bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Computational Participation
Authors: Burke Quinn , O'Byrne W. Ian , Kafai Yasmin B. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the computational concepts on which countless digital applications run offers learners the opportunity to no longer simply read such media but also become more discerning end users and potentially innovative “writers” of new media themselves. To think computationally—to solve problems, to design systems, and to process and organize information drawing on concepts fundamental to computer science—is seen as a crucial problem‐solving skill in the new millennium. It is not a matter of turning all adolescents into computer scientists but rather leveraging coding as a means to get youths more engaged in the workings of the Web‐based media that surround them.
A G-protein Subunit-α11 Loss-of-Function Mutation, Thr54Met, Causes Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia Type 2 (FHH2)
Authors: Gorvin Caroline M , Cranston Treena , Hannan Fadil M , Rust Nigel , Qureshi Asjid , Nesbit M Andrew , Thakker Rajesh V 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder with three variants, FHH1 to FHH3. FHH1 is caused by loss-of-function mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), a G-protein coupled receptor that predominantly signals via G-protein subunit alpha-11 (Gα11) to regulate calcium homeostasis. FHH2 is the result of loss-of-function mutations in Gα11, encoded by GNA11, and to date only two FHH2-associated Gα11 missense mutations (Leu135Gln and Ile200del) have been reported. FHH3 is the result of loss-of-function mutations of the adaptor protein-2 σ-subunit (AP2σ), which plays a pivotal role in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. We describe a 65-year-old woman who had hypercalcemia with normal circulating parathyroid hormone concentrations and hypocalciuria, features consistent with FHH, but she did not have CaSR and AP2σ mutations. Mutational analysis of the GNA11 gene was therefore undertaken, using leucocyte DNA, and this identified a novel heterozygous GNA11 mutation (c.161C&gt;T; p.Thr54Met). The effect of the Gα11 variant was assessed by homology modeling of the related Gαq protein and by measuring the CaSR-mediated intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) responses of HEK293 cells, stably expressing CaSR, to alterations in extracellular calcium (Ca2+o) using flow cytometry. Three-dimensional modeling revealed the Thr54Met mutation to be located at the interface between the Gα11 helical and GTPase domains, and to likely impair GDP binding and interdomain interactions. Expression of wild-type and the mutant Gα11 in HEK293 cells stably expressing CaSR demonstrate that the Ca2+i responses after stimulation with Ca2+o of the mutant Met54 Gα11 led to a rightward shift of the concentration-response curve with a significantly (p &lt; 0.01) increased mean half-maximal concentration (EC50) value of 3.88 mM (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.76–4.01 mM), when compared with the wild-type EC50 of 2.94 mM (95% CI 2.81–3.07 mM) consistent with a loss-of-function. Thus, our studies have identified a third Gα11 mutation (Thr54Met) causing FHH2 and reveal a critical role for the Gα11 interdomain interface in CaSR signaling and Ca2+o homeostasis. © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Effect of Lipopolysaccharide on Progesterone Production during Luteinization of Granulosa and Theca cells In Vitro
Authors: Shimizu Takashi , Echizenya Riku , Miyamoto Akio 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study is to examine the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on progesterone production during luteinization of granulosa and theca cells isolated from bovine large follicles. Granulosa and theca cells isolated from large follicles of bovine ovaries were exposed to LPS under appropriate hormone conditions in vitro. Progesterone (P4) production in theca cells, but not granulosa cells, was decreased by long‐term exposure of LPS. Long‐term exposure of LPS suppressed the gene expression of luteinizing hormone receptor in theca cells. Although long‐term exposure of LPS did not affect the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and 3β‐hydroxy‐steroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD) genes, it did inhibit the protein expression of StAR and 3β‐HSD in theca cells. These findings suggest that theca cells, rather than granulosa cells, are susceptible to LPS during luteinization and that LPS inhibits P4 production by decreasing protein levels of StAR during luteinization of theca cells.
