bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential LRRK2 expression in the cortex, striatum, and substantia nigra in transgenic and nontransgenic rodents
Authors: West Andrew B. , Cowell Rita M. , Daher João P.L. , Moehle Mark S. , Hinkle Kelly M. , Melrose Heather L. , Standaert David G. , Volpicelli‐Daley Laura A. 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTMutations in leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are found in a significant proportion of late‐onset Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Elucidating the neuroanatomical localization of LRRK2 will further define LRRK2 function and the molecular basis of PD. Here, we utilize recently characterized monoclonal antibodies to evaluate LRRK2 expression in rodent brain regions relevant to PD. In both mice and rats, LRRK2 is highly expressed in the cortex and striatum, particularly in pyramidal neurons of layer V and in medium spiny neurons within striosomes. Overall, rats have a more restricted distribution of LRRK2 compared with mice. Mice, but not rats, show high levels of LRRK2 expression in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Expression of the pathogenic LRRK2‐G2019S protein from mouse bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) constructs closely mimics endogenous LRRK2 distribution in the mouse brain. However, LRRK2‐G2019S expression derived from human BAC constructs causes LRRK2 to be expressed in additional neuron subtypes in the rat such as striatal cholinergic interneurons and the substantia nigra pars compacta. The distribution of LRRK2 from human BAC constructs more closely resembles descriptions of LRRK2 in humans and nonhuman primates. Computational analyses of DNA regulatory elements in LRRK2 show a primate‐specific promoter sequence that does not exist in lower mammalian species. These noncoding regions may be involved in directing neuronal expression patterns. Together, these studies will aid in understanding the normal function of LRRK2 in the brain and will assist in model selection for future studies. J. Comp. Neurol. 522:2465–2480, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of undergraduate and graduate programs in computational science
Authors: Molnár Péter , Toth David M. , Vincent‐Finley Rachel E. 
Published: March 2014

SUMMARYThere is a pressing need for a workforce with the modeling and simulation skills associated with computational science. A number of national studies have substantiated those needs with respect to the future competitiveness of USA in research and development, the innovation of new products, and the competitiveness of many industries. Creating computational science programs at academic institutions organized along disciplinary boundaries represents a challenge because aspects of computer science, mathematics, and a science or engineering domain are required parts of any program. Gaining agreement on the associated requirements, integrating the classes with those in the traditional curriculum, and obtaining the necessary support through academic and administrative reviews represent substantial challenges. Clark Atlanta University, the University of Mary Washington, and Southern University are all working on establishing undergraduate or graduate programs in computational science and have had a number of common experiences. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age‐related differences in memory expression during infancy: Using eye‐tracking to measure relational memory in 6‐ and 12‐month‐olds
Authors: Richmond Jenny L. , Power Jessica 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTRelational memory, or the ability to bind components of an event into a network of linked representations, is a primary function of the hippocampus. Here we extend eye‐tracking research showing that infants are capable of forming memories for the relation between arbitrarily paired scenes and faces, by looking at age‐related changes in relational memory over the first year of life. Six‐ and 12‐month‐old infants were familiarized with pairs of faces and scenes before being tested with arrays of three familiar faces that were presented on a familiar scene. Preferential looking at the face that matches the scene is typically taken as evidence of relational memory. The results showed that while 6‐month‐old showed very early preferential looking when face/scene pairs were tested immediately, 12‐month‐old did not exhibit evidence of relational memory either immediately or after a short delay. Theoretical implications for the functional development of the hippocampus and practical implications for the use of eye tracking to measure memory during early life are discussed. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 56: 1341–1351, 2014.
Combined aerobic/inspiratory muscle training vs. aerobic training in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Adamopoulos Stamatis , Schmid Jean‐Paul , Dendale Paul , Poerschke Daniel , Hansen Dominique , Dritsas Athanasios , Kouloubinis Alexandros , Alders Toon , Gkouziouta Aggeliki , Reyckers Ilse , Vartela Vasiliki , Plessas Nikos , Doulaptsis Costas , Saner Hugo , Laoutaris Ioannis D. 
Published: March 2014

