bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Daidzein regulates proinflammatory adipokines thereby improving obesity‐related inflammation through PPARγ
Authors: Sakamoto Yuri , Naka Ayano , Ohara Nozomi , Kondo Kazuo , Iida Kaoruko 
Published: December 2013

ScopeDaidzein was recently reported to act like an activator of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ (PPARγ) thereby enhancing differentiation of adipocytes. Although PPARγ plays a role in adipokine expression, it has not been well researched whether daidzein affects expression of adipokines. This study aimed to clarify the effects of daidzein on proinflammatory adipokines and adipose inflammation causing insulin resistance in obesity.Methods and results3T3‐L1 adipocytes were treated with daidzein or genistein. Diet‐induced obese C57BL/6J mice were fed high‐fat high‐sucrose diets with daidzein (1.0 g/kg chow) for 12 wk. The results showed that both isoflavones, especially daidzein, stimulated adipogenic differentiation in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes with the activation of PPARγ. Daidzein also increased adiponectin expression and decreased MCP‐1 expression with the consistent regulation of their secretion. In obese mice, daidzein inhibited hypertrophy in fat cell size and improved insulin sensitivity, concomitant with upregulation of PPARγ in fat tissue. Decreased expression of MCP‐1 and TNF‐α, and increased expression of adiponectin were also observed in adipose tissue of daidzein‐fed mice. Additionally, daidzein administration significantly inhibited macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue.ConclusionDaidzein regulates adipokine expression through the PPARγ, thereby improving the adverse effects of adipose inflammation, such as insulin resistance, in obesity.
Quercetin differently regulates insulin‐mediated glucose transporter 4 translocation under basal and inflammatory conditions in adipocytes
Authors: Xu Manli , Hu Juanjuan , Zhao Wenwen , Gao Xuejiao , Jiang Cuihua , Liu Kang , Liu Baolin , Huang Fang 
Published: December 2013

ScopeQuercetin is the most abundant dietary flavonol with beneficial regulation of glucose homeostasis, but its regulation of insulin action remains uncertain. This study aims to investigate the effects of quercetin on insulin‐mediated glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation under basal and inflammatory conditions as well as the molecular mechanisms in adipocytes.Methods and resultsThe effects of quercetin on insulin‐mediated GLUT4 translocation in 3T3‐L1 cells under basal and insulin resistant conditions were investigated. Meanwhile, we investigated the effect of quercetin on AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation implicated in regulation of insulin action. Quercetin inhibited insulin‐mediated GLUT4 translocation by inhibiting AS160 phosphorylation. Differently, when inflammatory challenge impaired insulin action in 3T3‐L1 cells, quercetin inhibited IκB kinase β (IKKβ) phosphorylation and facilitated insulin signaling, leading to the restoration of insulin‐mediated AS160 phosphorylation and downstream GLUT4 translocation. AMPK inhibitor Compound C or knockdown of AMPKα by small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished both actions of quercetin. Results from mice adipose tissue (AT) further confirmed its positive regulation of AMPK phosphorylation and opposite effects on AS160 phosphorylation in vivo.ConclusionQuercetin demonstrated divergent effects on insulin‐mediated GLUT4 translocation in adipocytes under basal and insulin resistant conditions, which were related to its regulation of AMPK activity.
Complementary histological and genomic analyses reveal marked differences in the developmental trajectories of ovaries in Siberian hamsters raised in long‐ and short‐day lengths
Authors: Park Sung‐Un , Bernstein Adrien N. , Place Ned J. 
Published: December 2013

SUMMARYSiberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) delay sexual development when raised in short‐day (SD; 10 hr light: 14 hr dark) conditions, which leads to delayed onset of estrous cycles and ovulations as compared to females raised in long‐day (LD; 16 hr light: 8 hr dark) conditions. In addition to the absence of pre‐ovulatory follicles and corpora lutea, the ovaries of SD‐reared Siberian hamsters are characterized by an abundance of hypertrophied granulosa cells (HGCs) that surround atretic oocytes. To determine the age at which the histology of LD and SD ovaries first diverge, including the initial appearance of HGCs in SD conditions, we examined hamster ovaries histologically at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age. After identifying subtle differences in LD and SD ovarian histology at 4 weeks of age, we searched for differences in ovarian gene expression at 3 and 8 weeks of age, which correspond to the ages when ovarian histology do not differ (3 weeks) versus the earliest age when HGCs were observed (8 weeks). At 3 weeks, only 14 genes were differentially expressed in LD and SD ovaries, whereas 183 genes were differentially expressed at 8 weeks. Overall, our findings demonstrate that ovarian development under SD conditions is not simply arrested at an early stage of LD development, but rather utilizes a developmental path that is distinct from that used in LD ovaries. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vivo waveguide elastography: Effects of neurodegeneration in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Romano Anthony , Guo Jing , Prokscha Torben , Meyer Thomas , Hirsch Sebastian , Braun Jürgen , Sack Ingolf , Scheel Michael 
Published: December 2013

PurposeWaveguide elastography (WGE) combines magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and anisotropic inversions for a determination of the elastic properties of white matter. Previously, the method evaluated the anisotropic elastic properties of the corticospinal tracts (CSTs) of healthy volunteers. Here, the sensitivity of WGE is tested for the detection of pathologic changes in a cohort of patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).MethodsMRE and DTI were performed in 14 patients with ALS and 14 healthy, age‐matched controls. A comparison was made between three components from WGE and the DTI metrics FA, MD, PD, and RD, for the detection of differences between patients and controls. It was hypothesized that the stiffness values in the CSTs of the patients would be significantly lower due to the known neurodegeneration associated with ALS.ResultsTwo anisotropic shear moduli polarized parallel and perpendicular to the CSTs were significantly reduced in ALS patients (P < 0.0001), whereas the anisotropic longitudinal modulus polarized parallel to the CSTs showed no significant differences.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest a relatively high sensitivity of two anisotropic shear moduli as noninvasive metrics for the assessment of neuronal degeneration within the CSTs. Magn Reson Med 72:1755–1761, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigating the quantitative fidelity of prospectively undersampled chemical shift imaging in muscular dystrophy with compressed sensing and parallel imaging reconstruction
Authors: Hollingsworth Kieren G. , Higgins David M. , McCallum Michelle , Ward Louise , Coombs Anna , Straub Volker 
Published: December 2013

PurposeFat fraction measurement in muscular dystrophy has an important role to play in future therapy trials. Undersampled data acquisition reconstructed by combined compressed sensing and parallel imaging (CS‐PI) can potentially reduce trial cost and improve compliance. These benefits are only gained from prospectively undersampled acquisitions.MethodsEight patients with Becker muscular dystrophy were recruited and prospectively undersampled data at ratios of 3.65×, 4.94×, and 6.42× were acquired in addition to fully sampled data: equivalent coherent undersamplings were acquired for reconstruction with parallel imaging alone (PI). Fat fraction maps and maps of total signal were created using a combined compressed sensing/parallel imaging (CS‐PI) reconstruction.ResultsThe CS‐PI reconstructions are of sufficient quality to allow muscle delineation at 3.65× and 4.94× undersampling but some muscles were obscured at 6.42×. When plotted against the fat fractions derived from fully sampled data, non‐significant bias and 95% limits of agreement of 1.58%, 2.17% and 2.41% were found for the three CS‐PI reconstructions, while a 3.36× PI reconstruction yields 2.78%, 1.8 times worse than the equivalent CS‐PI reconstruction.ConclusionProspective undersampling and CS‐PI reconstruction of muscle fat fraction mapping can be used to accelerate muscle fat fraction measurement in muscular dystrophy. Magn Reson Med 72:1610–1619, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A ranking of diffusion MRI compartment models with in vivo human brain data
Authors: Ferizi Uran , Schneider Torben , Panagiotaki Eleftheria , Nedjati‐Gilani Gemma , Zhang Hui , Wheeler‐Kingshott Claudia A. M. , Alexander Daniel C. 
Published: December 2013

PurposeDiffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) microstructure imaging provides a unique noninvasive probe into tissue microstructure. The technique relies on biophysically motivated mathematical models, relating microscopic tissue features to the magnetic resonance (MR) signal. This work aims to determine which compartment models of diffusion MRI are best at describing measurements from in vivo human brain white matter.MethodsRecent work shows that three compartment models, designed to capture intra‐axonal, extracellular, and isotropically restricted diffusion, best explain multi‐b‐value data sets from fixed rat corpus callosum. We extend this investigation to in vivo by using a live human subject on a clinical scanner. The analysis compares models of one, two, and three compartments and ranks their ability to explain the measured data. We enhance the original methodology to further evaluate the stability of the ranking.ResultsAs with fixed tissue, three compartment models explain the data best. However, a clearer hierarchical structure and simpler models emerge. We also find that splitting the scanning into shorter sessions has little effect on the ranking of models, and that the results are broadly reproducible across sessions.ConclusionThree compartments are required to explain diffusion MR measurements from in vivo corpus callosum, which informs the choice of model for microstructure imaging applications in the brain. Magn Reson Med 72:1785–1792, 2014. © 2013 The authors. Magnetic Resonance in Medicine Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society of Medicine in Resonance.
High‐resolution, large dynamic range field map estimation
Authors: Dagher Joseph , Reese Timothy , Bilgin Ali 
Published: December 2013

PurposeWe present a theory and a corresponding method to compute high‐resolution field maps over a large dynamic range.Theory and MethodsWe derive a closed‐form expression for the error in the field map value when computed from two echoes. We formulate an optimization problem to choose three echo times which result in a pair of maximally distinct error distributions. We use standard field mapping sequences at the prescribed echo times. We then design a corresponding estimation algorithm which takes advantage of the optimized echo times to disambiguate the field offset value.ResultsWe validate our method using high‐resolution images of a phantom at 7T. The resulting field maps demonstrate robust mapping over both a large dynamic range, and in low SNR regions. We also present high‐resolution offset maps in vivo using both, GRE and multiecho gradient echo sequences. Even though the proposed echo time spacings are larger than the well known phase aliasing cutoff, the resulting field maps exhibit a large dynamic range without the use of phase unwrapping or spatial regularization techniques.ConclusionWe demonstrate a novel three‐echo field map estimation method which overcomes the traditional noise‐dynamic range trade‐off. Magn Reson Med 71:105–117, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Noninvasive prenatal testing of trisomies 21 and 18 by massively parallel sequencing of maternal plasma DNA in twin pregnancies
Authors: Huang Xuan , Zheng Jing , Chen Min , Zhao Yangyu , Zhang Chunlei , Liu Lifu , Xie Weiwei , Shi Shuqiong , Wei Yuan , Lei Dongzhu , Xu Chenming , Wu Qichang , Guo Xiaoling , Shi Xiaomei , Zhou Yi , Liu Qiufang , Gao Ya , Jiang Fuman , Zhang Hongyun , Su Fengxia , Ge Huijuan , Li Xuchao , Pan Xiaoyu , Chen Shengpei , Chen Fang , Fang Qun , Jiang Hui , Lau Tze Kin , Wang Wei 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTObjectiveThe objective of this study is to assess the performance of noninvasive prenatal testing for trisomies 21 and 18 on the basis of massively parallel sequencing of cell‐free DNA from maternal plasma in twin pregnancies.MethodA double‐blind study was performed over 12 months. A total of 189 pregnant women carrying twins were recruited from seven hospitals. Maternal plasma DNA sequencing was performed to detect trisomies 21 and 18. The