bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The atypical dopamine receptor agonist SKF 83959 enhances hippocampal and prefrontal cortical neuronal network activity in a rat model of cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Perreault Melissa L. , Fan Theresa , Banasikowski Tomek J. , Grace Anthony A. , George Susan R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDeficits in neuronal network synchrony in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex have been widely demonstrated in disorders of cognitive dysfunction, including schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The atypical dopamine agonist SKF 83959 has been shown to increase brain‐derived neurotrophic factor signalling and suppress activity of glycogen synthase kinase‐3 in PFC, two processes important to learning and memory. The purpose of this study was to therefore evaluate the impact of SKF 83959 on oscillatory deficits in methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) rat model of schizophrenia. To achieve this, local field potentials were recorded simultaneously from the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of anesthetized rats at 15 and 90 min following both acute and repeated administration of SKF 83959 (0.4 mg/kg). In MAM rats, but not controls, repeated SKF 83959 treatment increased signal amplitude in hippocampus and enhanced the spectral power of low frequency delta and theta oscillations in this region. In PFC, SKF 83959 increased delta, theta and gamma spectral power. Increased HIP‐PFC theta coherence was also evident following acute and repeated SKF 83959. In apparent contradiction to these oscillatory effects, in MAM rats, SKF 83959 inhibited spatial learning and induced a significant increase in thigmotactic behaviour. These findings have uncovered a previously unknown role for SKF 83959 in the positive regulation of hippocampal–prefrontal cortical oscillatory network activity. As SKF 83959 is known to have affinity for a number of receptors, delineating the receptor mechanisms that mediate the positive drug effects on neuronal oscillations could have significant future implications in disorders associated with cognitive dysfunction.
Update on the mechanisms and roles of high‐frequency oscillations in seizures and epileptic disorders
Authors: Jiruska Premysl , Alvarado‐Rojas Catalina , Schevon Catherine A. , Staba Richard , Stacey William , Wendling Fabrice , Avoli Massimo 
Published: July 2017

SummaryHigh‐frequency oscillations (HFOs) are a type of brain activity that is recorded from brain regions capable of generating seizures. Because of the close association of HFOs with epileptogenic tissue and ictogenesis, understanding their cellular and network mechanisms could provide valuable information about the organization of epileptogenic networks and how seizures emerge from the abnormal activity of these networks. In this review, we summarize the most recent advances in the field of HFOs and provide a critical evaluation of new observations within the context of already established knowledge. Recent improvements in recording technology and the introduction of optogenetics into epilepsy research have intensified experimental work on HFOs. Using advanced computer models, new cellular substrates of epileptic HFOs were identified and the role of specific neuronal subtypes in HFO genesis was determined. Traditionally, the pathogenesis of HFOs was explored mainly in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and in animal models mimicking this condition. HFOs have also been reported to occur in other epileptic disorders and models such as neocortical epilepsy, genetically determined epilepsies, and infantile spasms, which further support the significance of HFOs in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. It is increasingly recognized that HFOs are generated by multiple mechanisms at both the cellular and network levels. Future studies on HFOs combining novel high‐resolution in vivo imaging techniques and precise control of neuronal behavior using optogenetics or chemogenetics will provide evidence about the causal role of HFOs in seizures and epileptogenesis. Detailed understanding of the pathophysiology of HFOs will propel better HFO classification and increase their information yield for clinical and diagnostic purposes.
