bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fibroblast growth factors in the management of spinal cord injury
Authors: Zhou Yulong , Wang Zhouguang , Li Jiawei , Li Xiaokun , Xiao Jian 
Published: October 2017

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) possesses a significant health and economic burden worldwide. Traumatic SCI is a devastating condition that evolves through two successive stages. Throughout each of these stages, disturbances in ionic homeostasis, local oedema, ischaemia, focal haemorrhage, free radicals stress and inflammatory response were observed. Although there are no fully restorative cures available for SCI patients, various molecular, cellular and rehabilitative therapies, such as limiting local inflammation, preventing secondary cell death and enhancing the plasticity of local circuits in the spinal cord, were described. Current preclinical studies have showed that fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) alone or combination therapies utilizing cell transplantation and biomaterial scaffolds are proven effective for treating SCI in animal models. More importantly, some studies further demonstrated a paucity of clinical transfer usage to promote functional recovery of numerous patients with SCI. In this review, we focus on the therapeutic capacity and pitfalls of the FGF family and its clinical application for treating SCI, including the signalling component of the FGF pathway and the role in the central nervous system, the pathophysiology of SCI and the targets for FGF treatment. We also discuss the challenges and potential for the clinical translation of FGF‐based approaches into treatments for SCI.
Dimethyl fumarate inhibits osteoclasts via attenuation of reactive oxygen species signalling by augmented antioxidation
Authors: Yamaguchi Yuuki , Kanzaki Hiroyuki , Katsumata Yuta , Itohiya Kanako , Fukaya Sari , Miyamoto Yutaka , Narimiya Tsuyoshi , Wada Satoshi , Nakamura Yoshiki 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBone destructive diseases are common worldwide and are caused by dysregulation of osteoclast formation and activation. During osteoclastogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a role in the intracellular signalling triggered by receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) stimulation. Previously, we demonstrated that induction of antioxidant enzymes by Nrf2 activation using Nrf2‐gene transfer, an ETGE‐peptide or polyphenols, successfully ameliorated RANKL‐dependent osteoclastogenesis. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been shown to activate Nrf2 signalling and has been lately used in clinical trials for neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we hypothesized that Nrf2 activation by DMF would inhibit osteoclastogenesis and bone destruction via attenuation of intracellular ROS signalling through antioxidant mechanisms. RAW 264.7 cells were used as osteoclast progenitor cells. We found that DMF induced Nrf2 translocation to the nucleus, augmented Nrf2 promoter‐luciferase reporter activity and increased antioxidant enzyme expression. Using flow cytometry, we found that DMF attenuated RANKL‐mediated intracellular ROS generation, which resulted in the inhibition of RANKL‐mediated osteoclastogenesis. Local DMF injection into the calvaria of male BALB/c mice resulted in attenuated bone destruction in lipopolysaccharide‐treated mice. In conclusion, we demonstrated in a preclinical setting that DMF inhibited RANKL‐mediated osteoclastogenesis and bone destruction via induction of Nrf2‐mediated transcription of antioxidant genes and consequent decrease in intracellular ROS levels. Our results suggest that DMF may be a promising inhibitor of bone destruction in diseases like periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.
Genetic parameters for resistance against Flavobacterium columnare in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Wonmongkol P , Sukhavachana S , Ampolsak K , Srisapoome P , Suwanasopee T , Poompuang S 
Published: October 2017

AbstractColumnaris disease is a major cause of mortality in tilapia hatcheries and commonly occurs during the summer season in Thailand. One way of reducing the problem is by selective breeding for increased disease resistance. The objective of this study was to estimate quantitative genetic parameters for resistance against columnaris in the Chitralada 4 strain of Nile tilapia. Data from 43 full‐sib families (2,580 records) of fry (age = 32 ± 4 days post‐hatch) were used in the analyses. Initially, fry were subjected to bath challenge with Flavobacterium columnare (LD50 concentration = 1.2 × 106 CFU/ml) for 14 days. Disease resistance was defined as the number of days from challenge until death (DD) or as a binary trait (dead/alive) on day 14. Linear animal and sire‐dam models were used for DD, while threshold animal, threshold sire‐dam, binary linear animal and binary linear sire‐dam models were used for binary outcomes. Covariate effect of age, fixed effect of challenge day and random effects of the individual animals or sires and dams were included in the models. Mean survival was 32.4 ± 11.6%, and survival rates of the best and poorest families were 70% and 8%, respectively. The highest estimate of heritability (0.30 ± 0.025) was obtained under the threshold sire‐dam model. Heritability estimates for DD (0.16 ± 0.034 and 0.17 ± 0.046) were comparable to those obtained from the threshold animal (0.15 ± 0.031) and the binary linear (0.14 ± 0.045 and 0.15 ± 0.044) models. The linear animal and sire‐dam models for DD and the threshold sire‐dam models performed equally with similar values of rEBV (0.629, 0.628 and 0.627) and accuracy of selection (0.793, 0.793 and 0.791). This study reveals the potential of selective breeding to increase disease resistance to F. columnare in the studied population of Nile tilapia.
