bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shank synaptic scaffold proteins: keys to understanding the pathogenesis of autism and other synaptic disorders
Authors: Sala Carlo , Vicidomini Cinzia , Bigi Ilaria , Mossa Adele , Verpelli Chiara 
Published: July 2015

AbstractShank/ProSAP proteins are essential to synaptic formation, development, and function. Mutations in the family of SHANK genes are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as intellectual disability (ID), and schizophrenia. Thus, the term ‘Shankopathies’ identifies a number of neuronal diseases caused by alteration of Shank protein expression leading to abnormal synaptic development. With this review we want to summarize the major genetic, molecular, behavior and electrophysiological studies that provide new clues into the function of Shanks and pave the way for the discovery of new therapeutic drugs targeted to treat patients with SHANK mutations and also patients affected by other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.
image
Shank/ProSAP proteins are essential to synaptic formation, development, and function. Mutations in the family of SHANK genes are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as intellectual disability (ID), and schizophrenia (SCZ). With this review we want to summarize the major genetic, molecular, behavior and electrophysiological studies that provide new clues into the function of Shanks and pave the way for the discovery of new therapeutic drugs targeted to treat patients with SHANK mutations.
Neuropeptide Arginine Vasotocin Positively Affects Neurosteroidogenesis in the Early Brain of Grouper, Epinephelus coioides
Authors: Nagarajan G. , Aruna A. , Chang C.‐F. 
Published: July 2015

The neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) has versatile physiological functions in non‐mammalian vertebrates. However, the functional association between AVT and neurosteroidogenesis in the early brain of teleosts remains elusive. We thus studied the developmental expression patterns of the avt gene and their V1 type receptor (avt‐rv1) at various stages of development [90–150 days after hatching (dah)] in relation to neurosteroidogenesis and oestrogen signalling in the early brain of the orange‐spotted grouper (Epinephelus coioides). avt and avt‐rv1 mRNAs displayed a significantly increase in expression at 110 dah in the telencephalon and diencephalon. Further, avt mRNAs were localised in three magnocellular neuronal populations of the preoptic area, such as parvocellular, magnocellular and gigantocellular preoptic neurones. Intriguingly, the avt transcripts in those neurones were more abundant in 110 dah compared to other ages. Subsequently, dual fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis showed that the avt and avt‐rv1 genes were highly coexpressed with cyp11a1, hsd3b1, cyp17a1, erα, erβ and gpr30, which indicates their potential for functional association. Cyp19a1b‐immunoreactive positive fibres were found in close proximity to avt‐expressing neurones. Moreover, our results showed that exogenous Avt caused a significant increase in the cellular and gene levels of steroidogenic enzymes and oestrogen receptors (ers), whereas the administration of an Avt‐rv1 antagonist caused a decrease in the expression of both steroidogenic enzymes and ers genes in the brain. Furthermore, exogenous oestradiol (E2) strongly up‐regulated avt mRNAs in the grouper brain. Taken together, the present studies suggest that avt and steroidogenesis may positively work together to increase both E2 biosynthesis and early brain development.
Comparison between the efficacy and safety of platelet‐rich plasma vs. microdermabrasion in the treatment of striae distensae: clinical and histopathological study
Authors: Ibrahim Zeinab Abd El‐Samad , El‐Tatawy Rania Ahmed , El‐Samongy Marwa Ahmed , Ali Dareen Abdelaziz Mohammed 
Published: July 2015

