bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact Of Sports Activities On Quality Of Life Of Persons With A Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Kljajić Dragana , Eminović Fadilj , Dopsaj Milivoj , Pavlović Dragan , Arsić Sladjana , Otašević Jadranka 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Objectives
Studying the quality of life of people with a spinal cord injury is of great importance as it allows the monitoring of both functioning and adaptation to disability. The aim of this study was to determine the difference between persons with a spinal cord injury involved in sports activities and those not involved in sports activities in relation to their quality of life and the presence of secondary health conditions (pressure ulcers, urinary infections, muscle spasms, osteoporosis, pain, kidney problems-infections, calculosis and poor circulation).

Methods
The study included a total of 44 participants with spinal cord injury-paraplegia of both genders; 26 of them were athletes and 18 were not athletes. The athletes were training actively for the last two years, minimally 2-3 times per week. A specially designed questionnaire, medical documentation and the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Questionnaire (SCI QL-23) were used for research purposes. Chi-square test was used to analyze the differences between the groups, while multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to determine the differences between the sets of variables.

Results
Among the participants, the athletes perceived higher quality of life than the non-athletes (male gender p<0.001 and female gender p<0.05). Regarding secondary health conditions, the athletes reported the presence of less pain (p=0.034) and a subjective feeling of better circulation (p=0.023).

Conclusion
The implementation of sports activities significantly improves quality of life in the population of people with spinal cord injury-paraplegia. However, sports activities only partially affect secondary health conditions.
Demographic And Histopathological Characteristics Of Colorectal Polyps: A Descriptive Study Based On Samples Obtained From Symptomatic Patients
Authors: Cekodhima Genta , Cekodhima Altin , Beqiri Arben , Alimehmeti Mehdi , Sulo Gerhard 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Background
Colorectal polyps (CP) are common among individuals older than 50 years. Some polyp types can precede colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed at describing histopathological characteristics of colorectal polyps in relation to age and gender among symptomatic patients referred for a colonoscopy examination during 2011-2014 in Tirana, Albania.

Methods
Study population included 267 individuals aged ≥ 20 years and diagnosed with ≥ 1 polyp during a colonoscopy examination. A total of 346 polyps were identified, excised and measured, and underwent histopathological examination.

Results
Adenomas accounted for 79.8% of all polyps and tubular type was the most frequent one (74.4%). The majority of polyps (42.5%) were small (<1 cm), 38.7% of a medium size (1-2 cm) and 18.8% large (>2 cm). Adenomas were larger than non-adenomatous polyps (p<0.01)
There was no gender difference with regard to patient age (p=0.22) or polyp size (p=0.84) Adenomas were more frequent among men compared to women (p=0.02). Age was strongly related to polyp characteristics. The proportion of adenomas increased significantly with age (p<0.01). Within adenomas, the proportion of villous types - a precursor of colorectal cancer - increased remarkably with age (p=0.01). Older age was positively associated with potentially malignant adenomas (defined as adenomas > 1 cm and showing high-grade dysplasia) (p<0.01).

Conclusion
Adenomas accounted for the majority of polyps. Their morphology, size and malignant potential were related to patient age.
Infections Caused By Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus European Clone (ST80) In Slovenia Between 2006 And 2013
Authors: Dermota Urška , Jurca Tomaž , Harlander Tatjana , Košir Marta , Zajc Urška , Golob Majda , Zdovc Irena , Grmek Košnik Irena 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Introduction
According to the existing literature, a heterogeneous sequence type (ST) or clones of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) circulate in Europe. In Europe, the European clone that belongs to sequence type ST80 is predominant.

Methods
The aim of the study was to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and epidemiological data of CA-MRSA ST80 and its occurrence in Slovenia. We retrospectively analyzed those CA-MRSA isolates that were isolated during microbiological procedures in microbiological laboratories between 2006 and 2013. Only CA-MRSA isolates from the national collection of CA-MRSA strains that belonged to ST80 (European clone) were analyzed. We determined the Pantone-Valentine leukocidin (PVL), mec A genes, exfoliative toxin genes and type of staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCCmec) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We determined also spa type and sequence type.

