bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oscillatory brain activity in the alpha range is modulated by the content of word‐prompted mental imagery
Authors: Bartsch Felix , Hamuni Gilava , Miskovic Vladimir , Lang Peter J. , Keil Andreas 
Published: January 2015

AbstractMental imagery is a fundamental cognitive process of interest to basic scientists and clinical researchers. This study examined large‐scale oscillatory brain activity in the alpha band (8–12 Hz) during language‐driven mental imagery using dense‐array EEG. Three experiments demonstrated relative increases in alpha amplitude: (1) during imagery prompted by words compared to fixation without imagery instruction, (2) during imagery of word content compared to imagery of geometric shapes, and (3) during imagery of emotionally evocative words compared to imagery of less emotionally arousing content. Alpha increases for semantically loaded imagery were observed in parieto‐occipital regions, sustained throughout the imagery period. Findings imply that alpha oscillations index active memory and internal cognitive processing, reflecting neural communication in cortical networks representing motor, semantic, and perceptual aspects of the imagined scene.
Incidence of viral infection detected by PCR and real‐time PCR in childhood community‐acquired pneumonia: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wang Min , Cai Feng , Wu Xiaodong , Wu Ting , Su Xin , Shi Yi 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSeveral studies examining the incidence of viral infection in childhood community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or real‐time PCR methods have been reported. We systematically searched Pubmed and Embase for studies reporting the incidence of respiratory viral infection in childhood CAP. The pooled incidences of viral infection were calculated with a random‐effects model. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by subgroup analysis and a univariant metaregression analysis. We included 21 eligible reports in our study. We found significant heterogeneity on the incidence of viral infection in childhood CAP. The random effects pooled incidence was 57.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 50.8–64.1). The pooled incidence of mixed infection was 29.3% (95%CI: 23.0–35.6) with considerable heterogeneity. The pooled incidence of mixed infection was 29.3% (95%CI: 23.0–35.6). Rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and bocavirus were found to be the three most common viruses in childhood CAP. We also demonstrated that respiratory viruses were detected in 76.1% of patients aged ≤1 year, 63.1% of patients aged 2–5 years and 27.9% of patients aged ≥ 6 years. We conclude that respiratory viruses are widely detected in paediatric patients with CAP by PCR or real‐time PCR methods. More than half of viral infections are probably concurrent with bacterial infections. Rhinovirus, RSV and bocavirus are the three most frequent viruses identified in childhood CAP; the incidence of viral infection decreased with age.
Sensitivity Analysis, Dominant Factors, and Robustness of the ECETOC TRA v3, Stoffenmanager 4.5, and ART 1.5 Occupational Exposure Models
Authors: Riedmann R. A. , Gasic B. , Vernez D. 
Published: January 2015

Occupational exposure modeling is widely used in the context of the E.U. regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals (REACH). First tier tools, such as European Centre for Ecotoxicology and TOxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) targeted risk assessment (TRA) or Stoffenmanager, are used to screen a wide range of substances. Those of concern are investigated further using second tier tools, e.g., Advanced REACH Tool (ART). Local sensitivity analysis (SA) methods are used here to determine dominant factors for three models commonly used within the REACH framework: ECETOC TRA v3, Stoffenmanager 4.5, and ART 1.5. Based on the results of the SA, the robustness of the models is assessed.For ECETOC, the process category (PROC) is the most important factor. A failure to identify the correct PROC has severe consequences for the exposure estimate. Stoffenmanager is the most balanced model and decision making uncertainties in one modifying factor are less severe in Stoffenmanager. ART requires a careful evaluation of the decisions in the source compartment since it constitutes ∼75% of the total exposure range, which corresponds to an exposure estimate of 20–22 orders of magnitude.Our results indicate that there is a trade off between accuracy and precision of the models. Previous studies suggested that ART may lead to more accurate results in well‐documented exposure situations. However, the choice of the adequate model should ultimately be determined by the quality of the available exposure data: if the practitioner is uncertain concerning two or more decisions in the entry parameters, Stoffenmanager may be more robust than ART.
Development and content validity of a screening instrument for gaming addiction in adolescents: The Gaming Addiction Identification Test (GAIT)
Authors: Vadlin Sofia , Åslund Cecilia , Nilsson Kent W. 
Published: January 2015