AimsVent‐HeFT is a multicentre randomized trial designed to investigate the potential additive benefits of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on aerobic training (AT) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).Methods and resultsForty‐three CHF patients with a mean age of 58 ± 12 years, peak oxygen consumption (peak VO2) 17.9 ± 5 mL/kg/min, and LVEF 29.5 ± 5% were randomized to an AT/IMT group (n = 21) or to an AT/SHAM group (n = 22) in a 12‐week exercise programme. AT involved 45 min of ergometer training at 70–80% of maximum heart rate, three times a week for both groups. In the AT/IMT group, IMT was performed at 60% of sustained maximal inspiratory pressure (SPImax) while in the AT/SHAM group it was performed at 10% of SPImax, using a computer biofeedback trainer for 30 min, three times a week. At baseline and at 3 months, patients were evaluated for exercise capacity, lung function, inspiratory muscle strength (PImax) and work capacity (SPImax), quality of life (QoL), LVEF and LV diameter, dyspnoea, C‐reactive protein (CRP), and NT‐proBNP. IMT resulted in a significantly higher benefit in SPImax (P = 0.02), QoL (P = 0.002), dyspnoea (P = 0.004), CRP (P = 0.03), and NT‐proBNP (P = 0.004). In both AT/IMT and AT/SHAM groups PImax (P < 0.001, P = 0.02), peak VO2 (P = 0.008, P = 0.04), and LVEF (P = 0.005, P = 0.002) improved significantly; however, without an additional benefit for either of the groups.ConclusionThis randomized multicentre study demonstrates that IMT combined with aerobic training provides additional benefits in functional and serum biomarkers in patients with moderate CHF. These findings advocate for application of IMT in cardiac rehabilitation programmes.
Optimal integrated seismic design of structural and viscoelastic bracing‐damper systems
Authors: Castaldo Paolo , De Iuliis Massimiliano 
Published: March 2014

