bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum sclerostin in high-activity adult patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Brabnikova-Maresova Kristyna , Jarosova Katerina , Pavelka Karel , Stepan Jan J 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a disease associated with loss of bone mass, deterioration in bone mass quality and an increased risk of fractures. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors that predict bone mineral density (BMD) alterations in young adult patients with active JIA before and during therapy with tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα) inhibitors.

Methods
Thirty-one patients (twelve males and nineteen females; mean age =25.1 ± 6.1 years) with active JIA (mean Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) =6.36 ± 0.64; mean high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) =18.36 ± 16.95 mg/L) were investigated. The control group consisted of 84 healthy individuals matched by sex and age. BMD, bone turnover markers and serum concentrations of soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand, osteoprotegerin, dickkopf Wnt signalling pathway inhibitor 1 (Dkk1) and sclerostin were evaluated.

Results
Baseline BMD values in the lumbar spine, proximal femur, femoral neck and distal radius were significantly lower in patients with JIA compared to healthy control participants. Baseline sclerostin serum concentrations were significantly higher in patients with JIA compared to control participants. After 2 years of treatment with TNFα inhibitors, BMD was significantly increased in the lumbar spine. This increase correlated with a drop in DAS28 score. A statistically significant correlation between hsCRP and Dkk1 was found at baseline, as well as during the 2-year follow-up period. A significant reduction in serum sclerostin after 1 year of therapy was predictive of a drop in DAS28 score observed with a 1-year delay after reduction of serum sclerostin.

Conclusion
A significant correlation between the sclerostin serum concentration and the number of tender and swollen joints, but not BMD, supports the hypothesis that chondrocytes and cells of the subchondral bone may contribute to circulating sclerostin in JIA.
Novel alleles of the Drosophila LRRK2 homolog reveal a crucial role in endolysosomal functions and autophagy in vivo
Authors: Dodson Mark W. , Leung Lok K. , Lone Mohiddin , Lizzio Michael A. , Guo Ming 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Mutations in LRRK2 cause a dominantly inherited form of Parkinson’s disease (PD), and are the most common known genetic determinant of PD. As inhibitor-based therapies targeting LRRK2 have emerged as a key therapeutic strategy in PD, understanding the consequences of inhibiting the normal cellular functions of LRRK2 is vital. Despite much interest, the physiologic functions of LRRK2 remain unclear. Several recent studies have linked the toxicity caused by overexpression of pathogenic mutant forms of LRRK2 to defects in the endolysosomal and autophagy pathways, raising the question of whether endogenous LRRK2 might play a role in these processes. Here we report the characterization of multiple novel nonsense alleles in the Drosophila LRRK2 homolog lrrk. Using these alleles, we show that lrrk loss-of-function causes striking defects in the endolysosomal and autophagy pathways, including accumulation of markedly enlarged lysosomes that are laden with undigested contents, consistent with a defect in lysosomal degradation. lrrk loss-of-function also results in accumulation of autophagosomes, as well as enlarged early endosomes laden with mono-ubiquitinated cargo proteins, suggesting an additional defect in lysosomal substrate delivery. Interestingly, the lysosomal abnormalities in these lrrk mutants can be suppressed by a constitutively active form of the small GTPase rab9, which promotes retromer-dependent recycling from late endosomes to the Golgi. Collectively, our data provides compelling evidence of a vital role for lrrk in lysosomal function and endolysosomal membrane transport in vivo, and suggests a link between lrrk and retromer-mediated endosomal recycling.
Anin vitromodel of human neocortical development using pluripotent stem cells: cocaine-induced cytoarchitectural alterations
Authors: Kindberg Abigail A. , Bendriem Raphael M. , Spivak Charles E. , Chen Jia , Handreck Annelie , Lupica Carl R. , Liu Jinny , Freed William J. , Lee Chun-Ting 
Published: October 2014

