bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of maternal care on the development of midbrain dopamine pathways and reward‐directed behavior in female offspring
Authors: Peña Catherine Jensen , Neugut Y Dana , Calarco Cali A. , Champagne Frances A. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractVariation within mesolimbic dopamine (DA) pathways has significant implications for behavioral responses to rewards, and previous studies have indicated long‐term programming effects of early life stress on these pathways. In the current study, we examined the impact of natural variations in maternal care inLongEvans rats on the development ofDApathways in female offspring and the consequences for reward‐directed behaviors. We found that tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactivity in the ventral tegmental area was elevated by postnatal day 6 in response to maternal licking/grooming (LG), and that these effects were sustained into adulthood. IncreasedTHimmunoreactivity was not found to be associated with altered epigenetic regulation or transcriptional activation ofTh, but probably involvedLG‐associated changes in the differentiation of postnatalDAneurons through increased expression of Cdkn1c, and enhanced survival ofDAprojections throughLG‐associated increases in Lmx1b and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor. At weaning, high‐LGoffspring had elevatedDAreceptormRNAlevels within the nucleus accumbens and increased conditioned place preference for a high‐fat diet. In contrast, high‐LG, as compared with low‐LG, juvenile offspring had a reduced preference for social interactions with siblings, and haloperidol administration abolished group differences in conditioned place preference through a shift towards increased social preferences in high‐LGoffspring. The effects of maternal care on developingDApathways and reward‐directed behavior of female offspring that we have observed may play a critical role in the behavioral transmission of maternalLGfrom mother to daughter, and account for individual differences in the mesolimbicDAsystem.
Functional parcellation of the human primary somatosensory cortex to natural touch
Authors: Malinen Sanna , Renvall Ville , Hari Riitta 
Published: January 2014

AbstractDespite the significance of human touch, brain responses to interpersonal manual touch have been rarely investigated. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to study brain activity in eight healthy adults whose left hand was touched by two individuals, in separate runs and in 20‐s blocks, either by holding, smoothing, or poking. Acceleration was measured from both the subject's and the touching person's hands for postimaging control of the stimuli. Independent component analysis of the functional magnetic resonance imaging data unraveled three functional networks involving the primary somatosensory cortex (SI). One network comprised the contralateral and another the ipsilateral Brodmann area 3. The third network included area 2 bilaterally, left‐hemisphere middle temporal gyrus and dorsolateral prefrontal regions, ventral prefrontal cortices bilaterally, and middle cingulate cortex. The response shapes and polarities varied between the three networks. The contralateral area 3 differentiated the responses between the three types of touch stimuli, and the response magnitudes depended on the variability of the touch within each block. However, the responses of the other two networks were strikingly similar to all stimuli. The subjects' reports on the pleasantness of the touch did not correlate with the characteristics of the SI responses. These findings imply area‐specific processing of the natural human touch in three networks including the SI cortex, with only area 2 connected to a functional network of brain areas that may support social interaction.
Learner Pronunciation, Awareness, and Instruction in French as a Second Language
Authors: Kennedy Sara , Blanchet Josée , Trofimovich Pavel 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis study examined the speech of 30 adult learners of French as a second language (L2) in a 15‐week listening/speaking course, investigating the relationship between learners' pronunciation development and their pronunciation awareness, measured through learners' conceptions of learning. The course targeted segmental and suprasegmental aspects, including connected speech processes (enchaînement, liaison), intonation, and fluency. Learners wrote weekly journals eliciting measures of pronunciation awareness and completed read‐aloud and picture description tasks at the course's beginning and end. Speech was analyzed through seven measures, including fluency and segmental and suprasegmental accuracy. Results showed significant improvements in learners' segmental production, enchaînement, and some aspects of intonation and fluency. Several variables were associated with pronunciation awareness measures. Results are discussed in light of L2 pronunciation development and instruction‐awareness links.
