bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prostaglandin E2 promotes post‐infarction cardiomyocyte replenishment by endogenous stem cells
Authors: Hsueh Ying‐Chang , Wu Jasmine M F , Yu Chun‐Keung , Wu Kenneth K , Hsieh Patrick C H 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAlthough self‐renewal ability of adult mammalian heart has been reported, few pharmacological treatments are known to promote cardiomyocyte regeneration after injury. In this study, we demonstrate that the critical period of stem/progenitor cell‐mediated cardiomyocyte replenishment is initiated within 7 days and saturates on day 10 post‐infarction. Moreover, blocking the inflammatory reaction with COX‐2 inhibitors may also reduce the capability of endogenous stem/progenitor cells to repopulate lost cells. Injection of the COX‐2 product PGE2 enhances cardiomyocyte replenishment in young mice and recovers cell renewal through attenuating TGF‐β1 signaling in aged mice. Further analyses suggest that cardiac stem cells are PGE2‐responsive and that PGE2 may regulate stem cell activity directly through the EP2 receptor or indirectly by modulating its micro‐environment in vivo. Our findings provide evidence that PGE2 holds great potential for cardiac regeneration.
Seismic shear distribution among interconnected cantilever walls of different lengths
Authors: Beyer Katrin , Simonini Sabrina , Constantin Raluca , Rutenberg Avigdor 
Published: January 2014

SUMMARYMid‐rise to high‐rise buildings in seismic areas are often braced by slender reinforced concrete (RC) walls, which are interconnected by RC floor diaphragms. In design, it is typically assumed that the lateral forces are distributed in proportion to the wall's elastic stiffness. Pushover analyses of systems comprising walls of different lengths have, however, shown that large compatibility forces can develop between them, which should be considered in design, but the analyses have also shown that the magnitude of the computed forces is very sensitive to the modelling assumptions. Using the results of a complex shell element model as benchmark, different simple hand‐calculation methods and inelastic beam element models are assessed and improved to yield reliable estimates of the base shear distribution among the individual walls comprising the interconnected wall system. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rice antioxidants: phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, tocopherols, tocotrienols, γ‐oryzanol, and phytic acid
Authors: Goufo Piebiep , Trindade Henrique 
Published: January 2014

AbstractEpidemiological studies suggested that the low incidence of certain chronic diseases in rice‐consuming regions of the world might be associated with the antioxidant compound contents of rice. The molecules with antioxidant activity contained in rice include phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, tocopherols, tocotrienols, γ‐oryzanol, and phytic acid. This review provides information on the contents of these compounds in rice using a food composition database built from compiling data from 316 papers. The database provides access to information that would have otherwise remained hidden in the literature. For example, among the four types of rice ranked by color, black rice varieties emerged as those exhibiting the highest antioxidant activities, followed by purple, red, and brown rice varieties. Furthermore, insoluble compounds appear to constitute the major fraction of phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins in rice, but not of flavonoids and anthocyanins. It is clear that to maximize the intake of antioxidant compounds, rice should be preferentially consumed in the form of bran or as whole grain. With respect to breeding, japonica rice varieties were found to be richer in antioxidant compounds compared with indica rice varieties. Overall, rice grain fractions appear to be rich sources of antioxidant compounds. However, on a whole grain basis and with the exception of γ‐oryzanol and anthocyanins, the contents of antioxidants in other cereals appear to be higher than those in rice.
The relationship between water loss, mechanical stress, and molecular structure of human stratum corneum ex vivo
Authors: Vyumvuhore Raoul , Tfayli Ali , Biniek Krysta , Duplan Hélène , Delalleau Alexandre , Manfait Michel , Dauskardt Reinhold , Baillet‐Guffroy Arlette 
Published: January 2014