AbstractNeocortical development involves ordered specification of forebrain cortical progenitors to various neuronal subtypes, ultimately forming the layered cortical structure. Modeling of this process using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) would enable mechanistic studies of human neocortical development, while providing new avenues for exploration of developmental neocortical abnormalities. Here, we show that preserving hPSCs aggregates – allowing embryoid body formation – while adding basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) during neuroepithelial development generates neural rosettes showing dorsal forebrain identity, including Mash1+ dorsal telencephalic GABAergic progenitors. Structures that mirrored the organization of the cerebral cortex formed after rosettes were seeded and cultured for 3 weeks in the presence of FGF18, BDNF and NT3. Neurons migrated along radial glia scaffolding, with deep-layer CTIP2+ cortical neurons appearing after 1 week and upper-layer SATB2+ cortical neurons forming during the second and third weeks. At the end of differentiation, these structures contained both glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, with glutamatergic neurons being most abundant. Thus, this differentiation protocol generated an hPSC-based model that exhibits temporal patterning and a neuronal subtype ratio similar to that of the developing human neocortex. This model was used to examine the effects of cocaine during neocorticogenesis. Cocaine caused premature neuronal differentiation and enhanced neurogenesis of various cortical neuronal subtypes. These cocaine-induced changes were inhibited by the cytochrome P450 inhibitor cimetidine. This in vitro model enables mechanistic studies of neocorticogenesis, and can be used to examine the mechanisms through which cocaine alters the development of the human neocortex.
Conditioned discrimination of magnetic inclination in a spatial-orientation arena task by homing pigeons (Columba livia)
Authors: Mora Cordula V. , Acerbi Merissa L. , Bingman Verner P. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
It has been well established that homing pigeons are able to use the Earth’s magnetic field to obtain directional information when returning to their loft and that their magnetic compass is based, at least in part, on the perception of magnetic inclination. Magnetic inclination has also been hypothesized in pigeons and other long-distance navigators, such as sea turtles, to play a role providing positional information as part of a map. Here we developed a behavioural paradigm which allows us to condition homing pigeons to discriminate magnetic inclination cues in a spatial-orientation arena task. Six homing pigeons were required to discriminate in a circular arena between feeders located either in a zone with a close to 0º inclination cue or in a zone with a rapidly changing inclination cue (-3º to +85º when approaching the feeder and +85º to -3º when moving away from the feeder) to obtain a food reward. The pigeons consistently performed this task above chance level. Control experiments, during which the coils were turned off or the current was running anti-parallel through the double-wound coils system, confirmed that no alternative cues were used by the birds in the discrimination task. The results show that homing pigeons can be conditioned to discriminate differences in magnetic field inclination, enabling investigation into the peripheral and central neural processing of geomagnetic inclination under controlled laboratory conditions.
Influence of reproductive mode on metabolic costs of reproduction: insight from the bimodal lizard Zootoca vivipara
Authors: Foucart Thomas , Lourdais Olivier , DeNardo Dale F. , Heulin Benoit 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
Examination of the selective forces behind the transition from oviparity to viviparity in vertebrates must include an understanding of the relative energy costs of the two reproductive modes. However, interspecific comparisons of reproductive mode are confounded by numerous other inherent differences among the species. Therefore, we compared oxygen consumption, as a reflection of energy costs, during reproduction in oviparous and viviparous females of the reproductively bimodal lizard Zootoca vivipara (Jaquin 1787). Female oxygen consumption progressively increased over the course of reproduction, peaking just prior to parition when it was 46% (oviparous form) and 82% (viviparous form) higher than it was at the pre-reproductive stage. Total increase in oxygen consumption (TIOC) during the pre-ovulation period was not different between the reproductive modes. Conversely post-ovulation TIOC was more than three times higher in viviparous females, reflecting dramatic increase in embryonic metabolism as well as maternal metabolic costs of pregnancy (MCP). MCP accounted for 22% of total metabolism in viviparous females, whereas it was negligible in oviparous females. Our results demonstrate that egg retention through the first third of development, as is typical of most oviparous squamates, entails minimal maternal energy demand while extending retention imposes much greater metabolic constraints. Selection for transition from oviparity to viviparity must therefore provide benefits that outweigh not only the added burden associated with prolonged embryonic retention, but also the substantial additional energy costs that are incurred.
Expression of cytoskeletal and molt-related genes is temporally scheduled in the hypodermis of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii during premolt
Authors: Tom Moshe , Manfrin Chiara , Chung Sook J. , Sagi Amir , Gerdol Marco , De Moro Gianluca , Pallavicini Alberto , Giulianini Piero G. 
Published: October 2014