Carp edema virus from three genogroups is present in common carp in Hungary
Authors: Adamek M , Baska F , Vincze B , Steinhagen D 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHungary is an important carp producer with intensive trading relationships with farms in other carp‐producing areas in Europe. Carp in Europe were recently found infected with carp edema virus (CEV), a poxvirus which causes the koi sleepy disease (KSD) syndrome. Moribund carp were collected from 17 fish farms and angling ponds in different regions of Hungary. Histological analysis of gills from these carp revealed a proliferation of the interlamellar epithelium and an infiltration by eosinophilic cells. In 13 of 17 of these carp, CEV DNA was detected by qPCR and in seven fish more than 1 × 104 copies of virus‐specific DNA sequences per 250 ng of DNA, which could be considered as clinically relevant and a cause of disease. A phylogenetic analysis of the sequences revealed that all three genogroups of CEV were present in Hungarian common carp with genogroup I being most abundant. These results support the hypothesis of a prolonged presence of CEV in European carp populations and suggest that previous outbreaks of KSD were not recorded or misdiagnosed. Hence, a testing of carp and koi for infection with CEV should be included into disease surveillance programmes to prevent further spreading of this disease.
ARTHUR ASBURY LECTURE: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: clinical aspects and new animal models of auto‐immunity to nodal components
Authors: Illa Isabel 
Published: October 2017

AbstractChronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disorder of the peripheral nerves with clinical and immunological heterogeneity. Both cellular and humoral immune mechanisms against peripheral nerve antigens are considered to contribute to the pathogenesis of the disorder. Currently, the diagnosis of CIDP is based on clinical, laboratory and electrophysiological criteria. The field of CIDP recently underwent a major change with the identification of autoantibodies directed against paranodal (CNTN1, CASPR1 and NF155) and nodal (NF186/140) proteins. Over the last 5 years, correlations have been found between these autoantibodies and CIDP clinical subtypes including the likelihood of response to specific immunotherapies. Additionally, during this time a series of experimental studies have unraveled the underlying immunopathogenesis for CNTN1 and NF155 antibody associated CIDP. Although paranodal and nodal autoantibodies are only found in a small subset of patients with CIDP, the detection of these immune biomarkers should be incorporated in the evaluation of patients, considering the implications of their presence on prognosis, follow‐up, and treatment decisions.
Barriers to Entry and Competitive Behavior: Evidence from Reforms of Cable Franchising Regulations
Authors: Bagchi Sutirtha , Sivadasan Jagadeesh 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBetween 2005 and 2008, nineteen of the fifty states of the U.S. reformed the franchising process for cable television, significantly easing entry into local markets. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach that exploits the staggered introduction of reforms, we find that prices for ‘Basic’ service declined systematically by about 5.5 to 6.8 per cent following the reforms, but we find no statistically significant effect on average price for the more popular ‘Expanded Basic’ service. We also find that the reforms led to increased actual entry in reformed states, by about 11.6% relative to non‐reformed states. Our analysis shows that the decline in price for ‘Basic’ service holds for markets that did not experience actual entry, consistent with limit pricing by incumbents. To control for potential state‐level shocks correlated with the reforms, we undertake a sample‐split test that finds larger declines in prices for both ‘Basic’ and ‘Expanded Basic’ services in local markets which faced a greater threat of entry (because they were close to a prominent second entrant). Our results are consistent with limit pricing models that predict incumbents respond to increased threat of entry, and suggest that the reforms facilitated entry and modestly benefited consumers in reformed states.
