bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-126 deficiency enhanced the activation and function of CD4+T cells by elevating IRS-1 pathway
Authors: Chu F , Hu Y , Zhou Y , Guo M , Lu J , Zheng W , Xu H , Zhao J , Xu L 
Published: October 2017

Summary
Recent evidence has shown that microRNA-126 (miR-126) has been involved in the development and function of immune cells, which contributed to the pathogenesis of related clinical diseases. However, the potential role of miR-126 in the development and function of CD4+ T cells remains largely unknown. Here we first found that the activation and proliferation, as well as the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ, of CD4+T cells from miR-126 knock-down (KD) mice using the miRNA-sponge technique were enhanced significantly in vitro, compared with those in CD4+ T cells from wild-type (WT) mice. To monitor further the possible effect of miR-126 deficiency on the function of CD4+ T cells in vivo, we used dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced murine model of acute autoimmune colitis and found that miR-126 deficiency could elevate the pathology of colitis. Importantly, the proportion of CD4+ T cells in splenocytes increased significantly in miR-126KD mice. Moreover, the expression levels of CD69 and CD44 on CD4+ T cells increased significantly and the expression level of CD62L decreased significantly. Of note, adoptive cell transfer assay showed that the pathology of colitis was more serious in carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE)-labelled miR-126KD CD4+ T cell-transferred group, compared with that in the CFSE-labelled WT CD4+ T cells transferred group. Consistently, the expression levels of CD69 and CD44 on CFSE+ cells increased significantly. Furthermore, both the proliferation and IFN-γ secretion of CFSE+ cells also increased significantly in the CFSE-labelled miR-126KD CD4+ T cell-transferred group. Mechanistic evidence showed that the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), as a functional target of miR-126, was elevated in CD4+ T cells from miR-126KD mice, accompanied by altered transduction of the extracellular regulated kinase, protein B (AKT) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. Our data revealed a novel role in which miR-126 was an intrinsic regulator in the function of CD4+ T cells, which provided preliminary basis for exploring further the role of miR-126 in the development, function of CD4+ T cells and related clinical diseases.
Rational Inference of Beliefs and Desires From Emotional Expressions
Authors: Wu Yang , Baker Chris L. , Tenenbaum Joshua B. , Schulz Laura E. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe investigated people's ability to infer others’ mental states from their emotional reactions, manipulating whether agents wanted, expected, and caused an outcome. Participants recovered agents’ desires throughout. When the agent observed, but did not cause the outcome, participants’ ability to recover the agent's beliefs depended on the evidence they got (i.e., her reaction only to the actual outcome or to both the expected and actual outcomes; Experiments 1 and 2). When the agent caused the event, participants’ judgments also depended on the probability of the action (Experiments 3 and 4); when actions were improbable given the mental states, people failed to recover the agent's beliefs even when they saw her react to both the anticipated and actual outcomes. A Bayesian model captured human performance throughout (rs ≥ .95), consistent with the proposal that people rationally integrate information about others’ actions and emotional reactions to infer their unobservable mental states.
Redefining “Learning” in Statistical Learning: What Does an Online Measure Reveal About the Assimilation of Visual Regularities?
Authors: Siegelman Noam , Bogaerts Louisa , Kronenfeld Ofer , Frost Ram 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFrom a theoretical perspective, most discussions of statistical learning (SL) have focused on the possible “statistical” properties that are the object of learning. Much less attention has been given to defining what “learning” is in the context of “statistical learning.” One major difficulty is that SL research has been monitoring participants’ performance in laboratory settings with a strikingly narrow set of tasks, where learning is typically assessed offline, through a set of two‐alternative‐forced‐choice questions, which follow a brief visual or auditory familiarization stream. Is that all there is to characterizing SL abilities? Here we adopt a novel perspective for investigating the processing of regularities in the visual modality. By tracking online performance in a self‐paced SL paradigm, we focus on the trajectory of learning. In a set of three experiments we show that this paradigm provides a reliable and valid signature of SL performance, and it offers important insights for understanding how statistical regularities are perceived and assimilated in the visual modality. This demonstrates the promise of integrating different operational measures to our theory of SL.
Development and evaluation of ‘Pure Rush’: An online serious game for drug education
Authors: Stapinski Lexine A. , Reda Bill , Newton Nicola C. , Lawler Siobhan , Rodriguez Daniel , Chapman Catherine , Teesson Maree 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIntroduction and AimsLearning is most effective when it is active, enjoyable and incorporates feedback. Past research demonstrates that serious games are prime candidates to utilise these principles, however the potential benefits of this approach for delivering drug education are yet to be examined in Australia, a country where drug education in schools is mandatory.Design and MethodsThe serious game ‘Pure Rush’ was developed across three stages. First, formative consultation was conducted with 115 students (67% male, aged 15–17 years), followed by feasibility and acceptability testing of a prototype of the game (n = 25, 68% male). In the final stage, 281 students (62% female, aged 13–16 years) were randomly allocated to receive a lesson involving Pure Rush or an active control lesson. The lessons were compared in terms of learning outcomes, lesson engagement and future intentions to use illicit drugs.ResultsStudents enjoyed playing Pure Rush, found the game age‐appropriate and the information useful to them. Both the Pure Rush and the active control were associated with significant knowledge increase from pre to post‐test. Among females, multi‐level mixed‐effects regression showed knowledge gain was greater in the Pure Rush condition compared to control (β = 2.36, 95% confidence interval 0.36–4.38). There was no evidence of between condition differences in lesson engagement or future intentions to use illicit drugs.Discussion and ConclusionsPure Rush is an innovative online drug education game that is well received by students and feasible to implement in schools. [Stapinski LA, Reda B, Newton NC, Lawler S, Rodriguez D, Chapman C, Teesson M. Development and evaluation of ‘Pure Rush’: An online serious game for drug education. Drug Alcohol Rev 2017]
Care maps for children with medical complexity
Authors: Adams Sherri , Nicholas David , Mahant Sanjay , Weiser Natalie , Kanani Ronik , Boydell Katherine , Cohen Eyal 
Published: October 2017

