bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impaired dendritic inhibition leads to epileptic activity in a computer model of CA3
Authors: Sanjay M. , Neymotin Samuel A. , Krothapalli Srinivasa B. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTTemporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common type of epilepsy with hippocampus as the usual site of origin. The CA3 subfield of hippocampus is reported to have a low epileptic threshold and hence initiates the disorder in patients with TLE. This study computationally investigates how impaired dendritic inhibition of pyramidal cells in the vulnerable CA3 subfield leads to generation of epileptic activity. A model of CA3 subfield consisting of 800 pyramidal cells, 200 basket cells (BC) and 200 Oriens—Lacunosum Moleculare (O‐LM) interneurons was used. The dendritic inhibition provided by O‐LM interneurons is reported to be selectively impaired in some TLEs. A step‐wise approach is taken to investigate how alterations in network connectivity lead to generation of epileptic patterns. Initially, dendritic inhibition alone was reduced, followed by an increase in the external inputs received at the distal dendrites of pyramidal cells, and finally additional changes were made at the synapses between all neurons in the network. In the first case, when the dendritic inhibition of pyramidal cells alone was reduced, the local field potential activity changed from a theta‐modulated gamma pattern to a prominently gamma frequency pattern. In the second case, in addition to this reduction of dendritic inhibition, with a simultaneous large increase in the external excitatory inputs received by pyramidal cells, the basket cells entered a state of depolarization block, causing the network to generate a typical ictal activity pattern. In the third case, when the dendritic inhibition onto the pyramidal cells was reduced and changes were simultaneously made in synaptic connectivity between all neurons in the network, the basket cells were again observed to enter depolarization block. In the third case, impairment of dendritic inhibition required to generate an ictal activity pattern was lesser than the two previous cases. Moreover, the ictal like activity began earlier in the third case. Hence, our study suggests that greater synaptic plasticity occurring in the whole network due to increase in reception of external excitatory inputs (due to impaired dendritic inhibition) makes the network more susceptible to generation of epileptic activity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cholinergic, but not NMDA, receptors in the lateral entorhinal cortex mediate acquisition in trace eyeblink conditioning
Authors: Tanninen Stephanie E. , Yu XiaoTian , Giritharan Thamy , Tran Lina , Bakir Rami , Volle Julien , Morrissey Mark D. , Takehara‐Nishiuchi Kaori 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTAnatomical and electrophysiological studies collectively suggest that the entorhinal cortex consists of several subregions, each of which is involved in the processing of different types of information. Consistent with this idea, we previously reported that the dorsolateral portion of the entorhinal cortex (DLE), but not the caudomedial portion, is necessary for the expression of a memory association between temporally discontiguous stimuli in trace eyeblink conditioning (Morrissey et al. (2012) J Neurosci 32:5356‐5361). The present study examined whether memory acquisition depends on the DLE and what types of local neurotransmitter mechanisms are involved in memory acquisition and expression. Male Long‐Evans rats experienced trace eyeblink conditioning, in which an auditory conditioned stimulus (CS) was paired with a mildly aversive electric shock to the eyelid (US) with a stimulus‐free interval of 500 ms. Immediately before the conditioning, the rats received a microinfusion of neuroreactive substances into the DLE. We found that reversible inactivation of the DLE with GABAA receptor agonist, muscimol impaired memory acquisition. Furthermore, blockade of local muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mACh) with scopolamine retarded memory acquisition while blockade of local NMDA receptors with APV had no effect. Memory expression was not impaired by either type of receptor blocker. These results suggest that the DLE is necessary for memory acquisition, and that acquisition depends on the integrity of local mACh receptor‐dependent firing modulation, but not NMDA receptor‐dependent synaptic plasticity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlling and culturing diversity: Experimental zoology before World War II and Vienna's Biologische Versuchsanstalt
