bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of spike clustering by NMDA receptors and neurotensin in rat supraoptic nucleus neurons
Authors: Gagnon Ariane , Walsh Michael , Okuda Tika , Choe Katrina Y. , Zaelzer Cristian , Bourque Charles W. 
Published: July 2014

Key points
Magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) of the rat supraoptic nucleus adopt bursting activity patterns under conditions demanding maximum peptide release from their nerve endings in the neurohypophysis.
Exogenous activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) induces spike clustering in MNCs through a mechanism that requires apamin‐sensitive small conductance calcium‐activated K+ (SK) channels).
Here we show that NMDAR‐ and SK channel‐dependent spike clustering can be induced in MNCs by release of endogenous glutamate from afferent axon terminals.
This form of bursting activity can be modulated by subtle changes in membrane voltage, or by partial inhibition of SK channels.
AbstractMagnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) in the rat supraoptic nucleus display clustered firing during hyperosmolality or dehydration. This response is beneficial because this type of activity potentiates vasopressin secretion from axon terminals in the neurohypophysis and thus promotes homoeostatic water reabsorption from the kidney. However, the mechanisms which lead to the generation of clustering activity in MNCs remain unknown. Previous work has shown that clustered firing can be induced in these neurons through the pharmacological activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) and that silent pauses observed during this activity are mediated by apamin‐sensitive calcium activated potassium (SK) channels. However, it remains unknown if clustered firing can be induced in situ by endogenous glutamate release from axon terminals. Here we show that electrical stimulation of glutamatergic osmosensory afferents in the organum vasculosum lamina terminalis (OVLT) can promote clustering in MNCs via NMDARs and apamin‐sensitive channels. We also show that the rate of spike clustering induced by NMDA varies as a bell‐shaped function of voltage, and that partial inhibition of SK channels can increase cluster duration and reduce the rate of clustering. Finally, we show that MNCs express neurotensin type 2 receptors, and that activation of these receptors can simultaneously depolarize MNCs and suppress clustered firing induced by bath application of NMDA or by repetitive stimulation of glutamate afferents. These studies reveal that spike clustering can be induced in MNCs by glutamate release from afferent nerve terminals and that that this type of activity can be fine‐tuned by neuromodulators such as neurotensin.
Short‐term potentiation of GABAergic synaptic inputs to vasopressin and oxytocin neurones
Authors: Morton Linda A. , Popescu Ion R. , Haam Juhee , Tasker Jeffrey G. 
Published: July 2014

Key points
Hypothalamic neurones that release the hormones vasopressin and oxytocin from the posterior pituitary are controlled, in part, by synaptic inputs mediated by the neurotransmitter GABA.
GABA synapses on the vasopressin neurones, but not the oxytocin neurones, have been shown to elicit excitation.
We show that brief (1 s) electrical stimulation of hypothalamus slices causes release of GABA lasting several minutes at synapses on vasopressin and oxytocin neurones.
Consistent with GABA being excitatory in vasopressin neurones, brief electrical stimulation of GABA synaptic inputs elicited activation of vasopressin neurones, but not oxytocin neurones, that lasted for several minutes.
Prolonged GABA release following a brief stimulus together with GABA excitation of vasopressin neurones constitute a basic synaptic mechanism for controlling vasopressin release.
AbstractThe magnocellular vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) neurones undergo long‐term synaptic plasticity to accommodate prolonged hormone demand. By contrast, rapidly induced, transient synaptic plasticity in response to brief stimuli could enable the activation of magnocellular neurones in response to acute challenges. Here, we report a robust short‐term potentiation of asynchronous GABAergic synaptic inputs (STPGABA) to VP and OT neurones of the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus elicited by repetitive extracellular electrical stimulation. The STPGABA required extracellular Ca2+, but did not require activation of glutamate, VP or OT receptors or nitric oxide synthesis. Presynaptic action potential generation was necessary for the induction, but not the maintenance, of STPGABA. The STPGABA led to a minutes‐long GABAA receptor‐dependent increase in spike frequency in VP neurones, but not in OT neurones, consistent with an excitatory function of GABA in only VP neurones and with the generation of prolonged bursts of action potentials in VP neurones. Therefore, this short‐term plasticity of GABAergic synaptic inputs is likely to play very different roles in the regulation of OT and VP neurones and their distinct patterns of physiological activation.
Dosimetric comparison of Acuros XB, AAA, and XVMC in stereotactic body radiotherapy for lung cancer
Authors: Tsuruta Yusuke , Nakata Manabu , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Matsuo Yukinori , Higashimura Kyoji , Monzen Hajime , Mizowaki Takashi , Hiraoka Masahiro 
Published: July 2014