Assessing Inflammation in Acute Intracerebral Hemorrhage with PK11195 PET and Dynamic Contrast‐Enhanced MRI
Authors: Abid Kamran A. , Sobowale Oluwaseun A. , Parkes Laura M. , Naish Josephine , Parker Geoff J.M. , du Plessis Daniel , Brough David , Barrington Jack , Allan Stuart M. , Hinz Rainer , Parry‐Jones Adrian R. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEStudies in animal models suggest that inflammation is a major contributor to secondary injury after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Direct, noninvasive monitoring of inflammation in the human brain after ICH will facilitate early‐phase development of anti‐inflammatory treatments. We sought to investigate the feasibility of multimodality brain imaging in subacute ICH.METHODSAcute ICH patients were recruited to undergo multiparametric MRI (including dynamic contrast‐enhanced measurement of blood‐brain barrier transfer constant (Ktrans) and PET with [11C]‐(R)‐PK11195). [11C]‐(R)‐PK11195 binds to the translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO), which is rapidly upregulated in activated microglia. Circulating inflammatory markers were measured at the time of PET.RESULTSFive patients were recruited to this feasibility study with imaging between 5 and 16 days after onset. Etiologies included hypertension‐related small vessel disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), cavernoma, and arteriovenous malformation (AVM). [11C]‐(R)‐PK11195 binding was low in all hematomas and 2 (patient 2 [probable CAA] and 4 [AVM]) cases showed widespread increase in binding in the perihematomal region versus contralateral. All had increased Ktrans in the perihematomal region (mean difference = 2.2 × 10−3 minute−1; SD = 1.6 × 10−3 minute−1) versus contralateral. Two cases (patients 1 [cavernoma] and 4 [AVM]) had delayed surgery (3 and 12 months post‐onset, respectively) with biopsies showing intense microglial activation in perilesional tissue.CONCLUSIONSOur study demonstrates for the first time the feasibility of performing complex multimodality brain imaging for noninvasive monitoring of neuroinflammation for this severe stroke subtype.
Validating Nonlinear Registration to Improve Subtraction Images for Lesion Detection and Quantification in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Kotari Vikas , Salha Racha , Wang Dana , Wood Emily , Salvetti Marco , Ristori Giovanni , Tang Larry , Bagnato Francesca , Ikonomidou Vasiliki N. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSETo propose and validate nonlinear registration techniques for generating subtraction images because of their ability to reduce artifacts and improve lesion detection and lesion volume quantification.METHODSPostcontrast T1‐weighted spin echo and T2‐weighted dual echo images were acquired for 20 patients with relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) on a monthly basis for a year (14 women, average age 33.6 ± 6.9). The T2‐weighted images from the first scan were used as a baseline for each patient. The images from the last scan were registered to the baseline image. Four different registration algorithms used for evaluation included; linear, halfway linear, nonlinear, and nonlinear halfway. Subtraction images were generated after brain extraction, intensity normalization, and Gaussian blurring. Lesion activity changes along with identified artifacts were scored on all four techniques by two independent observers. Additionally, quantitative analysis of the algorithms was performed by estimating the volume changes of simulated lesions and real lesions. For real lesion volume change analysis, five subjects were selected randomly. Subtraction images were generated between all the 11 time points and the baseline image using linear and nonlinear registration for the five subjects.RESULTSLesion activity detection resulted in similar performance among the four registration techniques. Lesion volume measurements on subtraction images using nonlinear registration were closer to lesion volume on T2‐weighted images. A statistically significant difference was observed among the four registration techniques while evaluating yin‐yang artifacts. Pairwise comparisons showed that nonlinear registration results in the least amount of yin‐yang artifacts, which are significantly different.CONCLUSIONSNonlinear registration for generation of subtraction images has been demonstrated to be a promising new technique as it shows improvement in lesion activity change detection. This approach decreases the number of artifacts in subtraction images. With improved lesion volume estimates and reduced artifacts, nonlinear registration may lead to discarding less subject data and an improvement in the statistical power of subtraction imaging studies.
Highway driving safety the day after using sleep medication: the direction of lapses and excursions out‐of‐lane in drowsy drivers
Authors: Verster Joris C. , Mooren Loes , Bervoets Adriana C. , Roth Thomas 
Published: October 2017

SummaryThe primary outcome measure of the on‐road driving test is the Standard Deviation of Lateral Position. However, other outcome measures, such as lapses and excursions out‐of‐lane, also need to be considered as they may be related to crash risk. The aim of this study was to determine the direction of lapses and excursions out‐of‐lane (i.e. towards/into the adjacent traffic lane or towards/into the road shoulder). In total, data from 240 driving tests were re‐analysed, and 628 lapses and 401 excursions out‐of‐lane were identified. The analyses revealed that lapses were made equally frequently over left (49.4%) and over right (43.3%). In contrast, excursions out‐of‐lane were almost exclusively directed over right into the (safer) road shoulder (97.3%). These findings suggest that drivers are unaware of having lapses, whereas excursions out‐of‐lane are events where the driver is aware of loss of vehicle control.