Presence of the Paternal Pronucleus Assists Embryo in Overcoming Cycloheximide Induced Abnormalities in Zygotic Mitosis
Authors: Ortega Michael A. , Ko Myungjun , Marh Joel , Finberg Ariel , Oshiro Marissa , Ward W. Steven 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTAfter fertilization, the maternal and paternal chromosomes independently proceed through pronuclear formation. These chromatin reconfigurations occur within a shared cytoplasm thus exposing both gametes to the same factors. Here, we report that continuous cycloheximide [40 μg/mL] treatment of parthenogenotes, androgenotes, and ICSI embryos reveals ORC2 pronuclear instability in the maternal (MPN) but not the paternal pronucleus (PPN). When released from CHX after 8 h, the MPN can recover ORC2 and proceed through replication, however, parthenogenotes encounter severe mitotic defects while both ICSI embryos and androgenotes are able to recover and develop at significantly higher rates. Taken together, these data suggest cycloheximide treatment promotes an environment that asymmetrically affects the stability of ORC2 on the MPN, and the ability of the MPN to develop. Furthermore, the presence of the PPN in the zygote can ameliorate both effects. These data suggest further evidence for crosstalk between the two pronuclei during the first cell cycle of the embryo. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1806–1812, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Improvement of skeletal muscle performance in ageing by the metabolic modulator Trimetazidine
Authors: Ferraro Elisabetta , Pin Fabrizio , Gorini Stefania , Pontecorvo Laura , Ferri Alberto , Mollace Vincenzo , Costelli Paola , Rosano Giuseppe 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) and the associated reduced muscle strength are key limiting factors for elderly people's quality of life. Improving muscle performance does not necessarily correlate with increasing muscle mass. In fact, particularly in the elderly, the main explanation for muscle weakness is a reduction of muscle quality rather than a loss of muscle mass, and the main goal to be achieved is to increase muscle strength. The effectiveness of Trimetazidine (TMZ) in preventing muscle functional impairment during ageing was assessed in our laboratory.MethodsAged mice received TMZ or vehicle for 12 consecutive days. Muscle function was evaluated at the end of the treatment by a grip test as well as by an inverted screen test at 0, 5, 7 and 12 days of TMZ treatment. After sacrifice, muscles were stored for myofiber cross‐sectional area assessment and myosin heavy chain expression evaluation by western blotting.ResultsChronic TMZ treatment does not affect the mass of both gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles, while it significantly increases muscle strength. Indeed, both latency to fall and grip force are markedly enhanced in TMZ‐treated versus untreated mice. In addition, TMZ administration results in higher expression of slow myosin heavy chain isoform and increased number of small‐sized myofibers.ConclusionsWe report here some data showing that the modulation of skeletal muscle metabolism by TMZ increases muscle strength in aged mice. Reprogramming metabolism might therefore be a strategy worth to be further investigated in view of improving muscle performance in the elderly.
