bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of white matter abnormalities in early‐stage schizophrenia
Authors: Hummer Tom A. , Francis Michael M. , Vohs Jenifer L. , Liffick Emily , Mehdiyoun Nicole F. , Breier Alan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAimWhite matter abnormalities have been reported in schizophrenia and may indicate altered cortical network integrity and structural connectivity, which have been hypothesized as key pathophysiological components of this illness. In this study, we aimed to further characterize the nature and progression of white matter alterations during the early stages of the disorder.MethodsWe employed diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) approaches to investigate fractional anisotropy (FA), radial diffusivity (RD) and axial diffusivity (AD) in 40 patients with schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders (aged 18–30 years) who were within 5 years of illness, along with an age‐, sex‐ and race‐matched sample of 21 healthy controls. Relationships with illness duration, lifetime antipsychotic medication exposure and symptom levels were examined.ResultsPatients had lower FA and higher RD than controls in numerous white matter tracts, including the corpus callosum (CC) and the superior longitudinal fasciculus. Illness duration was associated with lower FA and higher RD, most prominently in the CC. No group differences or relationships to illness duration were detected with AD, and no relationships between any DTI measurements and lifetime antipsychotic medication use were found.ConclusionsThis investigation provides evidence of widespread disruptions to structural connectivity in the early stages of schizophrenia. The relationship to illness duration, coupled with an absence of relationships to AD or antipsychotic drug exposure, provides evidence of a progressive disease process, although prospective assessments with repeated DTI measurements are needed to fully characterize the trajectory of white matter abnormalities in this illness.
High‐frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus modulates neuronal activity in the lateral habenula nucleus
Authors: Hartung Henrike , Tan Sonny K. H. , Temel Yasin , Sharp Trevor 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHigh‐frequency stimulation (HFS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is often used to treat movement disability in advanced Parkinson's disease, but some patients experience debilitating psychiatric effects including depression. Interestingly, HFS of the STN modulates 5‐HT neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) which are linked to depression, but the neural substrate of this effect is unknown. Here, we tested the effect of STN stimulation on neuronal activity in the lateral habenula nucleus (LHb), an important source of input to DRN 5‐HT neurons and also a key controller of emotive behaviours. LHb neurons were monitored in anaesthetized rats using single‐unit extracellular recording, and localization within the LHb was confirmed by juxtacellular labelling. HFS of the STN (130 Hz) evoked rapid changes in the firing rate of the majority of LHb neurons tested (38 of 68). Some LHb neurons (19/68) were activated by HFS, while others (19/68), distinguished by a higher basal firing rate, were inhibited. LHb neurons that project to the DRN were identified using antidromic activation and collision testing (n = 17 neurons). Some of these neurons (5/17) were also excited by HFS of the STN, and others (7/17) were inhibited although this was only a statistical trend. In summary, HFS of the STN modulated the firing of LHb neurons, including those projecting to the DRN. The data identify that the STN impacts on the LHb‐DRN pathway. Moreover, this pathway may be part of the circuitry mediating the psychiatric effects of STN stimulation experienced by patients with Parkinson's disease.
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) gene: Beyond café au lait spots and dermal neurofibromas
Authors: Peltonen Sirkku , Kallionpää Roope A. , Peltonen Juha 
Published: September 2016

AbstractNeurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) occurs in 1:2000 births. The main diagnostic signs are visible on the skin, and this opens several interesting aspects for dermatological point of view. The NF1 syndrome is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene which encodes the tumor suppressor protein neurofibromin. Neurofibromin functions as a Ras‐GTPase‐activating protein (RasGAP), and NF1 mutations lead to overactivation of the Ras signalling pathway. The NF1 gene and neurofibromin have intriguing functions in keratinocytes and melanocytes. Neurofibromin regulates melanin synthesis and keratinocyte differentiation in a currently unknown manner. The NF1 gene has also an important but poorly understood role in tumorigenesis and cancer. Compared to the general population, NF1 patients have a fivefold risk for cancer and a more than 2000‐fold risk for neurogenic malignancies. Mutations of the NF1 gene are common in numerous cancer types in patients without NF1, and this suggests a more general role for the NF1 gene in oncogenesis. In melanoma, NF1 mutations seem to drive tumorigenesis and contribute to drug resistance. In this article, we review the literature on neurofibromin with special attention to keratinocytes, melanocytes, NF1‐related tumors and melanoma.