Female wolf spiders exert cryptic control drastically reducing ejaculate size
Authors: Albo Maria J. , Costa Fernando G. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSexes' roles in post‐copulatory processes have important effects on individual fitness and are promising to study in species showing complex mating behaviours. In the spider Schizocosa malitiosa, males perform two different copulatory patterns, pattern 1 includes 80% of total pedipalp insertions and pattern 2 includes 20%. Both patterns produce similar number of offspring, but pattern 1 induces higher female reluctance to remating than pattern 2. We hypothesised that the complex copulatory patterns are linked to post‐copulatory sexual selection, affecting males' sperm transfer and the resulting sperm storage by females. First, we examined amounts of sperm in males and live females from uninterrupted (pattern 1 + 2) and interrupted matings (pattern 1, pattern 2). Second, in order to disentangle male and female actions, we induced males to mate with dead females and examined amounts of sperm. Males transfer in total 71% of the sperm available in their pedipalps, being higher but not significant in pattern 1 than in pattern 2. Females drastically reduced the amount of sperm stored in their spermathecae and such control is stronger in pattern 1 compared to pattern 2 matings. We propose that cryptic female control is a main factor driving males to strengthen sperm transfer. Active female reduction in ejaculate most probably diminished her reluctance to remate.
Imiquimod‐applied Interleukin‐10 deficient mice better reflects severe and persistent psoriasis with systemic inflammatory state
Authors: Jin Seon‐Pil , Koh Seong‐joon , Yu Da‐Ae , Kim Min‐Woo , Yun Hee Tae , Lee Dong Hun , Yoon Hyun‐Sun , Cho Soyun , Park Hyun‐sun 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that imiquimod‐induced psoriasis‐like skin inflammation in mice resembles phenotypic changes and cytokine profiles of human psoriasis. However, a psoriasis animal model reflecting the chronic inflammatory course and comorbidities has not yet been established. We aimed to evaluate the imiquimod‐applied interleukin (IL)‐10 deficient mouse model in comparison with previous models. IL‐10 deficient and wild‐type (WT) mice received either imiquimod or vehicle cream for 12 days and were sacrificed on day 15. For earlier time point data, either imiquimod or vehicle cream was applied for 2 days, and the mice were sacrificed on day 3. Imiquimod‐applied IL‐10 deficient mice showed more persistent psoriasis‐like inflammation and higher severity index than did WT between day 8 and 15. Histopathologically, they demonstrated significantly thicker epidermis and larger number of CD45+, myeloperoxidase+ and IL‐17+ cell counts on day 15. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction with skin tissue revealed significantly higher imiquimod‐induced IL‐23p19 expression in imiquimod‐applied IL‐10 deficient mice on day 15. IL‐10 deficient mice also showed significantly higher serum levels of imiquimod‐induced IL‐17A and tumor necrosis factor‐α by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay on day 15. Furthermore, IL‐10 deficient mice showed more prominent increase of spleen weight and decrease of body weight in response to imiquimod application on day 3 and 15. In conclusion, IL‐10 deficient mice model with imiquimod application may better reflect severe and persistent psoriasis with systemic inflammatory state.
Reconstructing 290 years of a data‐poor fishery through ethnographic and archival research: The East Pacific green turtle (Chelonia mydas) in Baja California, Mexico
Authors: Early‐Capistrán Michelle‐María , Sáenz‐Arroyo Andrea , Cardoso‐Mohedano José‐Gilberto , Garibay‐Melo Gerardo , Peckham S Hoyt , Koch Volker 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEvaluating historical changes in the exploitation of marine organisms is a key challenge in fisheries ecology and marine conservation. In the Eastern Pacific, marine turtles were exploited for millennia before systematic monitoring began <50 years ago. Using ethnographic and historical data, we generated a detailed reconstruction of the East Pacific green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) fishery in Mexico's Baja California peninsula from 1700 to 1990. Sea turtles from the region's important feeding areas were a staple food source from the earliest phases of human occupation, dating back at least 12,000 years. In contrast with regions such as the Caribbean, small human populations and limited market access resulted in apparently sustainable turtle harvests until the second half of the 20th century. We found that the estimated annual catches between 1960 and 1980 exceeded the estimated annual catches of the previous 250 years by an order of magnitude, leading to the collapse of the fishery and the depletion of the green turtle population. A total ban on sea turtle captures in 1990, comprehensive nesting beach protection, and significant conservation efforts resulted in increases in breeding females on nesting beaches and catch rates in scientific monitoring on main feeding grounds since the early 2000s. This provides a positive outlook for this once‐depleted population segment. Although further research is needed to evaluate current conservation status, we have identified a date, between 1950 and 1960, which can serve as a reliable temporal reference for future evaluations of historical baseline abundance in this region.