AimChildren with medical complexity require multiple providers and services to keep them well and at home. A care map is a patient/family‐created diagram that pictorially maps out this complex web of services. This study explored what care maps mean for families and healthcare providers to inform potential for clinical use.MethodParents (n=15) created care maps (hand drawn n=10 and computer‐generated n=5) and participated in semi‐structured interviews about the process of developing care maps and their perceived impact. Healthcare providers (n=30) reviewed the parent‐created care maps and participated in semi‐structured interviews. Data were analysed for themes and emerging theory using a grounded theory analytical approach.ResultsData analysis revealed 13 overarching themes that were further categorized into three domains: features (characteristics of care maps), functions (what care maps do), and emerging outcomes (benefits of care map use). These domains further informed a definition and a theoretical model of how care maps work.InterpretationOur findings suggest that care maps may be a way of supporting patient‐ and family‐centred care by graphically identifying and integrating experiences of the family as well as priorities for moving forward.What this paper adds

Care maps were endorsed as a useful tool by families and providers.

They help healthcare providers better understand parental priorities for care.

Parents can create care maps to demonstrate the complex burden of care.

They are a unique visual way to incorporate narrative medicine into practice.
Limited effect of organic matter on soil available water capacity
Authors: Minasny B. , McBratney A. B. 
Published: October 2017