Results
ST80 was confirmed in only 2 (0.5%) out of 385 CA-MRSA isolates, collected in a national collection of CAMRSA. Both isolates were positive for the PVL genes, mec A gene, exfoliative toxin type D gene and SCCmec IV. One CA-MRSA isolate was confirmed in a wound swab taken from a 47-year-old male, and the second was isolated from blood cultures of a 69-year-old female. No epidemiological connections between them were found.

Conclusions
In Slovenia CA-MRSA infections caused by ST80 are rare. In the future, it is necessary that a surveillance study of CA-MRSA at the national level continues and CA-MRSA be considered as a public health threat.
Discontinuous modulation functions and their application for analysis of modulated structures with the computing system JANA2006
Authors: Petříček Václav , Eigner Václav , Dušek Michal , Čejchan Antonín 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Discontinuous modulation functions called crenel and saw-tooth have been developed for description and refinement of strongly modulated crystal structures with abrupt changes of modulation parameters. Although used for refinement of many modulated structures and mentioned in books on aperiodic crystals, technical details of such refinements have never been published and remained hidden in the source code of the refinement program Jana2006. In this article we explain how to recognize discontinuous modulations in a Fourier map and how to refine structures where crenel or saw-tooth functions are combined with additional secondary modulation. Three sets of functions suitable for such combination are presented: the traditional ortho-harmonics, and newly developed sets of Legendre polynomials and x-harmonics. Tiny differences between refinements based on particular function sets are demonstrated using simulated as well as existing modulated structures.
Multifold Darboux Transformations of the Extended Bigraded Toda Hierarchy
Authors: Li Chuanzhong , Song Tao 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
With the extended logarithmic flow equations and some extended Vertex operators in generalized Hirota bilinear equations, extended bigraded Toda hierarchy (EBTH) was proved to govern the Gromov-Witten theory of orbiford c

NM
in literature. The generating function of these Gromov-Witten invariants is one special solution of the EBTH. In this article, the multifold Darboux transformations and their determinant representations of the EBTH are given with two different gauge transformation operators. The two Darboux transformations in different directions are used to generate new solutions from known solutions which include soliton solutions of (N, N)-EBTH, i.e. the EBTH when N=M. From the generation of new solutions, we can find the big difference between the EBTH and the extended Toda hierarchy (ETH). Also, we plotted the soliton graphs of the (N, N)-EBTH from which some approximation analysis is given. From the analysis on velocities of soliton solutions, the difference between the extended flows and other flows are shown. The two different Darboux transformations constructed by us might be useful in Gromov-Witten theory of orbiford c

NM
.
Influence of hydrogenation and mechanical grinding on the structural and ferromagnetic properties of GdFeSi
Authors: Chevalier Bernard , Duttine Mathieu , Wattiaux Alain 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Hydrogen insertion into GdFeSi induces (i) a structural transition from a tetragonal CeFeSi-type to a tetragonal ZrCuSiAs-type, (ii) an anisotropic expansion of the unit cell parameters because the a parameter decreases, whereas the c parameter increases, and (iii) a decrease in Curie temperature from 121 to 20 K. On the contrary, an amorphous ferromagnet (T
C = 65 K) is obtained by mechanical grinding of GdFeSi. The three compounds (GdFeSi, GdFeSiH, and amorphous GdFeSi) were investigated by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. At 4.2 K, this study has revealed that the magnetically ordered Gd substructure produces a small transferred hyperfine magnetic field at the 57Fe nucleus.
17β-Estradiol and Agonism of G-protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor Enhance Hippocampal Memory via Different Cell-Signaling Mechanisms
Authors: Kim Jaekyoon , Szinte Julia S. , Boulware Marissa I. , Frick Karyn M. 
Published: March 2016