Family‐Focused Therapy for Bipolar Disorder: Reflections on 30 Years of Research
Authors: Miklowitz David J. , Chung Bowen 
Published: September 2016

Family‐focused therapy (FFT) is an evidence‐based intervention for adults and children with bipolar disorder (BD) and their caregivers, usually given in conjunction with pharmacotherapy after an illness episode. The treatment consists of conjoint sessions of psychoeducation regarding bipolar illness, communication enhancement training, and problem‐solving skills training. This paper summarizes over 30 years of research on FFT and family processes in BD. Across eight randomized controlled trials with adults and adolescents with BD, FFT and mood‐stabilizing medications have been found to hasten recovery from mood episodes, reduce recurrences, and reduce levels of symptom severity compared to briefer forms of psychoeducation and medications over 1–2 years. Several studies indicate that the effects of FFT on symptom improvement are greater among patients with high‐expressed emotion relatives. New research focuses on FFT as an early intervention for youth at risk for BD, neuroimaging as a means of evaluating treatment mechanisms, and progress in implementing FFT in community mental health settings.
Plasma vitamin C levels in ESRD patients and occurrence of hypochromic erythrocytes
Authors: Seibert Eric , Richter Anja , Kuhlmann Martin K. , Wang Suxin , Levin Nathan W. , Kotanko Peter , Handelman Garry J. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIntroduction: The achievement of erythropoiesis in hemodialysis (HD) patients is typically managed with erythropoiesis‐stimulating‐agents (ESA's) and intravenous iron (IV‐iron). Using this treatment strategy, HD patients frequently show an elevated fraction of red blood cells (RBC) with hemoglobin (Hb) content per cell that is below the normal range, called hypochromic RBC. The low Hb content per RBC is the result of the clinical challenge of providing sufficient iron content to the bone marrow during erythropoiesis. Vitamin C supplements have been used to increase Hb levels in HD patients with refractory anemia, which supports the hypothesis that vitamin C mobilizes iron needed for Hb synthesis.Methods: We conducted a cross‐sectional survey in 149 prevalent HD patients of the percent hypochromic RBC, defined as RBC with Hb < 300 ng/uL of packed RBC, in relation to plasma vitamin C levels. We also measured high‐sensitivity CRP, (hs‐CRP), iron, and ferritin levels. and calculated ESA dose.Findings: High plasma levels of vitamin C were negatively associated with hypochromic RBC (P < 0.003), and high ESA doses were positively associated (P < 0.001). There was no significant association of hs‐CRP with percent hypochromic RBC.Discussion: This finding supports the hypothesis that vitamin C mobilizes iron stores, improves iron delivery to the bone marrow, and increase the fraction of RBC with normal Hb content. Further research is warranted on development of protocols for safe and effective use of supplemental vitamin C for management of renal anemia.
An overview of Australia's temperate marine phylogeography, with new evidence from high‐dispersal gastropods
Authors: Teske Peter R. , Sandoval‐Castillo Jonathan , Waters Jonathan , Beheregaray Luciano B. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAimWe provide an overview of the location and ages of coastal phylogeographical breaks in southern Australian planktonic dispersers, and test the hypothesis that the absence of such breaks in some species is an artefact of insufficient resolution of genetic markers when such breaks evolved comparatively recently.LocationTemperate coastal Australia.MethodsWe generated a large (> 1500 individuals) data set from rapidly evolving microsatellite markers for two codistributed Australian coastal gastropods, and compared it with mitochondrial DNA data. Both study species, the snail Nerita atramentosa and the limpet Siphonaria diemenensis, have long planktonic dispersal phases, and neither taxon exhibits substantial regional genetic structure on the basis of mitochondrial DNA. We tested for the presence of genetic structure by means of AMOVA, Bayesian clustering (structure) and iterated realloction (flock).ResultsThere was no compelling evidence for the existence of more than one evolutionary lineage in either species.Main conclusionsDiscrepancies in the phylogeographical structuring of co‐distributed intertidal taxa cannot be attributed to insufficient marker resolution for the two species considered here, and likely reflect a combination of abiotic and biotic factors that include porous dispersal barriers, life history and species age/history. It appears that contemporary oceanography does not explain the presence of phylogeographical breaks, but may serve to maintain breaks that evolved earlier. Deep genetic divergence in some of the previously studied coastal invertebrates suggests that these could be cryptic species, in which case competitive exclusion may play a role in constraining species biogeography.