SUMMARYPassive structural control techniques are generally used as seismic rehabilitation and retrofit methodologies for existing structures. A poorly explored and exciting opportunity within structural seismic control research is represented by the possibility to design new structural forms and configurations, such as slender buildings, without compromising the structural performance through an integrated design approach. In this paper, with reference to viscous dampers, an integrated seismic design procedure of the elastic stiffness resources and viscoelastic properties of a dissipative bracing‐damper system is proposed and developed to ensure a seismic design performance, within the displacement‐based seismic design, explicitly taking into account the dynamic behaviour both of the structural and control systems. The optimal integrated seismic design is defined as the combination of the variables that minimizes a suitable index, representing an optimized objective function. Numerical examples of the proposed integrated cost‐effectiveness seismic design approach both on an equivalent SDOF system and a proportionally damped MDOF integrated system are developed defining the design variables, which minimize the cost index. Validation of the effectiveness of the proposed integrated design procedure is carried out by evaluating the average displacement of the time‐history responses to seven unscaled acceleration records selected according to EC8 provisions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MicroRNA‐27b Targets Gremlin 1 to Modulate Fibrotic Responses in Pulmonary Cells
Authors: Graham Julie R. , Williams Cara M. M. , Yang Zhiyong 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTFibrosis is a chronic disease characterized by an excessive deposition of scar tissue in the affected organs. A central mediator of this process is transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), which stimulates the production of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagens. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in both fibrosis as well as in TGF‐β signaling, but the extent of their regulation has not been fully defined. A functional screen was conducted using a library of miRNA inhibitors to identify miRNAs that affect TGF‐β‐induced type I collagen expression, a key event in the development of fibrosis. The inhibition of one miRNA in particular, miR‐27b, caused a significant increase in type I collagen expression. We found that miR‐27b directly targets Gremlin 1 by binding to its 3′‐UTR, reducing its mRNA levels. TGF‐β signaling decreased miR‐27b expression and caused a corresponding increase in Gremlin 1 levels, suggesting that TGF‐β regulates Gremlin 1 expression in part by modulating miR‐27b expression. Reducing Gremlin 1 levels by either siRNA‐mediated gene silencing or by using the miR‐27b mimic inhibited the expression of several genes known to be involved in fibrosis, while increasing Gremlin 1 levels by the addition of either recombinant protein or the miR‐27b inhibitor enhanced the expression of these genes. In summary, we have demonstrated that miR‐27b targets Gremlin 1, and that this regulation likely represents an important control point in fibrotic pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1539–1548, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Climate change impacts on snowmelt runoff for mountainous transboundary basins in eastern Turkey
Authors: Yucel Ismail , Güventürk Abdülkadir , Sen Omer Lutfi 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTThis study investigates whether snowmelt runoff for the selected 15 streamflow stations located in the Euphrates, Tigris, Aras, and Çoruh basins in eastern Anatolia, Turkey, has shown a consistent hydrologic response to global climatic changes over the past several decades. It also investigates the future runoff changes in these basins. The analysis utilizes streamflow and meteorological data from 1970 to 2010 available within the study area to identify spatial and temporal patterns of trends in the seasonality of streamflow, temperature, and precipitation. Results indicate significant temperature increases (average 1.3 °C across the stations) over the time period. They also indicate increases in annual precipitation (average 7.5% across the stations) but the increases are not significant, in general. The streamflow timings in the mountainous basins are found to have already shifted to earlier days in the year (9 days on average), and this is a clear indication of earlier spring melting of snowpack due to increasing temperatures in recent years. Eight among fifteen stream gauging stations in the basins show significant time shifts in snowmelt runoff according to statistical trend tests (based on 90% confidence level). A regional climate change simulation based on a high emissions scenario suggests 10–30% declines in the annual surface runoffs of Aras, Euphrates, and Tigris basins and a slight increase (about 4%) in the annual surface runoff of Coruh basin by the end of the present century. It further indicates that the timing of the peak flows will continue to shift earlier (by about 4 weeks over the century) in response to further warming, increasing the fraction of winter runoff while decreasing the fraction of spring runoff in the year in all these basins.
Hydrogen‐Bonding Based Reversible Polymer Networks Based on Kraft Lignin and Poly(2‐(Dimethylamino)Ethyl Methacrylate) Series Polymers
Authors: Gao Guangzheng , Karaaslan Muzaffer A. , Kadla John F. 
Published: March 2014

AbstractHydrogen‐bonding‐based reversible polymer networks are prepared from poly(2‐(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐poly(2‐(dimethylamino ethyl)methacrylate) (PDMAEMA‐co‐PEO‐co‐PDMAEMA) triblock copolymer blends with lignin. FTIR and DSC analyses reveal miscible blends. Fitting of the Tg/composition data using the Kwei equation produces significantly large positive q‐values: +275 for PDMAEMA and +413 PDMAEMA‐co‐PEO‐co‐PDMAEMA. In solution the blends self‐assemble into a hydrogen‐bonded polymer network with a strong dependence on blend composition and solution pH. 1H NMR spectra show that there is a clear core/corona transformation by adjust the solution pH.
Doppler sonography for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: A critical review
Authors: Vanderschueren Geraldine A.K.B. , Meys Vera E.W.H. , Beekman Roy 
Published: March 2014

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Doppler sonography may detect increased intraneural blood flow of the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the literature about the diagnostic value of increased intraneural flow detected by sonography in CTS Methods: Systematic review of studies published between 1985 and 2013. Results: The 7 studies we found had considerable differences in study design and had methodological shortcomings. Doppler sonography had a median sensitivity of 72% (range, 41–95%) and a median specificity of 88% (range, 71–100%). Most studies could not compare the diagnostic value of sonography to that of electrophysiological studies, because the latter were often used as a reference test. Conclusions: Increased intraneural flow detected by Doppler sonography may be a promising diagnostic test for CTS, but further studies are needed before it can be implemented in clinical practice. Muscle Nerve 50:159–163, 2014
Sexual dimorphism in clinical neurology—predictors of successful lumbar puncture in an “expanding” population
Authors: Power Stephen P. , Costello Daniel J. , Tobin W. Oliver 
Published: March 2014

