bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequent interruptions of sedentary time modulates contraction- and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake pathways in muscle: Ancillary analysis from randomized clinical trials
Authors: Bergouignan Audrey , Latouche Celine , Heywood Sarah , Grace Megan S. , Reddy-Luthmoodoo Medini , Natoli Alaina K. , Owen Neville , Dunstan David W. , Kingwell Bronwyn A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractEpidemiological studies have observed associations between frequent interruptions of sitting time with physical activity bouts and beneficial metabolic outcomes, even in individuals who regularly exercise. Frequent interruptions to prolonged sitting reduce postprandial plasma glucose. Here we studied potential skeletal muscle mechanisms accounting for this improved control of glycemia in overweight adults under conditions of one day uninterrupted sitting and sitting interrupted with light-intensity or moderate-intensity walking every 20-min (n = 8); and, after three days of either uninterrupted sitting or light-intensity walking interruptions (n = 5). Contraction- and insulin-mediated glucose uptake signaling pathways as well as changes in oxidative phosphorylation proteins were examined. We showed that 1) both interventions reduce postprandial glucose concentration, 2) acute interruptions to sitting over one day stimulate the contraction-mediated glucose uptake pathway, 3) both acute interruptions to sitting with moderate-intensity activity over one day and light-intensity activity over three days induce a transition to modulation of the insulin-signaling pathway, in association with increased capacity for glucose transport. Only the moderate-intensity interruptions resulted in greater capacity for glycogen synthesis and likely for ATP production. These observations contribute to a mechanistic explanation of improved postprandial glucose metabolism with regular interruptions to sitting time, a promising preventive strategy for metabolic diseases.
Induction of renal senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30) expression by testosterone and its contribution to urinary calcium absorption in male rats
Authors: Lin Po-Han , Jian Cai-Yun , Chou Jou-Chun , Chen Chien-Wei , Chen Chih-Chieh , Soong Christina , Hu Sindy , Lieu Fu-Kong , Wang Paulus S. , Wang Shyi-Wu 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of androgen, mainly testosterone, in the expression of renal senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30) in male rats. We found that the renal SMP30 expression was up-regulated by endogenous testosterone stimulation during puberty. Interestingly, androgen-deficient orchidectomized (ORX) rats exhibited lower SMP30 mRNA and protein expression in the kidney, and that was restored by testosterone propionate (TP) replacement. Abrogation of androgen receptor (AR) activity by co-treatment with flutamide abolished testosterone-induced SMP30 expression in the kidney as well as in the NRK52E cells. However, SMP30 expression was unaltered in the liver of ORX rats. We also showed a positive correlation between renal SMP30 expression and plasma testosterone level during the aging process. TP-induced SMP30 expression in ovariectomized (OVX) rats was observed and was an evidence to explain the gender difference of SMP30 levels. Immunofluorescence assay showed that renal SMP30 was specifically expressed in the proximal tubular segments of the kidney. The urinary Ca2+ level was increased in both ORX and male aging rats. Taken together, our results indicate a novel role of testosterone in regulating SMP30 expression specifically in the kidney to contribute to urinary calcium absorption.
Aberrant expression of miR-153 is associated with overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in refractory epilepsy
Authors: Li Yaohua , Huang Cheng , Feng Peimin , Jiang Yanping , Wang Wei , Zhou Dong , Chen Lei 
Published: August 2016