Purpose:To compare the dosimetric performance of Acuros XB (AXB), anisotropic analytical algorithm (AAA), and x‐ray voxel Monte Carlo (XVMC) in heterogeneous phantoms and lung stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) plans.Methods:Water‐ and lung‐equivalent phantoms were combined to evaluate the percentage depth dose and dose profile. The radiation treatment machine Novalis (BrainLab AG, Feldkirchen, Germany) with an x‐ray beam energy of 6 MV was used to calculate the doses in the composite phantom at a source‐to‐surface distance of 100 cm with a gantry angle of 0°. Subsequently, the clinical lung SBRT plans for the 26 consecutive patients were transferred from the iPlan (ver. 4.1; BrainLab AG) to the Eclipse treatment planning systems (ver. 11.0.3; Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). The doses were then recalculated with AXB and AAA while maintaining the XVMC‐calculated monitor units and beam arrangement. Then the dose‐volumetric data obtained using the three different radiation dose calculation algorithms were compared.Results:The results from AXB and XVMC agreed with measurements within ±3.0% for the lung‐equivalent phantom with a 6 × 6 cm2 field size, whereas AAA values were higher than measurements in the heterogeneous zone and near the boundary, with the greatest difference being 4.1%. AXB and XVMC agreed well with measurements in terms of the profile shape at the boundary of the heterogeneous zone. For the lung SBRT plans, AXB yielded lower values than XVMC in terms of the maximum doses of ITV and PTV; however, the differences were within ±3.0%. In addition to the dose‐volumetric data, the dose distribution analysis showed that AXB yielded dose distribution calculations that were closer to those with XVMC than did AAA. Means ± standard deviation of the computation time was 221.6 ± 53.1 s (range, 124–358 s), 66.1 ± 16.0 s (range, 42–94 s), and 6.7 ± 1.1 s (range, 5–9 s) for XVMC, AXB, and AAA, respectively.Conclusions:In the phantom evaluations, AXB and XVMC agreed better with measurements than did AAA. Calculations differed in the density‐changing zones (substance boundaries) between AXB/XVMC and AAA. In the lung SBRT cases, a comparative analysis of dose‐volumetric data and dose distributions with XVMC demonstrated that the AXB provided better agreement with XVMC than AAA. The computation time of AXB was faster than that of XVMC; therefore, AXB has better balance in terms of the dosimetric performance and computation speed for clinical use than XVMC.
Genome Sequence of Bacillus safensis CFA06, Isolated from Biodegraded Petroleum in Brazil
Authors: Laborda Prianda R. , Fonseca Francine S. A. , Angolini Célio F. F. , Oliveira Valéria M. , Souza Anete P. , Marsaioli Anita J. 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Bacillus safensis
is a microorganism recognized for its biotechnological and industrial potential due to its interesting enzymatic portfolio. Here, as a means of gathering information about the importance of this species in oil biodegradation, we report a draft genome sequence of a strain isolated from petroleum.
Rapid Detection of Trichodysplasia Spinulosa-Associated Polyomavirus in Skin Biopsy Specimen
Authors: Urbano Paulo Roberto P. , Pannuti Cláudio Sérgio , Pierrotti Ligia C. , David-Neto Elias , Romano Camila Malta 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT
Trichodysplasia spinulosa-associated polyomavirus (TSV) is responsible for a rare skin cancer. Using metagenomic approaches, we determined the complete genome sequence of a TSV first detected in Brazil in spicules of an immunocompromised patient suspected to have trichodysplasia spinulosa.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Isolate Dermabacter hominis 1368
Authors: Albersmeier Andreas , Bomholt Christina , Glaub Alina , Rückert Christian , Soriano Francisco , Fernández-Natal Isabel , Tauch Andreas 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

