bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ammonium increases Ca2+ signalling and upregulates expression of Cav1.2 gene in astrocytes in primary cultures and in the in vivo brain
Authors: Wang F. , Du T. , Liang C. , Verkhratsky A. , Peng L. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAimThe primary aim of this study was to identify the effects of hyperammonaemia on functional expression of Cav1.2 L‐type Ca2+ channels in astroglia.MethodsPrimary cultures of mouse astrocytes were used to study effects of chronic treatment (1–5 days) with ammonium chloride, at 1, 3 and 5 mm on depolarization‐induced increases in free cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i, measured with Fura‐2 based microfluorimetry) in control conditions and following treatment with the L‐type Ca2+ channel inhibitor, nifedipine, or with ryanodine receptor inhibitor, ryanodine. Expression of Cav1.2 mRNA was identified with RT‐PCR, whereas protein content was determined by Western blotting. Sustained hyperammonaemia in vivo was induced by daily injections of urease (33 units kg body weight−1, i.p.) for 3 days.ResultsDepolarization‐induced [Ca2+]i transients sensitive to nifedipine (peak of the response) and to ryanodine (plateau phase) were significantly increased in astrocytes chronically exposed to ammonium. The ammonium‐induced increase in Ca2+ influx in astrocytes resulted from an upregulation of Cav1.2 channel's expression detected at mRNA and protein levels. Increase in Cav1.2 expression was prevented by ouabain antagonist canrenone. Similar upregulation of Cav1.2 gene expression was found in the brains of adult mice subjected to intraperitoneal injection of urease. In transgenic mice tagged with an astrocyte‐specific or neurone‐specific markers and treated with intraperitoneal injections of urease, the fluorescence‐activated cell sorting of neurones and astrocytes demonstrated that Cav1.2 mRNA expression was upregulated in astrocytes, but not in neurones.ConclusionsAmmonium‐induced deregulation of astroglial Ca2+ signalling, is, in part, associated with upregulation of Cav1.2 L‐type calcium channels.
Improving multivariable prostate cancer risk assessment using the Prostate Health Index
Authors: Foley Robert W. , Gorman Laura , Sharifi Neda , Murphy Keefe , Moore Helen , Tuzova Alexandra V. , Perry Antoinette S. , Murphy T. Brendan , Lundon Dara J. , Watson R. William G. 
Published: April 2015

ObjectivesTo analyse the clinical utility of a prediction model incorporating both clinical information and a novel biomarker, p2PSA, in order to inform the decision for prostate biopsy in an Irish cohort of men referred for prostate cancer assessment.Patients and MethodsSerum isolated from 250 men from three tertiary referral centres with pre‐biopsy blood draws was analysed for total prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), free PSA (fPSA) and p2PSA. From this, the Prostate Health Index (PHI) score was calculated (PHI = (p2PSA/fPSA)*√tPSA). The men's clinical information was used to derive their risk according to the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) risk model. Two clinical prediction models were created via multivariable regression consisting of age, family history, abnormality on digital rectal examination, previous negative biopsy and either PSA or PHI score, respectively. Calibration plots, receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves and decision curves were generated to assess the performance of the three models.ResultsThe PSA model and PHI model were both well calibrated in this cohort, with the PHI model showing the best correlation between predicted probabilities and actual outcome. The areas under the ROC curve for the PHI model, PSA model and PCPT model were 0.77, 0.71 and 0.69, respectively, for the prediction of prostate cancer (PCa) and 0.79, 0.72 and 0.72, respectively, for the prediction of high grade PCa. Decision‐curve analysis showed a superior net benefit of the PHI model over both the PSA model and the PCPT risk model in the diagnosis of PCa and high grade PCa over the entire range of risk probabilities.ConclusionA logical and standardized approach to the use of clinical risk factors can allow more accurate risk stratification of men under investigation for PCa. The measurement of p2PSA and the integration of this biomarker into a clinical prediction model can further increase the accuracy of risk stratification, helping to better inform the decision for prostate biopsy in a referral population.