Substrate specificity and reaction mechanism of human prolidase
Authors: Wilk Piotr , Uehlein Monika , Kalms Jacqueline , Dobbek Holger , Mueller Uwe , Weiss Manfred S. 
Published: July 2017

Prolidase is a ubiquitously distributed dipeptidase and the only dipeptidase in humans capable of cleaving the peptide bond preceding the amino acids proline (Pro) or hydroxyproline (Hyp). It is mainly implicated in the degradation of dietary and endogenous proteins. It is also involved in the terminal steps of collagen catabolism by hydrolyzing Pro and Hyp‐containing dipeptides. Finally, it is believed to play a role in the regulation of peptidic hormones. Diminished or absent prolidase activity is related to a rare autosomal disease, referred to as prolidase deficiency (PD). This disease manifests itself by a variety of clinical symptoms. To date, there is no definitive cure to PD. This may in part be due to an incomplete understanding of the wild‐type (wt) enzyme with respect to substrate‐binding mode and consequently the mechanism of the catalyzed reaction. In this work, we describe the high‐resolution crystal structures of the wt human prolidase in the ligand‐free form as well as in substrate‐bound states and in complex with the cleavage product Pro. This series of structures provides much relevant information for the definition of substrate‐binding and the reaction mechanism. A recent study on Escherichia coli prolidase revealed how substrates of different length are discriminated. Here, based on our own structural results, we evaluate and extend this analysis. Moreover, we describe and analyze substrate and product binding in the active site and we propose that the crucial catalytic moiety is actually a hydroxide ion. This information significantly advances our understanding of prolidase‐based pathologies.DatabaseThe refined structure coordinates as well as the corresponding structure factor amplitudes have been deposited in the PDB under the accession numbers 5M4G, 5M4J, 5M4L, and 5M4Q.
Qualitative insights into the experience of teaching shared decision making within adult education health literacy programmes for lower‐literacy learners
Authors: Muscat Danielle M. , Morony Suzanne , Smith Sian K. , Shepherd Heather L. , Dhillon Haryana M. , Hayen Andrew , Trevena Lyndal , Luxford Karen , Nutbeam Don , McCaffery Kirsten J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundEnhancing health literacy can play a major role in improving healthcare and health across the globe. To build higher‐order (communicative/critical) health literacy skills among socially disadvantaged Australians, we developed a novel shared decision making (SDM) training programme for adults with lower literacy. The programme was delivered by trained educators within an adult basic education health literacy course.ObjectiveTo explore the experience of teaching SDM within a health literacy programme and investigate whether communicative/critical health literacy content meets learner needs and teaching and institutional objectives.Design and participantsQualitative interview study with 11 educators who delivered the SDM programme. Transcripts were analysed using the Framework approach; a matrix‐based method of thematic analysis.ResultsTeachers noted congruence in SDM content and the institutional commitment to learner empowerment in adult education. The SDM programme was seen to offer learners an alternative to their usual passive approach to healthcare decision making by raising awareness of the right to ask questions and consider alternative test/treatment options. Teachers valued a structured approach to training building on foundational skills, with language reinforcement and take‐home resources, but many noted the need for additional time to develop learner understanding and cover all aspects of SDM. Challenges for adult learners included SDM terminology, computational numerical risk tasks and understanding probability concepts.Discussion and conclusionsSDM programmes can be designed in a way that both supports teachers to deliver novel health literacy content and empowers learners. Collaboration between adult education and healthcare sectors can build health literacy capacity of those most in need.
