bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wetland buffers: numerical modeling of wave dissipation by vegetation
Authors: Smith Jane McKee , Bryant Mary Anderson , Wamsley Ty V. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe resiliency of coastal communities is imperative because these areas experience risk of damage from coastal storms as well as increasing population pressures and development. The severity of this hazard is compounded by sea level rise and a potential increase in storm intensities due to climate change. The ability of coastal communities to plan for, resist, and quickly and completely recover from severe coastal storm events and flooding is of critical importance. There is a growing interest in applying complementary and redundant approaches to reduce the flood risk of these vulnerable communities, such as incorporating natural and nature‐based features into the project planning process. However, accounting for the benefits of these nature‐based features in coastal design is still challenging. One of the natural features generally acknowledged to offer coastal protection benefits is wetlands. Using laboratory experiments of artificial vegetation as a foundation, the bounds of wave dissipation by vegetation are explored analytically and the effectiveness of wave dissipation by vegetation over large scales is investigated using the spectral wave model STWAVE. Wave heights modeled using a vegetation dissipation formulation are compared to those modeled with the current practice of representing vegetation using bottom friction, particularly the Manning formulation. The vegetation dissipation formulation reduced more wave energy than the Manning bottom friction formulation for submerged wetlands. Because the Manning formulation does not integrate vegetation properties, to achieve consistent results would require varying the Manning n coefficient to account for the spatial and temporal variation in form drag induced by the plants due to changes in plant density, diameter, and degree of plant submergence. Thus, a re‐evaluation of existing methods for assessing wave dissipation by vegetation is recommended for wider application of vegetation dissipation formulations in numerical models. Such models are critical for evaluating coastal resiliency of communities protected by wetland features. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Ecotoxicological evaluation of low-concentration bisphenol A exposure on the soil nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and intrinsic mechanisms of stress response in vivo
Authors: Zhou Dong , Yang Jie , Li Hui , Lu Qiang , Liu Yong-di , Lin Kuang-fei 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

As a representative species of nematodes, Caenorhabditis elegans is an attractive animal model for evaluating ecotoxicological effects and intrinsic mechanisms of the stress response in vivo. To acquire a better knowledge of environmental effects of bisphenol A (BPA), ecotoxicological evaluations were conducted using C. elegans on the physiological (growth, locomotion behaviors, and reproduction), biochemical (lipofuscin accumulation, reactive oxygen species production, and cell apoptosis), and molecular (stress-related gene expression) responses. Nematodes were exposed to BPA (0.001–10 µM) in 2 assay systems (L4 larvae for 24 h and L1 larvae for 72 h). Exposure to BPA could significantly (p &lt; 0.05) alter body length, locomotion behaviors, brood size, cell apoptosis, and selected stress-related gene expression. At the physiological level, BPA exerted adverse effects on nematodes at the microgram per liter level in both assay systems, with head thrashes as the most sensitive endpoint. At the biochemical level, apoptosis degree showed increases at concentrations above 0.1 µM in both assay systems. At the molecular level, BPA induced increases in selected stress-related gene expression, even at the lowest tested concentration. In addition, BPA-induced cell apoptosis was suggested as a potential mode of action, resulting in adverse physiological effects. Therefore, BPA exposure was speculated to impose developmental, reproductive, and neurobehavioral toxicities on C. elegans and caused variations of stress-related gene expression. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2041–2047. © 2016 SETAC
The endocrine effects of dietary brominated diphenyl ether-47 exposure, measured across multiple levels of biological organization, in breeding fathead minnows
Authors: Thornton Leah M. , Path Elise M. , Venables Barney J. , Sellin Jeffries Marlo K. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

The goal of the present study was to evaluate the reproductive function of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) exposed to brominated diphenyl ether-47 (BDE-47) at doses lower than those used in previous studies. This was accomplished by evaluating the impacts of BDE-47 exposures across multiple levels of biological organization. Breeding pairs were exposed to BDE-47 via diet for 21 d, during which reproductive success was monitored. At the conclusion of the exposure, fish were euthanized to assess the effects of BDE-47 on sex steroid–related and thyroid-related transcripts, plasma androgen levels, gonadosomatic index (GSI), and secondary sexual characteristics. Several alterations in gene expression were noted including a &gt;2.1-fold decrease in hepatic estrogen receptor α (erα) and a 2.9-fold decrease in ovarian aromatase (arom). In addition, BDE-47–exposed males experienced increases in deiodinase 2 (dio2) expression in brain tissue (∼1.5-fold) and decreases in hepatic transthyretin (ttr) expression (∼1.4-fold). Together, these gene expression alterations suggest the potential for BDE-47 to disrupt endocrine signaling. There were no significant differences in plasma hormone levels, GSI, secondary sexual characteristics, or reproductive success. Overall, the present study demonstrates that exposure to BDE-47 is capable of altering both sex steroid–related and thyroid-related transcripts but that these observed alterations do not necessarily manifest themselves at higher levels of biological organization for the endpoints selected. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2048–2057. © 2016 SETAC