Proper hydration of the stratum corneum (SC) is important for maintaining skin's vital functions. Water loss causes development of drying stresses, which can be perceived as ‘tightness’, and plays an important role in dry skin damage processes. However, molecular structure modifications arising from water loss and the subsequent development of stress has not been established. We investigated the drying stress mechanism by studying, ex vivo, the behaviors of the SC components during water desorption from initially fully hydrated samples using Raman spectroscopy. Simultaneously, we measure the SC mechanical stress with a substrate curvature instrument.Very good correlations of water loss to the mechanical stress of the stratum corneum were obtained, and the latter was found to depend mainly on the unbound water fraction. In addition to that, the water loss is accompanied with an increase of lipids matrix compactness characterized by lower chain freedom, while protein structure showed an increase in amount of α‐helices, a decline in α‐sheets, and an increase in folding in the tertiary structure of keratin.The drying process of SC involves a complex interplay of water binding, molecular modifications, and mechanical stress. This article provides a better understanding of the molecular mechanism associated to SC mechanics. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mathematical Model of Liver Regeneration in Human Live Donors
Authors: Periwal V. , Gaillard J.R. , Needleman L. , Doria C. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractLiver regeneration after injury occurs in many mammals. Rat liver regenerates after partial hepatectomy over a period of 2 weeks while human liver regeneration takes several months. Notwithstanding this enormous difference in time‐scales, with new data from five human live liver transplant donors, we show that a mathematical model of rat liver regeneration can be transferred to human, with all biochemical interactions and signaling unchanged. Only six phenomenological parameters need change, and three of these parameter changes are rescalings of rate constants by the ratio of human lifespan to rat lifespan. Data from three donor subjects with approximately equal resections were used to fit the three parameters and the data from the other two donor subjects was used to independently verify the fit. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 599–606, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TNF‐α Upregulates Sclerostin Expression in Obese Mice Fed a High‐Fat Diet
Authors: Baek Kyunghwa , Hwang Hyo Rin , Park Hyun‐Jung , Kwon Arang , Qadir Abdul S. , Ko Seong‐Hee , Woo Kyung Mi , Ryoo Hyun‐Mo , Kim Gwan‐Shik , Baek Jeong‐Hwa 
Published: January 2014

AbstractSclerostin decreases bone mass by antagonizing the Wnt signaling pathway. We examined whether obesity‐induced bone loss is associated with the expression of sclerostin. Five‐week‐old male mice were assigned to one of two groups (n = 10 each) and fed either a control diet (10% kcal from fat; CON) or a high‐fat diet (60% kcal from fat; HF) for 12 weeks. Thex final body weight and whole body fat mass of the HF mice were higher than those of the CON mice. The distal femur cancellous bone mineral density and bone formation rate was lower in HF mice than in CON mice. The percent erosion surface was higher in the HF mice than the CON mice. The serum levels and femoral osteocytic protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were significantly higher in HF mice than in CON mice. Sclerostin mRNA levels and osteocytic sclerostin protein levels in femoral cortex were also higher in HF mice than in CON mice. Sclerostin expression in MLO‐Y4 osteocytes increased with TNF‐α treatment, and TNF‐α‐induced sclerostin expression was blocked by the inhibition of NF‐κB activation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and a luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that NF‐κB directly binds to the NF‐κB binding elements on the mouse sost promoter and stimulates sclerostin expression. These results support a model in which, in the context of obesity or other inflammatory diseases that increase the production of TNF‐α, TNF‐α upregulates the expression of sclerostin through NF‐κB signaling pathway, thus contributing to bone loss. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 640–650, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Accumulation of lipofuscin‐like pigments of walnuts (Carya cathayensis) during storage: potential roles of lipid oxidation and non‐enzymatic glycosylation
Authors: Li Wenjuan , Gao Haiyan , Fang Xiangjun , Tao Fei , Chen Hangjun , Mu Honglei , Jiang Yueming 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDLipofuscin‐like pigments (LFLP) are considered a hallmark of aging. The intracellular LFLP formation rate is negatively correlated with the life expectancy of cell. In food quality, increase of LFLP not only affects the appearance but also causes loss of nutritional value.RESULTSThe accumulation of LFLP increased during storage of all walnuts. LFLP fluorescent intensities of walnuts with 4%, 6%, 12% and 16% moisture at the end of storage were 8.1, 4.8, 4.3 and 2.8 times those at the beginning, respectively. The LFLP accumulation of walnuts with high moisture was found to be negatively correlated with soluble sugars and 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical quenching rate, but positively correlated with the content of hydroxymethylfuraldehyde (HMF). While the LFLP accumulation of walnuts with low moisture had a strong positive correlation with anisidine value, it exhibited high negative correlations with acid phosphatase activity, DPPH• quenching rate and tocopherol content.CONCLUSIONIn walnuts with low initial moisture, lipoxidation products increased markedly during storage and these products might provide the source for LFLP accumulation. On the other hand, in walnuts with high initial moisture, reducing sugars derived from the hydrolysis of soluble sugars might play an important role in initiating the Maillard‐like reaction, leading to LFLP accumulation. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Black bear use of seismic lines in Northern Canada
Authors: Tigner Jesse , Bayne Erin M , Boutin Stan 
Published: January 2014