Authors: Logan Cheryl A. , Brauckmann Sabine 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTFounded in Vienna in 1903, the Institute for Experimental Biology pioneered the application of experimental methods to living organisms maintained for sustained periods in captivity. Its Director, the zoologist Hans Przibram, oversaw until 1938, the attempt to integrate ontogeny with studies of inheritance using precise and controlled measurements of the impact of environmental influences on the emergence of form and function. In the early years, these efforts paralleled and even fostered the emergence of experimental biology in America. But fate intervened. Though the Institute served an international community, most of its resident scientists and staff were of Jewish ancestry. Well before the Nazis entered Austria in 1938, these men and women were being fired and driven out; some, including Przibram, were eventually killed. We describe the unprecedented facilities built and the topics addressed by the several departments that made up this Institute, stressing those most relevant to the establishment and success of the Journal of Experimental Zoology, which was founded just a year later. The Institute's diaspora left an important legacy in North America, perhaps best embodied by the career of the developmental neuroscientist Paul Weiss. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 211–226, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gonadotrophic cells and gonadal sex differentiation in medaka: Characterization of several northern and southern strains
Authors: Horie Yoshifumi , Kobayashi Tohru 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTGonadotropins play an important role in gametogenesis and reproduction in vertebrates. Their localization in the pituitary during gonadal sex differentiation has been studied mainly in southern (Oryzias latipes) strains of medaka fish, with that in northern medaka (O. sakaizumii) remaining poorly understood. Hence, in this study, we characterized gonadal differentiation and gonadotrophic cells during sex differentiation in two northern strains (HNI and Kaga) and two southern strains (Hd‐rR and d‐rR/Tokyo). All strains exhibited similar sex differentiation at hatching, such as (1) sex difference in germ cell number (XX > XY), and (2) the transition of XX germ cells into meiosis, and (3) presence of glycoprotein‐α (Gpa)‐ positive cells. However, follicle‐stimulating hormone‐β (Fshb)‐positive cells were first detected in the pituitary 1 day post‐hatching in HNI. Exposure to high‐temperature conditions and to cortisol in a dose dependent manner resulted in the localization of Fshb cells in the pituitary at hatching. This study demonstrates differences in gonadotropin subunit expression between northern and southern strains of medaka, and suggests that Fsh is not involved in early gonadal sex differentiation, such as the sex difference in germ cell number, and that high‐temperature induce Fshb expression via cortisol production in medaka. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 392–397, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biological responses to flexion/extension in spinal segments ex‐vivo
Authors: Hartman Robert A. , Yurube Takashi , Ngo Kevin , Merzlak Nicolas E. , Debski Richard E. , Brown Bryan N. , Kang James D. , Sowa Gwendolyn A. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTMechanical loading is a salient factor in the progression of spinal disorders that contribute to back pain. Biological responses to loading modes like flexion/extension (F/E) in relevant spinal tissues remain unstudied. A novel, multi‐axial experimental system was developed to subject viable functional spinal units (FSUs) to complex, in‐situ loading. The objective was to determine biological effects of F/E in multiple spinal tissues—annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, facet cartilage, and ligamentum flavum. Rabbit lumbar FSUs were mounted in a bioreactor within a robotic testing system. FSUs underwent small (0.17/0.05 Nm) and large (0.5/0.15 Nm) range‐of‐motion F/E for 1 or 2 h of cycling. Outcomes in each tissue, compared to unloaded FSUs, included (i) relative mRNA expression of catabolic (MMP‐1, 3 and ADAMTS‐5), pro‐inflammatory (COX‐2), and anabolic (ACAN) genes and (ii) immunoblotting of aggrecan degradation. Total energy applied to FSUs increased in groups subject to large range‐of‐motion and 2‐h cycling, and moment relaxation was higher with large range‐of‐motion. F/E significantly modulated MMP1,‐3 and COX‐2 in facet cartilage and MMP‐3 and ACAN in annulus fibrosus. Large range‐of‐motion loading increased MMP‐mediated aggrecan fragmentation in annulus fibrosus. Biological responses to complex loading ex vivo showed variation among spinal tissues that reflect tissue structure and mechanical loading in F/E. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1255–1264, 2015.