Dermabacter hominis
is a common colonizer of the healthy human skin and is rarely detected as an opportunistic human pathogen. The genome sequence of the multidrug-resistant
D. hominis
strain 1368, isolated from blood cultures of a pyelonephritis patient, provides insights into the repertoire of antibiotic resistance genes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lutibaculum baratangense Strain AMV1
T
, Isolated from a Mud Volcano in Andamans, India
Authors: Singh Aditya , Sreenivas Ara , Sathyanarayana Reddy Gundlapally , Pinnaka Anil Kumar , Shivaji Sisinthy 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACT

The 4.3-Mb genome of
Lutibaculum baratangense
strain AMV1
T
, isolated from a soil sample collected from a mud volcano in Andamans, India, is reported. The draft genome of strain
Lutibaculum baratangense
AMV1
T
consists of 4,300,776 bp with a G+C content of 66.93 mol% and 4,198 predicted coding regions, including 56 RNAs.
The double-edged sword of electronic health records: implications for patient disclosure
Authors: Campos-Castillo Celeste , Anthony Denise L 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Objective Electronic health record (EHR) systems are linked to improvements in quality of care, yet also privacy and security risks. Results from research studies are mixed about whether patients withhold personal information from their providers to protect against the perceived EHR privacy and security risks. This study seeks to reconcile the mixed findings by focusing on whether accounting for patients’ global ratings of care reveals a relationship between EHR provider-use and patient non-disclosure.
Materials and methods A nationally representative sample from the 2012 Health Information National Trends Survey was analyzed using bivariate and multivariable logit regressions to examine whether global ratings of care suppress the relationship between EHR provider-use and patient non-disclosure.
Results 13% of respondents reported having ever withheld information from a provider because of privacy/security concerns. Bivariate analysis showed that withholding information was unrelated to whether respondents’ providers used an EHR. Multivariable analysis showed that accounting for respondents’ global ratings of care revealed a positive relationship between having a provider who uses an EHR and withholding information.
Discussion After accounting for global ratings of care, findings suggest that patients may non-disclose to providers to protect against the perceived EHR privacy and security risks. Despite evidence that EHRs inhibit patient disclosure, their advantages for promoting quality of care may outweigh the drawbacks.
Conclusions Clinicians should leverage the EHR's value in quality of care and discuss patients’ privacy concerns during clinic visits, while policy makers should consider how to address the real and perceived privacy and security risks of EHRs.
Risk factors for bloodborne viral hepatitis in healthcare workers of Pakistan: a population based case–control study
Authors: Gorar Zulfikar A , Butt Zahid A , Aziz Imrana 
Published: July 2014

ObjectivesA high prevalence of viral hepatitis B and C was found among healthcare workers during a province-wide screening in Sindh Province, Pakistan. A follow-up study was undertaken to identify risk factors for this high prevalence in healthcare workers.DesignPopulation based case–control design.SettingPublic sector healthcare facilities in a rural district of Pakistan.ParticipantsHealthcare workers who were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies. 178 healthcare workers employed at the public sector clinics and hospitals of the district were approached, of which 14 refused to participate. Cases had detectable serum antibodies against HCV and the presence of HBsAg. Healthcare workers non-reactive to HCV antibodies and with no HBsAg were controls. These were matched in a ratio of 1:1.Outcome measureDetectable serum HBsAg and HCV antibody titer were taken as outcome. OR for various exposures was calculated; those with p<0.25 were entered in a multivariate logistic regression model to find out significant predictors.ResultsNeedle stick injury (OR=6; CI951.4 to 23), recapping the needle (OR=5.7; CI951.1 to 28), wound care at accident and emergency of a hospital (OR=5.5; CI951 to 28), female gender (OR=3.4; CI951 to 12) and more than 10 years of formal education (OR=0.25; CI950.07 to 0.8) were associated with hepatitis C. Hepatitis B was found to be associated with trying to bend or break a needle after use (OR=4.9; CI951 to 24).ConclusionsHealthcare workers in Pakistan are at additional risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Bi-dimensional risk factors present at individual and broader health systems levels are responsible. Occupational safety, health trainings and redesigning of the curriculum for allied health professionals are required.
Education Against Tobacco (EAT): a quasi-experimental prospective evaluation of a programme for preventing smoking in secondary schools delivered by medical students: a study protocol
Authors: Brinker Titus J , Stamm-Balderjahn Sabine , Seeger Werner , Groneberg David A 
Published: July 2014