Performance of species richness estimators across assemblage types and survey parameters
Authors: Reese Gordon C. , Wilson Kenneth R. , Flather Curtis H. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimA raw count of the species encountered across surveys usually underestimates species richness. Statistical estimators are often less biased. Nonparametric estimators of species richness are widely considered the least biased, but no particular estimator has consistently performed best. This is partly a function of estimators responding differently to assemblage‐level factors and survey design parameters. Our objective was to evaluate the performance of raw counts and nonparametric estimators of species richness across various assemblages and with different survey designs.LocationWe used both simulated and published field data.MethodsWe evaluated the bias, precision and accuracy of raw counts and 13 nonparametric estimators using simulations that systematically varied assemblage characteristics (number of species, species abundance distribution, total number of individuals, spatial configuration of individuals and species detection probability), sampling effort and survey design. Results informed the development of an estimator selection framework that we evaluated with field data.ResultsWhen averaged across assemblages, most nonparametric estimators were less negatively biased than a raw count. Estimators based on the similarity of repeated subsets of surveys were most accurate and their accumulation curves appeared to reach asymptotes fastest. Number of species, species abundance distribution and effort had the largest effects on performance, ultimately by affecting the proportion of the species pool contained in a sample. Our estimator selection framework showed promising results when applied to field data.Main conclusionsA raw count of the number of species in an area is far from the best estimate of true species richness. Nonparametric estimators are less biased. Newer largely unused, estimators perform better than more well known and longer established counterparts under certain conditions. Given that there is generally a trade‐off between bias and precision, we believe that estimator variance, which is often not reported when presenting species richness estimates, should always be included.
Cubital Subchondral Joint Space Width and CT Osteoabsorptiometry in Dogs With and Without Fragmented Medial Coronoid Process
Authors: Krotscheck Ursula , Böttcher Peter B. , Thompson Margret S. , Todhunter Rory J. , Mohammed Hussni O. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo evaluate subchondral joint space width measurements (SJSW) and CT‐osteoabsorptiometry (CTOAM) measurements in the elbow of dogs with naturally occurring fragmented medial coronoid process (FMCP) preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively, and to compare these to normal dogs.Study DesignProspective randomized clinical trial.AnimalsLarge breed dogs <1 year of age (n = 15).MethodsArthroscopic FMCP debridement was performed, followed by randomization to a proximal ulnar ostectomy with IM pin (PUO). CTs were performed pre‐operatively and 6 months post‐operatively. CTOAM and SJSW measurements were acquired in 7 locations within the joint and compared to an age‐matched normal control group. Pearson correlation was performed on SJSW and CTOAM measurements. A linear mixed model determined the effect of disease and treatment on SJSW and CTOAM measurements.ResultsFifteen dogs (28 elbows) with FMCP participated (11 arthroscopic FMCP removal, 17 with additional PUO). Data were normally distributed. Pearson correlation between CTOAM and SJSW measurements showed moderate to strong negative correlation in the control dogs. Preoperatively, affected elbows had lower medial compartment and higher lateral coronoid process CTOAM values than normal elbows. After treatment, CTOAM values of the medial compartment increased to normal. Treatment with PUO did not affect SJSW or CTOAM.ConclusionsOur data agree with these previous studies suggesting lower subchondral plate mineralization in dogs affected by FMCP. Arthroscopy may result in higher CTOAM values secondary to increased loading.
Thermophysical Properties of Multiphase Borosilicate Glass‐Ceramic Waste Forms
Authors: Nelson Andrew T. , Crum Jarrod V. , Tang Ming 
Published: January 2014

Multiphase borosilicate glass‐ceramics represent one candidate to contain radioactive nuclear waste separated from used nuclear fuel. In this work, the thermophysical properties from room temperature to 1273 K were investigated for four different borosilicate glass‐ceramic compositions containing waste loadings from 42 to 60 wt% to determine the sensitivity of these properties to waste loading, as‐fabricated microstructure, and potential evolutions in microstructure brought about by temperature transients. The thermal expansion, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, and thermal conductivity are presented. The impact of increasing waste loading is shown to have a small but measurable effect on the thermophysical properties between the four compositions, contrasted to a much greater impact observed when transitioning from predominantly crystalline to amorphous systems. Thermal cycling below 1273 K was not found to measurably impact the thermophysical properties of the compositions investigated here.