The ability of 17β-estradiol (E2) to enhance hippocampal object recognition and spatial memory depends on rapid activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in the dorsal hippocampus (DH). Although this activation can be mediated by the intracellular estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ, little is known about the role that the membrane estrogen receptor GPER plays in regulating ERK or E2-mediated memory formation. In this study, post-training DH infusion of the GPER agonist G-1 enhanced object recognition and spatial memory in ovariectomized female mice, whereas the GPER antagonist G-15 impaired memory, suggesting that GPER activation, like E2, promotes hippocampal memory formation. However, unlike E2, G-1 did not increase ERK phosphorylation, but instead significantly increased phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the DH. Moreover, DH infusion of the JNK inhibitor SP600125 prevented G-1 from enhancing object recognition and spatial memory, but the ERK inhibitor U0126 did not. These data suggest that GPER enhances memory via different cell-signaling mechanisms than E2. This conclusion was supported by data showing that the ability of E2to facilitate memory and activate ERK signaling was not blocked by G-15 or SP600125, which demonstrates that the memory-enhancing effects of E2are not dependent on JNK or GPER activation in the DH. Together, these data indicate that GPER regulates memory independently from ERα and ERβ by activating JNK signaling, rather than ERK signaling. Thus, the findings suggest that GPER in the DH may not function as an estrogen receptor to regulate object recognition and spatial memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTAlthough 17β-estradiol has long been known to regulate memory function, the molecular mechanisms underlying estrogenic memory modulation remain largely unknown. Here, we examined whether the putative membrane estrogen receptor GPER acts like the classical estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ, to facilitate hippocampal memory in female mice. Although GPER activation did enhance object recognition and spatial memory, it did so by activating different cell-signaling mechanisms from ERα, ERβ, or 17β-estradiol. These data indicate that 17β-estradiol and GPER independently regulate hippocampal memory, and suggest that hippocampal GPER may not function as an estrogen receptor in the dorsal hippocampus. These findings are significant because they provide novel insights about the molecular mechanisms through which 17β-estradiol modulates hippocampal memory.
Cell Type-Specific Circuit Mapping Reveals the Presynaptic Connectivity of Developing Cortical Circuits
Authors: Cocas Laura A. , Fernandez Gloria , Barch Mariya , Doll Jason , Zamora Diaz Ivan , Pleasure Samuel J. 
Published: March 2016

The mammalian cerebral cortex is a dense network composed of local, subcortical, and intercortical synaptic connections. As a result, mapping cell type-specific neuronal connectivity in the cerebral cortexin vivohas long been a challenge for neurobiologists. In particular, the development of excitatory and inhibitory interneuron presynaptic input has been hard to capture. We set out to analyze the development of this connectivity in the first postnatal month using a murine model. First, we surveyed the connectivity of one of the earliest populations of neurons in the brain, the Cajal-Retzius (CR) cells in the neocortex, which are known to be critical for cortical layer formation and are hypothesized to be important in the establishment of early cortical networks. We found that CR cells receive inputs from deeper-layer excitatory neurons and inhibitory interneurons in the first postnatal week. We also found that both excitatory pyramidal neurons and inhibitory interneurons received broad inputs in the first postnatal week, including inputs from CR cells. Expanding our analysis into the more mature brain, we assessed the inputs onto inhibitory interneurons and excitatory projection neurons, labeling neuronal progenitors with Cre drivers to study discrete populations of neurons in older cortex, and found that excitatory cortical and subcortical inputs are refined by the fourth week of development, whereas local inhibitory inputs increase during this postnatal period. Cell type-specific circuit mapping is specific, reliable, and effective, and can be used on molecularly defined subtypes to determine connectivity in the cortex.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMapping cortical connectivity in the developing mammalian brain has been an intractable problem, in part because it has not been possible to analyze connectivity with cell subtype precision. Our study systematically targets the presynaptic connections of discrete neuronal subtypes in both the mature and developing cerebral cortex. We analyzed the connections that Cajal-Retzius cells make and receive, and found that these cells receive inputs from deeper-layer excitatory neurons and inhibitory interneurons in the first postnatal week. We assessed the inputs onto inhibitory interneurons and excitatory projection neurons, the major two types of neurons in the cortex, and found that excitatory inputs are refined by the fourth week of development, whereas local inhibitory inputs increase during this postnatal period.
Synaptic Mechanisms Generating Orientation Selectivity in the ON Pathway of the Rabbit Retina
Authors: Venkataramani Sowmya , Taylor W. Rowland 
Published: March 2016

