenological perspective on the components of sexual identity, which includes anatomical sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender role. The phenomenological approach is coherent with the dimensional view on sexual identity proposed by the DSM board, as well as by LGBT movements. This position considers Gender Dysphoria and transsexualism as a pole of gender variants continuum. Phenomenology looks at the comprehension of subjective gender heterogeneity, and the subjective world of gender dysphoric persons as the only way to take care of them; every psychological medical or surgical treatment should come as consequences. The phenomenological perspective on gender dysphoria may be useful to understand and partially explain the different subjective satisfaction to common hormonal and surgical treatment.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Reward Circuits and Apathy in Schizophrenia: Neuroimaging and Treatment Strategies
Authors: Aleman A. 
Published: June 2017

Approximately 50% of patients with schizophrenia shows deficits in motivation and initiation of goal-directed behavior, which are suggestive of reward system dysfunction. We conducted a meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies reporting on the neural correlates of reward processing and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. A significant mean weighted correlation was observerd, revealing deficits in activation of reward neurocircuitry. A more specific findings is comprised activation of the ventral striatum, involved in anticipation of reward, and structures that play a critical role in the ability to represent the value of outcomes and plans. In a study of VTA connectivity in the resting state in a large group of patients with schizophrenia, we found reduced connectivity with lateral prefrontal, temporal and parietal regions to be associated with higher degrees of apathy. Apathy belongs to the most debilitating symptoms of schizophrenia and represents a significant unmet need in its treatment. Quantitative integration of published findings suggests that treatment with noninvasive magnetic brain stimulation can improve negative symptoms. Previous PET-studies have shown that such stimulation may target circuits with dopaminergic innervation. A behavioral treatment approach that may also target reward-related circuits will also be discussed briefly. It can be concluded that recent results regarding reward and motivated behavior in schizophrenia have clinical implications and may help develop novel treatment strategies.Disclosure of interestAA received speaker fees from Lundbeck.
Effect of BMI on Resting-state Functional Architecture of the Brain in Healthy Individuals and Patients with Psychosis
Authors: Frangou S. , Micali N. , Natalie R. , Gaelle D. , Bruce M. 
Published: June 2017

Elevated body mass index (BMI) is associated with increased multi-morbidity and mortality. The investigation of the relationship between BMI and brain organization has the potential to provide new insights relevant to clinical and policy strategies for weight control. Here, we quantified the effect of BMI on the functional connectivity of the Default-Mode (DMN), Central Executive (CEN), Sensorimotor (SMN) and Visual (VN) networks in 496 healthy individuals that were studied as part of the Human Connectome Project. We found that elevated BMI was associated with disrupted functional integration of sensory-guided (SMN, VN) with internally controlled (DMN, CEN) networks, implicating increased attention to sensory stimuli as a possible mechanism underpinning overeating and weight gain. Our results suggest that weight control strategies should expand to include wider societal policies that incorporate modifications to eating environments and to the visual presentation and branding of food products.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.