Modulation of pre‐attentive spectro‐temporal feature processing in the human auditory system by HD‐tDCS
Authors: Heimrath Kai , Breitling Carolin , Krauel Kerstin , Heinze Hans‐Jochen , Zaehle Tino 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe present study examined the functional lateralization of the human auditory cortex (AC) for pre‐attentive spectro‐temporal feature processing. By using high‐definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD‐tDCS), we systematically modulated neuronal activity of the bilateral AC. We assessed the influence of anodal and cathodal HD‐tDCS delivered over the left or right AC on auditory mismatch negativity (MMN) in response to temporal as well as spectral deviants in 12 healthy subjects. The results showed that MMN to temporal deviants was significantly enhanced by anodal HD‐tDCS applied over the left AC only. Our data indicate a left hemispheric dominance for the pre‐attentive processing of low‐level temporal information.
SOX7 interferes with β‐catenin activity to promote neuronal apoptosis
Authors: Wang Chong , Qin Lina , Min Zhiqun , Zhao Yiwei , Zhu Lin , Zhu Jing , Yu Shaojun 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSOX7 mediates various developmental processes. However, its role in neuronal apoptosis remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the expression pattern and role of SOX7 in potassium deprivation‐induced rat cerebellar granule neuron apoptosis. Our results showed that both mRNA and protein levels of SOX7 were upregulated when potassium was deprived. SOX7 overexpression promoted neuronal apoptosis, whereas knockdown of SOX7 protected neurons against apoptosis. Moreover, we found that β‐catenin activity was suppressed during apoptosis and that β‐catenin inhibition was crucial for potassium deprivation‐induced neuronal apoptosis. This suppression was mediated by an interaction between SOX7 and β‐catenin but not by protein degradation. Lastly, we showed that β‐catenin inhibition mediated the pro‐apoptotic effect of SOX7. Together, our findings demonstrated that SOX7 interfered with β‐catenin activity to promote neuronal apoptosis, which acted as a novel signaling mechanism in neuronal cell death.
Mutation ofCHRNA2in a family with benign familial infantile seizures: Potential role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in various phenotypes of epilepsy
Authors: Trivisano Marina , Terracciano Alessandra , Milano Teresa , Cappelletti Simona , Pietrafusa Nicola , Bertini Enrico Silvio , Vigevano Federico , Specchio Nicola 
Published: April 2015

SummaryNicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes are involved mainly in nocturnal frontal epilepsy. Despite extensive studies, to date, the α2 subunit did not show a strong association with this peculiar epileptic phenotype. We reportCHRNA2missense mutation in a family with benign familial infantile seizures (BFIS). TrueSeq Custom Amplicon (TSCA) sequencing approach was used to screen 10 ion channel genes in patients with idiopathic epilepsies.TSCArevealed a heterozygous single‐nucleotide substitution inCHRNA2gene (c.1126 C>T; p. Arg376Trp) that segregated in a family withBFIS; based on bio‐informatics inspection, the change was predicted to be pathogenic. The investigated family includes parents and their three daughters. In affected individuals, seizures started between 6 and 24 months of age. Seizures were mainly in cluster and well‐controlled. Outcome was good in all subjects. Even if nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes are traditionally associated with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE), this single‐family description can open new possibilities in the genetic diagnosis, molecular characterization, and management ofCHRNA2‐related epilepsy. The pathogenic conversion of arginine 376 to tryptophan alters all of these interactions in the cytoplasmic domain, never reported to be involved in epileptogenic mechanism. Further functional tests will be necessary to strongly relateCHRNA2mutation withBFISphenotype.
A product of RpfB and RipA joint enzymatic action promotes the resuscitation of dormant mycobacteria
Authors: Nikitushkin Vadim D. , Demina Galina R. , Shleeva Margarita O. , Guryanova Svetlana V. , Ruggiero Alessia , Berisio Rita , Kaprelyants Arseny S. 
Published: April 2015

Resuscitation‐promoting factor proteins (Rpfs) are known to participate in reactivating the dormant forms of actinobacteria. Structural analysis of the Rpf catalytic domain demonstrates its similarity to lysozyme and to lytic transglycosylases – the groups of enzymes that cleave the β‐1,4‐glycosidic bond between N‐acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc) and GlcNAc, and concomitantly form a 1,6‐anhydro ring at the MurNAc residue. Analysis of the products formed from mycobacterial peptidoglycan hydrolysis reactions containing a mixture of RpfB and resuscitation‐promoting factor interacting protein (RipA) allowed us to identify the suggested product of their action – N‐acetylglucosaminyl‐β(1→4)‐N‐glycolyl‐1,6‐anhydromuramyl‐l‐alanyl‐d‐isoglutamate. To identify the role of this resulting product in resuscitation, we used a synthetic 1,6‐anhydrodisaccharide‐dipeptide, and tested its ability to stimulate resuscitation by using the dormant Mycobacterium smegmatis model. It was found that the disaccharide‐dipeptide was the minimal structure capable of resuscitating the dormant mycobacterial cells over the concentration range of 9–100 ng·mL−1. The current study therefore provides the first insights into the molecular mechanism of resuscitation from dormancy involving a product of RpfB/RipA‐mediated peptidoglycan cleavage.
