bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kupffer's vesicle size threshold for robust left–right patterning of the zebrafish embryo
Authors: Gokey Jason J. , Ji Yongchang , Tay Hwee Goon , Litts Bridget , Amack Jeffrey D. 
Published: October 2015

Background:Motile cilia in the “organ of asymmetry” create directional fluid flows that are vital for left–right (LR) asymmetric patterning of vertebrate embryos. Organ function often depends on tightly regulated organ size control, but the role of organ of asymmetry size in LR patterning has remained unknown. Observations of the organ of asymmetry in the zebrafish, called Kupffer's vesicle (KV), have suggested significant variations in KV size in wild‐type embryos, raising questions about the impact of KV organ size on LR patterning.Results:To understand the relationship between organ of asymmetry size and its function, we characterized variations in KV at several developmental stages and in several different zebrafish strains. We found that the number of KV cilia and the size of the KV lumen were highly variable, whereas the length of KV cilia showed less variation. These variabilities were similar among different genetic backgrounds. By specifically modulating KV size and analyzing individual embryos, we identified a size threshold that is necessary for KV function.Conclusions:Together these results indicate the KV organ of asymmetry size is not tightly controlled during development, but rather must only exceed a threshold to direct robust LR patterning of the zebrafish embryo. Developmental Dynamics 245:22–33, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of impaired left ventricular twisting‐untwisting with vascular dysfunction, neurohumoral activation and impaired exercise capacity in hypertensive heart disease
Authors: Ikonomidis Ignatios , Tzortzis Stavros , Triantafyllidi Helen , Parissis John , Papadopoulos Costas , Venetsanou Kyriaki , Trivilou Paraskevi , Paraskevaidis Ioannis , Lekakis John 
Published: October 2015

AimsWe investigated the association between left ventricular (LV) torsional deformation and vascular dysfunction, fibrosis, neurohumoral activation, and exercise capacity in patients with normal ejection fractionMethods and resultsIn 320 newly‐diagnosed untreated hypertensive patients and 160 controls, we measured: pulse wave velocity (PWV); coronary flow reserve (CFR) by Doppler echocardiography; global longitudinal strain and strain rate, peak twisting, the percentage changes between peak twisting, and untwisting at mitral valve opening (%dpTw – UtwMVO), at peak (%dpTw – UtwPEF), and the end of early LV diastolic filling (%dpTw – UtwEDF) by speckle tracking imaging; transforming growth factor (TGFb‐1), metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloptoteinase‐1(TIMP‐1), markers of collagen synthesis, and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP). Oxygen consumption (VO2), measured by means of cardiopulmonary exercise test, was assessed in a subset of 80 patients. The PWV, CFR, longitudinal strain and strain rate, %dpTw‐UtwMVO, %dpTw‐UtwPEF, and %dpTw‐UtwEDF were impaired in hypertensive patients compared with controls. In multivariable analysis, CFR, PWV, LV mass, and systolic blood pressure were independent determinants of longitudinal strain, strain rate, and untwisting markers (P < 0.05). Increased TGFb‐1 was related with increased collagen synthesis markers, TIMP‐1 and MMP‐9 and these biomarkers were associated with impaired longitudinal systolic strain rate, untwisting markers, CFR and PWV (P < 0.05). Delayed untwisting as assessed by reduced %dpTw – UtwEDF was related with increased NT‐proBNP and reduced VO2 (P < 0.05).ConclusionsImpaired LV untwisting is associated with increased arterial stiffness and coronary microcirculatory dysfunction, and is linked to reduced exercise capacity and neurohumoral activation in hypertensive heart disease. A fibrotic process may be the common link between vascular dysfunction and abnormal myocardial deformation.