Click to Share: Patterns in Tourist Photography and Sharing
Authors: Konijn Esther , Sluimer Nienke , Mitas Ondrej 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDifferences between tourists in photographing and photo‐sharing behaviours have been under‐researched. We examined the influence of geographic origin and travel group composition on tourist photographing and sharing. Questionnaires were used to measure photographing and sharing frequency, while participant observation afforded a deeper examination of sharing processes. Findings showed differences in photography behaviour between solo and accompanied tourists. Tourists from some continents also took and shared photographs more frequently. Observations uncovered processes connecting sharing, photographing, and content of photographs. As user‐generated content becomes increasingly influential in tourism management, attention to origin, group composition and other individual differences can help engage tourists in photographing and sharing. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Absorptive Capacity and Technology Knowledge: Enhancing Relational Capital
Authors: Vieira Carlos Lopez Cano , Briones‐Peñalver Antonio‐Juan , Cegarra‐Navarro Juan‐Gabriel 
Published: January 2016

The purposes of this study are to examine the relationship between absorptive capacity and relational capital and to identify a potential stock of technology knowledge (T‐knowledge) that can act as a catalyst for these relationships. We also examine the relative importance and significance of ‘intentional unlearning’ as a bridge between ‘relational capital’ and ‘T‐knowledge’ and the existence and enhancement of relational capital. These relationships are examined through an empirical investigation of 125 Portuguese companies.Portugal is facing an extremely difficult economic situation and thousands of jobs have been lost. As a result, the ability for organisations to create, transfer, assemble, integrate and use relational capital as leverage is fundamental to achieving a competitive advantage or, indeed, survival. Associação Empresarial da Região do Algarve (NERA) is a non‐profit organisation of an inter‐sectoral nature associated with the Portuguese Industrial Association representing the Algarve.Analysis of the data indicates that if the organisation considers the establishment of a stock of T‐knowledge as a prior step to the enhancement of unlearning, then unlearning has a positive influence on the conditions that stimulate the enhancement of relational capital. Our main conclusion is that creation of relational capital by NERA members will depend to a significant extent on how managers acquire, analyse, interpret, and understand new external knowledge. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intraventricular Baclofen for Treatment of Severe Dystonia Associated with Glutaryl‐CoA Dehydrogenase Deficiency (GA1): Report of Two Cases
Authors: Ghatan Saadi , Kokoszka Malgosia A. , Ranney Anne M. , Strauss Kevin A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTwo individuals with intractable generalized dystonia secondary to glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1) were treated with continuous intraventricular baclofen (IVB) infusion. On IVB of 220 μg/day, one 10‐year‐old girl had an 85% reduction in dystonia, from Barry‐Albright Dystonia Scale (BADS) score 30.7 to 4.5 (maximum score: 32) at 30 postoperative months. Her enteral dystonia medications were reduced >60%, and she discontinued medications for pain, anxiety, and depression. A second GA1 patient, age 23, experienced a more modest 18% reduction in dystonia (BADS decrease from 29.7 to 24.3) on IVB of 1,665 μg/day at 14 postoperative months. He substantially reduced his enteral dystonia medications and reported meaningful pain relief. These cases demonstrate that IVB may be a palliative option in the intractable dystonia of GA1. Our provisional observations suggest that IVB may be more beneficial in younger GA1 patients.
Amyloid‐Beta Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Alzheimer's Pathology in Parkinson's Disease Dementia
Authors: Akhtar Rizwan S. , Xie Sharon X. , Brennan Laura , Pontecorvo Michael J. , Hurtig Howard I. , Trojanowski John Q. , Weintraub Daniel , Siderowf Andrew D. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundNeuronal loss and alpha‐synuclein (α‐syn) pathology are diagnostic of PD in the appropriate clinical context. However, some Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have comorbid Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology on autopsy, including amyloid‐beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Florbetapir (18F) is a PET ligand that detects Aβ pathology. We hypothesized that florbetapir (18F) imaging could detect Aβ pathology in PD dementia (PDD) patients before death. The aim of this study was to determine the utility of florbetapir (18F) PET imaging in detecting Aβ pathology in patients with autopsy‐confirmed PDD.MethodsFive participants with PDD had florbetapir (18F) PET imaging before death as a part of a longitudinal research study of cognitive decline in PD. PET scans were evaluated by expert raters blinded to clinical and neuropathological information. At autopsy, all 5 participants underwent semiquantitative assessments of regional Aβ and tau immunohistochemistry.ResultsAll participants met neuropathological criteria for PD. Two had both positive florbetapir (18F) scans and Aβ‐positive plaques in multiple brain regions. Regional florbetapir (18F) binding correlated with regional semiquantitative Aβ pathology in these cases. Three cases had negative florbetapir (18F) scans. Two of these had significant tau pathology without Aβ pathology, consistent with PSP in 1 case and argyrophilic grain disease in the other. The last case had a low level of AD neuropathological change.ConclusionsFlorbetapir (18F) Aβ imaging can detect the presence of Aβ neuropathology in patients with PDD. This imaging technique may aid the clinical evaluation of PDD patients to determine whether cognitive decline is occurring in the setting of Aβ accumulation.