SummarySoil water‐holding capacity is an important component of the water and energy balances of the terrestrial biosphere. It controls the rate of evapotranspiration, and is a key to crop production. It is widely accepted that the available water capacity in soil can be improved by increasing organic matter content. However, the increase in amount of water that is available to plants with an increase in organic matter is still uncertain and may be overestimated. To clarify this issue, we carried out a meta‐analysis from 60 published studies and analysed large databases (more than 50 000 measurements globally) to seek relations between organic carbon (OC) and water content at saturation, field capacity, wilting point and available water capacity. We show that the increase in organic carbon in soil has a small effect on soil water content. A 1% mass increase in soil OC (or 10 g C kg−1 soil mineral), on average, increases water content at saturation, field capacity, wilting point and available water capacity by: 2.95, 1.61, 0.17 and 1.16 mm H2O 100 mm soil−1, respectively. The increase is larger in sandy soils, followed by loams and is least in clays. Overall the increase in available water capacity is very small; 75% of the studies reported had values between 0.7 and 2 mm 100 mm−1 with an increase of 10 g C kg−1 soil. Compared with reported annual rates of carbon sequestration after the adoption of conservation agricultural systems, the effect on soil available water is negligible. Thus, arguments for sequestering carbon to increase water storage are questionable. Conversely, global warming may cause losses in soil carbon, but the effects on soil water storage and its consequent impact on hydrological cycling might be less than thought previously.Highlights
We investigated how available water capacity can be increased with a 1% increase in soil organic carbon.
We analysed data from 60 published studies and global databases with more than 50 000 measurements.
The increase in organic carbon in soil has a small effect on soil water retention.
A 1% mass increase in soil OC on average increased available water capacity by 1.16%, volumetrically.
RNA‐seq analysis of Lgr6+ stem cells and identification of an Lgr6 isoform
Authors: van de Glind Gerline C. , Bastidas Torres Armando N. , Zoutman Willem H. , van der Zeeuw Sander A. J. , Kiełbasa Szymon M. , de Gruijl Frank R. , Tensen Cornelis P. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe studied Lgr6+ stem cells in experimental UV carcinogenesis in hairless mice. For further characterization through RNA‐seq, these stem cells were isolated by FACS from transgenic hairless mice bearing an EGFP‐Ires‐CreERT2 reporter cassette inserted into exon 1 of the Lgr6 gene (purity confirmed by human ERT2 expression). Between Lgr6/EGFP+ and Lgr6/EGFP− basal cells (Tg/wt), 682 RNAs were differentially expressed, indicating stemness and expression of cancer‐related pathways in Lgr6/EGFP+ cells. We discovered that suspected “Lgr6 null” mice (Tg/Tg) expressed RNA of an Lgr6 isoform (delta‐Lgr6, lacking 74 N‐terminal aa) which could be functional and explain the lack of a phenotype.
Crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis VapC20 toxin and its interactions with cognate antitoxin, VapB20, suggest a model for toxin–antitoxin assembly
Authors: Deep Amar , Kaundal Soni , Agarwal Sakshi , Singh Ramandeep , Thakur Krishan Gopal 
Published: October 2017