Piezoelectric Properties of a Pioneering 3‐1 Type PZT/Epoxy Composites Based on Freeze‐Casting Processing
Authors: Xu Tingting , Wang Chang‐An 
Published: January 2014

Lead zirconate titanate (PbZr1 − xTixO3, PZT)/epoxy composites with one‐ dimensional epoxy in PZT matrix (called 3‐1 type piezocomposites) have been fabricated by tert‐butyl alcohol (TBA)‐based directional freeze casting of PZT matrix and afterward infiltration of epoxy. The composites with PZT volume fraction ranging from 0.36 to 0.69 were obtained by adjusting initial solid loading in freeze‐casting slurry. The effect of poling voltage on piezoelectric properties of the composites was studied for various volume fraction of PZT phase. With the increasing of PZT volume fraction, relative permittivity (εr) increased linearly and piezoelectric coefficient (d33 and d31) increased step by step. The resultant composites with 0.57 PZT volume fraction possessed the highest hydrostatic piezoelectric strain coefficient (dh) value (184 pC/N), voltage coefficient (gh) value (13.6 × 10−3 V/m Pa), and hydrostatic figure of merit (HFOM) value (2168 × 10−15 Pa−1).
Overexpression of STAMP2 suppresses atherosclerosis and stabilizes plaques in diabetic mice
Authors: Wang Jia , Han Lu , Wang Zhi‐hao , Ding Wen‐yuan , Shang Yuan‐yuan , Tang Meng‐xiong , Li Wen‐bo , Zhang Yun , Zhang Wei , Zhong Ming 
Published: January 2014

AbstractOur research aims to evaluate the function of the STAMP2 gene, an important trigger in insulin resistance (IR), and explore its role in macrophage apoptosis in diabetic atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques. The characteristics of diabetic mice were measured by serial metabolite and pathology tests. The level of STAMP2 was measured by RT‐PCR and Western blot. The plaque area, lipid and collagen content of brachiocephalic artery plaques were measured by histopathological analyses, and the macrophage apoptosis was measured by TUNEL. Correlation of STAMP2/Akt signaling pathway and macrophage apoptosis was validated by Ad‐STAMP2 transfection and STAMP2 siRNA inhibition. The diabetic mice showed typical features of IR, hyperglycaemia. Overexpression of STAMP2 ameliorated IR and decreased serum glucose level. In brachiocephalic lesions, lipid content, macrophage quantity and the vulnerability index were significantly decreased by overexpression of STAMP2. Moreover, the numbers of apoptotic cells and macrophages in lesions were both significantly decreased. In vitro, both mRNA and protein expressions of STAMP2 were increased under high glucose treatment. P‐Akt was highly expressed and caspase‐3 was decreased after overexpression of STAMP2. However, expression of p‐Akt protein was decreased and caspase‐3 was increased when STAMP2 was inhibited by siRNA. STAMP2 overexpression could exert a protective effect on diabetic atherosclerosis by reducing IR and diminishing macrophage apoptosis.
Serum microRNA levels in patients with Crohn's disease during induction therapy by infliximab
Authors: Fujioka Shin , Nakamichi Ikuo , Esaki Motohiro , Asano Kouichi , Matsumoto Takayuki , Kitazono Takanari 
Published: January 2014

AbstractBackground and AimmicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been suggested to be candidates for biomarkers in various diseases including Crohn's disease (CD). To identify possible biomarkers predictive of the therapeutic effect of infliximab in CD, we investigated serum miRNA levels during the induction therapy by the medication.MethodsNineteen CD patients who were applied to the induction therapy by infliximab were enrolled. Serum samples for miRNA analyses were obtained at weeks 0 and 6, and the therapeutic efficacy by infliximab was assessed according to the Crohn's disease activity index value at week 14. Exploratory miRNA profiling by low‐density array was initially performed in three patients. The levels of candidate miRNA were subsequently determined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays in the remaining 16 patients. The miRNA levels during the induction therapy were compared between the two groups classified by the clinical response to infliximab at week 14.ResultsLow‐density array analysis identified 14 miRNAs that showed twofold or more altered expression during the induction therapy by infliximab. Subsequent analysis by real‐time PCR demonstrated significantly increased levels of five miRNAs (let‐7d, let‐7e, miR‐28‐5p, miR‐221, and miR‐224) at week 6 when compared with those at week 0 (P < 0.05 each). In addition, miRNA levels of let‐7d and let‐7e were significantly increased in the group of patients who achieved clinical remission by infliximab (P = 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively).Conclusionlet‐7d and let‐7e might be possible therapeutic biomarkers in patients with CD, who are treated by infliximab.