SummaryStriae distensae is a challenging cosmetic problem for which various treatment modalities have been applied. To compare between the efficacy and tolerability of intradermal injection of autologous platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) vs. microdermabrasion in the treatment of striae distensae. Sixty‐eight patients with striae distensae were randomly assigned to three groups according to therapeutic modalities. Patients of group I were treated by intradermal injection of PRP alone, patients of group II were treated with microdermabrasion alone, and patients of group III were treated with combination of intradermal PRP and microdermabrasion in the same session. Each patient underwent maximum of six sessions at 2‐week interval. Skin biopsies were taken from some patients at baseline, and 3 months after the last sessions stained with hematoxylin and eosin stain, Masson trichrome, orceun, and Van Gieson stains to study of histopathological changes and efficacy of treatment. There was significant clinical improvement of striae distensae in patients treated with PRP injection and patients treated with combination of PRP and microdermabrasion when compared with patients treated with microdermabrasion. However, combination of PRP and microdermabrasion in the same session showed better results in short duration. Collagen and elastic fibers were markedly increased in the dermis at the end of treatment sessions. Platelet‐rich plasma alone is more effective than microdermabrasion alone in the treatment of striae distensae, but it is better to use the combination of both for more and rapid efficacy. However, each one of them is well tolerated by the patients, safe and cost effective.
Place, Personalism, Anarchism, & Fantasy: Recasting Late Modernism
Authors: Gifford James 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis essay outlines an ongoing critical intervention in the growing field of late modernist studies by recuperating anarchism as a political philosophy for English language writers of the 1930s and 1940s. The first section gives an overview of the development of late modernism as a critical category and how its early basis in Marxist criticism developed from the Auden generation. The second section traces new and expanded international networks made visible through attention to anarchist rather than Marxist sensibilities. The third section considers the development of fantasy genre fiction based on the emergence of major authors from the antiauthoritarian literary networks outlined and as a continuation of the political transformation of activism to literary aesthetics and form. The conclusion anticipates coming expansions in the critical corpus through attentiveness to anarchism more broadly in late modernist studies and the new modernist studies generally.
I148M variant in PNPLA3 reduces central adiposity and metabolic disease risks while increasing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Park Jin‐Ho , Cho BeLong , Kwon Hyuktae , Prilutsky Daria , Yun Jae Moon , Choi Ho Chun , Hwang Kyu‐Baek , Lee In‐Hee , Kim Jong‐Il , Kong Sek Won 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsThe I148M variant because of the substitution of C to G in PNPLA3 (rs738409) is associated with the increased risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In liver, I148M variant reduces hydrolytic function of PNPLA3, which results in hepatic steatosis; however, its association with the other clinical phenotype such as adiposity and metabolic diseases is not well established.MethodsTo identify the impact of I148M variant on clinical risk factors of NAFLD, we recruited 1363 generally healthy Korean males after excluding alcoholic and secondary causes of hepatic steatosis. Central adiposity was assessed by computed tomography, and hepatic steatosis was evaluated by abdominal ultrasonography.ResultsThe participants were predominantly middle‐aged (49.0 ± 7.1 years; range 30–60 years), and the frequency of NAFLD was 44.2%. The rs738409‐G allele carriers had a 1.19‐fold increased risk for NAFLD (minor allele frequency 0.43; allelic odds ratio 1.38; P = 4.3 × 10−5). Interestingly, the rs738409 GG carriers showed significantly lower levels of visceral and subcutaneous adiposity (P < 0.001 and = 0.015, respectively), BMI (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001) and insulin resistance (P = 0.002) compared to CC carriers. These negative associations between clinical risk factors and rs738409‐G dosage were more prominent in non‐NAFLD group compared to those in NAFLD group.ConclusionsThe I148M variant, although increasing the risk of NAFLD, was associated with reduced levels of central adiposity, BMI, serum triglycerides and insulin resistance, suggesting differential roles in fat storage and distribution according to cell types and metabolic status.
Stratification and water quality of an abandoned opencast coal pit lake at Raniganj Coalfield Area, West Bengal, India
Authors: Mondal Subinoy , Mukherjee Aloke K. , Senapati Tarakeshwar , Pal Sandipan , Haque Smaranya , Ghosh Apurba R. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractStratification and assessment of the limnological conditions of an abandoned opencast coal pit (OCP), locally called Khadan, which is a potential water reserve located at the Raniganj‐Asansol Coalfield Areas of Burdwan, are the main objectives of this study. Water quality changes occurred with increasing depths in the OCP water and suggest a gradual and significant ecological restoration over time, which can create a condition of sustainable pisciculture. The physical and chemical variables of the OCP water changed with changing depths and seasons. The temperature and alkalinity decreased with depth throughout the year. The dissolved oxygen concentration exhibited a mixing characteristic in the summer and winter, but decreased with depth in the monsoon and postmonsoon seasons. The total hardness increased with depth in the monsoon season, being maximum in the winter (196.0 mg L−1). The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) increased with depth in the winter. The silicon concentration increased with depths, exhibiting a maximum value of 14.2 mg L−1 in the winter and a minimum value of 1.24 mg L−1 in the postmonsoon season. The ammonia‐nitrogen, nitrate‐nitrogen, potassium, chloride and sulphate concentrations only exhibited seasonal variations. The concentration of heavy metals (arsenic, chromium, cadmium, manganese) decreased with increasing depth. The fluoride concentration exhibited high concentrations in each OCP water layer. The results of this study indicated that limnological variables in thermally stratified lakes may be an important measure for better understanding the gradual process of developing an improved ecological conditions in the OCP and which can facilitate the possibility of pisciculture in the near future.
Effects of human activities on benthic macroinvertebrate community composition and water quality in the upper catchment of the Mara River Basin, Kenya
Authors: Gichana Zipporah , Njiru Murithi , Raburu Phillip Okoth , Masese Frank Onderi 
Published: July 2015