ObjectiveTo determine the proportion of patients who would have an unsuccessful lumbar puncture (LP) due to commonly used LP needles being too short.MethodsThree hundred consecutive adults (age 16–99, mean age 56) who underwent abdominal CT over a 6‐month period were identified. The distance from the skin to the midpoint of the spinal canal was measured in the axial plane, at the level of the iliac crest. This was compared to the length of commonly used spinal needles (88 mm) to assess the number of patients who would have an unsuccessful LP due to this distance being greater than 88 mm from the skin.ResultsIn 72/300 (24%) patients, the midpoint of the spinal canal was greater than 88 mm from the skin. A total of 54/72 (75%) of those patients were female. Of the female participants, 54/159 (34%) had the midpoint of their spinal canal at a distance of greater than 88 mm from the skin. In the male patients, only 18/141 (13%) had a similar finding.ConclusionThis is the first high‐quality study to demonstrate that 24% of the population will have an unsuccessful LP procedure if commonly available spinal needles. We demonstrated that 34% of female patients would have an unsuccessful procedure while, in contrast, a successful LP should be possible in 87% of male patients.
Measuring Physical Activity in Young People with Cerebral Palsy: Validity and Reliability of the ActivPAL™ Monitor
Authors: Bania Theofani 
Published: March 2014

AbstractBackground and purposeWe determined the criterion validity and the retest reliability of the ΑctivPAL™ monitor in young people with diplegic cerebral palsy (CP).MethodsActivity monitor data were compared with the criterion of video recording for 10 participants. For the retest reliability, activity monitor data were collected from 24 participants on two occasions. Participants had to have diplegic CP and be between 14 and 22 years of age. They also had to be of Gross Motor Function Classification System level II or III. Outcomes were time spent in standing, number of steps (physical activity) and time spent in sitting (sedentary behaviour).ResultsFor criterion validity, coefficients of determination were all high (r2 ≥ 0.96), and limits of group agreement were relatively narrow, but limits of agreement for individuals were narrow only for number of steps (≥5.5%). Relative reliability was high for number of steps (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.87) and moderate for time spent in sitting and lying, and time spent in standing (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.60–0.66). For groups, changes of up to 7% could be due to measurement error with 95% confidence, but for individuals, changes as high as 68% could be due to measurement error.DiscussionThe results support the criterion validity and the retest reliability of the ActivPAL™ to measure physical activity and sedentary behaviour in groups of young people with diplegic CP but not in individuals. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of repeated dosing with mechanistically distinct antinociceptive ligands in a rat model of neuropathic spinal cord injury pain
Authors: Hama Aldric T. , Pearson James P. , Sagen Jacqueline 
Published: March 2014

AbstractA lack of efficacy of some analgesic drugs has been previously described in rats with neuropathic spinal cord injury (SCI) pain. It has been suggested that repeated dosing in these animals over time may eventually lead to efficacy. However, it is also possible that efficacy may diminish over time with repeated dosing. This study evaluated the efficacy of various drugs upon repeated dosing over time in a rat model of SCI pain. Four weeks following an acute spinal cord compression at the mid‐thoracic level, rats developed decreased hind paw withdrawal threshold, suggestive of below level neuropathic hypersensitivity. Either cannabinoid (CB) receptor agonist CP 55,940, the anticonvulsant carbamazepine or gabapentin, the antidepressant amitriptyline or vehicle was administered over a period of 7 days. Neither carbamazepine nor amitriptyline demonstrated efficacy either after a single or repeated dosing. Beginning with a 50% efficacious dose of gabapentin, the effect of gabapentin in SCI rats neither increased nor decreased over the treatment period. The antinociceptive effect of CP 55,940 was maintained for the entire treatment period, which was mediated by CB1 but not CB2 receptors. The current data suggest that sustained antinociception can be obtained with some drugs in rats with neuropathic SCI pain. Furthermore, the current data do not substantiate the notion that repeated treatment with initially ineffective drugs will eventually lead to efficacy; treatments that are not acutely effective are unlikely to demonstrate clinical efficacy.
Long-term efficacy of Internet-based cognitive behavior therapy for obsessive–compulsive disorder with or without booster: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Andersson E. , Steneby S. , Karlsson K. , Ljótsson B. , Hedman E. , Enander J. , Kaldo V. , Andersson G. , Lindefors N. , Rück C. 
Published: March 2014