Enhancing our understanding of enhancers in T‐helper cells
Authors: Paiano Jacob J. , Johnson John L. , Vahedi Golnaz 
Published: October 2015

A long‐standing question in immunology has been to understand how transcription factors (TF) determine cell‐type‐specific transcription programs. Traditionally, investigating TFs in immune cells has been limited to measuring the effect of a single TF on a limited number of gene targets. The advent of next generation sequencing methods makes it possible to measure the effects of multiple transcription factors on a genome‐wide scale. This holistic approach gives us a better understanding of the influence that multiple TFs have on cell‐specific programs. In this issue of European Journal of Immunology, Fang et al. [Eur. J. Immunol. 2015. 45: 3150–3157] show that genomic regions cooccupied with two or more TFs show increased epigenetic histone marks of active enhancers, which correspond to increased transcriptional activity.
Reinforcement learning‐based clustering protocols for a self‐organising cognitive radio network
Authors: Ramli Aizat , Grace David 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis paper presents a methodology on how cognitive radio networks can form clusters by exploiting reinforcement learning‐based principles. Each node repeatedly senses the received signal strength indicator beacons given off by other nodes in the network. This information can be used by the nodes to learn about its positioning significance within the network and whether to become cluster heads thus forming a cluster. Extensive simulation results are presented, and it is shown that on average, the clustering performance (packing efficiency) can be improved when nodes have the ability to learn. The results are compared with that of a k‐means and node degree‐based approach for the formation of clusters. It is found that the node degree scheme can result in the clustering performance deteriorating, which is undesirable as it can lead to an increase in the total energy consumption of the network over time. It is shown that in a shadowing environment, that clusters formed via learning through received signal strength indicator can reduce their transmission power by up to 2 dBW (achieving a potential power saving of 37 per cent) while achieving the same signal‐to‐noise ratio as that of the no learning and node degree schemes. Further energy conservation can be obtained by restricting beacon transmissions to immediate neighbouring nodes. In certain geographical node distributions, a no learning scheme is preferred for the formation of clusters due to its lower overhead. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examination of the Synthetic Control Method for Evaluating Health Policies with Multiple Treated Units
Authors: Kreif Noémi , Grieve Richard , Hangartner Dominik , Turner Alex James , Nikolova Silviya , Sutton Matt 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis paper examines the synthetic control method in contrast to commonly used difference‐in‐differences (DiD) estimation, in the context of a re‐evaluation of a pay‐for‐performance (P4P) initiative, the Advancing Quality scheme. The synthetic control method aims to estimate treatment effects by constructing a weighted combination of control units, which represents what the treated group would have experienced in the absence of receiving the treatment. While DiD estimation assumes that the effects of unobserved confounders are constant over time, the synthetic control method allows for these effects to change over time, by re‐weighting the control group so that it has similar pre‐intervention characteristics to the treated group.We extend the synthetic control approach to a setting of evaluation of a health policy where there are multiple treated units. We re‐analyse a recent study evaluating the effects of a hospital P4P scheme on risk‐adjusted hospital mortality. In contrast to the original DiD analysis, the synthetic control method reports that, for the incentivised conditions, the P4P scheme did not significantly reduce mortality and that there is a statistically significant increase in mortality for non‐incentivised conditions. This result was robust to alternative specifications of the synthetic control method. © 2015 The Authors. Health Economics published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Reward memory relieves anxiety‐related behavior through synaptic strengthening and protein kinase C in dentate gyrus