Conditioned media from human palatine tonsil mesenchymal stem cells regulates the interaction between myotubes and fibroblasts by IL‐1Ra activity
Authors: Cho Kyung‐Ah , Park Minhwa , Kim Yu‐Hee , Woo So‐Youn , Ryu Kyung‐Ha 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSaturated free fatty acids (FFAs) act as lipid mediators and induce insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Specifically, in obesity‐related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, FFAs directly reduce insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. However, the knowledge of how FFAs mediate inflammation and subsequent tissue disorders, including fibrosis in skeletal muscle, is limited. FFAs are a natural ligand for toll‐like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4, and induce chronic low‐grade inflammation that directly stimulates skeletal muscle tissue. However, persistent inflammatory stimulation in tissues could induce pro‐fibrogenic processes that ultimately lead to perturbation of the tissue architecture and dysfunction. Therefore, blocking the link between inflammatory primed skeletal muscle tissue and connective tissue might be an efficient therapeutic option for treating obesity‐induced muscle inactivity. In this study, we investigated the impact of conditioned medium obtained from human palatine tonsil‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (T‐MSCs) on the interaction between skeletal muscle cells stimulated with palmitic acid (PA) and fibroblasts. We found that PA‐treated skeletal muscle cells actively secreted interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and augmented the migration, proliferation and expression of fibronectin in L929 fibroblasts. Furthermore, T‐CM inhibited the skeletal muscle cell‐derived pro‐fibrogenic effect via the production of the interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra), which is an inhibitor of IL‐1 signalling. Taken together, our data provide novel insights into the therapeutic potential of T‐MSC‐mediated therapy for the treatment of pathophysiological processes that occur in skeletal muscle tissues under chronic inflammatory conditions.
Characteristics of socially successful elementary school‐aged children with autism
Authors: Locke Jill , Williams Justin , Shih Wendy , Kasari Connie 
Published: September 2016

BackgroundThe extant literature demonstrates that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have difficulty interacting and socially connecting with typically developing classmates. However, some children with ASD have social outcomes that are consistent with their typically developing counterparts. Little is known about this subgroup of children with ASD. This study examined the stable (unlikely to change) and malleable (changeable) characteristics of socially successful children with ASD.MethodsThis study used baseline data from three intervention studies performed in public schools in the Southwestern United States. A total of 148 elementary‐aged children with ASD in 130 classrooms in 47 public schools participated. Measures of playground peer engagement and social network salience (inclusion in informal peer groups) were obtained.ResultsThe results demonstrated that a number of malleable factors significantly predicted playground peer engagement (class size, autism symptom severity, peer connections) and social network salience (autism symptom severity, peer connections, received friendships). In addition, age was the only stable factor that significantly predicted social network salience. Interestingly, two malleable (i.e., peer connections and received friendships) and no stable factors (i.e., age, IQ, sex) predicted overall social success (e.g., high playground peer engagement and social network salience) in children with ASD.ConclusionsSchool‐based interventions should address malleable factors such as the number of peer connections and received friendships that predict the best social outcomes for children with ASD.
Acceptability of an online modified Delphi panel approach for developing health services performance measures: results from 3 panels on arthritis research
Authors: Khodyakov Dmitry , Grant Sean , Barber Claire E. H. , Marshall Deborah A. , Esdaile John M. , Lacaille Diane 
Published: September 2016

AbstractRationale, aims, and objectivesOnline modified Delphi (OMD) panel approaches can be used to engage large and diverse groups of clinical experts and stakeholders in developing health services performance measures. Such approaches are increasing in popularity among health researchers. However, information about their acceptability to participating experts and stakeholders is lacking but important to determine before recommending widespread use of online approaches. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to explore acceptability of the OMD panel approach from the participants' perspective.MethodWe use data from participants in three OMD panels designed to develop performance measures for use in arthritis research and quality improvement efforts. At the end of each online panel, we surveyed clinical experts and stakeholders who shared their experiences with the OMD process by answering 13 close‐ended questions using 7‐point Likert‐type scales. A mean of 5 or higher on a given question was treated as an indication of acceptability.ResultsNinety‐eight clinical experts and stakeholders (92% participation rate) answered survey questions about the online process. They considered the OMD panel approach to be acceptable, particularly the ease of using the online system (mean = 5.3, standard deviation = 1.3) and the understanding gained from online discussions (mean = 5.2, standard deviation = 1.0). Participants also felt that participation in the Delphi study was interesting (mean = 5.6, standard deviation =1.1).ConclusionThese findings illustrate likely acceptability and a potential for a more widespread use of OMD panel approaches by stakeholders in developing health services performance measures.
The neuroanatomy of autism – a developmental perspective
Authors: Donovan Alex P. A. , Basson M. Albert 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAutism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodevelopmental disorders that are diagnosed solely on the basis of behaviour. A large body of work has reported neuroanatomical differences between individuals with ASD and neurotypical controls. Despite the huge clinical and genetic heterogeneity that typifies autism, some of these anatomical features appear to be either present in most cases or so dramatically altered in some that their presence is now reasonably well replicated in a number of studies. One such finding is the tendency towards overgrowth of the frontal cortex during the early postnatal period. Although these reports have been focused primarily on the presumed pathological anatomy, they are providing us with important insights into normal brain anatomy and are stimulating new ideas and hypotheses about the normal trajectory of brain development and the function of specific anatomical brain structures. The use of model systems that include genetic model organisms such as the mouse and, more recently, human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived brain organoids to model normal and pathological human cortical development, is proving particularly informative. Here we review some of the neuroanatomical alterations reported in autism, with a particular focus on well‐validated findings and recent advances in the field, and ask what these observations can tell us about normal and abnormal brain development.
