bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generation and validation of novel adeno-associated viral vectors for the analysis of Ca2+ homeostasis in motor neurons
Authors: Norante Rosa Pia , Massimino Maria Lina , Lorenzon Paolo , De Mario Agnese , Peggion Caterina , Vicario Mattia , Albiero Mattia , Sorgato Maria Catia , Lopreiato Raffaele , Bertoli Alessandro 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA finely tuned Ca2+ homeostasis in restricted cell domains is of fundamental importance for neurons, where transient Ca2+ oscillations direct the proper coordination of electro-chemical signals and overall neuronal metabolism. Once such a precise regulation is unbalanced, however, neuronal functions and viability are severely compromised. Accordingly, disturbed Ca2+ metabolism has often been claimed as a major contributor to different neurodegenerative disorders, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis that is characterised by selective motor neuron (MN) damage. This notion highlights the need for probes for the specific and precise analysis of local Ca2+ dynamics in MNs. Here, we generated and functionally validated adeno-associated viral vectors for the expression of gene-encoded fluorescent Ca2+ indicators targeted to different cell domains, under the transcriptional control of a MN-specific promoter. We demonstrated that the probes are specifically expressed, and allow reliable local Ca2+ measurements, in MNs from murine primary spinal cord cultures, and can also be expressed in spinal cord MNs in vivo, upon systemic administration to newborn mice. Preliminary analyses using these novel vectors have shown larger cytosolic Ca2+ responses following stimulation of AMPA receptors in the cytosol of primary cultured MNs from a murine genetic model of ALS compared to the healthy counterpart.
Microbial planktonic communities in the Red Sea: high levels of spatial and temporal variability shaped by nutrient availability and turbulence
Authors: Pearman John K. , Ellis Joanne , Irigoien Xabier , Sarma Y. V. B. , Jones Burton H. , Carvalho Susana 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe semi-enclosed nature of the Red Sea (20.2°N–38.5°N) makes it a natural laboratory to study the influence of environmental gradients on microbial communities. This study investigates the composition and structure of microbial prokaryotes and eukaryotes using molecular methods, targeting ribosomal RNA genes across different regions and seasons. The interaction between spatial and temporal scales results in different scenarios of turbulence and nutrient conditions allowing for testing of ecological theory that categorizes the response of the plankton community to these variations. The prokaryotic reads are mainly comprised of Cyanobacteria and Proteobacteria (Alpha and Gamma), with eukaryotic reads dominated by Dinophyceae and Syndiniophyceae. Periodic increases in the proportion of Mamiellophyceae and Bacillariophyceae reads were associated with alterations in the physical oceanography leading to nutrient increases either through the influx of Gulf of Aden Intermediate Water (south in the fall) or through water column mixing processes (north in the spring). We observed that in general dissimilarity amongst microbial communities increased when nutrient concentrations were higher, whereas richness (observed OTUs) was higher in scenarios of higher turbulence. Maximum abundance models showed the differential responses of dominant taxa to temperature giving an indication how taxa will respond as waters become warmer and more oligotrophic.
Mitochondrial Genomes of Two Bombycoidea Insects and Implications for Their Phylogeny
Authors: Xin Zhao-Zhe , Yu Liu  , Zhu Xiao-Yu , Wang Ying , Zhang Hua-Bin , Zhang Dai-Zhen , Zhou Chun-Lin , Tang Bo-Ping , Liu Qiu-Ning 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe mitochondrial genome (mt genome) provides important information for understanding molecular evolution and phylogenetics. As such, the two complete mt genomes of Ampelophaga rubiginosa and Rondotia menciana were sequenced and annotated. The two circular genomes of A. rubiginosa and R. menciana are 15,282 and 15,636 bp long, respectively, including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and an A + T-rich region. The nucleotide composition of the A. rubiginosa mt genome is A + T rich (81.5%) but is lower than that of R. menciana (82.2%). The AT skew is slightly positive and the GC skew is negative in these two mt genomes. Except for cox1, which started with CGA, all other 12PCGs started with ATN codons. The A + T-rich regions of A. rubiginosa and R. menciana were 399 bp and 604 bp long and consist of several features common to Bombycoidea insects. The order and orientation of A. rubiginosa and R. menciana mitogenomes with the order trnM-trnI-trnQ-nad2 is different from the ancestral insects in which trnM is located between trnQ and nad2 (trnI-trnQ-trnM-nad2). Phylogenetic analyses indicate that A. rubiginosa belongs in the Sphingidae family, and R. menciana belongs in the Bombycidae family.