VapBCs, virulence‐associated proteins, are the most abundant type II toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems in prokaryotes. Under normal conditions, toxin and antitoxin interact to form a heterooctameric complex, which upon binding to operator sites, inhibits their own expression. Under stress conditions, the VapB antitoxin is degraded by cellular proteases to release a free VapC toxin, which in turn inhibits cell growth mainly by targeting protein translation. However, the intermediate steps involved in the assembly of the heterooctameric complex have not been resolved. Here, we report a 1.75 Å resolution crystal structure of VapC20, a Sarcin‐Ricin loop cleaving toxin from type II TA system of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Using analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) studies, we show that VapC20 exists as a homodimer in solution. The structural analysis of VapC homologs further suggests that VapCs form homodimers. We demonstrate that VapC20 is an obligate homodimer, and its self‐association is critical for its folding and activity. Surface plasmon resonance experiments suggest that VapC20 interacts with its cognate antitoxin VapB20 to form a stable complex with nanomolar affinity. A high association rate coupled with a very slow dissociation rate ensures minimal toxicity under normal growth conditions. AUC studies reveal that VapB20 also exists as a homodimer in solution and further associates with VapC20 dimers to form heterotetramers and heterooctamers in a concentration‐dependent manner. The results presented here provide valuable insights into the assembly of VapBC family of toxins which is essential for their function and regulation.DatabaseStructural data are available in the PDB under the accession numbers 5WZF and 5WZ4.
Decoupling the direct and indirect effects of climate on plant litter decomposition: Accounting for stress‐induced modifications in plant chemistry
Authors: Suseela Vidya , Tharayil Nishanth 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDecomposition of plant litter is a fundamental ecosystem process that can act as a feedback to climate change by simultaneously influencing both the productivity of ecosystems and the flux of carbon dioxide from the soil. The influence of climate on decomposition from a postsenescence perspective is relatively well known; in particular, climate is known to regulate the rate of litter decomposition via its direct influence on the reaction kinetics and microbial physiology on processes downstream of tissue senescence. Climate can alter plant metabolism during the formative stage of tissues and could shape the final chemical composition of plant litter that is available for decomposition, and thus indirectly influence decomposition; however, these indirect effects are relatively poorly understood. Climatic stress disrupts cellular homeostasis in plants and results in the reprogramming of primary and secondary metabolic pathways, which leads to changes in the quantity, composition, and organization of small molecules and recalcitrant heteropolymers, including lignins, tannins, suberins, and cuticle within the plant tissue matrix. Furthermore, by regulating metabolism during tissue senescence, climate influences the resorption of nutrients from senescing tissues. Thus, the final chemical composition of plant litter that forms the substrate of decomposition is a combined product of presenescence physiological processes through the production and resorption of metabolites. The changes in quantity, composition, and localization of the molecular construct of the litter could enhance or hinder tissue decomposition and soil nutrient cycling by altering the recalcitrance of the lignocellulose matrix, the composition of microbial communities, and the activity of microbial exo‐enzymes via various complexation reactions. Also, the climate‐induced changes in the molecular composition of litter could differentially influence litter decomposition and soil nutrient cycling. Compared with temperate ecosystems, the indirect effects of climate on litter decomposition in the tropics are not well understood, which underscores the need to conduct additional studies in tropical biomes. We also emphasize the need to focus on how climatic stress affects the root chemistry as roots contribute significantly to biogeochemical cycling, and on utilizing more robust analytical approaches to capture the molecular composition of tissue matrix that fuel microbial metabolism.
Hide and seek – Infection rates and alkaloid concentrations of Epichloë festucae var. lolii in Lolium perenne along a land‐use gradient in Germany
Authors: König J. , Fuchs B. , Krischke M. , Mueller M. J. , Krauss J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe common forage grass Lolium perenne has evolved with the systemic fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae var. lolii. The endophyte provides herbivore resistance to the grass due to defensive alkaloids, some of which are toxic to grazing livestock. In this field study, we determine whether distribution of the endophyte‐grass association changes along a land‐use intensity gradient on 87 managed grasslands in three German regions. Endophyte infections were detected in 66% of the studied sites and infection rates within infected sites ranged from 1% to 95%. Alkaloid concentrations of lolitrem B (vertebrate toxin) exceeded the toxicity thresholds in 50 (14%) of 351 infected plants and of peramine (invertebrate deterrent/toxin) in 12 (3%) of 351 plants. Infection rates and alkaloid concentrations were not significantly affected by land‐use intensity and region, but alkaloid concentrations were higher in summer compared to spring. We conclude that risks for livestock intoxication are currently low, as (i) average alkaloid concentrations per grassland were always below toxicity thresholds and as (ii) none of the grasslands was dominated by L. perenne. We suggest avoidance of grass monocultures in Europe to keep intoxication risks for livestock low; we also recommend regular examination of seeds and grasslands, as seed producers might accidentally distribute infected seeds, and as climate warming might further enhance the distribution of Epichloë endophytes in European grasslands.
Utility of Phox2b immunohistochemical stain in neural crest tumours and non‐neural crest tumours in paediatric patients
Authors: Warren Mikako , Matsuno Ryosuke , Tran Henry , Shimada Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2017