ABSTRACTThe development of hydrocarbon resources in northwestern Canada has resulted in a vast network of seismic lines. Seismic lines are a conservation concern because they are believed to alter the use of space by predators and ultimately change predator‐prey relationships. Such changes are believed to be a key factor influencing declines in boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Using remote wildlife cameras, we measured the behavioral response of a known caribou predator, the black bear (Ursus americanus), to seismic lines at 2 spatial scales. At the line scale, we compared black bear use of lines that varied in width and vegetation recovery state to undisturbed forest interior locations. At a 5‐km2 scale, we compared the probability of bear use across a continuum of seismic line density. At both spatial scales, we also tested for an interaction between bear use of seismic lines and use of upland and lowland forest types. Black bears used most types of seismic lines more frequently than undisturbed forest interior and upland forest more than lowland forest. We found no evidence of an interaction between lines and forest type, as the relative difference in seismic line versus forest interior use was the same in lowland and upland forest. At the 5‐km2 scale, we found no evidence of increased use of lowland forest in areas with greater seismic line density. Thus, seismic lines did not appear to increase black bear use of lowland forest types per se. However, bears used seismic lines more than forest interiors, which might alter their ability to locate and capture caribou and other ungulate prey, thereby creating the potential for altered predator‐prey dynamics in landscapes with seismic lines. Bears do not appear to use seismic lines ≤2 m wide more often than the forest interior. We suggest that where new seismic lines are constructed, those seismic lines should be a maximum width of 2 m to reduce the potential for altered predator‐prey dynamics in areas being developed for oil and gas extraction. © 2014 The Wildlife Society.
Redesigning the procaspase‐8 dimer interface for improved dimerization
Authors: Ma Chunxiao , MacKenzie Sarah H. , Clay Clark A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractCaspase‐8 is a cysteine directed aspartate‐specific protease that is activated at the cytosolic face of the cell membrane upon receptor ligation. A key step in the activation of caspase‐8 depends on adaptor‐induced dimerization of procaspase‐8 monomers. Dimerization is followed by limited autoproteolysis within the intersubunit linker (IL), which separates the large and small subunits of the catalytic domain. Although cleavage of the IL stabilizes the dimer, the uncleaved procaspase‐8 dimer is sufficiently active to initiate apoptosis, so dimerization of the zymogen is an important mechanism to control apoptosis. In contrast, the effector caspase‐3 is a stable dimer under physiological conditions but exhibits little enzymatic activity. The catalytic domains of caspases are structurally similar, but it is not known why procaspase‐8 is a monomer while procaspase‐3 is a dimer. To define the role of the dimer interface in assembly and activation of procaspase‐8, we generated mutants that mimic the dimer interface of effector caspases. We show that procaspase‐8 with a mutated dimer interface more readily forms dimers. Time course studies of refolding also show that the mutations accelerate dimerization. Transfection of HEK293A cells with the procaspase‐8 variants, however, did not result in a significant increase in apoptosis, indicating that other factors are required in vivo. Overall, we show that redesigning the interface of procaspase‐8 to remove negative design elements results in increased dimerization and activity in vitro, but increased dimerization, by itself, is not sufficient for robust activation of apoptosis.
Informative conditions for a data set in a MIMO closed‐loop system with a switching controller
Authors: Zhang Cong , Yang Fan , Ye Hao 
Published: January 2014