Fungal root symbionts of high-altitude vascular plants in the Himalayas
Authors: Kotilínek Milan , Hiiesalu Inga , Košnar Jiří , Šmilauerová Marie , Šmilauer Petr , Altman Jan , Dvorský Miroslav , Kopecký Martin , Doležal Jiří 
Published: July 2017

AbstractArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and dark septate endophytes (DSE) form symbiotic relationships with plants influencing their productivity, diversity and ecosystem functions. Only a few studies on these fungi, however, have been conducted in extreme elevations and none over 5500 m a.s.l., although vascular plants occur up to 6150 m a.s.l. in the Himalayas. We quantified AMF and DSE in roots of 62 plant species from contrasting habitats along an elevational gradient (3400–6150 m) in the Himalayas using a combination of optical microscopy and next generation sequencing. We linked AMF and DSE communities with host plant evolutionary history, ecological preferences (elevation and habitat type) and functional traits. We detected AMF in elevations up to 5800 m, indicating it is more constrained by extreme conditions than the host plants, which ascend up to 6150 m. In contrast, DSE were found across the entire gradient up to 6150 m. AMF diversity was unimodally related to elevation and positively related to the intensity of AMF colonization. Mid-elevation steppe and alpine plants hosted more diverse AMF communities than plants from deserts and the subnival zone. Our results bring novel insights to the abiotic and biotic filters structuring AMF and DSE communities in the Himalayas.
Generation of ribosome imprinted polymers for sensitive detection of translational responses
Authors: King Helen A. , El-Sharif Hazim F. , Matia-González Ana M. , Iadevaia Valentina , Fowotade Adeola , Reddy Subrayal M. , Gerber André P. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWhilst the profiling of the transcriptome and proteome even of single-cells becomes feasible, the analysis of the translatome, which refers to all messenger RNAs (mRNAs) engaged with ribosomes for protein synthesis, is still an elaborate procedure requiring millions of cells. Herein, we report the generation and use of “smart materials”, namely molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) to facilitate the isolation of ribosomes and translated mRNAs from merely 1,000 cells. In particular, we show that a hydrogel-based ribosome imprinted polymer could recover ribosomes and associated mRNAs from human, simian and mice cellular extracts, but did not selectively enrich yeast ribosomes, thereby demonstrating selectivity. Furthermore, ribosome imprinted polymers enabled the sensitive measurement of an mRNA translational regulatory event, requiring 1,000-fold less cells than current methodologies. These results provide first evidence for the suitability of MIPs to selectively recover ribonucleoprotein complexes such as ribosomes, founding a novel means for sensitive detection of gene regulation.
Elevated CO2 and nitrogen addition have minimal influence on the rhizospheric effects of Bothriochloa ischaemum
Authors: Xiao Lie , Liu Guobin , Li Peng , Xue Sha 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe influence of elevated CO2 and nitrogen (N) addition on soil microbial communities and the rhizospheric effects of Bothriochloa ischaemum were investigated. A pot-cultivation experiment was conducted in climate-controlled chambers under two levels of CO2 (400 and 800 μmol mol−1) and three levels of N addition (0, 2.5, and 5 g N m−2 y−1). Soil samples (rhizospheric and bulk soil) were collected for the assessment of soil organic carbon (SOC), total N (TN), total phosphorus (TP), basal respiration (BR), and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) 106 days after treatments were conducted. Elevated CO2 significantly increased total and fungal PLFAs in the rhizosphere when combined with N addition, and N addition significantly increased BR in the rhizosphere and total, bacterial, fungal, Gram-positive (G+), and Gram-negative (G−) PLFAs in both rhizospheric and bulk soil. BR and total, bacterial, G+, and G+/G− PLFAs were significantly higher in rhizospheric than bulk soil, but neither elevated CO2 nor N addition affected the positive rhizospheric effects on bacterial, G+, or G+/G− PLFAs. N addition had a greater effect on soil microbial communities than elevated CO2, and elevated CO2 and N addition had minor contributions to the changes in the magnitude of the rhizospheric effects in B. ischaemum.