Of skin and bone: did Langerhans cells and osteoclasts evolve from a common ancestor?
Authors: Mueller Christopher G. , Voisin Benjamin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractSkin Langerhans cells are antigen‐presenting cells of the interfollicular epidermis and the upper part of the hair follicle, whereas osteoclasts are specialized bone‐resorbing macrophages. Although at first view these two cell types appear to have little in common, a closer analysis reveals shared features, and when taking into account their surrounding environment, a hypothesis can be developed that Langerhans cells and osteoclasts have evolved from a common ancestral cell type. In this mini‐review, we have compared the ontogenetic features of Langerhans cells and osteoclasts from a genetic and a functional point of view, an issue that so far has been overlooked. The gene programs that control cell differentiation, and the body parts where they reside, present surprising similarities. Whereas the function of osteoclasts in bone degradation has been established since the first vertebrates, Langerhans cells may have undergone a stepwise adaptation from aquatic to terrestrial life. Their cell function co‐evolved with the imperatives of the skin to protect against physical impact, heat, water loss and pathogens, which implied the capacity of Langerhans cells to associate with skin appendages and to develop immunostimulatory functions. For the highly versatile and efficient immune system of modern vertebrates, Langerhans cells may be a memory of the past.
Poststroke Cognitive Decline is Independent of Longitudinal Changes in Cerebral Hemodynamics Parameters
Authors: Suministrado Ma. Serrie Platero , Shuang Esther Wan Yee , Xu Jing , Teoh Hock Luen , Chan Bernard Poon‐Lap , Venketasubramanian Narayanaswamy , Seet Raymond Chee Seong , Chen Christopher Li‐Hsian , Wong Boon Seng , Sharma Vijay Kumar , Dong YanHong 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDPoststroke vascular cognitive impairment is highly prevalent with significant functional consequences. However, reliable biomarkers for early prediction of cognitive decline after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) are not well established. Although parenchymal imaging in patients with AIS and transient ischemic attack (TIA) may predict the resultant cognitive impairment, it may not explain the progressive deterioration after the index event. We postulated that longitudinal changes in cerebral hemodynamic parameters may influence the cognitive performance after a cerebrovascular event.METHODSOne‐hundred consecutive AIS/TIA patients were recruited within 2 weeks following a cerebrovascular event. At 3–6 months, 69 patients were followed up with transcranial Doppler (TCD) and brief cognitive tests (Mini‐Mental State Examination [MMSE]/Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]). Basic demographics, vascular risk factors, clinical, cognitive, and neurological status were recorded.RESULTSConsiderable proportion (12%) of patients showed cognitive decline and changes in the hemodynamic parameters over 3–6 months after the index event. We showed that right middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis and right internal carotid artery/MCA tandem lesions at 3–6 months are associated with the change in the MMSE scores. Additionally, there was a trend toward association between increased pulsatility index of the right MCA and a decline in the MMSE score. However, we did not observe any association between cognitive decline and longitudinal changes in hemodynamic parameters.CONCLUSIONAlthough hemodynamic parameters deteriorate in a considerable proportion of patients during first 3–6 months after a cerebrovascular event, cognitive decline appears to be an independent phenomenon.
The Effects of the Yes You Can! Curriculum on the Sexual Knowledge and Intent of Middle School Students
Authors: Donnelly Joseph , Horn Robert R. , Young Michael , Ivanescu Andrada E. 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDThe purpose of the study was to examine the effects of the “Yes You Can!” (YYC) curriculum on sexual knowledge and behavioral intent of program participants.METHODSParticipants included students ages 10‐14 from schools in a northeast US urban area. Yes You Can! program lessons were designed to support healthy relationships. The curriculum was taught by trained instructors. The testing instrument was a 30‐item questionnaire, which included sexual knowledge and intent items. Students completed the questionnaire before program implementation, immediately following intervention, and a third time at follow‐up. Data were analyzed using analysis of covariance. Pretest knowledge scores were used as the covariate for the knowledge analyses. Pretest intent scores were used as the covariate for the intent analyses.RESULTSResults showed the intervention group had less intent to engage in sexual intercourse than the control group at post‐test (p < .001) and at follow‐up (p < .001). Similarly, the intervention group had higher knowledge scores than the control group at post‐test (p < .001) and at follow‐up (p < .001).CONCLUSIONSResults indicate that the YYC program had a statistically significant, positive impact on knowledge and sexual intent. These variables are important precursors to actual behavior. Future research should examine the effects of the program on changes in sexual behavior.