Authors: Lei Zhuofan , Liu Bei , Wang Jin‐Hui 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTAnxiety disorders are presumably associated with negative memory. Psychological therapies are widely used to treat this mental deficit in human beings based on the view that positive memory competes with negative memory and relieves anxiety status. Cellular and molecular processes underlying psychological therapies remain elusive. Therefore, we have investigated its mechanisms based on a mouse model in which food reward at one open‐arm of the elevated plus‐maze was used for training mice to form reward memory and challenge the open arms. Mice with the reward training showed increased entries and stay time in reward open‐arm versus neutral open‐arm as well as in open‐arms versus closed‐arms. Accompanying with reward memory formation and anxiety relief, glutamatergic synaptic transmission in dentate gyrus in vivo and dendritic spines in granule cells became upregulated. This synaptic up‐regulation was accompanied by the expression of more protein kinase C (PKC) in the dendritic spines. The inhibition of PKC by chelerythrine impaired the formation of reward memory, the relief of anxiety‐related behavior and the up‐regulation of glutamate synapses. Our results suggest that reward‐induced positive memory relieves mouse anxiety‐related behavior by strengthening synaptic efficacy and PKC in the hippocampus, which imply the underlying cellular and molecular processes involved in the beneficial effects of psychological therapies treating anxiety disorders. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of a bioavailability-based risk assessment approach for nickel in freshwater sediments
Authors: Schlekat Christian E , Garman Emily R , Vangheluwe Marnix LU , Burton G Allen 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
To assess nickel (Ni) toxicity and behavior in freshwater sediments, a large-scale laboratory and field sediment testing program was conducted. The program used an integrative testing strategy to generate scientifically based threshold values for Ni in sediments and to develop integrated equilibrium partitioning-based bioavailability models for assessing risks of Ni to benthic ecosystems. The sediment testing program was a multi-institutional collaboration that involved extensive laboratory testing, field validation of laboratory findings, characterization of Ni behavior in natural and laboratory conditions, and examination of solid phase Ni speciation in sediments. The laboratory testing initiative was conducted in 3 phases to satisfy the following objectives: 1) evaluate various methods for spiking sediments with Ni to optimize the relevance of sediment Ni exposures; 2) generate reliable ecotoxicity data by conducting standardized chronic ecotoxicity tests using 9 benthic species in sediments with low and high Ni binding capacity; and, 3) examine sediment bioavailability relationships by conducting chronic ecotoxicity testing in sediments that showed broad ranges of acid volatile sulfides, organic C, and Fe. A subset of 6 Ni-spiked sediments was deployed in the field to examine benthic colonization and community effects. The sediment testing program yielded a broad, high quality data set that was used to develop a Species Sensitivity Distribution for benthic organisms in various sediment types, a reasonable worst case predicted no-effect concentration for Ni in sediment (PNECsediment), and predictive models for bioavailability and toxicity of Ni in freshwater sediments. A bioavailability-based approach was developed using the ecotoxicity data and bioavailability models generated through the research program. The tiered approach can be used to fulfill the outstanding obligations under the European Union (EU) Existing Substances Risk Assessment, EU Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Regulation of Chemicals (REACH), and other global regulatory initiatives. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:735–746. © 2015 SETAC
Coordinating ecological risk assessment with natural resource damage assessment: A panel discussion
Authors: Sanders Brenda , Ammann Mike , Hoff Rebecca , Huston Mark , Jenkins Kenneth , Palagyi Tony , Pelto Karen , Rettig Todd , Wagner Anne 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Contaminated sites in the United States undergo remediation and restoration through regulatory programs that lead the 2 processes through independent but often parallel pathways with different objectives. The objective of remediation is to reduce risk to human health and the environment, whereas that of restoration is to restore injured resources and compensate the public for lost use of the services that natural resources provide. More complex sites, such as those associated with large river systems and urban waterways, have resulted in increasingly larger-scale ecological risk assessments (ERAs) and natural resource damage assessments (NRDAs) that take many years and involve diverse practitioners including scientists, economists, and engineers. Substantial levels of effort are now frequently required, creating a need for more efficient and cost-effective approaches to data collection, analyses, and assessments. Because there are commonalities in the data needs between ERAs and NRDAs, coordination of the design and implementation of site-specific studies that meet the needs of both programs could result in increased efficiency and lower costs. The Association for Environmental Health and Sciences Foundation convened a panel of environmental practitioners from industry, consulting, and regulatory bodies to examine the benefits and challenges associated with coordinating ERA and NRDA activities in the context of a broad range of regulatory programs. This brief communication presents the opinions and conclusions of the panelists on these issues and reports 2 case studies for which coordinated ERA and NRDA activities produced a positive outcome. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:616–621. © 2015 SETAC