AimsThis study evaluated the utility of Phox2b in paediatric tumours. Previously, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was the most widely utilised sympathoadrenal marker specific for neural crest tumours with neuronal/neuroendocrine differentiation. However, its sensitivity is insufficient. Recently Phox2b has emerged as another specific marker for this entity.Methods and resultsPhox2b immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed on 159 paediatric tumours, including (group 1) 65 neural crest tumours with neuronal differentiation [peripheral neuroblastic tumours (pNT)]: 15 neuroblastoma undifferentiated (NB‐UD), 10 NB poorly differentiated (NB‐PD), 10 NB differentiating (NB‐D), 10 ganglioneuroblastoma intermixed (GNBi), 10 GNB nodular (GNBn) and 10 ganglioneuroma (GN); (group 2) 23 neural crest tumours with neuroendocrine differentiation [pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PCC/PG)]; (group 3) 27 other neural crest tumours including one composite rhabdomyosarcoma/neuroblastoma; and (group 4) 44 non‐neural crest tumours. TH IHC was performed on groups 1, 2 and 3. Phox2b was expressed diffusely in pNT (n = 65 of 65), strongly in NB‐UD and NB‐PD and with less intensity in NB‐D, GNB and GN. Diffuse TH was seen in all NB‐PD, NB‐D, GNB and GN, but nine of 15 NB‐UD and a nodule in GNBn did not express TH (n = 55 of 65). PCC/PG expressed diffuse Phox2b (n = 23 of 23) and diffuse TH, except for one tumour (n = 22 of 23). In composite rhabdomyosarcoma, TH was expressed only in neuroblastic cells and Phox2b was diffusely positive in neuroblastic cells and focally in rhabdomyosarcoma. All other tumours were negative for Phox2b (n = none of 44).ConclusionPhox2b was a specific and sensitive marker for pNT and PCC/PG, especially useful for identifying NB‐UD often lacking TH. Our study also presented a composite rhabdomyosarcoma/neuroblastoma of neural crest origin.
Dental visiting behaviours among primary schoolchildren: Application of the health belief model
Authors: Lee C‐Y , Ting C‐C , Wu J‐H , Lee K‐T , Chen H‐S , Chang Y‐Y 
Published: October 2017

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to develop and validate a new instrument based on the health belief model and to use the instrument to investigate the determinants of regular dental attendance among primary schoolchildren.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted using a newly developed measurement scale based on the HBM, 4 health‐promoting schools participated in the study and 958 students studying in grades 4–6 completed the questionnaire. The psychometric properties of the instrument were analysed, and a path analysis model was used to identify the determinants of regular dental attendance.ResultsThe instrument had good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.826–0.925) and a factor structure identical to HBM. Overall, the schoolchildren's health beliefs on caries treatment were positive. The determinants of regular dental visit were school location (β = −0.13), mother's education level (β = 0.15), susceptibility (β = −0.18) and barriers (β = −0.11).ConclusionThis study provided evidence that HBM is applicable to children's dental visiting behaviour and their health beliefs towards adherence to caries treatment. Although children had a positive attitude towards dental visits, environmental obstacles would interfere with dental visits. The newly developed instrument could be used to identify high‐risk children and help design oral health interventions for these children. Moreover, policy makers should increase the accessibility of dental resources to enhance the utilization of dental care among schoolchildren.
Determinants of how individuals choose, eat and waste: Providing common ground to enhance sustainable food consumption out‐of‐home
Authors: Lorenz Bettina A. , Langen Nina 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe transformation of food consumption in wealthy economies is regarded as an essential measure to reach global sustainability goals. However, existing policies and research activities to change food consumption in the increasingly relevant out‐of‐home sector relate to a wide set of options on how to influence behaviours and may be criticized to lack a general focus. Against this background, our study provides a structured review of the existing research body on the determinants of individuals’ food choices and food consumption out‐of‐home. It structures the various research approaches and findings for 110 selected papers according to a general ecological framework where personal, social and environmental determinants for food behaviours are considered. By providing a collective overview and linking results for different behavioural aspects and settings, this study supports a more general understanding of consumer food behaviour in out‐of‐home settings. Consequently, it also provides a means to identify research gaps and to suggest relevant aspects for future research to draw from the combination of findings and to enhance sustainability in food consumption.