Profiling the genes affected by pathogenic TDP‐43 in astrocytes
Authors: Huang Cao , Huang Bo , Bi Fangfang , Yan Linda H. , Tong Jianbin , Huang Jufang , Xia Xu‐Gang , Zhou Hongxia 
Published: January 2014

AbstractMutation in TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) is a causative factor of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Neurodegeneration may not require the presence of pathogenic TDP‐43 in all types of relevant cells. Rather, expression of pathogenic TDP‐43 in neurons or astrocytes alone is sufficient to cause cell‐autonomous or non‐cell‐autonomous neuron death in transgenic rats. How pathogenic TDP‐43 in astrocytes causes non‐cell‐autonomous neuron death, however, is not clear. Here, we examined the effect of pathogenic TDP‐43 on gene expression in astrocytes. Microarray assay revealed that pathogenic TDP‐43 in astrocytes preferentially altered expression of the genes encoding secretory proteins. Whereas neurotrophic genes were down‐regulated, neurotoxic genes were up‐regulated. Representative genes Lcn2 and chitinase‐3‐like protein 1 were markedly up‐regulated in astrocytes from primary culture and intact transgenic rats. Furthermore, synthetic chitinase‐3‐like protein 1 induced neuron death in a dose‐dependent manner. Our results suggest that TDP‐43 pathogenesis is associated with the simultaneous induction of multiple neurotoxic genes in astrocytes, which may synergistically produce adverse effects on neuronal survival and contribute to non‐cell‐autonomous neuron death.
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Restricted expression of pathogenic TDP‐43 in astrocytes causes non‐cell‐autonomous motor neuron death in transgenic rats. As revealed by microarray assay, pathogenic TDP‐43 in astrocytes preferentially altered expression of the genes encoding secretory proteins. Whereas neurotrophic genes were down‐regulated, neurotoxic genes were up‐regulated. Therefore, TDP‐43 pathogenesis is associated with simultaneous induction of neurotoxic genes and repression of neurotrophic genes in astrocytes.
Inhibition of interleukin‐1β production by extracellular acidification through the TDAG8/cAMP pathway in mouse microglia
Authors: Jin Ye , Sato Koichi , Tobo Ayaka , Mogi Chihiro , Tobo Masayuki , Murata Naoya , Ishii Satoshi , Im Dong‐Soon , Okajima Fumikazu 
Published: January 2014

AbstractInterleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) is released from activated microglia and involved in the neurodegeneration of acute and chronic brain disorders, such as stroke and Alzheimer's disease, in which extracellular acidification has been shown to occur. Here, we examined the extracellular acidic pH regulation of IL‐1β production, especially focusing on TDAG8, a major proton‐sensing G‐protein‐coupled receptor, in mouse microglia. Extracellular acidification inhibited lipopolysaccharide ‐induced IL‐1β production, which was associated with the inhibition of IL‐1β cytoplasmic precursor and mRNA expression. The IL‐1β mRNA and protein responses were significantly, though not completely, attenuated in microglia derived from TDAG8‐deficient mice compared with those from wild‐type mice. The acidic pH also stimulated cellular cAMP accumulation, which was completely inhibited by TDAG8 deficiency. Forskolin and a cAMP derivative, which specifically stimulates protein kinase A (PKA), mimicked the proton actions, and PKA inhibitors reversed the acidic pH‐induced IL‐1β mRNA expression. The acidic pH‐induced inhibitory IL‐1β responses were accompanied by the inhibition of extracellular signal‐related kinase and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase activities. The inhibitory enzyme activities in response to acidic pH were reversed by the PKA inhibitor and TDAG8 deficiency. We conclude that extracellular acidic pH inhibits lipopolysaccharide‐induced IL‐1β production, at least partly, through the TDAG8/cAMP/PKA pathway, by inhibiting extracellular signal‐related kinase and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase activities, in mouse microglia.