Chromatographic and spectral characteristic of some esters of a common monoterpene alcohols
Authors: Bonikowski Radosław , Paoli Mathieu , Szymczak Kamil , Krajewska Agnieszka , Wajs‐Bonikowska Anna , Tomi Félix , Kalemba Danuta 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSimple esters of monoterpene alcohols are common secondary plant metabolites for which there are no scientific reports that provide relevant information for identification of these compounds. The aim of this work was to create a database of monoterpene esters which made the identification of these constituents possible. 64 esters of common monoterpene alcohols were obtained. Retention indices, mass spectra and nuclear magnetic resonance data are given. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cenozoic lacustrine stromatolites from the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, NW China and adjacent areas: indicators for palaeoclimatic and tectonic evolution
Authors: Yang Wei , Spiro Baruch , Guo Zhao‐Jie , Pentecost Allan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractLacustrine stromatolites provide high‐resolution and sensitive palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic records of their respective drainage basins and beyond. A well‐developed stromatolite bed was discovered within the clastic deposits of the Early Miocene Taxihe Formation in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, north of the Tian Shan Mountains. Their sedimentological features indicate a near‐shore stable environment of a shrinking lake. The study of the stable oxygen and carbon isotopes in this stromatolite bed revealed that δ18O V‐PDB values range from −11.3‰ to −5. 6‰ and those of δ13C V‐PDB from −1.8‰ to 1.7‰. Lower values −10. 2‰ and −8. 2‰, respectively, were determined from nearby lacustrine limestones of Oligocene age. The co‐variation and overall increasing trend of the δ18O and δ13C values indicate deposition in a closed basin during a period of aridification. This environmental change can be related to the major uplift of the Tian Shan Mountains, the southern border of the Junggar Basin, during the Early Miocene. Several δ18O and δ13C records of lacustrine stromatolites ranging in age from Oligocene to Middle Miocene were reported: from localities in the Northern Tibetan Plateau and western Qaidam Basin. The similarity of the individual stable isotope records in stromatolites from Northwest China, indicate an underlying regional cause. These stromatolites were deposited during the period of major uplift of the Tibetan Plateau and the Tian Shan Mountains. It is therefore concluded that the stromatolite records provide local snapshots of the effect of this major process on atmospheric precipitation and environmental conditions in Northwest China. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High amyloid‐β deposition related to depressive symptoms in older individuals with normal cognition: a pilot study
Authors: Yasuno Fumihiko , Kazui Hiroaki , Morita Naomi , Kajimoto Katsufumi , Ihara Masafumi , Taguchi Akihiko , Yamamoto Akihide , Matsuoka Kiwamu , Kosaka Jun , Kudo Takashi , Iida Hidehiro , Kishimoto Toshifumi , Nagatsuka Kazuyuki 
Published: January 2016

ObjectivePrevious studies have reported depressive symptoms in the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The objective of this study was to determine whether depressive symptoms are associated with cortical amyloid burden. In order to do this, we measured cortical amyloid via 11C‐labeled Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C]PIB) uptake using positron emission tomography (PET) in cognitively normal subjects.MethodsWe performed [11C]PIB‐PET in 29 cognitively normal, older participants. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 15‐item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Aβ deposition was quantified by binding potential (BPND), and the association between cortical mean BPND values and GDS scores was evaluated. Analysis of parametric BPND images was performed to examine the relationship between regional BPND and GDS scores.ResultsWe found a positive correlation between depressive symptoms and mean cortical PIB‐BPND in groups of subjects with middle to high PIB‐BPND. There was little change in GDS‐depression score between subjects with low and middle PIB‐BPND levels, while an increase in GDS was shown in the high PIB‐BPND group. The main BPND increase was localized to the precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PCu/PCC) in subjects with high PIB‐BPND, and we found a significant positive relationship between PIB‐BPND in this area and depressive symptoms.ConclusionsEmotional dysregulation because of Aβ neuropathology in the PCu/PCC may relate to depressive symptoms. More specifically, we found that older, cognitively normal patients with depressive episodes were more likely to have underlying AD pathology. Thus, depressive symptoms may increase the predictive ability of the identification of future AD cases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
FMRI of spinal and supra‐spinal correlates of temporal pain summation in fibromyalgia patients