Abstract
The rigid crustacean exoskeleton, the cuticle, is composed of the polysaccharide chitin, structural proteins and mineral deposits. It is periodically replaced to enable growth and its construction is an energy-demanding process. Ecdysis, the shedding event of the old cuticle is preceded by a preparatory phase, termed premolt, in which the present cuticle is partially degraded and a new one is formed underneath it. Procambarus clarkii (Girard), an astacid crustacean, was used here to comprehensively examine the changing patterns of gene expression in the hypodermis underlying the cuticle of the carapace at seven time points along ~14 premolt days. Next generation sequencing was used to construct a multi-tissue P. clarkii transcript sequence assembly to be generally used in a variety of transcriptomic studies. An aimed reference transcriptome was created here for the performance of a digital transcript expression analysis, determining the gene expression profiles in each of the examined premolt stages. The analysis revealed a cascade of sequential expression events of molt-related genes involved in chitin degradation, synthesis and modification, as well as synthesis of collagen and four groups of cuticular structural genes. The novel description of major transcriptional events during premolt and determination of their timing provide temporal markers for future studies of molt progress and regulation. The peaks of expression of the molt-related genes were preceded by expression peaks of cytoskeletal genes hypothesized to be essential for premolt progress by regulating protein synthesis and/or transport probably by remodeling the cytoskeletal structure.
Cold acclimation increases cardiac myofilament function and ventricular pressure generation in trout
Authors: Klaiman Jordan M. , Pyle W. Glen , Gillis Todd E. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractReducing temperature below the optimum of most vertebrate hearts impairs contractility and reduces organ function. However, a number of fish species, including the rainbow trout, can seasonally acclimate to low temperature. Such ability requires modification of physiological systems to compensate for the thermodynamic effects of temperature on biological processes. The current study tested the hypothesis that rainbow trout compensate for the direct effect of cold temperature by increasing cardiac contractility during cold acclimation. We examined cardiac contractility, following thermal acclimation (4 °C, 11 °C and 17 °C), by measuring the Ca2+ sensitivity of force generation by chemically skinned cardiac trabeculae as well as ventricular pressure generation using a modified Langendorff preparation. We demonstrate, for the first time, that the Ca2+ sensitivity of force generation was significantly higher in cardiac trabeculae from 4 °C-acclimated trout compared to those acclimated to 11 °C or 17 °C and that this functional change occurred in parallel with a decrease in the level of cardiac troponin T phosphorylation. In addition, we show that the magnitude and rate of ventricular pressure generation was greater in hearts from trout acclimated to 4 °C compared to those from animals acclimated to 11 or 17 °C. Taken together these results suggest that enhanced myofilament function, caused by modification of existing contractile proteins, is at least partially responsible for the observed increase in pressure generation after acclimation to 4 °C. In addition, by examining the phenotypic plasticity of a comparative model we have identified a strategy, used in vivo, by which the force generating capacity of cardiac muscle can be increased.
Targeted inactivation of the rickets receptor in muscle compromisesDrosophilaviability
Authors: Harwood Benjamin N. , Draper Isabelle , Kopin Alan S. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractBursicon is a hormone that modulates wing expansion, cuticle hardening, and melanization in Drosophila melanogaster. Bursicon activity is mediated through its cognate G protein-coupled receptor, rickets. We have developed a membrane tethered bursicon construct that enables spatial modulation of rickets mediated physiology in transgenic flies. Ubiquitous expression of tethered bursicon throughout development results in arrest at the pupal stage. The few organisms that eclose fail to undergo wing expansion. These phenotypes suggest that expression of tethered bursicon inhibits rickets mediated function. Consistent with this hypothesis, we show in vitro that sustained stimulation of rickets by tethered bursicon leads to receptor desensitization. Furthermore, tissue specific expression of the tethered bursicon inhibitor unraveled a critical role for rickets in a subset of adult muscles. Taken together, our finding highlight the utility of membrane tethered inhibitors as important genetic/pharmacological tools to dissect the tissue specific roles of GPCRs in vivo.
Sex Hormones and Competitive Bidding
Authors: Schipper Burkhard C. 
Published: October 2014