Removal of back-reflection noise at ultrathin imaging probes by the single-core illumination and wide-field detection
Authors: Yoon Changhyeong , Kang Munkyu , Hong Jin H. , Yang Taeseok D. , Xing Jingchao , Yoo Hongki , Choi Youngwoon , Choi Wonshik 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThin waveguides such as graded-index lenses and fiber bundles are often used as imaging probes for high-resolution endomicroscopes. However, strong back-reflection from the end surfaces of the probes makes it difficult for them to resolve weak contrast objects, especially in the reflectance-mode imaging. Here we propose a method to spatially isolate illumination pathways from detection channels, and demonstrate wide-field reflectance imaging free from back-reflection noise. In the image fiber bundle, we send illumination light through individual core fibers and detect signals from target objects through the other fibers. The transmission matrix of the fiber bundle is measured and used to reconstruct a pixelation-free image. We demonstrated that the proposed imaging method improved 3.2 times on the signal to noise ratio produced by the conventional illumination-detection scheme.
Open source software for automatic detection of cone photoreceptors in adaptive optics ophthalmoscopy using convolutional neural networks
Authors: Cunefare David , Fang Leyuan , Cooper Robert F. , Dubra Alfredo , Carroll Joseph , Farsiu Sina 
Published: July 2017

AbstractImaging with an adaptive optics scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) enables direct visualization of the cone photoreceptor mosaic in the living human retina. Quantitative analysis of AOSLO images typically requires manual grading, which is time consuming, and subjective; thus, automated algorithms are highly desirable. Previously developed automated methods are often reliant on ad hoc rules that may not be transferable between different imaging modalities or retinal locations. In this work, we present a convolutional neural network (CNN) based method for cone detection that learns features of interest directly from training data. This cone-identifying algorithm was trained and validated on separate data sets of confocal and split detector AOSLO images with results showing performance that closely mimics the gold standard manual process. Further, without any need for algorithmic modifications for a specific AOSLO imaging system, our fully-automated multi-modality CNN-based cone detection method resulted in comparable results to previous automatic cone segmentation methods which utilized ad hoc rules for different applications. We have made free open-source software for the proposed method and the corresponding training and testing datasets available online.
Phylogeny of locusts and grasshoppers reveals complex evolution of density-dependent phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Song Hojun , Foquet Bert , Mariño-Pérez Ricardo , Woller Derek A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractLocusts are grasshoppers that can form dense migrating swarms through an extreme form of density-dependent phenotypic plasticity, known as locust phase polyphenism. We present a comprehensive phylogeny of the genus Schistocerca, which contains both non-swarming grasshoppers and swarming locusts. We find that the desert locust, S. gregaria, which is the only Old World representative of the genus, is the earliest diverging lineage. This suggests that the common ancestor of Schistocerca must have been a swarming locust that crossed the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to America approximately 6 million years ago, giving rise to the current diversity in the New World. This also implies that density-dependent phenotypic plasticity is an ancestral trait for the genus. Through ancestral character reconstruction of reaction norms, we show that colour plasticity has been largely retained in most species in the genus, but behavioural plasticity was lost and regained at least twice. Furthermore, we show that swarming species do not form a monophyletic group and non-swarming species that are closely related to locusts often express locust-like plastic reaction norms. Thus, we conclude that individual reaction norms have followed different evolutionary trajectories, which have led to the evolutionary transition between grasshoppers and locusts - and vice versa.
Single Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Early Stage of Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Authors: Martini Liborio , Via Alessio , Fossati Chiara , Randelli Filippo , Randelli Pietro , Cucchi Davide 
Published: July 2017

Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the safety efficacy and outcomes of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) intra-articular injections for early stages of knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Methods Twenty-five patients affected by grade I and II knee primary OA according to the Kellgren–Lawrence scale received a single intra-articular PRP injection. Patients were prospectively evaluated for 6 months. Visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) scoring scales were used to evaluate clinical outcomes. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to evaluate significance of improvement of WOMAC, KOOS, and VAS scores.
Results Twenty-one patients completed 6-months follow-up. The median WOMAC score improved from 29.1 points (range: 17.4–60.4; standard deviation [SD] = 13.0) at baseline to 42.41 (range: 24.3–71.2; SD = 12.5) at final follow-up. Improvements in median KOOS and VAS score have been also found, from 37.49 points and 64.2 mm before injection to 59.71 points and 42.8 mm, respectively. All these improvements were statistically significant (p < 0.05). No adverse reactions have been observed.