AbstractEvidence suggest that overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is linked to multidrug resistance of epilepsy. Here we explored whether aberrant expression of HIF-1α is regulated by miRNAs. Genome-wide microRNA expression profiling was performed on temporal cortex resected from mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) patients and age-matched controls. miRNAs that are putative regulator of HIF-1α were predicted via target scan and confirmed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Mimics or miRNA morpholino inhibitors were transfected in astrocytes and luciferase reporter assay was applied to detect HIF-11α expression. Microarray profiling identified down-regulated miR-153 as a putative regulator of HIF-1α in temporal cortex resected from surgical mTLE patients. RT-qPCR confirmed down-regulation of miR-153 in plasma of mTLE patients in an independent validation cohort. Knockdown of miR-153 significantly enhanced expression of HIF-1α while forced expression of miR-153 dramatically inhibited HIF-1α expression in pharmacoresistant astrocyte model. Luciferase assay established that miR-153 might inhibit HIF-1α expression via directly targeting two binding sites in the 3′UTR region of HIF-1α transcript. These data suggest that down-regulation of miR-153 may contribute to enhanced expression of HIF-1α in mTLE and serve as a novel biomarker and treatment target for epilepsy.
PAFR activation of NF-κB p65 or p105 precursor dictates pro- and anti-inflammatory responses during TLR activation in murine macrophages
Authors: Ishizuka Edson K. , Filgueiras Luciano Ribeiro , Rios Francisco J. , Serezani Carlos H. , Jancar Sonia 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPlatelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) implicated in many diseases. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in shaping innate and adaptive immune responses. In this study, we investigated whether PAFR signaling changes the macrophages responsiveness to agonists of TLR2 (Pam3Cys), TLR4 (LPS), and TLR3 agonist Poly(I:C). Exogenous PAF inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12p40, IL-6, and TNF-α) and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 in macrophages challenged with Pam3Cys and LPS, but not with Poly (I:C). PAF did not affect mRNA expression of MyD88, suggesting that PAF acts downstream the adaptor. PAF inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and increased NF-κB p105 phosphorylation, which is processed in the proteasome to generate p50 subunit. The PAF potentiation of IL-10 production was dependent on proteasome processing but independent of NF-κB transactivation domain. Inhibition of p50 abolished the PAF-induced IL-10 production. These findings indicate that the impaired transcriptional activity of the p65 subunit and the enhanced p105 phosphorylation induced by PAF are responsible for down regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and up regulation of IL-10, respectively, in LPS-challenged macrophages. Together, our data unveil a heretofore unrecognized role for PAFR in modulating activation of NF-κB in macrophages.
Weakening of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall due to Changes in Land Use Land Cover
Authors: Paul Supantha , Ghosh Subimal , Oglesby Robert , Pathak Amey , Chandrasekharan Anita , Ramsankaran RAAJ 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWeakening of Indian summer monsoon rainfall (ISMR) is traditionally linked with large-scale perturbations and circulations. However, the impacts of local changes in land use and land cover (LULC) on ISMR have yet to be explored. Here, we analyzed this topic using the regional Weather Research and Forecasting model with European Center for Medium range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) reanalysis data for the years 2000–2010 as a boundary condition and with LULC data from 1987 and 2005. The differences in LULC between 1987 and 2005 showed deforestation with conversion of forest land to crop land, though the magnitude of such conversion is uncertain because of the coarse resolution of satellite images and use of differential sources and methods for data extraction. We performed a sensitivity analysis to understand the impacts of large-scale deforestation in India on monsoon precipitation and found such impacts are similar to the observed changes in terms of spatial patterns and magnitude. We found that deforestation results in weakening of the ISMR because of the decrease in evapotranspiration and subsequent decrease in the recycled component of precipitation.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: PPP1, a plant-specific regulator of transcription controls Arabidopsis development and PIN expression
Authors: Benjamins René , Barbez Elke , Ortbauer Martina , Terpstra Inez , Lucyshyn Doris , Moulinier-Anzola Jeanette , Khan Muhammad Asaf , Leitner Johannes , Malenica Nenad , Butt Haroon , Korbei Barbara , Scheres Ben , Kleine-Vehn Jürgen , Luschnig Christian 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDirectional transport of auxin is essential for plant development, with PIN auxin transport proteins representing an integral part of the machinery that controls hormone distribution. However, unlike the rapidly emerging framework of molecular determinants regulating PIN protein abundance and subcellular localization, insights into mechanisms controlling PIN transcription are still limited. Here we describe PIN2 PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN 1 (PPP1), an evolutionary conserved plant-specific DNA binding protein that acts on transcription of PIN genes. Consistent with PPP1 DNA-binding activity, PPP1 reporter proteins are nuclear localized and analysis of PPP1 null alleles and knockdown lines indicated a function as a positive regulator of PIN expression. Furthermore, we show that ppp1 pleiotropic mutant phenotypes are partially reverted by PIN overexpression, and results are presented that underline a role of PPP1-PIN promoter interaction in PIN expression control. Collectively, our findings identify an elementary, thus far unknown, plant-specific DNA-binding protein required for post-embryonic plant development, in general, and correct expression of PIN genes, in particular.
Sulforaphane protects against rotenone-induced neurotoxicity in vivo: Involvement of the mTOR, Nrf2 and autophagy pathways
Authors: Zhou Qian , Chen Bin , Wang Xindong , Wu Lixin , Yang Yang , Cheng Xiaolan , Hu Zhengli , Cai Xueting , Yang Jie , Sun Xiaoyan , Lu Wuguang , Yan Huaijiang , Chen Jiao , Ye Juan , Shen Jianping , Cao Peng 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound found in cruciferous vegetables, has been shown to be neuroprotective in several neurological disorders. In this study, we sought to investigate the potential protective effects and associated molecular mechanisms of sulforaphane in an in vivo Parkinson’s disease (PD) model, based on rotenone-mediated neurotoxicity. Our results showed that sulforaphane inhibited rotenone-induced locomotor activity deficiency and dopaminergic neuronal loss. Additionally, sulforaphane treatment inhibited the rotenone-induced reactive oxygen species production, malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and resulted in an increased level of total glutathione and reduced glutathione (GSH): oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the brain. Western blot analysis illustrated that sulforaphane increased the expression of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), the latter two of which are anti-oxidative enzymes. Moreover, sulforaphane treatment significantly attenuated rotenone-inhibited mTOR-mediated p70S6K and 4E-BP1 signalling pathway, as well as neuronal apoptosis. In addition, sulforaphane rescued rotenone-inhibited autophagy, as detected by LC3-II. Collectively, these findings demonstrated that sulforaphane exert neuroprotective effect involving Nrf2-dependent reductions in oxidative stress, mTOR-dependent inhibition of neuronal apoptosis and the restoration of normal autophagy. Sulforaphane appears to be a promising compound with neuroprotective properties that may play an important role in preventing PD.
TGF-β1 promotes scar fibroblasts proliferation and transdifferentiation via up-regulating MicroRNA-21
Authors: Liu Ying , Li Yue , Li Ning , Teng Wen , Wang Min , Zhang Yingbo , Xiao Zhibo 
Published: August 2016