Neurons that signal the orientation of edges within the visual field have been widely studied in primary visual cortex. Much less is known about the mechanisms of orientation selectivity that arise earlier in the visual stream. Here we examine the synaptic and morphological properties of a subtype of orientation-selective ganglion cell in the rabbit retina. The receptive field has an excitatory ON center, flanked by excitatory OFF regions, a structure similar to simple cell receptive fields in primary visual cortex. Examination of the light-evoked postsynaptic currents in these ON-type orientation-selective ganglion cells (ON-OSGCs) reveals that synaptic input is mediated almost exclusively through the ON pathway. Orientation selectivity is generated by larger excitation for preferred relative to orthogonal stimuli, and conversely larger inhibition for orthogonal relative to preferred stimuli. Excitatory orientation selectivity arises in part from the morphology of the dendritic arbors. Blocking GABAAreceptors reduces orientation selectivity of the inhibitory synaptic inputs and the spiking responses. Negative contrast stimuli in the flanking regions produce orientation-selective excitation in part by disinhibition of a tonic NMDA receptor-mediated input arising from ON bipolar cells. Comparison with earlier studies of OFF-type OSGCs indicates that diverse synaptic circuits have evolved in the retina to detect the orientation of edges in the visual input.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTA core goal for visual neuroscientists is to understand how neural circuits at each stage of the visual system extract and encode features from the visual scene. This study documents a novel type of orientation-selective ganglion cell in the retina and shows that the receptive field structure is remarkably similar to that of simple cells in primary visual cortex. However, the data indicate that, unlike in the cortex, orientation selectivity in the retina depends on the activity of inhibitory interneurons. The results further reveal the physiological basis for feature detection in the visual system, elucidate the synaptic mechanisms that generate orientation selectivity at an early stage of visual processing, and illustrate a novel role for NMDA receptors in retinal processing.
Synaptic Deficits at Neuromuscular Junctions in Two Mouse Models of Charcot–Marie–Tooth Type 2d
Authors: Spaulding Emily L. , Sleigh James N. , Morelli Kathryn H. , Pinter Martin J. , Burgess Robert W. , Seburn Kevin L. 
Published: March 2016

Patients with Charcot–Marie–Tooth Type 2D (CMT2D), caused by dominant mutations in Glycl tRNA synthetase (GARS), present with progressive weakness, consistently in the hands, but often in the feet also. Electromyography shows denervation, and patients often report that early symptoms include cramps brought on by cold or exertion. Based on reported clinical observations, and studies of mouse models of CMT2D, we sought to determine whether weakened synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is an aspect of CMT2D. Quantal analysis of NMJs in two different mouse models of CMT2D (GarsP278KY,GarsC201R), found synaptic deficits that correlated with disease severity and progressed with age. Results of voltage-clamp studies revealed presynaptic defects characterized by: (1) decreased frequency of spontaneous release without any change in quantal amplitude (miniature endplate current), (2) reduced amplitude of evoked release (endplate current) and quantal content, (3) age-dependent changes in the extent of depression in response to repetitive stimulation, and (4) release failures at some NMJs with high-frequency, long-duration stimulation. Drugs that modify synaptic efficacy were tested to see whether neuromuscular performance improved. The presynaptic action of 3,4 diaminopyridine was not beneficial, whereas postsynaptic-acting physostigmine did improve performance. Smaller mutant NMJs with correspondingly fewer vesicles and partial denervation that eliminates some release sites also contribute to the reduction of release at a proportion of mutant NMJs. Together, these voltage-clamp data suggest that a number of release processes, while essentially intact, likely operate suboptimally at most NMJs of CMT2D mice.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe have uncovered a previously unrecognized aspect of axonal Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease in mouse models of CMT2D. Synaptic dysfunction contributes to impaired neuromuscular performance and disease progression. This suggests that drugs which improve synaptic efficacy at the NMJ could be considered in treating the pathophysiology of CMT2D patients.
Interdependent Conductances Drive Infraslow Intrinsic Rhythmogenesis in a Subset of Accessory Olfactory Bulb Projection Neurons
Authors: Gorin Monika , Tsitoura Chryssanthi , Kahan Anat , Watznauer Katja , Drose Daniela R. , Arts Martijn , Mathar Rudolf , O'Connor Simon , Hanganu-Opatz Ileana L. , Ben-Shaul Yoram , Spehr Marc 
Published: March 2016