Real Time Metastatic Route Tracking of Orthotopic PC‐3‐GFP Human Prostate Cancer Using Intravital Imaging
Authors: Zhang Yong , Wang Xiaoen , Hoffman Robert M. , Seki Naohiko 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTThe cellular basis of metastasis is poorly understood. An important step to understanding this process is to be able to visualize the routes by which cancer cells migrate from the primary tumor to various distant sites to eventually form metastasis. Our laboratory previously developed single‐cell in vivo imaging using fluorescent proteins to label cancer cells. In the present study, using PC‐3 human prostate cancer cells labeled with green fluorescent protein (GFP) and orthotopic tumor transplantation, we have imaged in live mice various highly diverse routes by which PC‐3 cells metastasize superiorly and inferiorly to distant sites, including in the portal area, stomach area, and urogenital system. Imaging began at day 9, at which time distant metastasis had already occurred, and increased at each imaging point at days 10, 13, 14, and 16. Metastatic cells were observed migrating superiorly and inferiorly from the primary tumor as well as in lymphatic channels and trafficking in various organ systems demonstrating that PC‐3 has multiple metastatic routes similar to hormone‐independent advanced‐stage prostate cancer in the clinic. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1027–1032, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Macrophage‐Associated Osteoactivin/GPNMB Mediates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Survival, Proliferation, and Migration Via a CD44‐Dependent Mechanism
Authors: Yu Bing , Sondag Gregory R. , Malcuit Christopher , Kim Min‐Ho , Safadi Fayez F. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTAlthough MSCs have been widely recognized to have therapeutic potential in the repair of injured or diseased tissues, it remains unclear how functional activities of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are influenced by the surrounding inflammatory milieu at the site of tissue injury. Macrophages constitute an essential component of innate immunity and have been shown to exhibit a phenotypic plasticity in response to various stimuli, which play a central role in both acute inflammation and wound repair. Osteoactivin (OA)/Glycoprotein non‐metastatic melanoma protein B (GPNMB), a transmembrane glycoprotein that plays a role in cell differentiation, survival, and angiogenesis. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential role of OA/GPNMB in macrophage‐induced MSC function. We found that reparative M2 macrophages express significantly greater levels of OA/GPNMB than pro‐inflammatory M1 macrophages. Furthermore, using loss of function and rescue studies, we demonstrated that M2 macrophages‐secreted OA/GPNMB positively regulates the viability, proliferation, and migration of MSCs. More importantly, we demonstrated that OA/GPNMB acts through ERK and AKT signaling pathways in MSCs via CD44, to induce these effects. Taken together, our results provide pivotal insight into the mechanism by which OA/GPNMB contributes to the tissue reparative phenotype of M2 macrophages and positively regulates functional activities of MSCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1511–1521, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intravitreal Injection of a Rho‐Kinase Inhibitor (Fasudil) for Recent‐Onset Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy
Authors: Sanjari Nasrin , Pakravan Mohammad , Nourinia Ramin , Esfandiari Hamed , Hafezi‐Moghadam Ali , Zandi Souska , Nakao Shintaro , Shah‐Heidari Mohamamad‐Hassan , Jamali Arsia , Yaseri Mehdi , Ahmadieh Hamid 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis study evaluated the effects of intravitreal injection of fasudil (IVF), a Rho‐kinase inhibitor, in cases of recent‐onset nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). In this interventional case series, 13 eyes of 13 patients diagnosed with NAION within 14 days of onset were included. The affected eyes received a 0.025 mg/0.05 mL IVF. Functional and structural outcomes were assessed 1 and 3 months following treatment. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was the main outcome measured, with mean deviation (MD) index of the VF test and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness as secondary measures. There was a statistically significant improvement in the patients’ BCVA 1 and 3 months following IVF; BCVA improved from 1.69 ± 0.55 logMAR at baseline to 0.98 ± 0.47 and 0.93 ± 0.51 logMAR at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P = .004). The change in BCVA was not significant between month 1 and month 3 (P = .22). Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness decreased from 173.5 ± 29.28 µm in the baseline evaluation to 85.8 ± 8.8 µm at 1 month, and 62.9 ± 5.97 µm at 3 months (P = .003). MD values changed from 24.60 ± 3.80 to 21.0 ± 6.10 and 20.5 ± 6.50 at 1 and 3 months, respectively (P = .007 and .005, respectively). This pilot study suggests that IVF may be an effective treatment for patients with recent‐onset NAION. Larger studies are required to establish the therapeutic role of fasudil for NAION.