AbstractLand‐use changes in the upper reaches of the Mara River Basin have modified their biophysical and hydrological processes, resulting in water quality degradation in streams. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of human activities on water quality and macroinvertebrates along the Nyangores River, one of the main tributaries of the Mara River, Kenya. Seven sampling sites were chosen to correspond to the loss of riparian cover, livestock watering and human activities (e.g. laundry washing, bathing, cultivation, wastewater inputs, dumping of solid wastes from urban areas and settlements along the river). Physical–chemical variables and water samples for nutrient analyses were collected monthly from February to July 2012. Benthic macroinvertebrates also were collected at the same sites as for the water quality samples. Two‐way analysis of variance tested the significant differences for each variable among the sites. Similarity percentages (SIMPER) analysis was used to identify the key taxa contributing to differences between minimally disturbed and most disturbed conditions in the study area. The results indicated increased nutrient concentrations in agricultural and settlement areas. Significant (P < 0.05) spatial–temporal variations in water quality variables were observed. A total of 42 macroinvertebrate genera were encountered, with Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera orders dominating the minimally disturbed areas, and Diptera dominating the disturbed areas receiving point and no‐point solid and liquid wastes, including nutrients, from urban areas and settlements. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed significant relationships between macroinvertebrate communities and measured physicochemical variables. The results of this study indicate the need for protection of riparian zones and treatment of sewerage wastes before their release into waterways. The dumping of solid wastes near streams and rivers also is discouraged, to maintain the quality of surface waters and aquatic organisms.
Life history of the sand fly vector Lutzomyia cruciata in laboratory conditions
Authors: CASTILLO A. , SERRANO A. K. , MIKERY O. F. , PÉREZ J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractLutzomyia cruciata Coquillet (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) is a potential vector of Leishmania sp.; its geographical distribution in Mexico is widespread, but its life history is unknown. The present study gives relevant information on the life cycle, morphology, survival and reproduction of Lu. cruciata observed over successive generations under laboratory conditions. Seven successive generations were produced. A total of 975 adults were obtained in a sexual proportion of 1.1 : 1 (female : male). Each Lu. cruciata female produced 20.7 eggs and 1.9 adults, approximately, with a proportion of eggs per female of 2.7% (first generation) and 21.3% (second generation). The life cycle of Lu. cruciata, from egg to adult, occurred in 52.7 ± 0.52 days. The largest percentage of mortality occurred during the egg stage (48.5%) and the first larval instar (26.5%), whereas in the pupal stage mortality was the lowest (9.1%). Lutzomyia cruciata exhibits sexual dimorphism based on size, which is exhibited as of the second larval instar, males being smaller than females. The maximum survival of females and males was 10 and 15 days, respectively. An overview of the immature stages of the species made with an electronic scanning microscope is included. This paper contributes basic information on aspects of Lu. cruciata that were previously unknown related to its life history.
The role of stoichiometric flexibility in modelling forest ecosystem responses to nitrogen fertilization
Authors: Meyerholt Johannes , Zaehle Sönke 
Published: July 2015