Farmed meagre, Argyrosomus regius of three different sizes: what are the differences in flesh quality and muscle cellularity?
Authors: Saavedra Margarida , Pereira Teresa G. , Grade Ana , Barbeiro Mónica , Pousão‐Ferreira Pedro , Quental‐Ferreira Hugo , Nunes Maria Leonor , Bandarra Narcisa , Gonçalves Amparo 
Published: April 2015

SummaryLarger meagre are more common in the market but, recently, smaller fish have started to be commercialised as well. This study aims to evaluate flesh quality and muscle cellularity of meagre of three different sizes: 800, 1500 and 2500 g. Results showed a higher fat content in larger fish (2.9% compared to 1.3% in small fish), and that texture was not affected by fish size. In terms of muscle cellularity, a higher frequency of smaller fibres was observed in 800 and 1500 g (33% compared to 18% in 2500 g) meagre, whereas in 2500 g meagre, there was a higher frequency of larger fibres. Muscle fibre density was reduced with fish weight (431 and 297 fibres mm−2 for 800 and 2500 g meagre, respectively). In conclusion, this study shows that meagre of different weights are different in terms of fat content and muscle cellularity and that 800 g meagre seems to have a good potential for being commercialised.
Abortion and Compelled Physician Speech
Authors: Orentlicher David 
Published: April 2015

As states increasingly impose informed consent mandates on abortion providers, the required disclosures bring two well-established legal doctrines into conflict — the First Amendment’s freedom of speech and the physician’s duty to obtain informed consent.On one hand, the First Amendment provides for a broad freedom of speech, under which government may neither prevent people from voicing their own views, nor compel individuals to voice the government’s views. As the Supreme Court observed in Wooley v. Maynard, the First Amendment protects “both the right to speak freely and the right to refrain from speaking at all.” When legislatures tell physicians what they must disclose to their patients, the physicians lose their right not to speak.
The First Amendment and Physician Speech in Reproductive Decision Making
Authors: Suter Sonia M. 
Published: April 2015

The regulation of medicine has long been recognized as within the state’s police powers. Yet when the state regulates physicians’ professional speech, it potentially raises First Amendment concerns. Nowhere is this truer than in the abortion context, where state legislatures have attempted to influence women’s reproductive decisions with informed consent requirements. Although the Supreme Court, inPlanned Parenthood of Se. Pa. v. Casey, found a mandated disclosure provision constitutional some 20 years ago, it offered little to clarify the scope and reach of the First Amendment issues that arise with abortion informed consent laws.SinceCaseywas decided, legislatures have enacted a range of informed consent laws that impose even more stringent abortion informed consent regulations than the provisions at issue inCasey.
Effects of Fusarium mycotoxins in rations with different concentrate proportions on serum haptoglobin and hepatocellular integrity in lactating dairy cows
Authors: Kinoshita A. , Keese C. , Beineke A. , Meyer U. , Starke A. , Sauerwein H. , Dänicke S. , Rehage J. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryIt was hypothesized that long‐term intake of a diet contaminated with deoxynivalenol (DON) and differing in the proportion of concentrate might affect hepatocellular integrity and function as well as biomarkers of systemic inflammation in lactating dairy cows. In Period 1 (11 weeks), 26 lactating German Holstein cows (13 primiparous and 13 pluriparous, 31 days in milk, 522 kg body weight, on average) were divided into two groups and fed diets (50% concentrate) with (MYC, n = 12; on average 5.3 mg DON/kg DM) or without (CON, n = 14) DON contaminations. In Period 2 (16 weeks), each group was further divided into two groups to test whether elevated concentrate proportion as additional burden might enhance the toxicity of DON. The cows in MYC60 (n = 6; 4.6 mg DON/kg DM) and CON60 (n = 7) received the diet with 60% concentrate, while cows in MYC30 (n = 6; 4.4 mg DON/kg DM) and CON30 (n = 7) received the diet with 30% concentrate. Blood samples were taken in biweekly intervals for activities of aspartate amino transferase (AST), glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase as well as for concentration of total bilirubin and haptoglobin. Biopsies from liver were collected in week 27 for morphological analyses. No DON effect was found for the variables assessed in blood. The diet with 60% concentrate led to higher activities of AST and GLDH in Period 2. No morphological change was found by both light and electron microscopic analyses of liver samples. Results indicated that long‐term intake of DON‐contaminated diet over 27 weeks led to neither relevant damages of hepatocytes nor systemic inflammatory responses in lactating dairy cows, even if the dietary concentrate proportion was increased to 60%.