BackgroundAs relapse after completed cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is common, many treatment protocols include booster programs to improve the long-term effects. However, the effects of booster programs are not well studied. In this study, we investigated the long-term efficacy of Internet-based CBT (ICBT) with therapist support for OCD with or without an Internet-based booster program.MethodA total of 101 participants were included in the long-term follow-up analysis of ICBT. Of these, 93 were randomized to a booster program or no booster program. Outcome assessments were collected at 4, 7, 12 and 24 months after receiving ICBT.ResultsThe entire sample had sustained long-term effects from pre-treatment to all follow-up assessments, with large within-group effect sizes (Cohen's d = 1.58–2.09). The booster group had a significant mean reduction in OCD symptoms compared to the control condition from booster baseline (4 months) to 7 months, but not at 12 or 24 months. Participants in the booster group improved significantly in terms of general functioning at 7, 12 and 24 months, and had fewer relapses. Kaplan–Meier analysis also indicated a significantly slower relapse rate in the booster group.ConclusionsThe results suggest that ICBT has sustained long-term effects and that adding an Internet-based booster program can further improve long-term outcome and prevent relapse for some OCD patients.
Trends in stunting and overweight in Peruvian pre-schoolers from 1991 to 2011: findings from the Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Urke Helga Bjørnøy , Mittelmark Maurice B , Valdivia Martín 
Published: March 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo examine trends in stunting and overweight in Peruvian children, using 2006 WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study criteria.DesignTrend analyses using nationally representative cross-sectional surveys from Demographic and Health Surveys (1991–2011). We performed logistic regression analyses of stunting and overweight trends in sociodemographic groups (sex, age, urban–rural residence, region, maternal education and household wealth), adjusted for sampling design effects (strata, clusters and sampling weights).SettingPeru.SubjectsChildren aged 0–59 months surveyed in 1991–92 (n 7999), 1996 (n 14 877), 2000 (n 11 754), 2007–08 (n 8232) and 2011 (n 8186).ResultsChild stunting declined (F(1, 5149) = 174·8, P ≤ 0·00) and child overweight was stable in the period 1991–2011 (F(1, 5147) = 0·4, P ≤ 0·54). Over the study period, levels of stunting were highest in rural compared with urban areas, the Andean and Amazon regions compared with the Coast, among children of low-educated mothers and among children living in households in the poorest wealth quintile. The trend in overweight rose among males in coastal areas (F(1, 2250) = 4·779, P ≤ 0·029) and among males in the richest wealth quintile (F(1, 1730) = 5·458, P ≤ 0·020).ConclusionsThe 2011 levels of stunting and overweight were eight times and three and a half times higher, respectively, than the expected levels from the 2006 WHO growth standards. The trend over the study period in stunting declined in most sociodemographic subgroups. The trend in overweight was stable in most sociodemographic subgroups.
Pseudospectra of semiclassical boundary value problems
Authors: Galkowski Jeffrey 
Published: March 2014

AbstractWe consider operators$ - \Delta + X $, where$ X $is a constant vector field, in a bounded domain, and show spectral instability when the domain is expanded by scaling. More generally, we consider semiclassical elliptic boundary value problems which exhibit spectral instability for small values of the semiclassical parameter$h$, which should be thought of as the reciprocal of the Péclet constant. This instability is due to the presence of the boundary: just as in the case of$ - \Delta + X $, some of our operators are normal when considered on$\mathbb{R}^d$. We characterize the semiclassical pseudospectrum of such problems as well as the areas of concentration of quasimodes. As an application, we prove a result about exit times for diffusion processes in bounded domains. We also demonstrate instability for a class of spectrally stable nonlinear evolution problems that are associated with these elliptic operators.