Acceleration of MR parameter mapping using annihilating filter‐based low rank hankel matrix (ALOHA)
Authors: Lee Dongwook , Jin Kyong Hwan , Kim Eung Yeop , Park Sung‐Hong , Ye Jong Chul 
Published: January 2016

PurposeMR parameter mapping is one of clinically valuable MR imaging techniques. However, increased scan time makes it difficult for routine clinical use. This article aims at developing an accelerated MR parameter mapping technique using annihilating filter based low‐rank Hankel matrix approach (ALOHA).TheoryWhen a dynamic sequence can be sparsified using spatial wavelet and temporal Fourier transform, this results in a rank‐deficient Hankel structured matrix that is constructed using weighted k‐t measurements. ALOHA then utilizes the low rank matrix completion algorithm combined with a multiscale pyramidal decomposition to estimate the missing k‐space data.MethodsSpin‐echo inversion recovery and multiecho spin echo pulse sequences for T1 and T2 mapping, respectively, were redesigned to perform undersampling along the phase encoding direction according to Gaussian distribution. The missing k‐space is reconstructed using ALOHA. Then, the parameter maps were constructed using nonlinear regression.ResultsExperimental results confirmed that ALOHA outperformed the existing compressed sensing algorithms. Compared with the existing methods, the reconstruction errors appeared scattered throughout the entire images rather than exhibiting systematic distortion along edges and the parameter maps.ConclusionGiven that many diagnostic errors are caused by the systematic distortion of images, ALOHA may have a great potential for clinical applications. Magn Reson Med 76:1848–1864, 2016. © 2016 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
A predictive parameter for the shape memory behavior of thermoplastic polymers
Authors: Xiao Rui , Yakacki Christopher M. , Guo Jingkai , Frick Carl P. , Nguyen Thao D. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTWe present an experimental and modeling study of the effect of programming conditions on the shape‐memory behaviors of amorphous thermoplastic polymers. Experimentally we measure the influence of deformation temperature, strain rate and relaxation time on the thermomechanical properties and shape‐memory response of poly(para‐phenylene), which is a stiff and strong aromatic thermoplastic. To understand the underlying mechanism, we develop a viscoelastic model, which contains multiple discrete relaxation processes with broad distribution of relaxation time. The model parameters of the relaxation spectrum are obtained from the master curve of small strain–stress relaxation tests using time‐temperature superposition. The model predictions show good agreement with experimental observations, including the stress response and shape‐memory response under various conditions. We applied the model to study the effect of the programming conditions on the shape recovery performance. The results show that the relaxation modulus at the end of the programming process was a predictor of the recovery speed and recoverable strain ratio. This provides a design metric to optimize the shape programming process for shape recovery. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2016,54, 1405–1414
Cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging of interfacial reactions of TiO2 microspheres embedded in ionic liquids
Authors: Shen Kan , Tarolli Jay G. , Winograd Nicholas 
Published: January 2016

RationaleOur goal is to develop protocols for the elucidation of the identity and structure of reaction products embedded in a reaction medium. Results should find significance in a variety of disciplines ranging from the study of biological cells and tissues, to the steps associated with the functionalization of nanoparticles.MethodsWe utilize cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry (cluster‐SIMS) to acquire three‐dimensional (3D) information about 5–30 µm TiO2 microspheres imbedded into an ionic liquid. The method allows molecular depth profiling with submicron spatial resolution and depth profiling with a resolution of several tens of nanometers. The ionic liquid matrix enshrouds the spheres, allowing them to be introduced into the vacuum environment of the mass spectrometer.ResultsThe results provide 3D chemical information about these microspheres as they are synthesized by interfacial sol‐gel reactions. We show that with 40 keV C60+, it is possible to erode through the reaction medium and map the distribution of those embedded TiO2 microspheres. Moreover, we demonstrate that it is possible to monitor surface modification of the particles and, via ion beam drilling, elucidate their internal structure.ConclusionsUsing cluster‐SIMS imaging, we are able to elucidate the identity and structure of reaction products embedded in a reaction medium, a problem of long‐standing interest for materials characterization. With this strategy, we have provided a new approach that may be especially useful for the characterization of biological tissue and cells within the vacuum confines of the mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovery of a solvent effect preventing quantitative profiling by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization and its treatment