This study describes the development of a screening tool for gaming addiction in adolescents – the Gaming Addiction Identification Test (GAIT). Its development was based on the research literature on gaming and addiction. An expert panel comprising professional raters (n = 7), experiential adolescent raters (n = 10), and parent raters (n = 10) estimated the content validity of each item (I‐CVI) as well as of the whole scale (S‐CVI/Ave), and participated in a cognitive interview about the GAIT scale. The mean scores for both I‐CVI and S‐CVI/Ave ranged between 0.97 and 0.99 compared with the lowest recommended I‐CVI value of 0.78 and the S‐CVI/Ave value of 0.90. There were no sex differences and no differences between expert groups regarding ratings in content validity. No differences in the overall evaluation of the scale emerged in the cognitive interviews. Our conclusions were that GAIT showed good content validity in capturing gaming addiction. The GAIT needs further investigation into its psychometric properties of construct validity (convergent and divergent validity) and criterion‐related validity, as well as its reliability in both clinical settings and in community settings with adolescents.
Organizing Polarized Delivery of Exosomes at Synapses
Authors: Mittelbrunn Maria , Vicente‐Manzanares Miguel , Sánchez‐Madrid Francisco 
Published: January 2015

AbstractExosomes are extracellular vesicles that transport different molecules between cells. They are formed and stored inside multivesicular bodies (MVB) until they are released to the extracellular environment. MVB fuse along the plasma membrane, driving non‐polarized secretion of exosomes. However, polarized signaling potentially directs MVBs to a specific point in the plasma membrane to mediate a focal delivery of exosomes. MVB polarization occurs across a broad set of cellular situations, e.g. in immune and neuronal synapses, cell migration and in epithelial sheets. In this review, we summarize the current state of the art of polarized MVB docking and the specification of secretory sites at the plasma membrane. The current view is that MVB positioning and subsequent exosome delivery requires a polarizing, cytoskeletal dependent‐trafficking mechanism. In this context, we propose scenarios in which biochemical and mechanical signals could drive the polarized delivery of exosomes in highly polarized cells, such as lymphocytes, neurons and epithelia.
A Second Las17 Monomeric Actin‐Binding Motif Functions in Arp2/3‐Dependent Actin Polymerization During Endocytosis
Authors: Feliciano Daniel , Tolsma Thomas O. , Farrell Kristen B. , Aradi Al , Di Pietro Santiago M. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractDuring clathrin‐mediated endocytosis (CME), actin assembly provides force to drive vesicle internalization. Members of the Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome protein (WASP) family play a fundamental role stimulating actin assembly. WASP family proteins contain a WH2 motif that binds globular actin (G‐actin) and a central‐acidic motif that binds the Arp2/3 complex, thus promoting the formation of branched actin filaments. Yeast WASP (Las17) is the strongest of five factors promoting Arp2/3‐dependent actin polymerization during CME. It was suggested that this strong activity may be caused by a putative second G‐actin‐binding motif in Las17. Here, we describe the in vitro and in vivo characterization of such Las17 G‐actin‐binding motif (LGM) and its dependence on a group of conserved arginine residues. Using the yeast two‐hybrid system, GST‐pulldown, fluorescence polarization and pyrene‐actin polymerization assays, we show that LGM binds G‐actin and is necessary for normal Arp2/3‐mediated actin polymerization in vitro. Live‐cell fluorescence microscopy experiments demonstrate that LGM is required for normal dynamics of actin polymerization during CME. Further, LGM is necessary for normal dynamics of endocytic machinery components that are recruited at early, intermediate and late stages of endocytosis, as well as for optimal endocytosis of native CME cargo. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments show that LGM has relatively lower potency compared to the previously known Las17 G‐actin‐binding motif, WH2. These results establish a second G‐actin‐binding motif in Las17 and advance our knowledge on the mechanism of actin assembly during CME.
Renal sympathetic nerves – what have they got to do with cardiovascular disease?
Authors: Barrett Carolyn J. 
Published: January 2015