Summary

The response of the forest carbon (C) balance to changes in nitrogen (N) deposition is uncertain, partly owing to diverging representations of N cycle processes in dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs). Here, we examined how different assumptions about the degree of flexibility of the ecosystem's C : N ratios contribute to this uncertainty, and which of these assumptions best correspond to the available data.

We applied these assumptions within the framework of a DGVM and compared the results to responses in net primary productivity (NPP), leaf N concentration, and ecosystem N partitioning, observed at 22 forest N fertilization experiments.

Employing flexible ecosystem pool C : N ratios generally resulted in the most convincing model–data agreement with respect to production and foliar N responses. An intermediate degree of stoichiometric flexibility in vegetation, where wood C : N ratio changes were decoupled from leaf and root C : N ratio changes, led to consistent simulation of production and N cycle responses to N addition. Assuming fixed C : N ratios or scaling leaf N concentration changes to other tissues, commonly assumed by DGVMs, was not supported by reported data.

Between the tested assumptions, the simulated changes in ecosystem C storage relative to changes in C assimilation varied by up to 20%.
Massive pericardial effusion due to intrapericardial mixed germ cell tumor in a premature baby
Authors: Doksöz Önder , Terek Demet Tümay , Karaçelik Mustafa , Yıldırım Hülya Tosun , Demirağ Bengü , Meşe Timur , Sarıosmanoğlu Osman Nejat , Arslanoğlu Sertaç 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPrimary cardiac tumor is uncommon in childhood, with an incidence of 0.06–0.32%, and intrapericardial teratoma represents an exceptional rarity among these entities. Germ cell tumors (GCT) are rare, representing only 1–3% of childhood tumors. Twenty per cent of GCT are malignant and are associated with age and location. Extragonadal involvement accounts for nearly half of the cases. Anterior mediastinum is a common location of malignant germ cell tumors, yet pericardial and aortic adventitia involvement have been rarely reported. Here we report the case of a preterm twin baby boy with intrapericardial mixed germ cell tumor who presented with hydrops fetalis and pericardial effusion.
Divine Presence in Ancient Near Eastern Temples
Authors: Hundley Michael B. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis article addresses ancient Near Eastern conceptions of divine presence in the realm of the temple, considering evidence from Egypt, Mesopotamia, Hittite Anatolia, and Syria‐Palestine. It analyzes the perceived religious function of ancient Near Eastern temples, cult images, the installation and maintenance of divine presence, as well as the complicated relationship between the deity and its cult image and between a deity's various cult images.
Efficacy of walking aids on self‐paced outdoor walking in individuals with COPD: A randomized cross‐over trial
Authors: Vaes Anouk W. , Meijer Kenneth , Delbressine Jeannet M. , Wiechert Jozé , Willems Paul , Wouters Emiel F.M. , Franssen Frits M.E. , Spruit Martijn A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractBackground and objectiveWalking aids, such as rollator or draisine, improve mobility and functional exercise performance in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during an indoor 6‐min walk test. However, this test does not reflect everyday walking, which is the most frequently reported problematic activity of daily life in individuals with COPD. To date, efficacy of walking aids during self‐paced outdoor walking remains unknown. Therefore, we aimed to determine the efficacy of a rollator and draisine on self‐paced outdoor walking in individuals with COPD.MethodsFifteen individuals with COPD (68% men; age: 63 ± 8 years; forced expiratory volume in 1 s: 40 ± 14% predicted) performed three self‐paced outdoor walking tests on two consecutive days: test 1 unaided, and tests 2 and 3 with rollator or draisine in random order. Participants had to walk as long as possible at their own pace. The test ended when participants needed to stop, with a maximum duration of 30 min.ResultsThe use of rollator resulted in the highest walk distance and time (P < 0.05 vs unaided and draisine). Furthermore, individuals with COPD walked significantly further and longer during an unaided test compared with a draisine aided test (P < 0.05). Moreover, use of draisine resulted in a significantly higher walking speed, fewer strides, greater stride length, and higher step and stride variability (P < 0.05 vs unaided and rollator).ConclusionTo conclude, a rollator improves the self‐paced outdoor walk distance and time in individuals with moderate and advanced COPD and a poor functional exercise capacity, whereas the use of a draisine had a detrimental effect compared with unaided walking.