Environment and dispersal influence changes in species composition at different scales in woody plants of the Western Ghats, India
Authors: Page Navendu V. , Shanker Kartik 
Published: October 2017

AbstractQuestionWhat are the relative roles of environmental and spatial factors in influencing variation in species composition of tropical woody plants at different spatial scales?LocationTropical evergreen forests, Western Ghats, South India.MethodsUsing a plot‐based species inventory spanning the entire latitudinal extent (1,200 km) of the Western Ghats’ wet evergreen forests, we collected primary data on spatial variation in species composition of woody plants. Each plot was characterized by a set of environmental descriptors consisting of topographic, edaphic and climatic variables, while eigenvector‐based spatial variables and plot coordinates were used as spatial descriptors. We used ordination‐based as well as distance‐based variation partitioning techniques to partition the variation in species composition into components uniquely and jointly explained by environmental and spatial factors.ResultsThe compositional similarity of woody plants largely showed a linear decline with log‐geographic distance. However, this relationship was spatially structured. After controlling for the differences in environment, compositional similarity was found to be strongly associated with geographic distance only at the smallest spatial scale. Variation partitioning analysis revealed that environmental variables explained a much larger proportion of variation in species composition overall compared to spatial variables. Among environmental variables, climatic variables emerged as the most important predictors of variation in species composition at regional and landscape scales.ConclusionsStrong association between compositional similarity and geographic distance at local scales indicates the influence of dispersal limitation, while niche differentiation seems to be a more important driver of variation in species composition at larger spatial scales. Overall, our results provide evidence for scale‐dependent shifts in the relative importance of factors that are responsible for variation in species composition.
Empirical Approaches to Measuring the Intelligibility of Different Varieties of English in Predicting Listener Comprehension
Authors: Kang Okim , Thomson Ron I. , Moran Meghan 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis study compared five research‐based intelligibility measures as they were applied to six varieties of English. The objective was to determine which approach to measuring intelligibility would be most reliable for predicting listener comprehension, as measured through a listening comprehension test similar to the Test of English as a Foreign Language. The speakers included 18 English users representing six distinct varieties. These speakers’ speech was evaluated by 60 listeners, users of the same English varieties who completed the listening comprehension test as well as five intelligibility tasks, all recorded by the speakers. The five measures of intelligibility included responses to true/false statements, scalar ratings of speech, perception of nonsense sentences, perception of filtered sentences, and transcription of speech; these measures were compared in terms of their relationship to listening comprehension scores using linear mixed‐effects models. Results showed that the measure of intelligibility based on listeners’ responses to nonsense sentences was the strongest predictor of the listening comprehension scores.Open PracticesThis article has been awarded an Open Materials badge. Study materials are publicly accessible in the IRIS digital repository at http://www.iris-database.org. Learn more about the Open Practices badges from the Center for Open Science: https://osf.io/tvyxz/wiki.
Variable Tl, Pb, and Cd concentrations and isotope compositions of enstatite and ordinary chondrites—Evidence for volatile element mobilization and decay of extinct 205Pb
Authors: Palk Emeliana , Andreasen Rasmus , Rehkämper Mark , Stunt Alison , Kreissig Katharina , Coles Barry , Schönbächler Maria , Smith Caroline 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNew Tl, Pb, and Cd concentration and Tl, Pb isotope data are presented for enstatite as well as L‐ and LL‐type ordinary chondrites, with additional Cd stable isotope results for the former. All three chondrite suites have Tl and Cd contents that vary by more than 1–2 orders of magnitude but Pb concentrations are more uniform, as a result of terrestrial Pb contamination. Model calculations based on Pb isotope compositions indicate that for more than half of the samples, more than 50% of the measured Pb contents are due to addition of modern terrestrial Pb. In part, this is responsible for the relatively young and imprecise Pb‐Pb ages determined for EH, L, and LL chondrites, which are hence only of limited chronological utility. In contrast, four particularly pristine EL chondrites define a precise Pb‐Pb cooling age of 4559 ± 6 Ma. The enstatite chondrites (ECs) have highly variable ε114/110Cd of between about +3 and +70 due to stable isotope fractionation from thermal and shock metamorphism. Furthermore, nearly all enstatite meteorites display ε205Tl values from −3.3 to +0.8, while a single anomalous sample is highly fractionated in both Tl and Cd isotopes. The majority of the ECs thereby define a correlation of ε205Tl with ε114/110Cd, which suggests that at least some of the Tl isotope variability reflects stable isotope fractionation rather than radiogenic ingrowth of 205Tl from 205Pb decay. Considering L chondrites, most ε205Tl values range between −4 and +1, while two outliers with ε205Tl ≤ −10 are indicative of stable isotope fractionation. Considering only those L chondrites which are least likely to feature Pb contamination or stable Tl isotope effects, the results are in accord with the former presence of live 205Pb on the parent body, with an initial 205Pb/204Pb = (1.5 ± 1.4) × 10−4, which suggests late equilibration of the Pb‐Tl system 26–113 Ma after carbonaceous chondrites (CCs). The LL chondrites display highly variable ε205Tl values from −12.5 to +14.9, also indicative of stable isotope effects. However, the data for three pristine LL3/LL4 chondrites display an excellent correlation between ε205Tl and 204Pb/203Tl. This defines an initial 205Pb/204Pb of (1.4 ± 0.3) × 10−4, equivalent to a 205Pb‐205Tl cooling age of 55 + 12/−24 Ma (31–67 Ma) after CCs.