We correlate competitive bidding and profits in symmetric independent private value first-price auctions with salivary testosterone, estradiol, progesterone, and cortisol in more than 200 subjects. Bids are significantly positively correlated and profits are significantly negatively correlated with basal salivary progesterone, but only for females who do not use hormonal contraceptives. Surprisingly, we have null findings for basal testosterone, estradiol, and cortisol for both males and females. We show that our finding for progesterone is not mediated by risk aversion or bidding mistakes. No hormone responds to total profits in the auctions except for a small positive response of the stress hormone cortisol in males. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1959 . This paper was accepted by Uri Gneezy, behavioral economics.
Effects of Selective Genetic Introgression from Wild Soybean to Soybean
Authors: Akpertey Abraham , Belaffif Mohammad , Graef George L. , Rouf Mian M. A. , Grover Shannon J. , Cregan Perry B. , Hudson Matthew E. , Diers Brian W. , Nelson Randall L. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTSoybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] breeding in the United States currently relies on a narrow genetic base. For decades, but more intensely in recent years, efforts have been made to incorporate exotic soybean germplasm into the breeding pool. Although wild soybean (G. soja Seib. and Zucc.) is genetically much more diverse than soybean, much less effort has been devoted to utilizing wild soybean in soybean breeding. The objectives of this research were to identify high‐yielding lines derived from crosses between five wild soybean accessions and soybean cultivars and determine if there are differences in the genetic contributions of each wild soybean parent. Each wild soybean was crossed to Williams 82, and the F1 plants were backcrossed to Williams 82 to create the backcross generation (BC1) lines. The BC2 parent lines were developed through family selection and backcrossed to Williams 82, IA2052, IA3023, or LN97–15076. Family selection beginning in the F2 generation was used to develop lines from plant introduction (PI) 507807 and PI 549046. The lines from PI 479767 and PI 483461 were selected by early generation testing through yield testing F2 lines in the F3 and F4 generations. The lines derived from PI 65549 were developed from a single seed descent (SSD) population. Field evaluation of the derived lines identified lines that are not significantly different from their recurrent parents. Using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, we found unique contributions being made by the G. soja parents. Despite intense selection pressure to recover good agronomic types, an average of 13% of SNP alleles in the derived lines came from the G. soja parents.
Evaluation of the effects of skeletal anchoraged Forsus FRD using miniplates inserted on mandibular symphysis: A new approach for the treatment of Class II malocclusion
Authors: Unal Tuba , Celikoglu Mevlut , Candirli Celal 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Objective:
To evaluate the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue effects of the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (FRD) appliance with miniplate anchorage for the treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusion.

Material and Methods:
The prospective clinical study group included 17 patients (11 girls and 6 boys; mean age 12.96 ± 1.23 years) with Class II malocclusion due to mandibular retrusion and treated with skeletal anchoraged Forsus FRD. After 0.019 × 0.025-inch stainless steel archwire was inserted and cinched back in the maxillary arch, two miniplates were placed bilaterally on the mandibular symphysis. Then, the Forsus FRD EZ2 appliance was adjusted to the miniplates without leveling the mandibular arch. The changes in the leveling and skeletal anchoraged Forsus FRD phases were evaluated by means of the Paired and Student's t-tests using the cephalometric lateral films.

Results:
The success rate of the miniplates was found to be 91.5% (38 of 42 miniplates). The mandible significantly moved forward (P &lt; .001) and caused a significant restraint in the sagittal position of the maxilla (P &lt; .001). The overjet correction (−5.11 mm) was found to be mainly by skeletal changes (A-VRL, −1.16 mm and Pog-VRL, 2.62 mm; approximately 74%); the remaining changes were due to the dentoalveolar contributions. The maxillary and mandibular incisors were significantly retruded (P &lt; .001).

Conclusion:
This new approach was an effective method for treating skeletal Class II malocclusion due to the mandibular retrusion via a combination of skeletal and dentoalveolar changes.
Efficacy of Do-It-Yourself Whitening as Compared to Conventional Tooth Whitening Modalities: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Kwon SR , Meharry M , Oyoyo U , Li Y 
Published: October 2014

SUMMARY

Aim
To evaluate the efficacy of do-it-yourself (DIY) whitening as compared to conventional tooth whitening modalities using different shade assessment tools.

Methods and Materials
Extracted human molars (120) were randomly distributed to six groups (n=20). Whitening was performed according to manufacturer's directions for over-the-counter, dentist-dispensed for home use, and in-office whitening. DIY whitening consisted of a strawberry and baking soda mix. Additionally, negative and positive controls were used. Two evaluators used the Vita Classical (VC) and Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master with interpolated numbers (BGi) for visual assessment at baseline and one-week, one-month, and three-month postwhitening. Instrumental measurements were performed with a spectrophotometer. Kruskal-Wallis procedure was used to assess color changes among groups and intraclass correlation (ICC) to evaluate agreement between evaluators.

Results
DIY exhibited lower color change (ΔSGUVC, ΔSGUBGi, ΔE*, where SGU = shade guide unit and E = overall color change) compared to other whitening groups at all time points (p&lt;0.05). ICC demonstrated very good agreement between evaluators with VC and BGi at each time point. Both shade guides were related with each other and strongly related to instrumental measurements (p&lt;0.05).

Conclusions
DIY whitening was the least effective whitening modality. Both VC and BGi are related with each other and have good correlation with instrumental measurements.
Safety of Aerobic Exercise in People With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: Single-Group Clinical Trial
Authors: Kluding Patricia M. , Pasnoor Mamatha , Singh Rupali , D'Silva Linda J. , Yoo Min , Billinger Sandra A. , LeMaster Joseph W. , Dimachkie Mazen M. , Herbelin Laura , Wright Douglas E. 
Published: October 2014

Background
Exercise is recommended for people with diabetes, but little is known about exercise in people with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Objective
The primary purpose of this preliminary study was to examine adverse events (AEs) during moderate-intensity, supervised aerobic exercise in people with DPN. The secondary purpose was to examine changes in fatigue, aerobic fitness, and other outcomes after intervention.

Design
This was a single-group preliminary study.

Setting
The setting was an academic medical center.

Participants
Participants were 18 people who were sedentary and had type 2 diabetes and peripheral neuropathy (mean age=58.1 years, SD=5).

Intervention
The intervention was a supervised 16-week aerobic exercise program (3 times per week at 50% to &gt;70% oxygen uptake reserve).

Measurements
Adverse events were categorized as related or unrelated to the study, anticipated or unanticipated, and serious or not serious. Outcomes included fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory), cardiovascular fitness (peak oxygen uptake), body composition (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), sleep quality, plasma metabolic markers, and peripheral vascular function.

Results
During the study, 57 nonserious AEs occurred. Improvements were found in general fatigue (mean change=−3.5; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=−1.3, −5.3), physical fatigue (mean change=−3.1; 95% CI=−1.2, −5.0), peak oxygen uptake (mean change=1.1 mL·kg−1·min−1; 95% CI=0.2, 1.9), total body fat (mean change=−1%; 95% CI=−0.3, −1.7), fat mass (mean change=−1,780 g; 95% CI=−616.2, −2,938.7), and peripheral blood flow (mean change=2.27%; 95% CI=0.6, 4.0).

Limitations
This was a small-scale, uncontrolled study. A future randomized controlled trial is needed to fully assess the effects of exercise on the outcomes.

Conclusions
This study provides new support for supervised aerobic exercise in people with DPN. However, it is important for physical therapists to carefully prescribe initial exercise intensity and provide close monitoring and education to address the anticipated AEs as people who are sedentary and have DPN begin an exercise program.