On‐line management of siloxane breakthrough in carbon contactors using changepoint detection
Authors: Hepburn Caroline A. , Daneshkhah Alireza , Simms Nigel J. , McAdam Ewan J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSiloxane‐induced damage is responsible for a significant proportion of the cost of producing electricity from biogas. The performance of siloxane removal vessels is currently determined by discrete sampling followed by analysis at an external laboratory, making refined process control difficult to achieve. This article introduces the use of on‐line siloxane detection. Siloxane breakthrough curves within this article identified that upon approaching media exhaustion, a concentration of 30 mg/m3was reached within a short time frame. Consequently, changepoint analysis was evaluated as a method to predict the onset of breakthrough. Breakthrough data were collated from vessels that exhibited both broad‐fronted and sharp‐fronted breakthrough profiles. When applied to broad‐fronted profiles, changepoint analysis provided a 25–45 h early warning of breakthrough. In this case, probabilistic changepoint detection methods facilitated by on‐line analysis provide sufficient process lag time to enable duty/standby switch over before the critical siloxane concentration is reached.
‘Native’ and ‘non‐native’ perception of stress in Singapore English
Authors: TAN YING‐YING 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTMany scholars have noted how Singapore English (SgE) exhibits different stress placement patterns as compared to British or American English. Much work has also been done to suggest that such deviations of stress placement patterns from the traditional ‘native’ norms create problems for intelligibility. This study is concerned with the way stress in SgE is perceived by speakers of different Englishes, comparing specifically two groups of participants: the speakers of SgE; and the speakers of British, American and Australian Englishes (the traditional Inner Circle English speakers). The analyses of a perception test indicate that stress is perceived differently between speakers of different Englishes.
Einstein flow and cosmology
Authors: Kouneiher J. 
Published: July 2015

The recent evolution of the observational technics and the development of new tools in cosmology and gravitation have a significant impact on the study of the cosmological models. In particular, the qualitative and numerical methods used in dynamical system and elsewhere, enable the resolution of some difficult problems and allow the analysis of different cosmological models even with a limited number of symmetries. On the other hand, following Einstein point of view the manifold [Formula: see text] and the metric should be built simultaneously when solving Einstein’s equation [Formula: see text]. From this point of view, the only kinematic condition imposed is that at each point of space–time, the tangent space is endowed with a metric (which is a Minkowski metric in the physical case of pseudo-Riemannian manifolds and an Euclidean one in the Riemannian analogous problem). Then the field [Formula: see text] describes the way these metrics depend on the point in a smooth way and the Einstein equation is the “dynamical” constraint on [Formula: see text]. So, we have to imagine an infinite continuous family of copies of the same Minkowski or Euclidean space and to find a way to sew together these infinitesimal pieces into a manifold, by respecting Einstein’s equation. Thus, Einstein field equations do not fix once and for all the global topology. [Formula: see text] Given this freedom in the topology of the space–time manifold, a question arises as to how free the choice of these topologies may be and how one may hope to determine them, which in turn is intimately related to the observational consequences of the space–time possessing nontrivial topologies. Therefore, in this paper we will use a different qualitative dynamical methods to determine the actual topology of the space–time.