TdT expression in normal and neoplastic sebaceous cells
Authors: Tzorakoleftheraki Sofia‐Eleni , Iliadis Alexandros , Kostopoulos Ioannis , Koletsa Triantafyllia 
Published: July 2017

AimsTerminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) is a DNA polymerase expressed in immature, normal and neoplastic, lymphoid or haematopoietic cells and in neuroendocrine carcinomas, such as Merkel cell carcinoma and small‐cell carcinoma. It has not yet been described in cells of epithelial origin. After observing TdT immunoreactivity in normal sebaceous glands, we analysed its spectrum of expression in cases of sebaceous cell hyperplasia (SGH) and sebaceous cell neoplasm.Methods and resultsTwelve cases of SGH and three cases of other benign lesions, namely sebaceoma, sebaceous adenoma, and sebaceous naevus, along with four archived cases of sebaceous cell carcinoma (SC) were collected and stained with TdT antibody. In addition, tissue microarrays were constructed from 11 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 10 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which had nine evaluable cases each, and, after carcinoma type confirmation with immunostaining for epithelial membrane antigen, TdT immunohistochemistry was performed. All cases of SGH and sebaceous cell neoplasm were positive for TdT. The staining intensity was variable, being often weak to moderate in a significant proportion of cells, apart from one case of SC and the case of sebaceous naevus, which were only focally positive. No BCCs and only one SCC showed immunoreactivity.ConclusionsTdT protein can be found in cells of epithelial origin and specifically sebaceous cells, both benign and malignant. It can be hypothesized that this expression is due to sebaceous cell differentiation as a prelude to apoptosis and holocrine secretion. Additional studies are needed to further elucidate its biological role.
Online Principal Component Analysis in High Dimension: Which Algorithm to Choose?
Authors: Cardot Hervé , Degras David 
Published: July 2017

SummaryPrincipal component analysis (PCA) is a method of choice for dimension reduction. In the current context of data explosion, online techniques that do not require storing all data in memory are indispensable to perform the PCA of streaming data and/or massive data. Despite the wide availability of recursive algorithms that can efficiently update the PCA when new data are observed, the literature offers little guidance on how to select a suitable algorithm for a given application. This paper reviews the main approaches to online PCA, namely, perturbation techniques, incremental methods and stochastic optimisation, and compares the most widely employed techniques in terms statistical accuracy, computation time and memory requirements using artificial and real data. Extensions of online PCA to missing data and to functional data are detailed. All studied algorithms are available in the package onlinePCA on CRAN.
A qualitative study exploring how pharmacist and nurse independent prescribers make clinical decisions
Authors: Abuzour Aseel S. , Lewis Penny J. , Tully Mary P. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to explore how secondary care pharmacist and nurse independent prescribers clinically reason when making prescribing decisions.BackgroundClinical reasoning is a central component of prescribers’ competence and professional autonomy when reaching a clinically appropriate decision. Like doctors, pharmacist and nurse independent prescribers in the UK have extensive prescribing rights, but little is known about their clinical reasoning.DesignA qualitative approach using a think‐aloud methodology and semi‐structured interviews.MethodsEleven nurse and 10 pharmacist independent prescribers were asked to think‐aloud about validated clinical vignettes prior to interview, between March ‐ December 2015. Data were analysed using a constant‐comparative approach.ResultsA strong link between clinical knowledge, grounded in previous experience and clinical reasoning was found. Despite prescribers approaching the clinical vignettes holistically, their focus varied according to professional background and job role. Nurses were more likely to describe interacting with patients, compared with pharmacists who were more focused on medical notes and laboratory results. Think‐aloud protocol analysis revealed a distinct pattern in the process undertaken to reach a clinical decision. This is presented as a decision‐making model, encompassing case familiarization, generating hypotheses, case assessment, final hypotheses and decision‐making stages, which oscillated throughout the model.ConclusionThis is the first study to explore the clinical reasoning processes of secondary care pharmacist and nurse independent prescribers. The resultant decision‐making model shows clinical reasoning as a complex and dynamic process. This model can inform the training of independent prescribers to become accurate problem solvers and continue making clinically appropriate decisions.