Authors: Bosma Rachael L. , Mojarad Elham Ameli , Leung Lawrence , Pukall Caroline , Staud Roland , Stroman Patrick W. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractFibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a debilitating chronic pain condition, which afflicts primarily females. Although the etiology of this illness is not completely understood, FM pain is thought to rely on enhanced pain sensitivity maintained by central mechanisms. One of these mechanisms is central pain amplification, which is characterized by altered temporal summation of second pain (TSSP). Here we use a TSSP paradigm and functional MRI (fMRI) of the spinal cord, brainstem, and brain to noninvasively examine the central nervous system contributions to TSSP in FM patients and normal controls (NC). Functional MRI of pain‐free female adults (N = 15) and FM patients (N = 14) was conducted while brief, repetitive heat pain stimuli (0.33 Hz) were applied to the thenar eminence of the hand (C6 dermatome). The stimulus intensity was adjusted to each participant's heat pain sensitivity to achieve moderate pain. Data were analyzed by means of a General Linear Model and region‐of‐interest analyses. All participants demonstrated significant pain summation in the TSSP condition. FM subjects, however, required significantly lower stimulus intensities than NC to achieve similar TSSP. fMRI analyses of perceptually equal TSSP identified similar brain activity in NC and FM subjects; however, multiple areas in the brainstem (rostral ventromedial medulla and periaqueductal grey region) and spinal cord (dorsal horn) exhibited greater activity in NC subjects. Finally, increased after‐sensations and enhanced dorsal horn activity was demonstrated in FM patients. In conclusion, the spinal and brainstem BOLD responses to TSSP are different between NC and FM patients, which may indicate alterations to descending pain control mechanisms suggesting contributions of these mechanisms to central sensitization and pain of FM patients. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1349‐1360, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nogo‐A controls structural plasticity at dendritic spines by rapidly modulating actin dynamics
Authors: Kellner Yves , Fricke Steffen , Kramer Stella , Iobbi Cristina , Wierenga Corette J. , Schwab Martin E. , Korte Martin , Zagrebelsky Marta 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTNogo‐A and its receptors have been shown to control synaptic plasticity, including negatively regulating long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the cortex and hippocampus at a fast time scale and restraining experience‐dependent turnover of dendritic spines over days. However, the molecular mechanisms and the precise time course mediating these actions of Nogo‐A are largely unexplored. Here we show that Nogo‐A signaling in the adult nervous system rapidly modulates the spine actin cytoskeleton within minutes to control structural plasticity at dendritic spines of CA3 pyramidal neurons. Indeed, acute Nogo‐A loss‐of‐function transiently increases F‐actin stability and results in an increase in dendritic spine density and length. In addition, Nogo‐A acutely restricts AMPAR insertion and mEPSC amplitude at hippocampal synaptic sites. These data indicate a crucial function of Nogo‐A in modulating the very tight balance between plasticity and stability of the neuronal circuitry underlying learning processes and the ability to store long‐term information in the mature CNS. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
T‐NET, a dynamic model for simulating daily stream temperature at the regional scale based on a network topology
Authors: Beaufort A. , Curie F. , Moatar F. , Ducharne A. , Melin E. , Thiery D. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCurrently, the distribution areas of aquatic species are studied by using air temperature as a proxy of water temperature, which is not available at a regional scale. To simulate water temperature at a regional scale, a physically based model using the equilibrium temperature concept and including upstream‐downstream propagation of the thermal signal is proposed. This model, called Temperature‐NETwork (T‐NET), is based on a hydrographical network topology and was tested at the Loire basin scale (105 km2). The T‐NET model obtained a mean root mean square error of 1.6 °C at a daily time step on the basis of 128 water temperature stations (2008–2012). The model obtained excellent performance at stations located on small and medium rivers (distance from headwater <100 km) that are strongly influenced by headwater conditions (median root mean square error of 1.8 °C). The shading factor and the headwater temperature were the most important variables on the mean simulated temperature, while the river discharge influenced the daily temperature variation and diurnal amplitude. The T‐NET model simulates specific events, such as temperature of the Loire during the floods of June 1992 and the thermal regime response of streams during the heatwave of August 2003, much more efficiently than a simple point‐scale heat balance model. The T‐NET model is very consistent at a regional scale and could easily be transposed to changing forcing conditions and to other catchments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cancer cell identification by bi‐color ZnO and TiO2 nanowires
Authors: Li Wei‐Jen , Chen Yung‐Tsan , Huang Po‐Hao , Yang Tsung‐Lin , Huang Jian‐Jang 
Published: January 2016

Semiconductor nanocomposites provide advantages beyond the capability of typical fluorescent materials for cancer detection. In this work, nanowire‐based probes with dual color channels are employed to demonstrate the capacity of cancer cell detection. Purple emitting ZnO/antibody probes are applied to detect cancer cells and meanwhile TiO2/antibody probes with green light emission are applied to identify normal fibroblast cells. A series of quantitative analyses are conducted to verify the correlation between the concentrations of ZnO and TiO2 probes, cell numbers, and peak intensities of the PL spectra. The results provide a quantitative reference for developing nanowire‐based cancel cell probes.
