bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A penny for your thoughts! patterns of fMRI activity reveal the content and the spatial topography of visual mental images
Authors: Boccia Maddalena , Piccardi Laura , Palermo Liana , Nemmi Federico , Sulpizio Valentina , Galati Gaspare , Guariglia Cecilia 
Published: October 2014

AbstractVisual mental imagery is a complex process that may be influenced by the content of mental images. Neuropsychological evidence from patients with hemineglect suggests that in the imagery domain environments and objects may be represented separately and may be selectively affected by brain lesions. In the present study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess the possibility of neural segregation among mental images depicting parts of an object, of an environment (imagined from a first‐person perspective), and of a geographical map, using both a mass univariate and a multivariate approach. Data show that different brain areas are involved in different types of mental images. Imagining an environment relies mainly on regions known to be involved in navigational skills, such as the retrosplenial complex and parahippocampal gyrus, whereas imagining a geographical map mainly requires activation of the left angular gyrus, known to be involved in the representation of categorical relations. Imagining a familiar object mainly requires activation of parietal areas involved in visual space analysis in both the imagery and the perceptual domain. We also found that the pattern of activity in most of these areas specifically codes for the spatial arrangement of the parts of the mental image. Our results clearly demonstrate a functional neural segregation for different contents of mental images and suggest that visuospatial information is coded by different patterns of activity in brain areas involved in visual mental imagery. Hum Brain Mapp 36:945–958, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Validation of Power Doppler Versus Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging Quantification of Joint Inflammation in Murine Inflammatory Arthritis
Authors: Bouta Echoe M , Banik Peony D , Wood Ronald W , Rahimi Homaira , Ritchlin Christopher T , Thiele Ralf G , Schwarz Edward M 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Contrast-enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (CE-MRI) of synovial volume is the radiographic gold standard to quantify joint inflammation; however, cost limits its use. Therefore, we examined if power Doppler-ultrasound (PD-US) outcomes of synovitis in tumor necrosis factor transgenic (TNF-Tg) mice correlate with CE-MRI. TNF-Tg mice underwent PD-US of their knees to measure the joint space volume (JSV) and power Doppler volume (PDV), and the results were correlated with synovial volume determined by CE-MRI. Immunohistochemistry for CD31 was performed to corroborate the PD signal. Synovial volume strongly correlated with both JSV and PDV (p &lt; 0.01). CD31+ blood vessels were observed in inflamed synovium proximal to the joint surface, which corresponded to areas of intense PD signals. JSV and PDV are valid measures of joint inflammation that correlate with synovial volume determined by CE-MRI and are associated with vascularity. Given the emergence of PD-US as a nonquantitative outcome of joint inflammation, we find JSV and PDV to be feasible and highly cost-effective for longitudinal studies in animal models. Furthermore, given the increasing use of PD-US in standard clinical practice, JSV and PDV could be translated to better quantify joint flare and response to therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Core Binding Factor β of Osteoblasts Maintains Cortical Bone Mass via Stabilization of Runx2 in Mice
Authors: Lim Kyung-Eun , Park Na-Rae , Che Xiangguo , Han Min-Su , Jeong Jae-Hwan , Kim Shin-Yoon , Park Clara Yongjoo , Akiyama Haruhiko , Kim Jung-Eun , Ryoo Hyun-Mo , Stein Janet L , Lian Jane B , Stein Gary S , Choi Je-Yong 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Core binding factor beta (Cbfβ), the partner protein of Runx family transcription factors, enhances Runx function by increasing the binding of Runx to DNA. Null mutations of Cbfb result in embryonic death, which can be rescued by restoring fetal hematopoiesis but only until birth, where bone formation is still nearly absent. Here, we address a direct role of Cbfβ in skeletal homeostasis by generating osteoblast-specific Cbfβ-deficient mice (CbfbΔob/Δob) from Cbfb-floxed mice crossed with mice expressing Cre from the Col1a1 promoter. CbfbΔob/Δob mice showed normal growth and development but exhibited reduced bone mass, particularly of cortical bone. The reduction of bone mass in CbfbΔob/Δob mice is similar to the phenotype of mice with haploinsufficiency of Runx2. Although the number of osteoblasts remained unchanged, the number of active osteoblasts decreased in CbfbΔob/Δob mice and resulted in lower mineral apposition rate. Immunohistochemical and quantitative real-time PCR analyses showed that the expression of osteogenic markers, including Runx2, osterix, osteocalcin, and osteopontin, was significantly repressed in CbfbΔob/Δob mice compared with wild-type mice. Cbfβ deficiency also reduced Runx2 protein levels in osteoblasts. The mechanism was revealed by forced expression of Cbfβ, which increased Runx2 protein levels in vitro by inhibiting polyubiquitination-mediated proteosomal degradation. Collectively, these findings indicate that Cbfβ stabilizes Runx2 in osteoblasts by forming a complex and thus facilitates the proper maintenance of bone mass, particularly cortical bone. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Synchronous colorectal liver metastasis: A network meta‐analysis review comparing classical, combined, and liver‐first surgical strategies
Authors: Kelly M.E. , Spolverato G. , Lê G.N. , Mavros M.N. , Doyle F. , Pawlik T.M. , Winter D.C. 
Published: October 2014