AbstractTGF-β1, upregulated in keloid tissue, promotes the proliferation, collagen formation and differentiation of dermal fibroblasts. miR-21 is one of microRNAs first found in human genome. The aim of our study is to explore the mechanisms of miR-21 in TGF-β1-induced scar fibroblasts proliferation and transdifferentiation. In the present study, first we found that TGF-β1 promoted scar fibroblasts proliferation and transdifferentiation via up-regulating miR-21 expression, which could be attenuated when miR-21 was inhibited. Overexpression of miR-21 had similar effect as TGF-β1 on proliferation and transdifferentiation. Additionally, TGF-β1 increased the expressions and activities of MMP2 and MMP9 in keloid fibroblasts, which was suppressed by miR-21 inhibition. Finally, the results demonstrated that PTEN/AKT signaling pathway played important role in TGF-β1-induced transdifferentiation. In conclusion, our study suggests that TGF-β1 promotes keloid fibroblasts proliferation and transdifferentiation via up-regulation of miR-21 and PTEN/AKT signalling pathway plays important role in this process, which provides a potential theoretical basis for clinical treatment of skin scars.
Gender, aging and longevity in humans: an update of an intriguing/neglected scenario paving the way to a gender-specific medicine
Authors: Ostan Rita , Monti Daniela , Gueresi Paola , Bussolotto Mauro , Franceschi Claudio , Baggio Giovannella 
Published: August 2016

Data showing a remarkable gender difference in life expectancy and mortality, including survival to extreme age, are reviewed starting from clinical and demographic data and stressing the importance of a comprehensive historical perspective and a gene–environment/lifestyle interaction. Gender difference regarding prevalence and incidence of the most important age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, disability, autoimmunity and infections, are reviewed and updated with particular attention to the role of the immune system and immunosenescence. On the whole, gender differences appear to be pervasive and still poorly considered and investigated despite their biomedical relevance. The basic biological mechanisms responsible for gender differences in aging and longevity are quite complex and still poorly understood. The present review focuses on centenarians and their offspring as a model of healthy aging and summarizes available knowledge on three basic biological phenomena, i.e. age-related X chromosome inactivation skewing, gut microbiome changes and maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA genetic variants. In conclusion, an appropriate gender-specific medicine approach is urgently needed and should be systematically pursued in studies on healthy aging, longevity and age-related diseases, in a globalized world characterized by great gender differences which have a high impact on health and diseases.
Is There a Relationship Between Speech Identification in Noise and Categorical Perception in Children With Dyslexia?
Authors: Calcus Axelle , Lorenzi Christian , Collet Gregory , Colin Cécile , Kolinsky Régine 
Published: August 2016

Purpose
Children with dyslexia have been suggested to experience deficits in both categorical perception (CP) and speech identification in noise (SIN) perception. However, results regarding both abilities are inconsistent, and the relationship between them is still unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between CP and the psychometric function of SIN perception.

Method
Sixteen children with dyslexia, 16 chronological-age controls, and 16 reading-level controls were evaluated in CP of a voicing continuum and in consonant identification in both stationary and fluctuating noises.

Results
There was a small but significant impairment in speech identification performance of children with dyslexia in stationary noise compared with chronological age–matched controls (but not reading level–matched controls). However, their performance increased in a fluctuating background, hence suggesting normal masking and unmasking effects and preserved sensory processing of speech information. Regarding CP, location of the phoneme boundary differed in the children with dyslexia compared with both control groups. However, scrutinizing individual profiles failed to reveal consistently poor performance in SIN and CP tasks. In addition, there was no significant correlation between CP, SIN perception, and reading scores in the group with dyslexia.