Synthesis and physical properties of highly branched perfluorinated polymers from AB and AB2 monomers
Authors: Quast Matthew J. , Argall Aaron D. , Hager Cassandra J. , Mueller Anja 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTHighly branched perfluorinated aromatic polyether copolymers were prepared from the polycondensation of the AB2 monomer, 3,5‐bis[(pentafluorobenzyl)oxy]benzyl alcohol with a variety of fluoroaryl and alkyl bromide AB comonomers. The structures and comonomer distribution of the resulting polymers were characterized in detail. 1H NMR data from kinetic trials illustrated that perfluoroaryl AB comonomer distribution correlated to AB comonomer sterics. 19F NMR data revealed that fluorinated AB monomers and 3‐bromo‐1‐propanol AB monomers were distributed within the AB2 polymer backbone, while longer alkyl bromide AB monomers, 6‐bromo‐1‐hexanol, were mostly distributed along hyperbranched polymer chain ends. In general, as AB comonomer incorporation increased for nonsterically hindered copolymers, thermal decomposition onset increased and glass transition temperatures decreased. The combined data demonstrated the effect of comonomer distribution and sterics on physical properties of AB2‐based polymer systems. The resulting materials were used to cast thin polymer films for measurement of contact angle, which were shown to be directly related to comonomer content. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1880–1894
Polyaniline copolymers with solvent‐mimic side chains
Authors: Lee Seung‐Chul , Jung Chan‐Keun , Jung Hoon‐Joo , Lee Suck‐Hyun , Kwon O.‐P. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTWe investigated new polyaniline copolymers with solvent‐mimic side chains for enhanced processability in various solvents. The solvent‐mimic side chains, benzyloxypropoxy (BOP), phenoxybutoxy (POB), and dihydroxypropoxy (DHP), were introduced into copolymers and used with nonpolar aromatic and polar alcoholic solvents, respectively. Compared to a polyaniline homopolymer, polyaniline copolymers with a small amount of side chains (<4 mol %) exhibit different physical properties, including film‐forming ability. This can be attributed to the solvent‐mimic side chains strongly interacting with the solvent and/or the polyaniline backbone. Especially, in nonpolar aromatic solvents, polyaniline copolymers with nonpolar aromatic BOP and POB side chains exhibit good film‐forming ability leading to high electrical conductivity, while the polyaniline homopolymer did not form a film. Therefore, introducing solvent‐mimic side chains in conducting polymers is a very attractive method of enhancing their processability and physical properties. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 1986–1995
Ion–dipole interactions and their functions in proteins
Authors: Sippel Katherine H. , Quiocho Florante A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIon–dipole interactions in biological macromolecules are formed between atomic or molecular ions and neutral protein dipolar groups through either hydrogen bond or coordination. Since their discovery 30 years ago, these interactions have proven to be a frequent occurrence in protein structures, appearing in everything from transporters and ion channels to enzyme active sites to protein–protein interfaces. However, their significance and roles in protein functions are largely underappreciated. We performed PDB data mining to identify a sampling of proteins that possess these interactions. In this review, we will define the ion–dipole interaction and discuss several prominent examples of their functional roles in nature.
A predictive framework for modeling healthcare data with evolving clinical interventions
Authors: Rana Santu , Gupta Sunil , Phung Dinh , Venkatesh Svetha 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMedical interventions critically determine clinical outcomes. But prediction models either ignore interventions or dilute impact by building a single prediction rule by amalgamating interventions with other features. One rule across all interventions may not capture differential effects. Also, interventions change with time as innovations are made, requiring prediction models to evolve over time. To address these gaps, we propose a prediction framework that explicitly models interventions by extracting a set of latent intervention groups through a Hierarchical Dirichlet Process (HDP) mixture. Data are split in temporal windows and for each window, a separate distribution over the intervention groups is learnt. This ensures that the model evolves with changing interventions. The outcome is modeled as conditional, on both the latent grouping and the patients' condition, through a Bayesian logistic regression. Learning distributions for each time‐window result in an over‐complex model when interventions do not change in every time‐window. We show that by replacing HDP with a dynamic HDP prior, a more compact set of distributions can be learnt. Experiments performed on two hospital datasets demonstrate the superiority of our framework over many existing clinical and traditional prediction frameworks.