SummaryIn system identification, a data set needs to be informativeto ensure that the identification criterion has a unique global minimum asymptotically, and the parameter estimation is consistent. To guarantee a data set in a MIMO closed‐loop system with a switching controller to be informative, we develop a group of flexible conditions for the controller's switching rule and feedback laws, which provide a trade‐off between these two aspects through adjustable parameters. Compared with the results in the existing literature, our result includes all kinds of switching rules and therefore is not limited by the constraints on the switching rule.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concise Review: A Population Shift View of Cellular Reprogramming
Authors: Sol Antonio , Buckley Noel J. 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
Cellular reprogramming can offer valuable insight into disease mechanism and has the potential to provide novel tools for regenerative medicine. Yet it remains an inefficient and often incomplete process. However, experiments show that almost all somatic cells eventually give rise to the pluripotent state, albeit at different latencies, as long as expression of reprogramming transcription factors is maintained. Furthermore, it appears that specific subpopulations of cells can be identified that show enhanced propensities to be reprogrammed to the pluripotent state. It has been proposed that an initial stochastic process is responsible for this initial priming that is followed by a deterministic process that directs the primed cells into the pluripotent state. Here, we propose a population shift view of cellular reprogramming, which explains these observations and reconciles the stochastic and deterministic nature of this process. According to this view, a small population of cells, whose states are closer to the pluripotent state and reside in pre-existing energetically favorable trajectories, will be initially selected for reprogramming. Moreover, by maintaining ectopic expression of reprogramming factors, other cells enter these pathways as a result of transcriptional and epigenetic stochastic variations. Consequently, increasing numbers of cells reach the pluripotent state, and the cell population distribution shifts toward this state. Importantly, additional perturbations can change the epigenetic landscape, allowing cells more access to the reprogramming trajectories, thereby increasing reprogramming efficiency. Knowledge of the initial cellular subpopulations and pathways of states that lead to the final cellular state should allow us to design alternative perturbation strategies to improve reprogramming efficiency and fidelity. Stem Cells 2014;32:1367–1372
Climates of ontological change: past wisdom in current binds?
Authors: Leduc Timothy B. 
Published: January 2014

Although considering questions of wisdom and humility in relation to climate change may seem like a soft theoretical topic for an issue that needs hard and clear responses, there is an increasing literature that suggests the global inability to agree on the nature of climate change and what a response entails may be grounded in modern ways of thinking and being—ways that have long marginalized such inquiries. The increasing power of science and computer modeling has not only give us new ways of thinking about our relation to climate, but also represents our entry into a new sense of being where we are aware of humanity's interconnection with an ever‐changing climate system. Research with indigenous views of climate change and paleoclimatology are revealing historic insights on the evolving relation between the human mind and cycles of climate change. While such research can help situate our present realizations about human embeddedness within a longer history of human–climate relations, it is also necessary to recognize the unique dimensions of our current situation. This includes the increasing power of industrial humanity to destabilize global climate–human systems through greenhouse gas emissions; to technologically monitor those changes; and to promote changes in behavior that can be ethically responsive to global, not simply regional, climate–human relations. This article considers climate change as a challenge to modern ways of thinking and being, and concludes by contemplating some implications of returning to an older humility and wisdom.WIREs Clim Change2014, 5:247–260. doi: 10.1002/wcc.267This article is categorized under:Social Status of Climate Change Knowledge > Sociology/Anthropology of Climate KnowledgeTrans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Humanities and the Creative Arts
Model studies of dense water overflows in the Faroese Channels
Authors: Cuthbertson Alan , Davies Peter , Stashchuk Nataliya , Vlasenko Vasiliy 
Published: January 2014