Infiltration and Runoff Generation Under Various Cropping Patterns in the Red Soil Region of China
Authors: Wang Yi , Fan Jianbo , Cao Longxi , Liang Yin 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSoil and surface water runoff are the major causes of cropland degradation in the hilly red soil region of China. Appropriate tillage practices are urgently needed to reduce erosion and protect the soil surface. In this study, five tillage systems [manure fertiliser (PM), straw mulch cover (PC), peanut–orange intercropping (PO), peanut–radish rotation (PR) and traditional farrow peanut (PF)] were compared in terms of soil infiltration and the capacity to generate runoff. Based on field‐plot monitoring and simulated experiments, this study revealed that the organic content of the soil in the PO (19.43 g kg−1), PC (18·63 g kg−1) and PM (18·18 g kg−1) treatments increased compared with those of the PF (15·64 g kg−1) and PR (17.17 g kg−1) treatments. Moreover, the three tillage practices also enhanced the soil's aggregate stability and infiltration capacity. The average annual runoff generation rates of the treatments were as follows: PR (3,141 m3 ha−1 a−1) > PF (2,189 m3 ha−1 a−1) > PC (755 m3 ha−1 a−1) > PM (514 m3 ha−1 a−1) > PO (388 m3 ha−1 a−1). The PO treatment reduced the runoff generation rate by approximately 82·3% compared with that of the PF treatment. Among the treatments, the PO treatment had the highest threshold rainfall depth (22 mm) for runoff generation. Regression analysis revealed that the threshold rainfall depths linearly increased with the infiltration rates. The results of this study could benefit local soil management and cropland conservation. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‐differential equations for ‐classical polynomials and ‐Jacobi–Stirling numbers
Authors: Loureiro Ana F. , Zeng Jiang 
Published: October 2015

We introduce, characterise and provide a combinatorial interpretation for the so‐called q‐Jacobi–Stirling numbers. This study is motivated by their key role in the (reciprocal) expansion of any power of a second order q‐differential operator having the q‐classical polynomials as eigenfunctions in terms of other even order operators, which we explicitly construct in this work. The results here obtained can be viewed as the q‐version of those given by Everitt et al. and by the first author, whilst the combinatorics of this new set of numbers is a q‐version of the Jacobi–Stirling numbers given by Gelineau and the second author.
Photocatalyst‐Free and Blue Light‐Induced RAFT Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate at Ambient Temperature
Authors: Ding Chunlai , Fan Caiwei , Jiang Ganquan , Pan Xiangqiang , Zhang Zhengbiao , Zhu Jian , Zhu Xiulin 
Published: October 2015

Vinyl acetate is polymerized in the living way under the irradiation of blue light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) or sunlight without photocatalyst at ambient temperature. 2‐(Ethoxycarbonothioyl)sulfanyl propanoate is exclusively added and acts as initiator and chain transfer agent simultaneously in the current system. Poly(vinyl acetate) with well‐regulated molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (Đ < 1.30) is synthesized. Near quantitative end group fidelity of polymer is demonstrated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and matrix‐assisteed laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF MS).
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