The role of multifunctional drug therapy as an antidote to combat experimental subacute neurotoxicity induced by organophosphate pesticides
Authors: Singh Satinderpal , Prakash Atish , Kaur Shamsherjit , Ming Long Chiau , Mani Vasudevan , Majeed Abu Bakar Abdul 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTOrganophosphate pesticides are used in agriculture where they are associated with numerous cases of intentional and accidental misuse. These toxicants are potent inhibitors of cholinesterases leading to a massive build‐up of acetylcholine which induces an array of deleterious effects, including convulsions, oxidative damage and neurobehavioral deficits. Antidotal therapies with atropine and oxime yield a remarkable survival rate, but fail to prevent neuronal damage and behavioral problems. It has been indicated that multifunction drug therapy with potassium channel openers, calcium channel antagonists and antioxidants (either single‐agent therapy or combination therapy) may have the potential to prevent cell death and/or slow down the processes of secondary neuronal damage. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to make a relative assessment of the potential effects of nicorandil (2 mg/kg), clinidipine (10 mg/kg), and grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSPE) extract (200 mg/kg) individually against subacute chlorpyrifos induced toxicity. The test drugs were administered to Wistar rats 2 h after exposure to Chlorpyrifos (CPF). Different behavioral studies and biochemical estimation has been carried in the study. The results showed that chronic administration of CPF significantly impaired learning and memory, along with motor coordination, and produced a marked increase in oxidative stress along with significantly reduced acetylcholine esterase (AChE) activity. Treatment with nicorandil, clinidipine and GSPE was shown to significantly improve memory performance, attenuate oxidative damage and enhance AChE activity in rats. The present study also suggests that a combination of nicorandil, clinidipine, and GSPE has a better neuroprotective effect against subacute CPF induced neurotoxicity than if applied individually. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 1017–1026, 2016.
Association between ultrasonographic parameters of Cesarean scar defect and outcome of early termination of pregnancy
Authors: Au H.‐K. , Liu C.‐F. , Tzeng C.‐R. , Chien L.‐W. 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo determine whether Cesarean scar defect (CSD) parameters assessed by transvaginal sonography (TVS) might affect the outcome of early termination of pregnancy (TOP) with mifepristone–misoprostol.MethodsThis was a retrospective review of 183 women with previous Cesarean delivery who received oral mifepristone and misoprostol for TOP. A successful TOP was defined by the absence of an intrauterine gestational sac, with no need for surgical intervention. CSD was diagnosed by TVS in the presence of a hypoechogenic indentation within the myometrium of the lower uterine segment at the site of a previous Cesarean incision. Women were analyzed in three subgroups according to size of defect (ratio of residual myometrial thickness over the defect to adjacent myometrial thickness < 30%, 30%–70% and > 70%).ResultsOf the 183 women, 43 (23.5%) had failure of TOP. Fifty‐nine (32.2%) had CSD detectable at TVS, and these women had a higher failure rate of TOP than did those without CSD (38.9% vs 16.1%; P = 0.001). CSD was associated significantly with failure of TOP (odds ratio, 3.32 (95% CI, 1.64–6.75)). The TOP failure rates in relation to defect size in the myometrial thickness ratio < 30%, 30%–70% and > 70% subgroups were 57.1%, 25.0% and 18.2%, respectively. There was a linear trend in failure rate across these ratios (Cochran–Armitage trend test; P = 0.015).ConclusionsWomen with CSD are at increased risk of failed TOP. Women with a defect in which the residual myometrial thickness was < 30% of the adjacent myometrial thickness tended to have a greater chance of failed TOP. CSD detected at TVS is of clinical relevance in counseling women with a history of Cesarean delivery who are considering TOP. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Computer aided modeling for a miniature silicon-on-insulator MEMS piezoresistive pressure sensor
Authors: Suja K. J. , Komaragiri Rama 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
The silicon-on-insulator diaphragm structure is a combined structure of the silicon dioxide and silicon layer. This work presents a new method to estimate the deflection response of silicon with that of a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) diaphragm structure, based on the burst pressure design approach. It also evaluates the output voltage of the diaphragm under two different conditions, flipped and un-flipped. The new modified analytical model developed and presented in this paper for describing the load deflection of SOI diaphragm is able to predict the deflection accurately when compared with the results obtained by finite element analysis CoventorWare®.