New Findings
What is the topic of this review?
This review examines the role played by renal sympathetic nerves in the regulation of cardiovascular function, focusing on changes that occur during the development of hypertension and heart failure.
What advances does it highlight?
While elevated levels of renal sympathetic activity are a feature of many cardiovascular diseases, the relationship is not straightforward, especially in the case of hypertension. This review highlights that before consideration of targeting the renal nerves in the clinical management of cardiovascular diseases it is essential that their role in the development of the disease is established.
In recent years, with the development of new clinical techniques to target the renal nerves specifically, we have seen a renewed interest in the role of the renal sympathetic nerves in the development of cardiovascular diseases. In understanding the potential of renal nerve ablation for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, first the role played by these nerves in cardiovascular regulation must be determined. Elevated renal sympathetic activity not only has the potential to increase fluid retention but may also act in a feedforward manner to increase sympathetic activation further, increasing the workload of the heart and the potential for arrhythmias. Direct recordings of renal sympathetic nerve activity in animal models of hypertension and renal noradrenaline spillover levels in individual patients with hypertension have illustrated that hypertension is not always accompanied by an increase in renal sympathetic activity. Elevated renal sympathetic nerve activity is a feature of severe heart failure, but whether removal of the renal nerves then compromises the ability to maintain cardiac function when faced with a stressor such as sepsis remains unclear. Understanding when increased renal sympathetic drive is contributing to the progression of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and heart failure would appear to be the key to understanding when renal nerve ablation is likely to be of benefit.
Increased mitochondrial emission of reactive oxygen species and calpain activation are required for doxorubicin‐induced cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathy
Authors: Min Kisuk , Kwon Oh‐Sung , Smuder Ashley J. , Wiggs Michael P. , Sollanek Kurt J. , Christou Demetra D. , Yoo Jeung‐Ki , Hwang Moon‐Hyon , Szeto Hazel H. , Kavazis Andreas N. , Powers Scott K. 
Published: January 2015

Key points
Although doxorubicin is a highly effective anti‐tumour agent, the administration of this drug is associated with significant side effects, including contractile dysfunction and myopathy of both cardiac and skeletal muscles. The mechanism(s) responsible for doxorubicin‐induced contractile dysfunction and myopathy in cardiac and skeletal muscles remains unclear.
In the present study, we report that increased mitochondrial oxidant production and calpain activation are major contributors to the development of doxorubicin‐induced myopathy. Moreover, treatment with a mitochondrial‐targeted peptide protects against doxorubicin‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction and myopathy in both heart and skeletal muscles.
These experiments provide insight into the mechanisms responsible for DOX‐induced contractile dysfunction and myopathy in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Importantly, our results may provide the basis for developing therapeutic approaches to prevent doxorubicin‐induced cardiac and skeletal muscle myopathy.
AbstractAlthough doxorubicin (DOX) is a highly effective anti‐tumour agent used to treat a variety of cancers, DOX administration is associated with significant side effects, including myopathy of both cardiac and skeletal muscles. The mechanisms responsible for DOX‐mediated myopathy remain a topic of debate. We tested the hypothesis that both increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) emission and activation of the cysteine protease calpain are required for DOX‐induced myopathy in rat cardiac and skeletal muscle. Cause and effect was determined by administering a novel mitochondrial‐targeted anti‐oxidant to prevent DOX‐induced increases in mitochondrial ROS emission, whereas a highly‐selective pharmacological inhibitor was exploited to inhibit calpain activity. Our findings reveal that mitochondria are a major site of DOX‐mediated ROS production in both cardiac and skeletal muscle fibres and the prevention of DOX‐induced increases in mitochondrial ROS emission protects against fibre atrophy and contractile dysfunction in both cardiac and skeletal muscles. Furthermore, our results indicate that DOX‐induced increases in mitochondrial ROS emission are required to activate calpain in heart and skeletal muscles and, importantly, calpain activation is a major contributor to DOX‐induced myopathy. Taken together, these findings show that increased mitochondrial ROS production and calpain activation are significant contributors to the development of DOX‐induced myopathy in both cardiac and skeletal muscle fibres.
Large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BK) channels promote secretagogue‐induced transition from spiking to bursting in murine anterior pituitary corticotrophs
Authors: Duncan Peter J. , Şengül Sevgi , Tabak Joël , Ruth Peter , Bertram Richard , Shipston Michael J. 
Published: January 2015

