bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence for involvement of a limbic paraventricular hypothalamic inhibitory network in hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis adaptations to repeated stress
Authors: Radley Jason J. , Sawchenko Paul E. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTEmotional stressors activate a stereotyped set of limbic forebrain cell groups implicated in constraining stress‐induced hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis activation by inhibiting hypophysiotropic neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH). We previously identified a circumscribed, anterior part of the bed nuclei of the stria terminalis (aBST) that houses stress‐sensitive, PVH‐projecting, γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic neurons as representing a site of convergence of stress‐inhibitory influences originating from medial prefrontal and hippocampal cortices. Here we investigate whether exaggerated HPA axis responses associated with chronic variable stress (CVS; daily exposure to different stressors at unpredictable times over 14 days, followed by restraint stress on day 15) and diminished HPA output seen following repeated (14 days) restraint‐stress exposure are associated with differential engagement of the limbic modulatory network. Relative to acutely restrained rats, animals subjected to CVS showed the expected increase (sensitization) in HPA responses and diminished levels of activation (Fos) of GABAergic neurons and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) mRNA expression in the aBST. By contrast, repeated restraint stress produced habituation in HPA responses, maintained levels of activation of GABAergic neurons, and increased GAD expression in the aBST. aBST‐projecting neurons in limbic sites implicated in HPA axis inhibition tended to show diminished activational responses in both repeated‐stress paradigms, with the exception of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, in which responsiveness was maintained in repeatedly restrained animals. The results are consistent with the view that differential engagement of HPA inhibitory mechanisms in the aBST may contribute to alterations in HPA axis responses to emotional stress in sensitization and habituation paradigms. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:2769–2787, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The mummified brain of a pleistocene woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) compared with the brain of the extant African elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Authors: Kharlamova Anastasia S. , Saveliev Sergei V. , Protopopov Albert V. , Maseko Busisiwe C. , Bhagwandin Adhil , Manger Paul R. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThis study presents the results of an examination of the mummified brain of a pleistocene woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) recovered from the Yakutian permafrost in Siberia, Russia. This unique specimen (from 39,440–38,850 years BP) provides the rare opportunity to compare the brain morphology of this extinct species with a related extant species, the African elephant (Loxodonta africana). An anatomical description of the preserved brain of the woolly mammoth is provided, along with a series of quantitative analyses of various brain structures. These descriptions are based on visual inspection of the actual specimen as well as qualitative and quantitative comparison of computed tomography imaging data obtained for the woolly mammoth in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging data from three African elephant brains. In general, the brain of the woolly mammoth specimen examined, estimated to weigh between 4,230 and 4,340 g, showed the typical shape, size, and gross structures observed in extant elephants. Quantitative comparative analyses of various features of the brain, such as the amygdala, corpus callosum, cerebellum, and gyrnecephalic index, all indicate that the brain of the woolly mammoth specimen examined has many similarities with that of modern African elephants. The analysis provided here indicates that a specific brain type representative of the Elephantidae is likely to be a feature of this mammalian family. In addition, the extensive similarities between the woolly mammoth brain and the African elephant brain indicate that the specializations observed in the extant elephant brain are likely to have been present in the woolly mammoth. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:2326–2343, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of the jimpy mutation on mouse retinal structure and function