Conclusion Treating knee OA with PRP injection is safe. A single dose of PRP seems to be effective in managing pain and improving quality of life in patients with low-grade knee OA.
Level of Evidence Level IV, therapeutic case series.
Recurrent Drop Attacks as Presenting Manifestation of Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis: An Atypical Presentation
Authors: More Aniruddha , Verma Rajesh 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSubacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a potentially fatal progressive complication of measles virus infection of the brain occurring in children and adolescents. It typically presents with a progressive decline in cognitive abilities along with periodic myoclonic jerks. We report a case of SSPE with atypical presentation. Our patient presented with intermittent drop attacks without any obvious myoclonic jerks or cognitive decline making his diagnosis difficult. Atypical manifestations of SSPE occur in 10% of patients, and a high index of suspicion is necessary for early diagnosis and management of this dreaded disease.
Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Can Provide Useful Information for Differentiating Thymic Epithelial Tumors
Authors: Ayabe Takanori , Tsuchiya Kazuyo , Nakamura Kunihide , Tomita Masaki 
Published: July 2017

Background We examined the usefulness of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in predicting the World Health Organization (WHO) histologic type and Masaoka stage of thymic epithelial tumors.
Methods A total of 73 patients with thymic epithelial tumors who underwent preoperative FDG-PET were included. Relationships between the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and WHO histologic type and the Masaoka stage of the tumor were examined. Differences in SUVmax between the various groups were calculated. To avoid the effect of the tumor size on SUVmax, the ratio of SUVmax to tumor size (SUVmax/T) was also examined.
Results There was a significant relationship between SUVmax and WHO histologic type. SUVmax of high-risk thymomas (types B2 and B3) was significantly higher than that of low-risk thymomas (types A, AB, and B1). SUVmax of thymic carcinomas was also significantly higher than those of the low-risk and high-risk groups. The relationship between the SUVmax/T and WHO histologic type showed more significant results. SUVmax and SUVmax/T showed higher values in patients with advanced Masaoka stage disease than in those with early-stage disease.
Conclusions FDG-PET can provide useful information for differentiating thymic epithelial tumors. The SUVmax/T is more useful than the SUVmax for differentiating between low-risk and high-risk thymomas.
Update on Focal Cortical Dysplasia and the Imaging of Epilepsy
Authors: Schwartz Erin , Gadde Judith 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEpilepsy affects up to 1 in 1,000 children annually. While it is increasingly recognized that forms of epilepsy may have genetic origins, congenital and acquired structural abnormalities of the brain parenchyma are common causes of seizures. Among the most difficult etiologies to diagnose are focal cortical dysplasias, which will be discussed along with their unique imaging features. While magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is the mainstay of epilepsy imaging, magnetoencephalography (MEG) and positon emission tomography (PET) have become increasingly recognized as adding value to the presurgical evaluation of medically refractory epilepsy. More recently, PET/MR hybrid scanning is gaining popularity.
Neurotraining im Zirkel
Authors: Horst Renata , Gebhardt Britta 
Published: July 2017

ZusammenfassungUnsere Dozentin Renata Horst ging der Frage nach, wie Patienten mit neurologischen Erkrankungen außerhalb einer Einzeltherapie effektiv
motorische Fähigkeiten trainieren können. Sie entwickelte dafür einen an der ICF orientierten Trainingszirkel. Dessen Stationen ermöglichen,
die Trainingsziele auf der Struktur- und Funktionsebene sowie auf der Aktivitäts- und Partizipationsebene zu erreichen.
Stellenwert der Patientenverfügung in der Postreanimationsbehandlung
Authors: Christ Martin , von Auenmüller Katharina , Grett Martin , Amirie Scharbanu , Brand Michael , Trappe Hans-Joachim 
Published: July 2017

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Bislang fehlen Untersuchungen zum Einfluss von Patientenverfügungen auf die Behandlung von Patienten mit akut lebensbedrohlichen Krankheitsbildern wie dem außerklinischen Herzstillstand (OHCA = out-of-hospital cardiac-arrest). Die hier präsentierte Studie wurde daher initiiert, um zu ermitteln, wie groß der Anteil an Patienten ist, bei denen in der Phase der Postreanimationsbehandlung eine Patientenverfügung vorgelegt wird.