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A number of studies have shown that extracellular acidification in brain is observed in ischemia and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the molecular mechanism by which extracellular acidification regulates the biological activities of microglia remains uncharacterized. Here, we examined the extracellular acidic pH regulation of IL‐1β production, especially focusing on TDAG8, a member of OGR1 family receptors. Our results suggest that extracellular acidic pH inhibited lipopolysaccharide ‐induced IL‐1β production at least partly through the TDAG8/cAMP pathway, by inhibiting ERK and JNK activities.
Incidence and Correlates in the Development of Iatrogenic Femoral Pseudoaneurysm after Percutaneous Coronary Interventions
Authors: BADR SALEM , KITABATA HIRONORI , TORGUSON REBECCA , CHEN FANG , SUDDATH WILLIAM O. , SATLER LOWELL F. , PICHARD AUGUSTO D. , WAKSMAN RON , BERNARDO NELSON L. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveWe aimed to identify the correlates in the development of post‐percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) iatrogenic femoral pseudoaneurysm (IFP).BackgroundIFP is one of the more common vascular complications of PCI.MethodsFrom February 2008 to June 2012, 10,169 consecutive patients who underwent PCI were retrospectively studied. Patients who developed postprocedural IFP were identified at a single, large tertiary PCI center.ResultsOne hundred thirty‐nine patients developed IFP (1.38%) and were compared to the cohort that did not. Baseline characteristics were comparable, although patients in the IFP group were older and had a higher incidence of insulin‐requiring diabetes mellitus and chronic renal insufficiency (68.4 ± 12.9 vs. 65.4 ± 12.3 years, P = 0.004; 23.9% vs. 14.6%, P = 0.002; and 26.6% vs. 17.3%, P = 0.004, respectively). The non‐IFP group had more men and a higher use of vascular closure devices, respectively (64.7% vs. 49.6%, P < 0.001; and 54.1% vs. 26.5%, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the use of dual antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapies between the 2 cohorts. Univariable correlates for the development of IFP were female gender, insulin‐requiring diabetes mellitus, chronic renal insufficiency, and use of manual compression to achieve hemostasis. On multivariable analysis, the successful deployment of vascular closure device for hemostasis reduced the occurrence of IFP (odds ratio 0.31, 95% confidence interval 0.21–0.46, P < 0.0001).ConclusionThe development of IFP following PCI is not uncommon and the appropriate use of vascular closure devices to achieve hemostasis should be encouraged to minimize this vascular complication. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:212–216)
Volitional chewing with a conscious effort alters and facilitates swallowing during feeding sequence
Authors: Furuya J. , Hara A. , Nomura T. , Kondo H. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryThe key objective of mastication is to form a food bolus suitable for smooth swallowing. However, chewing is usually performed without a conscious effort. Poor bolus formation can cause pharyngeal residue and suffocation in elderly individuals with reduced swallowing function. Therefore, chewing with a conscious effort may help the bolus to more easily pass the pharynx. This study aimed to clarify the impact of mastication with a conscious effort on the feeding sequence. Subjects included 25 dentulous volunteers who were informed and provided written consent. Lateral videofluoroscopy was performed during the feeding of solid agar jelly under two conditions: chewing naturally in their usual manner (without volition) and chewing with a conscious effort (with volition). Temporal evaluation was performed for mastication, stage II transport (STII), swallow onset and oropharyngeal transit time. Moreover, bolus volume at swallow onset and subjective evaluation of swallowing easiness were measured. Volitional chewing with a conscious effort lengthened the duration of the chewing sequence before and after STII and delayed the swallow onset despite the fact that the bolus volume in the vallecula and hypopharynx (HYP) had significantly increased. Furthermore, with volition, the bolus transit time from swallow onset in the oral cavity, upper oropharynx and HYP was reduced, and subjective evaluation of swallowing easiness demonstrated significant improvement. These results suggest that volitional chewing with a conscious effort can alter bolus transport and swallowing, resulting in easier swallowing.