Authors: Hovhannisyan Anahit , Benkner Boris , Biesemeier Antje , Schraermeyer Ulrich , Kukley Maria , Münch Thomas A. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThe Jimpy mutant mouse has a point mutation in the proteolipid protein gene (plp1). The resulting misfolding of the protein leads to oligodendrocyte death, myelin destruction, and failure to produce adequately myelinated axons in the central nervous system (CNS). It is not known how the absence of normal myelination during development influences neural function. We characterized the Jimpy mouse retina to find out whether lack of myelination in the optic nerve during development has an effect on normal functioning and morphology of the retina. Optokinetic reflex measurements showed that Jimpy mice had, in general, a functional visual system. Both PLP1 antibody staining and reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction for plp1 mRNA showed that plp1 is not expressed in the wild‐type retina. However, in the optic nerve, plp1 is normally expressed, and consequently, in Jimpy mutant mice, myelination of axons in the optic nerve was mostly absent. Nevertheless, neither axon count nor axon ultrastructure in the optic nerve was affected. Physiological recordings of ganglion cell activity using microelectrode arrays revealed a decrease of stimulus‐evoked activity at mesopic light levels. Morphological analysis of the retina did not show any significant differences in the gross morphology, such as thickness of retinal layers or cell number in the inner and outer nuclear layer. The cell bodies in the inner nuclear layer, however, were larger in the peripheral retina of Jimpy mutant mice. Antibody labeling against cell type–specific markers showed that the number of rod bipolar and horizontal cells was increased in Jimpy mice. In conclusion, whereas the Jimpy mutation has dramatic effects on the myelination of retinal ganglion cell axons, it has moderate effects on retinal morphology and function. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:2788–2806, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
UV‐Initiated Synthesis of Electroactive High Surface Area Ta and Ti Mesoporous Oxides Composites with Polypyrrole Nanowires within the Pores
Authors: Smith Luke A. C. , Romer Frederik , Trudeau Michel L. , Smith Mark E. , Hanna John V. , Antonelli David M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThis paper describes the synthesis and characterization of high surface area mesoporous Ti and Ta oxides with polypyrrole nanowires in the pores. The incorporation of polymer was used to improve the electron conductivity into the channels inside these high surface area (400–1000 m2 g−1) materials in order to exploit surface redox sites for possible pseudocapacitive Li storage. Synthesis was achieved using catalyst‐free UV‐initiated polymerization of vapor‐loaded pyrrole monomer. The best materials showed improved conductivity for both the Ti and Ta oxides as well as improved Li capacity (190 mA h g−1) relative to the pristine material (128 mA h g−1) and superior capacity retention (49 % as compared to 22 %) for the Ti composites. The retention in surface area was also 87 % compared to 49 % reported previously for analogous materials synthesized by catalyst‐initiated methods, which only yielded Li capacities of 170 mA h g−1, further highlighting the superiority of this new photochemical approach.
Enzyme‐Mimicking Peptides to Catalytically Grow ZnO Nanocrystals in Non‐Aqueous Environments
Authors: Maeda Yoshiaki , Wei Zengyan , Ikezoe Yasuhiro , Matsui Hiroshi 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe application of enzymes for biomimetic material growth is a potential path to breakthroughs in catalytic inorganic nanocrystal synthesis because the biocatalytic functions of proteins can lead to highly efficient growth of materials with accurate structures at low temperature. However, many metal nanocrystals are grown in organic solvents, which is not an ideal environment for biomineralization with enzymes due to denaturing of catalytic pocket structures. Here, we applied a catalytic CP4 peptide, optimized for protease reactions such as amide and ester hydrolysis, to test the catalytic ZnO nanocrystal growth in non‐aqueous environments and the performance was compared with the enzyme subtilisin. We demonstrated that the CP4 catalytic peptide, evolved by the hydrogel‐based combinatory phage display library, could grow ZnO nanoparticles from zinc acetate precursors in higher crystallinity and yield, as compared to the protease enzyme, in an organic solvent by catalyzing ester‐elimination of precursors at room temperature. This result indicates that catalytic oligopeptides, which possess no rigid 3D structures but are rather flexible, could fold into the catalytically active conformation more frequently in harsh environments such as organic solvents.
Xerogel Coatings Produced by the Sol–Gel Process as Anti‐Fouling, Fouling‐Release Surfaces: From Lab Bench to Commercial Reality
Authors: Detty Michael R. , Ciriminna Rosaria , Bright Frank V. , Pagliaro Mario 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe show the large environmental and practical impact of nanochemistry innovation by telling the story of how the sol–gel hybrid coating technology was subtly adapted to meet the urgent demand for clean antifouling marine coatings for vessels of widely different size, composition, and operation requirements.