Epigenetics in Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
Authors: McPherson Suzanne , McMullin Mary Frances , Mills Ken 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA decade on from the description of JAK2 V617F, the MPNs are circumscribed by an increasingly intricate landscape. There is now evidence that they are likely the result of combined genetic dysregulation, with several mutated genes involved in the regulation of epigenetic mechanisms. Epigenetic changes are not due to a change in the DNA sequence but are reversible modifications that dictate the way in which genes may be expressed (or silenced). Among the epigenetic mechanisms, DNA methylation is probably the best described. Currently known MPN‐associated mutations now include JAK2, MPL, LNK, CBL, CALR, TET2, ASXL1, IDH1, IDH2, IKZF1 and EZH2. Enhancing our knowledge about the mutation profile of patients may allow them to be stratified into risk groups which would aid clinical decision making. Ongoing work will answer whether the use of epigenetic therapies as alterative pathway targets in combination with JAK inhibitors may be more effective than single agent treatment.
Virulence‐associated factors in Vibrio cholerae non‐O1/non‐O139 and V. mimicus strains isolated in ornamental fish species
Authors: Zago V , Zambon M , Civettini M , Zaltum O , Manfrin A 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDuring recent decades, ornamental fish have proven to be one of the fastest growing categories of pets in Europe. In this framework, we evaluated both the potential pathogenic and zoonotic risks caused by 53 Vibrio cholerae non‐O1/non‐O139 and a Vibrio mimicus strain isolated from ornamental fish species mostly originating from South‐East Asia countries between 2000 and 2015 in Italy. All the strains were firstly identified at species level by biochemical, phylogenetic and mass spectrometry (matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight) methods, and then studied to reveal the presence of the main virulence and colonization‐associated factors, as ctxA, ace, zot, stn/sto, toxR, rtxA, hlyA and tcpA by multiplex and single endpoint PCR assays. Findings showed that 21 of 54 strains harboured at least one virulence factor with a predominance for the toxR+, rtxA+ and hlyAET+ genotype. Interestingly, the V. mimicus strain harboured the colonization factor and the CTX prophage receptor, tcpA, indicating the ability to capture and integrate it in its genome increasing its pathogenicity. Although these enterotoxins can sporadically cause gastroenteritis, the results highlight their probable involvement in causing severe implications for public health, suggesting the need for an European microbiological monitoring.
Direct observations of dynamic PtCo interactions in fuel cell catalyst precursors at the atomic level using E(S)TEM
Authors: WARD M.R. , THEOBALD B. , SHARMAN J. , BOYES E.D. , GAI P.L. 
Published: July 2017

SummaryReduction reactions in practical bimetallic platinum–cobalt electrode catalyst precursors containing platinum, cobalt and cobalt oxides in hydrogen at 200, 450 and 700 °C for 6 h have been studied in situ using an aberration corrected environmental (scanning) transmission electron microscope (AC E(S)TEM). Little difference was observed in reduction at 200 °C but during and after reduction at 450 °C, small nanoparticles less than 3 nm in diameter with tetragonal PtCo structures were observed and limited Pt3Co ordering could be seen on the surfaces of larger nanoparticles. During and after reduction at 700 °C, fully ordered Pt3Co and PtCo nanoparticles larger than 4 nm were produced and the average nanoparticle size almost trebled relative to the fresh precursor. After reduction at 450 and 700 °C, most nanoparticles were disordered platinum/cobalt alloys with fcc structure. After reduction at 700 °C many of the smallest nanoparticles disappeared suggesting Ostwald ripening had occurred. Mechanisms concerning the thermal transformation of mixed cobalt and platinum species are discussed, offering new insights into the creation of bimetallic platinum–cobalt nanoparticles in fuel cell catalysts.