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High‐resolution synchrotronX‐ray analysis of bioglass‐enriched hydrogels
Authors: Gorodzha Svetlana , Douglas Timothy E. L. , Samal Sangram K. , Detsch Rainer , Cholewa‐Kowalska Katarzyna , Braeckmans Kevin , Boccaccini Aldo R. , Skirtach Andre G. , Weinhardt Venera , Baumbach Tilo , Surmeneva Maria A. , Surmenev Roman A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEnrichment of hydrogels with inorganic particles improves their suitability for bone regeneration by enhancing their mechanical properties, mineralizability, and bioactivity as well as adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of bone‐forming cells, while maintaining injectability. Low aggregation and homogeneous distribution maximize particle surface area, promoting mineralization, cell–particle interactions, and homogenous tissue regeneration. Hence, determination of the size and distribution of particles/particle agglomerates in the hydrogel is desirable. Commonly used techniques have drawbacks. High‐resolution techniques (e.g., SEM) require drying. Distribution in the dry state is not representative of the wet state. Techniques in the wet state (histology, µCT) are of lower resolution. Here, self‐gelling, injectable composites of Gellan Gum (GG) hydrogel and two different types of sol–gel‐derived bioactive glass (bioglass) particles were analyzed in the wet state using Synchrotron X‐ray radiation, enabling high‐resolution determination of particle size and spatial distribution. The lower detection limit volume was 9 × 10−5mm3. Bioglass particle suspensions were also studied using zeta potential measurements and Coulter analysis. Aggregation of bioglass particles in the GG hydrogels occurred and aggregate distribution was inhomogeneous. Bioglass promoted attachment of rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSC) and mineralization. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1194–1201, 2016.
Providing sustained transgene induction through affinity‐based drug delivery
Authors: Rivera‐Delgado Edgardo , Ward Emily , von Recum Horst A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSmall molecule drug activators of gene expression have been used in applications ranging from gene therapy, to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. One concern is that for sustained gene expression, a long‐term, controlled delivery system is needed. Insoluble polymers containing a high proportion of cyclodextrin (CD) affinity groups have been shown to prolong drug delivery far beyond that capable of polymers relying on diffusion alone. In this study we evaluate the capacity of such polymers to deliver the transgene inducer doxycycline. Our results show that initial drug loading is proportional to affinity, with ∼8% loading in high‐affinity γ‐CD polymers; ∼7% loading in moderate‐affinity β‐CD polymers; and only ∼4.5% loading in the non‐affinity control polymer made from linear dextran. When release aliquots from these polymers were incubated with cells genetically modified for inducible transgene expression we observed activation of transgene expression for up to three weeks from samples released by affinity‐based polymers. We showed that drug stability is maintained over the course of the study using a bacterial zone of inhibition assay where again affinity‐based polymers show sustained availability of drug, weeks longer than non‐affinity controls. Lastly we provide theoretical calculations of strength of binding interactions between cyclodextrins and many additional transgene inducers demonstrating the broad utility of this delivery platform. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1135–1142, 2016.
Tuning microenvironment modulus and biochemical composition promotes human mesenchymal stem cell tenogenic differentiation
Authors: Rehmann Matthew S. , Luna Jesus I. , Maverakis Emanual , Kloxin April M. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising for the regeneration of tendon and ligament tissues. Toward realizing this potential, microenvironment conditions are needed for promoting robust lineage‐specific differentiation into tenocytes/ligament fibroblasts. Here, we utilized a statistical design of experiments approach to examine combinations of matrix modulus, composition, and soluble factors in human MSC tenogenic/ligamentogenic differentiation. Specifically, well‐defined poly(ethylene glycol)‐based hydrogels were synthesized using thiol–ene chemistry providing a bioinert base for probing cell response to extracellular matrix cues. Monomer concentrations were varied to achieve a range of matrix moduli (E∼ 10–90 kPa), and different ratios of integrin‐binding peptides were incorporated (GFOGER and RGDS for collagen and fibronectin, respectively), mimicking aspects of developing tendon/ligament tissue. A face‐centered central composite response surface design was utilized to understand the contributions of these cues to human MSC differentiation in the presence of soluble factors identified to promote tenogenesis/ligamentogenesis (BMP‐13 and ascorbic acid). Increasing modulus and collagen mimetic peptide content increased relevant gene expression and protein production or retention (scleraxis, collagen I, tenascin‐C). These findings could inform the design of materials for tendon/ligament regeneration. More broadly, the design of experiments enabled efficient data acquisition and analysis, requiring fewer replicates than if each factor had been varied one at a time. This approach can be combined with other stimuli (for example, mechanical stimulation) toward a better mechanistic understanding of differentiation down these challenging lineages. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1162–1174, 2016.