Key points
Corticotroph cells of the anterior pituitary are electrically excitable and are an integral component of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis which governs the neuroendocrine response to stress.
Corticotrophs display predominantly single spike activity under basal conditions that transition to complex bursting behaviours upon stimulation by the hypothalamic secretagogues corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP); however, the underlying mechanisms controlling bursting are unknown.
In this study, we show that CRH and AVP induce different patterns of corticotroph electrical activity, and we use an electrophysiological approach combined with mathematical modelling to show the ionic mechanisms for these differential effects.
The data reveal that secretagogue‐induced bursting is dependent on large conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ (BK) channels and is driven primarily by CRH whereas AVP promotes an increase in single‐spike frequency through BK‐independent pathways involving activation of non‐selective cation conductances.
As corticotroph excitability is differentially regulated by CRH and AVP this may allow corticotrophs to respond appropriately to different stressors.
AbstractAnterior pituitary corticotroph cells are a central component of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis essential for the neuroendocrine response to stress. Corticotrophs are excitable cells that receive input from two hypothalamic secretagogues, corticotrophin‐releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) to control the release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). Although corticotrophs are spontaneously active and increase in excitability in response to CRH and AVP the patterns of electrical excitability and underlying ionic conductances are poorly understood. In this study, we have used electrophysiological, pharmacological and genetic approaches coupled with mathematical modelling to investigate whether CRH and AVP promote distinct patterns of electrical excitability and to interrogate the role of large conductance calcium‐ and voltage‐activated potassium (BK) channels in spontaneous and secretagogue‐induced activity. We reveal that BK channels do not play a significant role in the generation of spontaneous activity but are critical for the transition to bursting in response to CRH. In contrast, AVP promotes an increase in single spike frequency, a mechanism independent of BK channels but dependent on background non‐selective conductances. Co‐stimulation with CRH and AVP results in complex patterns of excitability including increases in both single spike frequency and bursting. The ability of corticotroph excitability to be differentially regulated by hypothalamic secretagogues provides a mechanism for differential control of corticotroph excitability in response to different stressors.
Complete Genome Sequence of Sphingobacterium sp. Strain ML3W, Isolated from Wings of Myotis lucifugus Infected with White Nose Syndrome
Authors: Smith Stephen A. , Krasucki Stephen P. , McDowell John V. , Balke Virginia L. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT
Sphingobacterium sp. strain ML3W was isolated from the wing of a bat infected with white nose syndrome. We report the complete 5.33-Mb genome sequence of Sphingobacterium sp. strain ML3W, obtained using Pacific Biosciences technology. Being the second complete Sphingobacterium sequence, this will increase knowledge of the genus.
Development of a tool for defining and identifying the dying patient in hospital: Criteria for Screening and Triaging to Appropriate aLternative care (CriSTAL)
Authors: Cardona-Morrell Magnolia , Hillman Ken 
Published: January 2015