Methode Alle Patienten, die zwischen dem 1. Januar 2008 und dem 31. Juli 2016 nach OHCA in unser Krankenhaus eingeliefert wurden, wurden anhand eines zentralen Aufnahmeregisters erfasst. Die personenbezogenen Daten wurden aus den Patientenunterlagen ermittelt und anonymisiert in einer zentralen Datenbank gespeichert.
Ergebnisse Insgesamt wurden zwischen dem 1. Januar 2008 und dem 31. Juli 2016 343 Patienten nach außerklinischem Herzstillstand in unser Krankenhaus eingeliefert, darunter 16 Patienten (4,7 %), bei denen eine Patientenverfügung und 18 Patienten (5,2 %), bei denen eine Vorsorgevollmacht vorgelegt wurde. Die Überlebensrate lag bei Patienten mit Patientenverfügung bei 31,2 %, bei Patienten mit Vorsorgevollmacht bei 27,8 % und bei Patienten ohne schriftlich fixierten Patientenwunsch bei 33,3 %.
Folgerung Der Anteil an Patienten, bei denen in der Postreanimationsbehandlung nach OHCA eine Patientenverfügung vorgelegt wurde, ist gering. Wird bei Patienten nach OHCA jedoch eine Patientenverfügung oder Vorsorgevollmacht vorgelegt, ist dies nicht gleichbedeutend mit dem Versterben der betroffenen Patienten. Die Begrenzung intensivmedizinischer Maßnahmen resultiert am häufigsten aus Angehörigengesprächen.
Labiale Gingivarezessionen und die Proklination von Unterkiefer-Schneidezähnen nach Behandlung
Authors: Renkema Anne-Marie , Navratilova Zuzanna , Mazurova Katerina , Katsaros Christos , Fudalej Piotr 
Published: July 2017

Zusammenfassung
Einleitung Eine Grundvoraussetzung für die Entstehung einer Gingivarezession ist das Vorliegen einer alveolären Knochendehiszenz. Eine Proklination der Unterkiefer-Schneidezähne kann zu einer Ausdünnung der Alveole und zu Dehiszenzbildung führen.
Zielsetzung Untersuchung eines Zusammenhangs zwischen der Proklination der Unterkiefer-Schneidezähne und der Entstehung von Gingivarezessionen.
Methoden Insgesamt 117 Probanden, die folgende Einschlusskriterien erfüllten, wurden in die Studie aufgenommen: 1. Alter 11–14 Jahre zu Beginn der kieferorthopädischen Behandlung (TS); 2. Platzierung eines geklebten Retainers unmittelbar nach Behandlung (T0); 3. Modelle und laterale Fernröntgenaufnahmen vor Behandlung (TS), nach Behandlung (T0) und 5 Jahre nach Behandlung (T5) verfügbar; und 4. Inklination der Unterkiefer-Schneidezähne (Inc_Incl) nach Behandlung (T0) von<95° oder >100,5°. Die Probanden wurden 2 Gruppen zugeordnet: nicht prokliniert (N=57; mittlere Inc_Incl=90,8°) und prokliniert (N=60; mittlere Inc_Incl=105,2°). Die klinischen Kronenhöhen der Unterkiefer-Schneidezähne und das Vorliegen von Stellen mit Gingivarezession in diesem Bereich wurden auf Gipsmodellen untersucht. Zur Analyse der Unterschiede zwischen den Gruppen wurden Berechnungen mittels Fishers exakter-Tests, t-Tests und Regressionsmodellen durchgeführt.
Ergebnisse Die mittlere Zunahme der klinischen Kronenhöhen (zwischen T0 und T5) der Unterkiefer-Schneidezähne variierte zwischen 0,75 mm in der nicht proklinierten und 0,83 mm in der proklinierten Gruppe (p=0,273). Bei T5 waren Stellen mit Gingivarezessionen bei 12,3 bzw. 11,7% der Patienten in der nicht proklinierten bzw. proklinierten Gruppe vorhanden. Der Unterschied war auch nicht signifikant (p=0,851).
Schlussfolgerungen Während der 5-jährigen Beobachtungsphase führte die Proklination der Unterkiefer-Schneidezähne nicht zu einem erhöhten Risiko zur Entstehung einer Gingivarezession im Vergleich zu nicht proklinierten Zähnen.