The accessory olfactory system controls social and sexual behavior. However, key aspects of sensory signaling along the accessory olfactory pathway remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate patterns of spontaneous neuronal activity in mouse accessory olfactory bulb mitral cells, the direct neural link between vomeronasal sensory input and limbic output. Bothin vitroandin vivo, we identify a subpopulation of mitral cells that exhibit slow stereotypical rhythmic discharge. In intrinsically rhythmogenic neurons, these periodic activity patterns are maintained in absence of fast synaptic drive. The physiological mechanism underlying mitral cell autorhythmicity involves cyclic activation of three interdependent ionic conductances: subthreshold persistent Na+current, R-type Ca2+current, and Ca2+-activated big conductance K+current. Together, the interplay of these distinct conductances triggers infraslow intrinsic oscillations with remarkable periodicity, a default output state likely to affect sensory processing in limbic circuits.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTWe show for the first time that some rodent accessory olfactory bulb mitral cells—the direct link between vomeronasal sensory input and limbic output—are intrinsically rhythmogenic. Driven by ≥3 distinct interdependent ionic conductances, infraslow intrinsic oscillations show remarkable periodicity bothin vitroandin vivo. As a novel default state, infraslow autorhythmicity is likely to affect limbic processing of pheromonal information.
Extrinsic and Intrinsic Brain Network Connectivity Maintains Cognition across the Lifespan Despite Accelerated Decay of Regional Brain Activation
Authors: Tsvetanov Kamen A. , Henson Richard N.A. , Tyler Lorraine K. , Razi Adeel , Geerligs Linda , Ham Timothy E. , Rowe James B. ,   Cambridge Centre for Ageing and Neuroscience
Published: March 2016

The maintenance of wellbeing across the lifespan depends on the preservation of cognitive function. We propose that successful cognitive aging is determined by interactions both within and between large-scale functional brain networks. Such connectivity can be estimated from task-free functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), also known as resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI). However, common correlational methods are confounded by age-related changes in the neurovascular signaling. To estimate network interactions at the neuronal rather than vascular level, we used generative models that specified both the neural interactions and a flexible neurovascular forward model. The networks' parameters were optimized to explain the spectral dynamics of rs-fMRI data in 602 healthy human adults from population-based cohorts who were approximately uniformly distributed between 18 and 88 years (www.cam-can.com). We assessed directed connectivity within and between three key large-scale networks: the salience network, dorsal attention network, and default mode network. We found that age influences connectivity both within and between these networks, over and above the effects on neurovascular coupling. Canonical correlation analysis revealed that the relationship between network connectivity and cognitive function was age-dependent: cognitive performance relied on neural dynamics more strongly in older adults. These effects were driven partly by reduced stability of neural activity within all networks, as expressed by an accelerated decay of neural information. Our findings suggest that the balance of excitatory connectivity between networks, and the stability of intrinsic neural representations within networks, changes with age. The cognitive function of older adults becomes increasingly dependent on these factors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTMaintaining cognitive function is critical to successful aging. To study the neural basis of cognitive function across the lifespan, we studied a large population-based cohort (n= 602, 18–88 years), separating neural connectivity from vascular components of fMRI signals. Cognitive ability was influenced by the strength of connection within and between functional brain networks, and this positive relationship increased with age. In older adults, there was more rapid decay of intrinsic neuronal activity in multiple regions of the brain networks, which related to cognitive performance. Our data demonstrate increased reliance on network flexibility to maintain cognitive function, in the presence of more rapid decay of neural activity. These insights will facilitate the development of new strategies to maintain cognitive ability.