IntroductionA survey conducted by the German Federal Centre for Health Education in 2012 showed that 35.2% of all young adults (18–25 years) and 12.0% of all adolescents (12–17 years) in Germany are regular cigarette smokers. Most smoked their first cigarette in early adolescence. We recently reported a significantly positive short-term effect of a physician-delivered school-based smoking prevention programme on the smoking behaviour of schoolchildren in Germany. However, physician-based programmes are usually very expensive. Therefore, we will evaluate and optimise Education against Tobacco (EAT), a widespread, low-cost programme delivered by about 400 medical students from 16 universities in Germany.Methods and analysisA prospective quasi-experimental study design with two measurements at baseline (t1) and 6 months post-intervention (t2) to investigate an intervention in 10–15-year-olds in grades 6–8 at German secondary schools. The intervention programme consists of two 60-min school-based medical-student-delivered modules with (module 1) and without the involvement of patients with tobacco-related diseases and control groups (no intervention). The study questionnaire measuring smoking status (water pipe and cigarette smoking), smoking-related cognitions, and gender, social and cultural aspects was designed and pre-tested in advance. The primary end point is the prevalence of smokers and non-smokers in the two study arms at 6 months after the intervention. The percentage of former smokers and new smokers in the two groups and the measures of smoking behaviour will be studied as secondary outcome measures.Ethics and disseminationIn accordance with Good Epidemiologic Practice (GEP) guidelines, the study protocol was submitted for approval by the responsible ethics committee, which decided that the study does not need ethical approval (Goethe University, Frankfurt-Main, Germany). Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals, at conferences, within our scientific advisory board and through medical students within the EAT project.
EFFICIENT GRID EXPLORATION WITH A STATIONARY TOKEN
Authors: PELC ANDRZEJ , TIANE ANAS 
Published: July 2014

A mobile agent starting at an arbitrary node of an m × k grid, for 1 < m ≤ k, has to explore the grid by visiting all its nodes and traversing all edges. The cost of an exploration algorithm is the number of edge traversals by the agent. Nodes of the grid are unlabeled and ports at each node v have distinct numbers in {0,…, d − 1}, where d = 2, 3, 4 is the degree of v. Port numbering is local, i.e., there is no relation between port numbers at different nodes. When visiting a node the agent sees its degree. It also sees the port number by which it enters a node and can choose the port number by which it leaves a visited node. We are interested in deterministic exploration algorithms working at low cost. We consider the scenario in which the agent is equipped with a stationary token situated at its starting node. The agent sees the token whenever it visits this node. We give an exploration algorithm working at cost O(k2) for 2 × k grids, and at cost O(m2k), for m × k grids, when 2 < m ≤ k.
Chapter 14 The rock coast of Australia
Authors: Kennedy David M. 
Published: July 2014