In ovo L‐arginine supplementation stimulates myoblast differentiation but negatively affects muscle development of broiler chicken after hatching
Authors: Li Y. , Wang Y. , Willems E. , Willemsen H. , Franssens L. , Buyse J. , Decuypere E. , Everaert N. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryIn this study, we tested the hypothesis that in ovo feeding (IOF) of L‐arginine (L‐Arg) enhances nitric oxide (NO) production, stimulates the process of myogenesis, and regulates post‐hatching muscle growth. Different doses of L‐Arg were injected into the amnion of chicken embryos at embryonic day (ED) 16. After hatching, the body weight of individual male chickens was recorded weekly for 3 weeks. During in vitro experiments, myoblasts of the pectoralis major (PM) were extracted at ED16 and were incubated in medium containing 0.01 mm L‐Arg, 0.05 mm L‐Arg, and (or) 0.05 mm L‐nitro‐arginine‐methyl‐ester (L‐NAME), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). When 25 mg/kg L‐Arg/initial egg weight was injected, no difference was observed in body weight at hatch, but a significant decrease was found during the following 3 weeks compared to that of the non‐injected and saline‐injected control, and this also affected the growth of muscle mass. L‐NAME inhibited gene expression of myogenic differentiation antigen (MyoD), myogenin, NOS, and follistatin, decreased the cell viability, and increased myostatin (MSTN) gene expression. 0.05 mm L‐Arg stimulated myogenin gene expression but also depressed muscle cell viability. L‐NAME blocked the effect of 0.05 mm L‐Arg on myogenin mRNA levels when co‐incubated with 0.05 mm L‐Arg. L‐Arg treatments had no significant influence on NOS mRNA gene expression, but had inhibiting effect on follistatin gene expression, while L‐NAME treatments had effects on both. These results suggested that L‐Arg stimulated myoblast differentiation, but the limited number of myoblasts would form less myotubes and then less myofibers, while the latter limited the growth of muscle mass.
Cloning and tissue distribution of appetite‐regulating peptides in pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomus)
Authors: Volkoff H. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryPirapitinga (or red‐bellied pacu, Piaractus brachypomus, Characiforme, Serrasalmidae) is an economically important South American fish for which the endocrine mechanism of the regulation of feeding has never been examined. To better understand these mechanisms, cDNAs encoding the appetite‐regulating peptides orexin, cocaine‐ and amphetamine‐regulated transcript (CART), apelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), peptide YY (PYY), leptin and ghrelin were isolated in pirapitinga and their mRNA distributions examined in peripheral tissues and brain. When compared to other fish, the sequences obtained for all peptides were most similar to those of other Characiforme fish (i.e. Mexican cavefish) and Siluriformes (catfish) as well as Cypriniformes (i.e. goldfish, zebrafish). All peptides were widely expressed within the brain. With the exception of CART, which was only expressed in brain, the mRNAs of all peptides were present in several peripheral tissues, including gastrointestinal tract, kidneys and gills. The widespread and peptide‐specific distributions suggest that each peptide might have distinct physiological actions in the brain and on peripheral tissues, in particular on the gastrointestinal tract, which include feeding regulation. This preliminary study opens new avenues for further functional studies on the endocrine regulation of feeding in Serrasalmidae fish, including pirapitinga.