Conclusions
The relationship between the SIN deficit and CP, and how they potentially affect reading in children with dyslexia, remains unclear. However, these results are inconsistent with the notion that children with dyslexia suffer from a low-level temporal processing deficit and rather suggest a role of nonsensory (e.g., attentional) factors in their speech perception difficulties.
Fundamental structures of dynamic social networks
Authors: Sekara Vedran , Stopczynski Arkadiusz , Lehmann Sune 
Published: August 2016

Significance
We study the dynamic network of real world person-to-person interactions between approximately 1,000 individuals with 5-min resolution across several months. There is currently no coherent theoretical framework for summarizing the tens of thousands of interactions per day in this complex network, but here we show that at the right temporal resolution, social groups can be identified directly. We outline and validate a framework that enables us to study the statistical properties of individual social events as well as series of meetings across weeks and months. Representing the dynamic network as sequences of such meetings reduces the complexity of the system dramatically. We illustrate the usefulness of the framework by investigating the predictability of human social activity.
Cotton and textiles industries in Tanzania: the failures of liberalisation
Authors: Coulson Andrew 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACTThis article uses the story of cotton cultivation in Tanzania to analyse critically the processes of liberalisation and expose the failure of markets to reward quality production. It starts by summarising the technological requirements to grow the crop. It then shows how cotton was central to industrialisation, in Britain and elsewhere. In Tanzania, cotton is grown on small farms and so the article then summarises how small farmers make choices and minimise risks. This creates the context for outline histories, first of cotton growing, and then of textile industries in Tanzania, before turning to the impact of structural adjustment and liberalisation in the late 1980s and 1990s which led to increases in production but losses in quality and price. The article draws conclusions from this about the role of agriculture in processes of economic transformation and the need for institutions which represent the economic interests of small farmers.
Lionel Cliffe and the generation(s) of Zimbabwean politics
Authors: Moore David 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
Lionel Cliffe’s idea of ‘generations’ was a way of understanding the structure/agency divide and internecine struggles among Zimbabwe’s nascent ruling classes during its liberation struggle. Here, its utility as an analytical tool on factional conflict is assessed. Cliffe’s own involvement in the Zimbabwe African National Union’s history is also examined as a lens on its generational and ideological contradictions. Further, archival evidence of the British state’s observations of Mugabe illustrates how he fused the contradictions of age cohorts, points of entry into the struggle, political philosophy and international dimensions, and suggests, too, the difficulties of outsiders’ understanding of complex struggles.
Village land politics and the legacy of ujamaa
Authors: Greco Elisa 
Published: August 2016

ABSTRACT
The paper explores the legacies of ujamaa for Tanzanian village land management through the analysis of ethnographic data. The first section considers the ujamaa legacies for Tanzanian village administrative and political institutions and the weight of past top-down politics. In the second section, village land politics are investigated in the light of the reform of the land laws in order then to underline the role of village authorities in collective land claims and to illustrate how village land allocations occur in practice. The third section analyses data from three villages to reflect on the salience of village land politics and Village Land Use Plans. Ujamaa leaves its legacy in the continuity of a potential for democratisation from below resisting the continuity of authoritarianism and centralised decision making from above.
Fusion product studies via fast ion D–D and D–3He fusion on JET
Authors: Sharapov S.E. , Hellsten T. , Kiptily V.G. , Craciunescu T. , Eriksson J. , Fitzgerald M. , Girardo J.-B. , Goloborod’ko V. , Hellesen C. , Hjalmarsson A. , Johnson T. , Kazakov Y. , Koskela T. , Mantsinen M. , Monakhov I. , Nabais F. , Nocente M. , Perez von Thun C. , Rimini F. , Santala M. , Schneider M. , Tardocchi M. , Tsalas M. , Yavorskij V. , Zoita V. 
Published: August 2016

Abstract
Dedicated fast ion D–D and D–3He fusion experiments were performed on JET with carbon wall (2008) and ITER-like wall (2014) for testing the upgraded neutron and energetic ion diagnostics of fusion products. Energy spectrum of D–D neutrons was the focus of the studies in pure deuterium plasmas. A significant broadening of the energy spectrum of neutrons born in D–D fast fusion was observed, and dependence of the maximum D and D–D neutron energies on plasma density was established. Diagnostics of charged products of aneutronic D–3He fusion reactions, 3.7 MeV alpha-particles similar to those in D–T fusion, and 14.6 MeV protons, were the focus of the studies in D–3He plasmas. Measurements of 16.4 MeV gamma-rays born in the weak secondary branch of D(3He, γ)5Li reaction were used for assessing D–3He fusion power. For achieving high yield of D–D and D–3He reactions at relatively low levels of input heating power, an acceleration of D beam up to the MeV energy range was used employing 3rd harmonic (

f
=
3

f

C
D

) ICRH technique. These results were compared to the techniques of D beam injection into D–3He mixture, and 3He-minority ICRH in D plasmas.