fetal karyotype was used as gold standard to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of sequencing‐based noninvasive prenatal test.ResultsThere were nine cases of trisomy 21 and two cases of trisomy 18 confirmed by karyotyping. Plasma DNA sequencing correctly identified nine cases of trisomy 21 and one case of trisomy 18. The discordant case of trisomy 18 was an unusual case of monozygotic twin with discordant fetal karyotype (one normal and the other trisomy 18). The sensitivity and specificity of maternal plasma DNA sequencing for fetal trisomy 21 were both 100% and for fetal trisomy 18 were 50% and 100%, respectively.ConclusionOur study further supported that sequencing‐based noninvasive prenatal testing of trisomy 21 in twin pregnancies could be achieved with a high accuracy, which could effectively avoid almost 95% of invasive prenatal diagnosis procedures. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of a polymer optical fiber luminescent solar concentrator
Authors: Banaei Esmaeil‐Hooman , Abouraddy Ayman F. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe present the design and optimization of a polymeric optical fiber luminescent solar concentrator (FLSC) and systematically investigate the impact of the geometrical and physical parameters of the fiber and active luminescent dopants on the FLSC performance. A multiplicity of individual FLSCs may be arranged on a surface to form a low‐weight and mechanically flexible solar concentrating fabric. In addition to these unique structural properties, we find that the overall optical‐to‐electrical conversion efficiency of the FLSC rivals that of reported flat slab LSCs while increasing the geometric gain, thereby potentially reducing the cost. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Framework for the analysis of the potential of the rooftop photovoltaic system to achieve the net‐zero energy solar buildings
Authors: Koo Choongwan , Hong Taehoon , Park Hyo Seon , Yun Gangcheol 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTNew renewable energy is attracting considerable attention as a future energy source. The photovoltaic (PV) market, in particular, has grown significantly during the past decade. The use of the rooftop PV system in buildings in urban environments is being actively promoted. This research was conducted to develop a framework for the analysis of the potential of the rooftop PV system to achieve the net‐zero energy solar buildings in terms of energy supply. To verify the feasibility of the proposed framework, a total of 5418 elementary school facilities located in 16 administrative divisions in South Korea were selected as case studies. This research (i) collected information on the elementary school facilities, the rooftop PV system, and the meteorological and geographical characteristics by region; (ii) conducted an energy supply analysis by applying the rooftop PV system; (iii) conducted an energy demand analysis; (iv) analyzed the energy substitution effect; (v) presented the current status of the energy supply and demand in each region using the geographical information system; (vi) analyzed the causal relationship between the energy supply and demand by region; and (vii) proposed an energy supply and demand strategy by region. This research can help elementary school facility managers or policymakers conduct an energy supply and demand analysis as well as propose an energy supply and demand strategy. It can be used as part of an educational facility improvement program. The framework proposed in this research can also be applied to any other country or sector in the global environment. © 2013 The Authors. Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications published by John Wiley Ltd.
Corticosteroids may favor proliferation of thoracic inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors
Authors: Panigada Serena , Sacco Oliviero , Girosi Donata , Magnano Gian Michele , Tuo Pietro , Tarantino Vincenzo , Gambini Claudio , Petecchia Loredana , Silvestri Michela , Rossi Giovanni A. 
Published: December 2013

SummaryInflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) was thought to represent a benign post‐infectious or post‐inflammatory process cured by surgical resection. However, reports of cases with an aggressive clinical course suggest the need for caution about the prognosis. The treatment of choice is a complete surgical resection, while medical treatment options are limited. Corticosteroid therapy has been used with some success in unresectable lesion. However, rapid progression of lung IMT after prednisone treatment has been reported, raising the hypothesis that corticosteroids may favor a tumultuous proliferation of this lesion, possibly through immunosuppression. We here report a similar observation and suggest that other mechanisms may be involved. A 5‐year and 6‐month‐old boy presented with a 72 hr history of breathlessness, initially responsive to albuterol and prednisone. He represented 15 days later with increasing symptoms despite further prednisone treatment. CT chest scan showed a mass lesion in the tracheal lumen, which on biopsy was found to be an IMT. The possibility that prednisone may have an enhancing effect on IMT cell proliferation is demonstrated through IMT cell culture and discussed. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:E109–E111. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Distinguishing wild from cultivated agarwood (Aquilaria spp.) using direct analysis in real time and time of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Espinoza Edgard O. , Lancaster Cady A. , Kreitals Natasha M. , Hata Masataka , Cody Robert B. , Blanchette Robert A. 
Published: December 2013

RATIONALEIt is important for the enforcement of the CITES treaty to determine whether agarwood (a resinous wood produced in Aquilaria and Gyrinops species) seen in trade is from a plantation that was cultivated for sustainable production or was harvested from natural forests which is usually done illegally.METHODSWe analyzed wood directly using Direct Analysis in Real Time (DART™) ionization coupled with Time‐of‐Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOFMS). Agarwood was obtained from five countries, and the collection contained over 150 samples. The spectra contained ions from agarwood‐specific 5,6,7,8‐tetrahydro‐2‐(2‐phenylethyl)chromones as well as many other ions. The data was analyzed using either kernel discriminant analysis or kernel principal component analysis. Probability estimates of origin (wild vs cultivated) were assigned to unknown agarwood samples.RESULTSAnalysis of the DART‐TOFMS data shows that many of the chromones found in cultivated and wild agarwood samples are similar; however, there is a significant difference in particular chromones that can be used for differentiation. In certain instances, the analysis of these chromones also allows inferences to be made as to the country of origin. Mass Mountaineer™ software provides an estimate of the accuracy of the discriminate model, and an unknown sample can be classified as cultivated or wild. Eleven of the thirteen validation samples (85%) were correctly assigned to either cultivated or wild harvested for their respective geographic provenance. The accuracy of each classification can be estimated by probabilities based on Z scores.CONCLUSIONSThe direct analysis of wood for the diagnostic chromones using DART‐TOFMS followed by discriminant analysis is sufficiently robust to differentiate wild from cultivated agarwood and provides strong inference for the origin of the agarwood. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser ablation synthesis of new gold carbides. From gold‐diamond nano‐composite as a precursor to gold‐doped diamonds. Time‐of‐flight mass spectrometric study
Authors: Havel Josef , Peña‐Méndez Eladia Maria , Amato Filippo , Panyala Nagender Reddy , Buršíková Vilma 
Published: December 2013

RATIONALEGold carbides can be produced via laser ablation synthesis (LAS) from mixtures of nano‐gold (NG) and various carbonaceous materials. The nano‐composite of nano‐gold (NG) and nano‐diamond (ND) might represent a promising precursor for the generation of new gold carbides.METHODSTime‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOF MS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used. The stoichiometry of clusters was determined via modelling of the isotopic patterns and MSn analysis.RESULTSA simple procedure for the preparation of ND‐NG nano‐composite was developed using NG and ND. The formation of AuCn+ (n = 1–11, 18), Au2Cn+ (n = 1–16) and Au3Cn+ (n = 1–10) clusters during LAS of the nano‐composite was proved. Structures of gold carbides are proposed and discussed. Diamonds‐containing AumCn+ (m = 1–3, n = 10, 14, 18, 22) clusters might be not carbides but endohedral supramolecular complexes Aum@Cn+ i.e., 'gold‐doped' diamonds.CONCLUSIONSTOF MS was shown to be a useful technique for following the formation of gold carbides in the gas phase. Clusters and 'gold‐doped' diamonds generated might inspire synthesis of new Au‐C materials with hardly predictable, unusual properties. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonal Water Level Manipulation for Flood Risk Management Influences Home‐Range Size of Common Bream Abramis brama L. in a Lowland River
Authors: Gardner C. J. , Deeming D. C. , Eady P. E. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThe increased threat of flooding from climate change requires ever greater management of rivers to alleviate flood risk. Although the impacts of river modification on fish communities are well documented, the effects of river management practices on fish behaviour have received relatively little attention. Here, a long‐term (4 years) acoustic telemetry study was used to analyse the spatial–temporal behaviour of common bream in a lowland river system (River Witham, Lincolnshire, UK) in which water levels are artificially manipulated biannually as part of a flood storage strategy. Levels are lowered in the autumn and increased again in the spring, to increase in‐river winter flood storage capacity. Home‐range size varied according to season, with home ranges being larger in the spring and summer months in comparison with those recorded during the autumn and winter months. When water levels within the river system were artificially manipulated, the bream responded by altering their home‐range size, increasing it after the levels had been raised and reducing it following the lowering of the river levels. This is in contrast to the cumulative overall distances bream were recorded to travel, which were unaffected by water level manipulation, suggesting water level manipulation did not affect activity levels. Although such changes in behaviour do not necessarily equate to a negative impact on fitness, reduced home‐range size brought about by water level manipulation does have implications for habitat availability and the number of competitive, predatory and parasitic interactions encountered. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.