Abstract

The rocky coast of Australia has been the focus of scientific enquiry since Charles Darwin visited Sydney during the voyage of the
Beagle
(1831–1836). As the philosophy of geomorphological enquiry has evolved from Davisian landscape theory to modern questions of landscape response to climate change, so has the understanding of Australian shore platforms. Early work was focused on penultimate levels of coastal planation; however, the majority of research has focused on the balance between marine and subaerial erosion in forming shore platforms. As field instrumentation has advanced there has been a greater variety of data available to researchers which has led to studies of microerosion and the distribution of wave energy across platform surfaces. Platforms formed in Quaternary carbonates and volcanics as well as Mesozoic sediments have been the focus of research. Those found in softer carbonates form closer to low-tide level while those in resistant basalt form at high-tide elevation. Rock hardness and structure are the primary drivers of platform morphology; however at an individual field site the surface morphology, such as the presence of a ramp, will be determined by the balance between wave and subaerial processes as well as local variations in lithology.
Chapter 6 The rock coast of continental Europe in the Atlantic
Authors: Gómez-Pujol Lluís , Pérez-Alberti Augusto , Blanco-Chao Ramón , Costa Stéphane , Neves Mario , Del Río Laura 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
Rocky coasts occur along more than one-third (37%) of the Atlantic continental European coastline, approximately 3666 km, often forming vertical cliffs and characteristically gently sloping shore platforms. The continental European Atlantic rocky coasts show a great variability of rock types and structural contexts, as well as different wave climates and tidal ranges. Through a review of previously published data on cliff retreat rates and shore platform erosion measured on monthly, seasonal, annual and decadal timescales, this paper highlights the different processes and agents, their magnitude and frequency in shaping rocky coasts. In particular, the links between cliff retreat, shore platform evolution, present dynamics and inheritance (understood as whether platform and other rock coast features were shaped by a higher sea level than the present) comprise one of the major contributions from continental European Atlantic rocky coasts to a global understanding of rock coast coastal geomorphology.
Neutralizing Murine TGFβR2 Promotes a Differentiated Tumor Cell Phenotype and Inhibits Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis
Authors: Ostapoff Katherine T. , Cenik Bercin Kutluk , Wang Miao , Ye Risheng , Xu Xiaohong , Nugent Desiree , Hagopian Moriah M. , Topalovski Mary , Rivera Lee B. , Carroll Kyla D. , Brekken Rolf A. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractElevated levels of TGFβ are a negative prognostic indicator for patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer; as a result, the TGFβ pathway is an attractive target for therapy. However, clinical application of pharmacologic inhibition of TGFβ remains challenging because TGFβ has tumor suppressor functions in many epithelial malignancies, including pancreatic cancer. In fact, direct neutralization of TGFβ promotes tumor progression of genetic murine models of pancreatic cancer. Here, we report that neutralizing the activity of murine TGFβ receptor 2 using a monoclonal antibody (2G8) has potent antimetastatic activity in orthotopic human tumor xenografts, syngeneic tumors, and a genetic model of pancreatic cancer. 2G8 reduced activated fibroblasts, collagen deposition, microvessel density, and vascular function. These stromal-specific changes resulted in tumor cell epithelial differentiation and a potent reduction in metastases. We conclude that TGFβ signaling within stromal cells participates directly in tumor cell phenotype and pancreatic cancer progression. Thus, strategies that inhibit TGFβ-dependent effector functions of stromal cells could be efficacious for the therapy of pancreatic tumors. Cancer Res; 74(18); 4996–5007. ©2014 AACR.
Targeting mTORC1–Mediated Metabolic Addiction Overcomes Fludarabine Resistance in Malignant B Cells
Authors: Sharma Arishya , Janocha Allison J. , Hill Brian T. , Smith Mitchell R. , Erzurum Serpil C. , Almasan Alexandru 
Published: July 2014

Abstract
MTOR complex-1(mTORC1) activation occurs frequently in cancers, yet clinical efficacy of rapalogs is limited because of the associated activation of upstream survival pathways. An alternative approach is to inhibit downstream of mTORC1; therefore, acquired resistance to fludarabine (Flu), a purine analogue and antimetabolite chemotherapy, active agent for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) was investigated. Elevated phospho-p70S6K, also known as RPS6KB1 (ribosomal protein S6 kinase, 70kDa, polypeptide 1) (T389), an mTORC1 activation marker, predicted Flu resistance in a panel of B-cell lines, isogenic Flu-resistant (FluR) derivatives, and primary human CLL cells. Consistent with the anabolic role of mTORC1, FluR cells had higher rates of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation than Flu-sensitive (FluS) cells. Rapalogs (everolimus and rapamycin) induced moderate cell death in FluR and primary CLL cells, and everolimus significantly inhibited glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in FluR cells. Strikingly, the higher oxidative phosphorylation in FluR cells was not coupled to higher ATP synthesis. Instead, it contributed primarily to an essential, dihydroorotate dehydrogenase catalyzed, step in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. mTORC1 promotes pyrimidine biosynthesis by p70S6 kinase–mediated phosphorylation of CAD (carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydroorotase; Ser1859) and favors S-phase cell-cycle progression. We found increased phospho-CAD (S1859) and higher S-phase population in FluR cells. Pharmacological inhibition of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis using N-phosphonacetyl-l-aspartate and leflunomide, RNAi-mediated knockdown of p70S6K, and inhibition of mitochondrial respiration were selectively cytotoxic to FluR, but not FluS, cells. These results reveal a novel link between mTORC1-mediated metabolic reprogramming and Flu resistance identifying mitochondrial respiration and de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis as potential therapeutic targets.
Implications: This study provides the first evidence for mTORC1/p70S6K-dependent regulation of pyrimidine biosynthesis in a relevant disease setting. Mol Cancer Res; 12(9); 1205–15. ©2014 AACR.