Authors: Park Kyung Man , Moon Jeong Hee , Kim Jae Hyung , Song Un Tak , Lee Seong Hoon , Kim Myung Soo 
Published: January 2016

RationaleIn analyte profiling by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), drawing a quantitative profile map is an outstanding problem. Recently, we developed a method to quantify an analyte by MALDI, which is needed to solve the problem. Another requirement for quantitative profiling is the quantitative sample‐to‐matrix analyte transfer, which is investigated in this work.MethodsMALDI‐time‐of‐flight (TOF) spectra were acquired for samples produced by two methods. In one, a sample solution containing a matrix and an analyte was loaded with a pipet and dried. In the other, a sample was prepared by a consecutive process, i.e., loading‐drying of an analyte solution followed by that of a matrix solution. Two different micro‐spotters were used in the second method. Various mixtures of organic solvents with water were used to prepare matrix solutions.ResultsThe organic solvent, matrix, and analyte used in the study did not affect the analyte transfer efficiency, whereas it improved as the water content in the solvent increased. It also improved as the liquid droplet emitted by a micro‐spotter got larger. Use of a more polar solvent or a larger droplet increases the contact time between a solution droplet and the sample surface, which seems to be responsible for the improvement in the transfer efficiency.ConclusionsSample‐to‐matrix analyte transfer occurred efficiently when polar solvents and/or large liquid droplets were used to produce solid samples for MALDI profiling with a micro‐spotter. A long contact time between the sample surface and a matrix solution droplet is one of the requirements for quantitative profiling. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The power of energy‐resolved tandem mass spectrometry experiments for resolution of isomers: the case of drug plasma stability investigation of multidrug resistance inhibitors
Authors: Menicatti Marta , Guandalini Luca , Dei Silvia , Floriddia Elisa , Teodori Elisabetta , Traldi Pietro , Bartolucci Gianluca 
Published: January 2016

RationaleA series of drug plasma stability experiments were carried out to evaluate the bioavailability of three multidrug resistance inhibitors. The studied compounds are positional isomers; therefore, a chromatographic separation or taking advantage of specific collisionally activated decomposition pathways, obtained by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) experiments, is necessary in order to resolve them.MethodsA method was developed for quantitative determination of the analytes in plasma using liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in MS/MS mode. Different collisional approaches were employed based on the potentiality of a triple quadrupole system. Aside from the classical product ion spectroscopy, energy‐resolved MS/MS experiments and a post‐processing mathematical algorithm tool (LEDA) were used to distinguish among different kinds of inhibitors present in the sample batch.ResultsThe developed LC/MS/MS method showed precision between 1.8–7.9%, accuracy ranging from 92.8 to 99.9% and limit of detection (LOD) values in the range 1.0–1.4 ng mL−1 for all the analytes. The evaluation of matrix effects demonstrated that the sample preparation procedure did not affect the ionization efficiency or recovery (matrix effects and recovery larger than 88%). Finally, the LEDA tool was able to differentiate among the isomers, ensuring their proper monitoring.ConclusionsThe proposed LC/MS/MS method was suitable for evaluating the stability of the analytes in plasma samples, although small concentration variations occurred. Furthermore, the investigation on the energetics of fragmentation pathways allowed the better product ions and optimal abundance ratios to be selected for LEDA application into a multi‐component analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.