Abstract
The overflow of dense water from the Nordic Seas through the Faroese Channel system was investigated through combined laboratory experiments and numerical simulations using the Massachusetts Institute of Technology General Circulation Model. In the experimental study, a scaled, topographic representation of the Faroe-Shetland Channel, Wyville-Thomson Basin and Ridge and Faroe Bank Channel seabed bathymetry was constructed and mounted in a rotating tank. A series of parametric experiments was conducted using dye-tracing and drogue-tracking techniques to investigate deep-water overflow pathways and circulation patterns within the modelled region. In addition, the structure of the outflowing dense bottom water was investigated through density profiling along three cross-channel transects located in the Wyville-Thomson Basin and the converging, up-sloping approach to the Faroe Bank Channel. Results from the dye-tracing studies demonstrate a range of parametric conditions under which dense water overflow across the Wyville-Thomson Ridge is shown to occur, as defined by the Burger number, a non-dimensional length ratio and a dimensionless dense water volume flux parameter specified at the Faroe-Shetland Channel inlet boundary. Drogue-tracking measurements reveal the complex nature of flow paths and circulations generated in the modelled topography, particularly the development of a large anti-cyclonic gyre in the Wyville-Thompson Basin and up-sloping approach to the Faroe Bank Channel, which diverts the dense water outflow from the Faroese shelf towards the Wyville-Thomson Ridge, potentially promoting dense water spillage across the ridge itself. The presence of this circulation is also indicated by associated undulations in density isopycnals across the Wyville-Thomson Basin. Numerical simulations of parametric test cases for the main outflow pathways and density structure in a similarly-scaled Faroese Channels model domain indicate excellent qualitative agreement with the experimental observations and measurements. In addition, the comparisons show that strong temporal variability in the predicted outflow pathways and circulations have a strong influence in regulating the Faroe Bank Channel and Wyville-Thomson Ridge overflows, as well as in determining the overall response in the Faroese Channels to changes in the Faroe-Shetland Channel inlet boundary conditions.
Tests of multiple molecular markers for the identification of Great Spotted and Syrian Woodpeckers and their hybrids
Authors: Michalczuk Jerzy , McDevitt Allan D. , Mazgajski Tomasz D. , Figarski Tomasz , Ilieva Mihaela , Bujoczek Małgorzata , Malczyk Paweł , Kajtoch Łukasz 
Published: January 2014

AbstractGreat Spotted and Syrian Woodpeckers (Dendrocopos major and D. syriacus) are known to hybridize in nature; however, the extent of this phenomenon is not known due to difficulties in hybrid detection based on plumage analyses. Here, we tested five markers (one mitochondrial and four nuclear) and a set of six microsatellite loci for the identification of these two Woodpeckers and their hybrids. Sequencing of DNA from 26 individuals of both Woodpeckers from different parts of their ranges: one allopatric (D. major; Norway) and two sympatric (Poland and Bulgaria) showed that both species can be clearly separated based on all sequence markers. The highest number of fixed nucleotide sites were found in the mtDNA control region and intron 5 of the transforming growth factor. Analyses of microsatellite data distinguished the two species, but all loci showed a large number of common alleles and their utility in identifying hybrids is therefore doubtful. According to the DNA sequence analyses, 2 out of 18 specimens within the sympatric range in Poland were identified as possible hybrids, most probably paternal backcrosses. Moreover, both hybrids are from synantropic populations (settled in cities), whereas none of the D. major sampled in forests and in its allopatric range (Norway) showed signs of an intermixed genotype. Further research on hybridization and introgression in woodpeckers is undoubtedly needed and could be useful for understanding ecological and ethological interactions among these species, particularly for D. syriacus, which is relatively rare in Europe.