ObjectiveTo develop a screening tool to identify elderly patients at the end of life and quantify the risk of death in hospital or soon after discharge for to minimise prognostic uncertainty and avoid potentially harmful and futile treatments.DesignNarrative literature review of definitions, tools and measurements that could be combined into a screening tool based on routinely available or obtainable data at the point of care to identify elderly patients who are unavoidably dying at the time of admission or at risk of dying during hospitalisation.Main measurementsVariables and thresholds proposed for the Criteria for Screening and Triaging to Appropriate aLternative care (CriSTAL screening tool) were adopted from existing scales and published research findings showing association with either in-hospital, 30-day or 3-month mortality.ResultsEighteen predictor instruments and their variants were examined. The final items for the new CriSTAL screening tool included: age ≥65; meeting ≥2 deterioration criteria; an index of frailty with ≥2 criteria; early warning score >4; presence of ≥1 selected comorbidities; nursing home placement; evidence of cognitive impairment; prior emergency hospitalisation or intensive care unit readmission in the past year; abnormal ECG; and proteinuria.ConclusionsAn unambiguous checklist may assist clinicians in reducing uncertainty patients who are likely to die within the next 3 months and help initiate transparent conversations with families and patients aboutend-of-lifecare. Retrospective chart review and prospective validation will be undertaken to optimise the number of prognostic items for easy administration and enhanced generalisability. Development of an evidence-based tool for defining and identifyingthe dying patientin hospital: CriSTAL.
Job strain and trajectories of change in episodic memory before and after retirement: results from the Health and Retirement Study
Authors: Andel Ross , Infurna Frank J , Hahn Rickenbach Elizabeth A , Crowe Michael , Marchiondo Lisa , Fisher Gwenith G 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundWe examined indicators of job strain in relation to level and change in episodic memory in the years leading up to as well as following retirement.MethodsOur analyses centre on 3779 individuals from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (baseline age 57.3 years) who reported gainful employment in an occupation for 10+ years prior to retirement, and who were assessed for episodic memory performance over up to 20 years (median 8 waves over 16 years). We used ratings from the Occupational Information Network (O*Net) to score occupations for job control and job demands, and to measure job strain (job demands/job control).ResultsControlling for sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, and cardiovascular disease, less job control and greater job strain were not significantly associated with change in episodic memory in the period leading up to retirement, but were associated with significantly poorer episodic memory at retirement and an accelerated rate of decline in episodic memory following retirement. The results did not vary for men and women or by self-employment status.ConclusionsJob strain expressed mainly as low job control is linked to poorer episodic memory at retirement and more decline after retirement. Job characteristics appear to have implications for cognitive ageing independent of relevant confounds.
A closer look at the role of healthcare in the recent mortality decline in the Netherlands: results of a record linkage study
Authors: Peters F , Nusselder W J , Mackenbach J P 
Published: January 2015

BackgroundSince 2002, Dutch mortality rates decreased rapidly after decades of stagnation. On the basis of indirect evidence, previous research has suggested that this decline was due to a sudden expansion of healthcare. We tested two corollaries of this hypothesis—first, that the decline was concentrated among those with ill-health and second, that the decline can be statistically accounted for by increases in healthcare utilisation.MethodsWe linked the Dutch health interview survey to the mortality register and constructed two cohorts, consisting of 7691 persons interviewed in 2001/2002 and 8362 persons interviewed in 2007/2008, each with a 5-year mortality follow-up (659 deaths in total). The change in mortality between both cohorts was computed using Cox proportional hazard models. We estimated the change in mortality by severity of chronic conditions and with respect to the inclusion of indicators of healthcare utilisation.ResultsBetween the two study cohorts, mortality declined by 15% (95% CI 2% to 29%), and mortality reduction was greatest for those suffering from fatal and non-fatal conditions with a decline of 58% (95% CI 35% to 78%). Even after adjustment for health status and risk factors, most indicators of healthcare utilisation were associated with higher instead of lower mortality and changes in healthcare utilisation did not explain the decline in mortality.ConclusionsOur results only partly confirm the hypothesis that an expansion of healthcare explains the recent mortality decline in the Netherlands. Owing to confounding by health status, it is difficult to reproduce the mortality-lowering effects of healthcare utilisation of individual level studies in the open population.