Effect of different levels of raw and heated grass pea seed (Lathyrus sativus) on nutrient digestibility, intestinal villus morphology and growth performance of broiler chicks
Authors: Riasi A. , Mahdavi A. H. , Bayat E. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThis study aimed to investigate chemical composition and effect of different levels (0%, 10% and 20%) of raw grass pea (RGP) and heat‐treated (120 °C for 30 min) grass pea seed (HGP) on nutrient digestibility, dressing percentage, relative internal organ weights, intestinal villous morphology and broiler chicks' performance. A total number of 200 day‐old male chicks were raised under similar condition for 10 days. On day 11, chicks were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments and four replicates of 10 birds each. The result of chemical analysis indicated that Iranian grass pea seed has low levels of total and condensed tannin, and it may be considered as a good source of protein (36.1%) and energy (17.09 kJ GE/g). Heat treatment reduced (p < 0.05) the total and condensed tannin to 21% and 78% respectively. Grass peas seed had higher levels of nitrogen‐free extract, P, Na, Mg and Zn than soya bean meal. The apparent digestibility of gross energy and lipid was affected (p < 0.01) by the treatment diets, and it was the lowest after feeding 20% of HGP (p < 0.05). The relative weight of breast and pancreas (p < 0.05) was affected by treatments. Percentage weight of breast and pancreas increased (p < 0.05) after feeding high levels (20%) of RGP and HGP. Substitution of 20% of RGP and HGP increased the duodenal crypt depth (p < 0.05); however, it had no suppressive effect on villus height as the absorptive surface of intestine. The feed conversion ratio was not affected by the treatments in the total experimental period. This study showed that, although the high level of grass pea seed caused a remarkable increase in the relative weight of pancreas and decreased the apparent digestibility of gross energy and lipid, it had beneficial effect on breast relative weight. It seems that heat processing is not effective method for improving quality of Iranian grass pea seed.
The immediate wound‐induced oxidative burst of Saccharina latissima depends on light via photosynthetic electron transport
Authors: McDowell Ruth E. , Amsler Margaret O. , Li Qian , Lancaster Jack R. , Amsler Charles D. 
Published: April 2015

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by an oxidative burst are an important component of the wound response in algae, vascular plants, and animals. In all taxa, ROS production is usually attributed solely to a defense‐related enzyme like NADPH‐oxidase (Nox). However, here we show that the initial, wound‐induced oxidative burst of the kelp Saccharina latissima depends on light and photosynthetic electron transport. We measured oxygen evolution and ROS production at different light levels and in the presence of a photosynthetic inhibitor, and we used spin trapping and electron paramagnetic resonance as an orthogonal method. Using an in vivo chemical probe, we provide data suggesting that wound‐induced ROS production in two distantly related and geographically isolated species of Antarctic macroalgae may be light dependent as well. We propose that electron transport chains are an important and as yet unaddressed component of the wound response, not just for photosynthetic organisms, but for animals via mitochondria as well. This component may have been obscured by the historic use of diphenylene iodonium, which inhibits not only Noxes but also photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport as well. Finally, we anticipate physiological and/or ecological consequences of the light dependence of macroalgal wound‐induced ROS since pathogens and grazers do not disappear in the dark.
The devil is in the details: genetic variation in introduced populations and its contributions to invasion
Authors: Dlugosch Katrina M. , Anderson Samantha R. , Braasch Joseph , Cang F. Alice , Gillette Heather D. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe influence of genetic variation on invasion success has captivated researchers since the start of the field of invasion genetics 50 years ago. We review the history of work on this question and conclude that genetic variation—as surveyed with molecular markers—appears to shape invasion rarely. Instead, there is a significant disconnect between marker assays and ecologically relevant genetic variation in introductions. We argue that the potential for adaptation to facilitate invasion will be shaped by the details of genotypes affecting phenotypes, and we highlight three areas in which we see opportunities to make powerful new insights. (i) The genetic architecture of adaptive variation. Traits shaped by large‐effect alleles may be strongly impacted by founder events yet more likely to respond to selection when genetic drift is strong. Large‐effect loci may be especially relevant for traits involved in biotic interactions. (ii) Cryptic genetic variation exposed during invasion. Introductions have strong potential to uncover masked variation due to alterations in genetic and ecological environments. (iii) Genetic interactions during admixture of multiple source populations. As divergence among sources increases, positive followed by increasingly negative effects of admixture should be expected. Although generally hypothesized to be beneficial during invasion, admixture is most often reported among sources of intermediate divergence, supporting the possibility that incompatibilities among divergent source populations might be limiting their introgression. Finally, we note that these details of invasion genetics can be coupled with comparative demographic analyses to link genetic changes to the evolution of invasiveness itself.