Fear conditioned responses and PTSD symptoms in children: Sex differences in fear‐related symptoms
Authors: Gamwell Kaitlyn , Nylocks Maria , Cross Dorthie , Bradley Bekh , Norrholm Seth D. , Jovanovic Tanja 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTFear conditioning studies in adults have found that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with heightened fear responses and impaired discrimination. The objective of the current study was to examine the association between PTSD symptoms and fear conditioned responses in children from a highly traumatized urban population. Children between 8 and 13 years old participated in a fear conditioning study in addition to providing information about their trauma history and PTSD symptoms. Results showed that females showed less discrimination between danger and safety signals during conditioning compared to age‐matched males. In boys, intrusive symptoms were predictive of fear responses, even after controlling for trauma exposure. However, in girls, conditioned fear to the danger cue was predictive of self‐blame and fear of repeated trauma. This study suggests there are early sex differences in the patterns of fear conditioning and that these sex differences may translate to differential risk for trauma‐related psychopathology. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 57: 799–808, 2015.
Exposure to synthetic oxytocin during delivery and its effect on psychomotor development
Authors: González‐Valenzuela María‐José , López‐Montiel Dolores , González‐Mesa Ernesto Santiago 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTThe main objective is to examine the influence of oxytocin administration during delivery on psychomotor development at age five years. This was a retrospective cohort study involving two groups: children of mothers exposed vs. not exposed to oxytocin during labor. Of the 7,465 newborns registered in our maternity service during 2006 we randomly selected an initial sample of 400 children. Of these, 146 children were assessed using the motor scale of the Battelle Developmental Inventory. Other predictor variables that could potentially act as confounders and/or interact with the main relationship were also examined. The data were subjected to bivariate analysis, estimates of measures of strength of association, stratified analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression. The results indicate that exposure to synthetic oxytocin during delivery is an independent risk factor for a delay in gross and fine motor development. This was the case after controlling for the variables duration of labor and sex of the newborn, none of which modified the effect of oxytocin on gross and fine motor development. However, sex of the newborn were shown to be confounding gross motor development. In light of these results, and with the aim of preventing possible psychomotor alterations, further studies are now needed to analyze the effect that the oxytocin dose and the duration of perfusion may have on children's subsequent development. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 57: 908–920, 2015.
Plant‐soil feedbacks from 30‐year family‐specific soil cultures: phylogeny, soil chemistry and plant life stage
Authors: Mehrabi Zia , Bell Thomas , Lewis Owen T. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIntraspecific negative feedback effects, where performance is reduced on soils conditioned by conspecifics, are widely documented in plant communities. However, interspecific feedbacks are less well studied, and their direction, strength, causes, and consequences are poorly understood. If more closely related species share pathogens, or have similar soil resource requirements, plants may perform better on soils conditioned by more distant phylogenetic relatives. There have been few empirical tests of this prediction across plant life stages, and none of which attempt to account for soil chemistry. Here, we test the utility of phylogeny for predicting soil feedback effects on plant survival and performance (germination, seedling survival, growth rate, biomass). We implement a full factorial experiment growing species representing five families on five plant family‐specific soil sources. Our experiments exploit soils that have been cultured for over 30 years in plant family‐specific beds at Oxford University Botanic Gardens. Plant responses to soil source were idiosyncratic, and species did not perform better on soils cultured by phylogenetically more distant relatives. The magnitude and sign of feedback effects could, however, be explained by differences in the chemical properties of “home” and “away” soils. Furthermore, the direction of soil chemistry‐related plant‐soil feedbacks was dependent on plant life stage, with the effects of soil chemistry on germination success and accumulation of biomass inversely related. Our results (1) suggest that the phylogenetic distance between plant families cannot predict plant–soil feedbacks across multiple life stages, and (2) highlight the need to consider changes in soil chemistry as an important driver of population responses. The contrasting responses at plant life stages suggest that studies focusing on brief phases in plant demography (e.g., germination success) may not give a full picture of plant–soil feedback effects.
Sex‐specific foraging behavior in response to fishing activities in a threatened seabird
Authors: García‐Tarrasón Manuel , Bécares Juan , Bateman Santiago , Arcos José Manuel , Jover Lluís , Sanpera Carolina 
Published: May 2015

AbstractSome seabird species have learnt to efficiently exploit fishing discards from trawling activities. However, a discard ban has been proposed as necessary in Europe to ensure the sustainability of the seas. It is of crucial importance for the management and conservation purposes to study the potential consequences of a discard ban on the foraging ecology of threatened seabirds. We assessed the influence of fishing activities on the feeding habits of 22 male and 15 female Audouin's gulls (Larus audouinii) from the Ebro Delta (Mediterranean Sea) during the breeding period using GPS loggers together with Stable Isotope Analysis (SIA), which provided new insights into their foraging behavior and trophic ecology, respectively. GPS data revealed different sex‐specific foraging patterns between workdays and weekends. Females were highly consistent in that they foraged at sea throughout the week even though discarding stops at weekends. In contrast, males switched from foraging at sea during the week (when discards are produced) to an increased use of rice field habitats at weekends (when fishermen do not work). This sex‐specific foraging behavior could be related to specific nutritional requirements associated with previous egg production, an energetically demanding period for females. However, on a broader time scale integrated by the SIA, both sexes showed a high degree of individual specialization in their trophic ecology. The need to obtain detailed information on the dependence and response of seabirds to fishing activities is crucial in conservation sciences. In this regard, sex‐specific foraging behavior in relation to fisheries has been overlooked, despite the ecological and conservation implications. For instance, this situation may lead to sex differentiation in bycatch mortality in longlines when trawlers do not operate. Moreover, any new fisheries policy will need to be implemented gradually to facilitate the adaptation of a specialized species to a discard ban scenario.
Long‐term livestock exclusion facilitates native woody plant encroachment in a sandy semiarid rangeland
Authors: Su Hua , Liu Wei , Xu Hong , Wang Zongshuai , Zhang Huifang , Hu Haixiao , Li Yonggeng 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

The role of livestock grazing in regulating woody cover and biomass in grass‐dominant systems is well recognized. However, the way in which woody plant populations in respond when livestock are removed from grazing in the absence of other disturbances, such as fire, remains unclear.

We conducted a 10‐year, replicated fencing experiment in a sandy semiarid rangeland in northern China (which has a mean annual rainfall of 365 mm), where fires have been actively suppressed for decades.

Fencing dramatically influenced the growth and age structure of the native tree species, Ulmus pumila, which is the sole dominant tree in the area. After a decade, the density of the U. pumila tree population in the fencing plots increased doubly and canopy cover increased triply. The proportion of both saplings (U2) and young trees (U3) increased in fencing plots but decreased in grazing plots after the 10‐year treatment period. The effects of fencing on U. pumila trees varied by age class, with potential implications for the future structure of the U. pumila tree community. Decadal fencing led to approximately 80‐fold increase in recruitment and a nearly 2.5‐fold decrease in the mortality of both U2 and U3. Further, livestock grazing generated a “browsing trap” to the recruitment of both U2 and U3, and had a small impact on the mortality of old trees. A long‐term, fencing‐driven shift in woody species composition was mediated via its effects on both recruitment and mortality rates.

Synthesis and applications. Our results demonstrate that in the long‐term absence of both fire and livestock, native woody plant encroachment tends to occur in sandy rangelands, transforming the woody plant demography in the process. The feasibility of full livestock exclusion in sandy rangelands requires further discussion. A balanced amount of livestock grazing may provide critical ecosystem services by regulating woody cover and mediating woody plant encroachment.
A simple validated method for predicting the risk of hospitalization for worsening of heart failure in ambulatory patients: the Redin‐SCORE
Authors: Álvarez‐García Jesús , Ferrero‐Gregori Andreu , Puig Teresa , Vázquez Rafael , Delgado Juan , Pascual‐Figal Domingo , Alonso‐Pulpón Luis , González‐Juanatey José R. , Rivera Miguel , Worner Fernando , Bardají Alfredo , Cinca Juan ,   on behalf of the investigators of the Spanish Heart Failure Network (REDINSCOR)
Published: May 2015

AimsPrevention of hospital readmissions is one of the main objectives in the management of patients with heart failure (HF). Most of the models predicting readmissions are based on data extracted from hospitalized patients rather than from outpatients. Our objective was to develop a validated score predicting 1‐month and 1‐year risk of readmission for worsening of HF in ambulatory patients.Methods and resultsA cohort of 2507 ambulatory patients with chronic HF was prospectively followed for a median of 3.3 years. Clinical, echocardiographic, ECG, and biochemical variables were used in a competing risk regression analysis to construct a risk score for readmissions due to worsening of HF. Thereafter, the score was externally validated using a different cohort of 992 patients with chronic HF (MUSIC registry). Predictors of 1‐month readmission were the presence of elevated natriuretic peptides, left ventricular (LV) HF signs, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/m2. Predictors of 1‐year readmission were elevated natriuretic peptides, anaemia, left atrial size >26 mm/m2, heart rate >70 b.p.m., LV HF signs, and eGFR <60 mL/min/m2. The C‐statistics for the models were 0.72 and 0.66, respectively. The cumulative incidence function distinguished low‐risk (<1% event rate) and high‐risk groups (>5% event rate) for 1‐month HF readmission. Likewise, low‐risk (7.8%), intermediate‐risk (15.6%) and high‐risk groups (26.1%) were identified for 1‐year HF readmission risk. The C‐statistics remained consistent after the external validation (<5% loss of discrimination).ConclusionThe Redin‐SCORE predicts early and late readmission for worsening of HF using proven prognostic variables that are routinely collected in outpatient management of chronic HF.
Maintenance of serum potassium with sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (ZS‐9) in heart failure patients: results from a phase 3 randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Anker Stefan D. , Kosiborod Mikhail , Zannad Faiez , Piña Ileana L. , McCullough Peter A. , Filippatos Gerasimos , van der Meer Peter , Ponikowski Piotr , Rasmussen Henrik S. , Lavin Philip T. , Singh Bhupinder , Yang Alex , Deedwania Prakash 
Published: May 2015

AimsHyperkalaemia in heart failure patients limits use of cardioprotective renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi). Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (ZS‐9) is a selective potassium ion trap, whose mechanism of action may allow for potassium binding in the upper gastrointestinal tract as early as the duodenum following oral administration. ZS‐9 previously demonstrated the ability to reduce elevated potassium levels into the normal range, with a median time of normalization of 2.2 h and sustain normal potassium levels for 28 days in HARMONIZE—a Phase 3, double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial. In the present study we evaluated management of serum potassium with daily ZS‐9 over 28 days in heart failure patients from HARMONIZE, including those receiving RAASi therapies.Methods and resultsHeart failure patients with evidence of hyperkalaemia (serum potassium ≥5.1 mmol/L, n = 94) were treated with open‐label ZS‐9 for 48 h. Patients (n = 87; 60 receiving RAASi) who achieved normokalaemia (potassium 3.5–5.0 mmol/L) were randomized to daily ZS‐9 (5, 10, or 15 g) or placebo for 28 days. Mean potassium and proportion of patients maintaining normokalaemia during days 8–29 post‐randomization were evaluated. Despite RAASi doses being kept constant, patients on 5 g, 10 g, and 15 g ZS‐9 maintained a lower potassium level (4.7 mmol/L, 4.5 mmol/L, and 4.4 mmol/L, respectively) than the placebo group (5.2 mmol/L; P<0.01 vs. each ZS‐9 group); greater proportions of ZS‐9 patients (83%, 89%, and 92%, respectively) maintained normokalaemia than placebo (40%; P < 0.01 vs. each ZS‐9 group). The safety profile was consistent with previously reported overall study population.ConclusionCompared with placebo, all three ZS‐9 doses lowered potassium and effectively maintained normokalaemia for 28 days in heart failure patients without adjusting concomitant RAASi, while maintaining a safety profile consistent with the overall study population.