Impact of anti-TNF agents in postoperative complications in Crohn's disease: a review
Authors: Saab Mansur , Saab Bárbara , Olandoski Márcia , Coy Cláudio Saddy Rodrigues , Kotze Paulo Gustavo 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe real impact of biological therapy (anti-TNF agents) in abdominal operations secondary to Crohn's disease is a matter of debate in the international literature. Several studies demonstrated that there can be an increase in postoperative complications in patients previously treated with these agents. On the other hand, the majority of studies published over the last years question this effect, and did not demonstrate any relationship between biologics and outcomes related to surgical postoperative complications. Some meta-analyses were published, with different outcomes and different conclusions. Experimental studies in animals were also recently published, with opposite results, despite similar methodology. In this review, the authors resume all the relevant papers in the international literature with respect to the theme, and demonstrate the heterogeneity of the studies, as well as the disparity of their results and outcomes. The real impact of anti-TNF agents on postoperative complications in Crohn's disease is still controversial, and needs to be better elucidated. Controlled trials must be performed to better address this issue.
miRNA‐221 and miRNA‐222 induce apoptosis via the KIT/AKT signalling pathway in gastrointestinal stromal tumours
Authors: Ihle Michaela Angelika , Trautmann Marcel , Kuenstlinger Helen , Huss Sebastian , Heydt Carina , Fassunke Jana , Wardelmann Eva , Bauer Sebastian , Schildhaus Hans-Ulrich , Buettner Reinhard , Merkelbach-Bruse Sabine 
Published: April 2015

Aberrantly expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in many diseases including cancer. In gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) expression of miR‐221 and miR‐222 is reduced compared to control tissue and other sarcomas but the functional effects of this downregulation are not fully understood. This study aimed at evaluating the miR‐221 and miR‐222 expression profiles in different GIST subtypes and the functional role of these miRNAs. Expression of miR‐221 and miR‐222 was analysed in six KIT exon 9 and three KIT exon 11 mutated and nine wildtype GISTs by qPCR. Viability and apoptosis were examined in three different, KIT positive GIST cell lines (GIST882, GIST‐T1 and GIST48) after overexpression of these miRNAs. The modulation of KIT and the PI3K/AKT pathways was determined by Western blot. Wildtype and KIT mutated GISTs revealed reduced miRNA expression compared to adequate control tissue. miRNA expression was lower for wildtype compared to mutated GISTs. Transient transfection of miR‐221 and miR‐222 reduced viability and induced apoptosis by inhibition of KIT expression and its phosphorylation and activation of caspases 3 and 7 in all three GIST cell lines. p‐AKT, AKT and BCL2 expression was reduced after miRNA transfection whereas only slight influence on p‐MTOR, MTOR and BCL2L11 (BIM) was detected. Our results demonstrate that miR‐221 and miR‐222 which are downregulated in wildtype and mutated GISTs, induce apoptosis in vitro by a signalling cascade involving KIT, AKT and BCL2. Therefore, overexpression of these miRNAs seems to functionally counteract oncogenic signalling pathways in GIST.
Parliament and the Church
Authors: Baldry Tony 
Published: April 2015

The House of Commons starts each day with Prayers given by the Speaker's Chaplain, beginning with Psalm 67:God be Merciful unto us and Bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us. That thy way may be known up on earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee.