bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bat auditory cortex – model for general mammalian auditory computation or special design solution for active time perception?
Authors: Kössl Manfred , Hechavarria Julio , Voss Cornelia , Schaefer Markus , Vater Marianne 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAudition in bats serves passive orientation, alerting functions and communication as it does in other vertebrates. In addition, bats have evolved echolocation for orientation and prey detection and capture. This put a selective pressure on the auditory system in regard to echolocation‐relevant temporal computation and frequency analysis. The present review attempts to evaluate in which respect the processing modules of bat auditory cortex (AC) are a model for typical mammalian AC function or are designed for echolocation‐unique purposes. We conclude that, while cortical area arrangement and cortical frequency processing does not deviate greatly from that of other mammals, the echo delay time‐sensitive dorsal cortex regions contain special designs for very powerful time perception. Different bat species have either a unique chronotopic cortex topography or a distributed salt‐and‐pepper representation of echo delay. The two designs seem to enable similar behavioural performance.
Sensorimotor neural dynamics during isochronous tapping in the medial premotor cortex of the macaque
Authors: Merchant Hugo , Pérez Oswaldo , Bartolo Ramón , Méndez Juan Carlos , Mendoza Germán , Gámez Jorge , Yc Karyna , Prado Luis 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe determined the response properties of neurons in the primate medial premotor cortex that were classified as sensory or motor during isochronous tapping to a visual or auditory metronome, using different target intervals and three sequential elements in the task. The cell classification was based on a warping transformation, which determined whether the cell activity was statistically aligned to sensory or motor events, finding a large proportion of cells classified as sensory or motor. Two distinctive clusters of sensory cells were observed, i.e. one cell population with short response‐onset latencies to the previous stimulus, and another that was probably predicting the occurrence of the next stimuli. These cells were called sensory‐driven and stimulus‐predicting neurons, respectively. Sensory‐driven neurons showed a clear bias towards the visual modality and were more responsive to the first stimulus, with a decrease in activity for the following sequential elements of the metronome. In contrast, stimulus‐predicting neurons were bimodal and showed similar response profiles across serial‐order elements. Motor cells showed a consecutive activity onset across discrete neural ensembles, generating a rapid succession of activation patterns between the two taps defining a produced interval. The cyclical configuration in activation profiles engaged more motor cells as the serial‐order elements progressed across the task, and the rate of cell recruitment over time decreased as a function of the target interval. Our findings support the idea that motor cells were responsible for the rhythmic progression of taps in the task, gaining more importance as the trial advanced, while, simultaneously, the sensory‐driven cells lost their functional impact.
Averaging auditory evoked magnetoencephalographic and electroencephalographic responses: a critical discussion
Authors: König Reinhard , Matysiak Artur , Kordecki Wojciech , Sielużycki Cezary , Zacharias Norman , Heil Peter 
Published: March 2015

AbstractIn the analysis of data from magnetoencephalography (MEG) and electroencephalography (EEG), it is common practice to arithmetically average event‐related magnetic fields (ERFs) or event‐related electric potentials (ERPs) across single trials and subsequently across subjects to obtain the so‐called grand mean. Comparisons of grand means, e.g. between conditions, are then often performed by subtraction. These operations, and their statistical evaluation with parametric tests such asanova, tacitly rely on the assumption that the data follow the additive model, have a normal distribution, and have a homogeneous variance. This may be true for single trials, but these conditions are rarely met when ERFs/ERPs are compared between subjects, meaning that the additive model is seldom the correct model for computing grand mean waveforms. Here, we summarize some of our recent work and present new evidence, from auditory‐evoked MEG and EEG results, that the non‐normal distributions and the heteroscedasticity observed instead result because ERFs/ERPs follow a mixed model with additive and multiplicative components. For peak amplitudes, such as the auditory M100 and N100, the multiplicative component dominates. These findings emphasize that the common practice of simply subtracting arithmetic means of auditory‐evoked ERFs or ERPs is problematic without prior adequate transformation of the data. Application of the area sinus hyperbolicus (asinh) transform to data following the mixed model transforms them into the requested additive model with its normal distribution and homogeneous variance. We therefore advise checking the data for compliance with the additive model and using the asinh transform if required.
Discussing SUDEP: Have we improved?—A retrospective case note analysis
Authors: Ross Daniella , Waddell Briony , Heath Craig A. 
Published: February 2015

SummarySudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the most common cause of death in epilepsy. Controversy surrounds its discussion with patients, with discrepancy between clinical practice and guideline recommendations; a previous audit of local practice in 2012 found that in only 4% of patients’ notes was there documented evidence of SUDEP discussion. The aim of this study was to evaluate current clinical practice and to determine whether there had been a change in practice following publication of the initial audit. A retrospective case note review was undertaken on all patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy attending a specialist epilepsy clinic in Tayside from January 1, 2012 to March 31, 2012. A documented discussion regarding SUDEP was recorded in 81 (34%) of 240 patients, an increase from previous review. Documented discussion was more likely to occur in new referrals and in those with ongoing generalized seizures, and conversely less likely to occur in those with a long history of seizures and drug‐resistant epilepsy. This repeat audit demonstrates improvement in practice; however, the minority of patients are still being informed, with those at higher risk statistically less likely to be informed.
Rapid adjustment of bird community compositions to local climatic variations and its functional consequences
Authors: Gaüzère Pierre , Jiguet Frédéric , Devictor Vincent 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe local spatial congruence between climate changes and community changes has rarely been studied over large areas. We proposed one of the first comprehensive frameworks tracking local changes in community composition related to climate changes. First, we investigated whether and how 12 years of changes in the local composition of bird communities were related to local climate variations. Then, we tested the consequences of this climate‐induced adjustment of communities on Grinnellian (habitat‐related) and Eltonian (function‐related) homogenization. A standardized protocol monitoring spatial and temporal trends of birds over France from 2001 to 2012 was used. For each plot and each year, we used the spring temperature and the spring precipitations and calculated three indices reflecting the thermal niche, the habitat specialization, and the functional originality of the species within a community. We then used a moving‐window approach to estimate the spatial distribution of the temporal trends in each of these indices and their congruency with local climatic variations. Temperature fluctuations and community dynamics were found to be highly variable in space, but their variations were finely congruent. More interestingly, the community adjustment to temperature variations was nonmonotonous. Instead, unexplained fluctuations in community composition were observed up to a certain threshold of climate change intensity, above which a change in community composition was observed. This shift corresponded to a significant decrease in the relative abundance of habitat specialists and functionally original species within communities, regardless of the direction of temperature change. The investigation of variations in climate and community responses appears to be a central step toward a better understanding of climate change effects on biodiversity. Our results suggest a fine‐scale and short‐term adjustment of community composition to temperature changes. Moreover, significant temperature variations seem to be responsible for both the Grinnellian and Eltonian aspects of functional homogenization.
Intentional replantation of adhesively reattached vertically fractured maxillary single‐rooted teeth
Authors: Nizam N. , Kaval M. E. , Gürlek Ö. , Atila A. , Çalışkan M. K. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractAimTo evaluate the clinical outcomes of intentionally replanted maxillary single‐rooted teeth with vertical root fractures (VRFs) after being repaired extraorally using 4‐methacryloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride/methacrylate‐tri‐n‐butyl borane (4‐META/MMA‐TBB) resin cement.MethodologyTwenty‐one root filled maxillary single‐rooted teeth withVRFs were evaluated. After atraumatic extraction, fractured fragments were adhesively cemented. The teeth were then replanted and splinted to the neighbouring teeth for 2 weeks. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed at baseline, 6 and 12 months, and radiographic evaluations were made usingPAIscores at baseline and 12 months. Mobility was evaluated using periotest values (PTV) at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Replanted teeth, contralateral teeth (control teeth) and adjacent teeth were analysed statistically using repeated measures one‐wayanova, unpairedt‐tests and Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed‐rank tests.ResultsTwo teeth were extracted in the first month after surgery.PI,GI,CALandPDscores of the replanted teeth were significantly lower at 6 month (P < 0.0001 for all) and 12 month (P < 0.0001 for all) postoperatively when compared to baseline, but the values were not significantly different from those of the control and adjacent teeth.PTVof the test teeth increased significantly (P < 0.0001) after the intervention and decreased to baseline levels by month 12.PTVs were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months in the test teeth when compared with the control teeth, but were not significantly different at month 12.PAIscores of teeth withVRFwere significantly lower (P < 0.05) at 12 months compared with baseline.ConclusionsAdhesive cementation and intentional replantation were an effective treatment modality for this group of vertically fractured maxillary single‐rooted teeth. The clinical periodontal parameters decrease by month 6, and the mobility returned to the physiological limits of natural teeth 12 months after replantation.
Frequency of P2RX7 A1513C and TLR2 −196 to −174 ins/del in healthy Polish individuals
Authors: Lewandowska M. , Garczyńska P. , Jędrychowska‐Dańska K. , Kopczyńska P. , Masłowska A. , Witas H. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryPolymorphisms within genes coding innate immune response proteins are involved in genetic susceptibility to various conditions. We investigated the frequency of P2RX7 A1513C and TLR2 −196 to −174 ins/del polymorphisms in healthy Polish population. Frequency of minor alleles was relatively similar to the pattern presented by Caucasian populations while it differed significantly when compared to non‐European populations, which could be a result of variable selection pressure put upon studied alleles or hindered gene flow between populations.
Dietary fibre linked to decreased inflammation in overweight minority youth
Authors: Miller S. J. , Batra A. K. , Shearrer G. E , House B. T. , Cook L. T. , Pont S. J. , Goran M. I. , Davis J. N. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryObjectiveThe objective of this study was to examine the relationship between diet and inflammation, and adiposity in minority youth.Design and MethodsThe study was designed as a cross‐sectional analysis of 142 overweight (≥85th body mass index percentile) Hispanic and African–American adolescents (14–18 years) with the following measures: anthropometrics, adiposity via magnetic resonance imaging, dietary intake via 24‐h dietary recalls, and inflammation markers from fasting blood draws utilizing a multiplex panel. Partial correlations were estimated and analysis of covariance (ancova) models fit to examine the relationship among dietary variables, inflammation markers and adiposity measures with the following a priori covariates: Tanner stage, ethnicity, sex, total energy intake, total body fat and total lean mass.ResultsInference based on ancova models showed that the highest tertile of fibre intake (mean intake of 21.3 ± 6.1 g d−1) vs. the lowest tertile of fibre intake (mean intake of 7.4 ± 1.8 g d−1) was associated with 36% lower plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (P = 0.02) and 43% lower resistin (P = 0.02), independent of covariates. Similar results were seen for insoluble fibre. No other dietary variables included in this study were associated with inflammation markers.ConclusionsThese results suggest that increases in dietary fibre could play an important role in lowering inflammation and therefore metabolic disease risk in high‐risk minority youth.
Familial and individual predictors of obesity and insulin resistance in urban Hispanic children
Authors: Santiago‐Torres M. , Cui Y. , Adams A. K. , Allen D. B. , Carrel A. L. , Guo J. Y. , Delgado‐Rendon A. , LaRowe T. L. , Schoeller D. A. 
Published: March 2015

SummaryBackgroundHigh intake of sugar‐sweetened beverages (SSB) has been suggested to contribute to the pediatric obesity epidemic, however, how the home food environment influence children's intake of SSB among Hispanic families is still poorly understood.ObjectivesTo evaluate the relationships between the home food environment and Hispanic children's diet in relation to weight status and insulin resistance (IR).MethodsA food frequency questionnaire was administered to 187 Hispanic children (ages 10 to 14 years) and anthropometrics were measured. IR was estimated from fasting insulin and glucose levels using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMAIR). Parents reported on family demographics and the home food environment. A structural equation modelling approach was applied to examine the hypothesized relationships among variables.ResultsThe prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity was 52.8% and it was positively associated with HOMAIR (β = 0.687, P < .0001). Children's SSB consumption was positively associated with children's body mass index z‐score (β = 0.151, P < 0.05) and subsequently to HOMAIR. Children's SSB consumption was predicted by home availability (β = 0.191) and parental intake of SSB (β = 0.419) (P < 0.05). The model fit indices [χ2 = 45.821 (d.f. = 30, P > 0.01 and < 0.05), χ2/d.f. = 1.53, root mean square error of approximation = 0.053 (90% confidence interval = 0.016, 0.082), comparative fit index = 0.904] suggested a satisfactory goodness‐of‐fit.ConclusionsThe home food environment and parental diet seem to play an important role in the children's access to and intake of SSB, which in turn predicted children's weight status.
The Perfection of Glory in Humility: What Karl Barth would have had to Say about Redemption
Authors: Smith Aaron 
Published: March 2015

AbstractKarl Barth famously was not able to complete his magnum opus, Church Dogmatics, the final volume of which was to treat the doctrine of redemption. But the general contours of what Barth would have had to say in that volume can be discovered by following the trajectory of his thought, specifically as key developments in his later work are set next to his discussion of redemption in his first lecture cycle in dogmatics at Göttingen. This article contends that in view of revisions to his treatment of Christ's humiliation and exaltation, which reflect his handling of election in CD II/2, Barth would have had to conclude three things about redemption. First, Christ's humiliation for us is an eternal act not set aside in the eschaton. Secondly, humanity's eschatological exaltation takes the form of actualized utter dependence on God defined by corresponding life‐acts of uninterrupted self‐giving. And thirdly, that ‘redemption’ entails having a share in God's unique freedom to have his life in and with another; just this is life in the Spirit. Together, these conclusions characterize a kind of glory which is not opposed to humility but perfected in humility.
Age‐related decrease of adenosine‐mediated relaxation in rat detrusor is a result of A2B receptor downregulation
Authors: Weller Johannes , Pose Manuela , Protzel Chris , Mader Felix , Porath Katrin , Köhling Rüdiger , Hakenberg Oliver W , Kirschstein Timo 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesTo analyze the effect of adenosine on detrusor smooth muscle contraction and to assess age‐related changes of adenosine function.MethodsSustained contractions were induced in young (10–30 days) and old (>60 days) rat detrusor muscle strips by application of 30 mmol/L K+ and adenosine (0.1–400 µmol/L), which was either applied before raising the K+ concentration or added to the precontracted muscle strip. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses were used to study adenosine receptor expression in rat and human detrusor specimens.ResultsPretreatment with adenosine dose‐dependently reduced subsequent K+‐induced contraction in detrusor muscle strips from young rats (half‐maximal effect = 40 µmol/L). The residual depolarization‐induced contraction strength in young tissue was significantly smaller than in tissue from old animals, showing a greater potency of adenosine in young detrusor samples. Likewise, the relaxing effect of adenosine on precontracted detrusor muscle was also significantly more pronounced in young compared with older detrusor. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed an age‐related downregulation of the adenosine A2B receptor in rat detrusor tissues, which could be confirmed in human detrusor samples. Furthermore, relaxation of both K+‐induced as well as carbachol‐induced contraction by the specific A2B receptor agonist BAY 60–6583 was significantly more pronounced in young than in old rats.ConclusionsAdenosine powerfully counteracts contraction of detrusor smooth muscle, which is lost in the aging bladder. This is paralleled by an age‐dependent transcriptional downregulation of the low‐affinity A2B receptor. Hence, this might be pathophysiologically relevant in conditions of raised adenosine concentrations, such as hyperactive bladder contractility.
Maintenance monotherapy with gemcitabine after standard platinum‐based chemotherapy in patients with advanced urothelial cancer
Authors: Muto Satoru , Abe Hideyuki , Noguchi Takahiro , Sugiura Sho‐ichiro , Kitamura Kousuke , Isotani Shuji , Ide Hisamitsu , Yamaguchi Raizo , Kamai Takao , Horie Shigeo 
Published: February 2015

ObjectivesTo investigate the outcomes of gemcitabine maintenance monotherapy treatment for metastatic urothelial cancer.MethodsGemcitabine maintenance monotherapy was used for metastatic urothelial cancer patients after standard platinum‐based chemotherapy. A standard dose of 1000 mg/m2/month was given. If patients suffered adverse events or a noticeably compromised quality of life, treatment intervals were extended and doses lowered. Patients with metastatic urothelial cancer receiving only best supportive care after standard chemotherapy served as the retrospective control group.ResultsA total of 33 patients were included in the study group as well as in the control group. Maintenance therapy was administered a median of nine times (range 2–49 times) with a median dose of 984.2 mg (range 500–1400 mg) per time. An adverse event of the Common Terminology Criteria of Adverse Events grade 3 or greater was observed in 10 (30.3%) patients, while nine patients (27.3%) experienced hematotoxicity. After standard chemotherapy pretreatment, disease‐specific survival in the maintenance therapy group was an average of 15.0 months, significantly more favorable (P < 0.001) than that of the control group (4.0 months). On multivariate analysis, efficacy of prior chemotherapy (P = 0.018), visceral metastasis (P = 0.007) and gemcitabine maintenance therapy (P < 0.001) were statistically significant prognostic parameters of disease‐specific survival.ConclusionThe present study findings suggest that gemcitabine maintenance monotherapy in metastatic urothelial cancer might not only be useful as a palliative treatment, but it could also have a certain level of therapeutic effectiveness.
New clinical advances in immunotherapy for the treatment of solid tumours
Authors: Zavala Valentina A. , Kalergis Alexis M. 
Published: February 2015

SummaryAdvances in understanding the mechanisms of cancer cells for evading the immune system surveillance, including how the immune system modulates the phenotype of tumours, have allowed the development of new therapies that benefit from this complex cellular network to specifically target and destroy cancer cells. Immunotherapy researchers have mainly focused on the discovery of tumour antigens that could confer specificity to immune cells to detect and destroy cancer cells, as well as on the mechanisms leading to an improved activation of effector immune cells. The Food and Drug Administration approval in 2010 of ipilumumab for melanoma treatment and of pembrolizumab in 2014, monoclonal antibodies against T‐lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 and programmed cell death 1, respectively, are encouraging examples of how research in this area can successfully translate into clinical use with promising results. Currently, several ongoing clinical trials are in progress testing new anti‐cancer therapies based on the enhancement of immune cell activity against tumour antigens. Here we discuss the general concepts related to immunotherapy and the recent application to the treatment of cancer with positive results that support their consideration of clinical application to patients.
Effects of Prior Annealing on the Spark Plasma Sintering of Nanostructured Y2O3 Powders
Authors: Attia Mohamad A.A. , Orrù Roberto , Delogu Francesco , Montinaro Selena , Garroni Sebastiano , Ewais Emad M.M. , Cao Giacomo 
Published: February 2015

The effects produced by annealing Y2O3 nanopowders on their spark plasma sintering (SPS) behavior are systematically investigated in this work. It is found that the annealed powders display higher sinterability with respect to the as‐received ones. Indeed, the maximum densification level reached from pristine powders is about 97.5%, whereas density decreases when further increasing either the sintering temperature or the dwell time. In contrast, the density of SPS products obtained from pretreated powder monotonically increases with temperature and processing time, thus leading to fully dense materials in 30 min at 1050°C and 60 MPa. Correspondingly, it is found that the annealing treatment markedly inhibits grain coarsening during SPS. Thus, dense translucent samples with grain size below 100 nm can be attained from annealed powders. On the other hand, white‐opaque specimens with significantly coarser microstructures (up to 1‐μm‐sized grains) are obtained when pristine powders are directly processed under the same sintering conditions. Furthermore, it is observed that the annealing treatment of SPS samples in air allows for graphite contamination removal, whereas no improvement in term of light transmittance is produced.