BackgroundIn recent years, the management of synchronous colorectal liver metastasis has changed significantly. Alternative surgical strategies to the classical colorectal‐first approach have been proposed. These include the liver‐first and combined resections approaches. The objectives of this review were to compare the short‐ and long‐term outcomes for all three approaches.MethodsA systematic review of comparative studies was performed. Evaluated endpoints included surgical outcomes (5‐year overall survival, 30‐day mortality, and post‐operative complications). Pair‐wise and network meta‐analysis (NMA) were performed to compare survival outcomes.ResultsEighteen studies were included in this review, reporting on 3,605 patients. NMA and pair‐wise meta‐analysis of the 5‐year overall survival did not show significant difference between the three surgical approaches: combined versus colorectal‐first, mean odds ratio (OR) 1.02 (95% CI 0.8–1.28, P = 0.93); liver‐first versus colorectal‐first, mean OR 0.81 (95% CI 0.53–1.26, P = 0.37); liver‐first versus combined, mean OR 0.80 (95% CI 0.52–1.24, P = 0.41). In addition NMA of the 30‐day mortality among the three approaches also did not observe statistical difference. Analysis of variance showed that mean post‐operative complications of all approaches were comparable (P = 0.51).ConclusionThere are considerable differences in the peri‐operative management of synchronous CLM patients. This meta‐analysis demonstrated no clear statistical surgical outcome or survival advantage towards any of the three approaches. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:341–351. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Low level light therapy by LED of different wavelength induces angiogenesis and improves ischemic wound healing
Authors: Dungel Peter , Hartinger Joachim , Chaudary Sidrah , Slezak Paul , Hofmann Anna , Hausner Thomas , Strassl Martin , Wintner Ernst , Redl Heinz , Mittermayr Rainer 
Published: October 2014

Background and ObjectiveLow‐level light therapy (LLLT) has been revealed as a potential means to improve wound healing. So far, most studies are being performed with irradiation in the red to near‐infrared spectra. Recently, we showed that blue light (470 nm) can significantly influence biological systems such as nitric oxide (NO) metabolism and is able to release NO from nitrosyl‐hemoglobin or mitochondrial protein complexes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the therapeutic value of blue or red light emitting diodes (LEDs) on wound healing in an ischemia disturbed rodent flap model.Study Design/Materials and MethodsAn abdominal flap was rendered ischemic by ligation of one epigastric bundle and subjected to LED illumination with a wavelength of 470 nm (blue, n = 8) or 629 nm (red, n = 8) each at 50 mW/cm2 and compared to a non‐treated control group (n = 8). Illumination was performed for 10 minutes on five consecutive days.ResultsLED therapy with both wavelengths significantly increased angiogenesis in the sub‐epidermal layer and intramuscularly (panniculus carnosus muscle) which was associated with significantly improved tissue perfusion 7 days after the ischemic insult. Accordingly, tissue necrosis was significantly reduced and shrinkage significantly less pronounced in the LED‐treated groups of both wavelengths.ConclusionsLED treatment of ischemia challenged tissue improved early wound healing by enhancing angiogenesis irrespective of the wavelength thus delineating this noninvasive means as a potential, cost effective tool in complicated wounds. Lasers Surg. Med. 46:773–780, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Polymers Containing Nickel(II) Complexes of Goedken's Macrocycle: Optimized Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization
Authors: Paquette Joseph A. , Sauvé Ethan R. , Gilroy Joe B. 
Published: October 2014

The synthesis and characterization of a new class of nickel‐containing polymers is described. The optimized copolymerization of alkyne‐bearing nickel(II) complexes of Goedken's macrocycle (4,11‐dihydro‐5,7,12,14‐tetramethyldibenzo[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraazacyclotetradecine) and brominated 9,9‐dihexylfluorene produced polymers with potential application as functional redox‐active materials. The title polymers exhibit electrochemically reversible, ligand‐centered oxidation events at 0.24 and 0.73 V versus the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple. They also display exceptional thermal stability and interesting absorption properties due to the presence of the macrocyclic nickel(II) complexes and π‐conjugated units incorporated in their backbones.image
Am Konsumenten vorbei?
Authors: Klaschka Ursula , Rother Hanna‐Andrea 
Published: October 2014

AbstractViele Alltagsprodukte wie Körperpflegemittel enthalten Gefahrstoffe. Gut informierte Anwender können damit so umgehen, dass sie ihre Gesundheit und die Umwelt nicht gefährden. Wie gut taugen die geltenden Regelungen zur Risikokommunikation für den Schutz der Konsumenten und der Umwelt?
A nonlinearly preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm for rank‐R canonical tensor approximation
Authors: Sterck Hans De , Winlaw Manda 
Published: October 2014

SummaryAlternating least squares (ALS) is often considered the workhorse algorithm for computing the rank‐R canonical tensor approximation, but for certain problems, its convergence can be very slow. The nonlinear conjugate gradient (NCG) method was recently proposed as an alternative to ALS, but the results indicated that NCG is usually not faster than ALS. To improve the convergence speed of NCG, we consider a nonlinearly preconditioned NCG (PNCG) algorithm for computing the rank‐R canonical tensor decomposition. Our approach uses ALS as a nonlinear preconditioner in the NCG algorithm. Alternatively, NCG can be viewed as an acceleration process for ALS. We demonstrate numerically that the convergence acceleration mechanism in PNCG often leads to important pay‐offs for difficult tensor decomposition problems, with convergence that is significantly faster and more robust than for the stand‐alone NCG or ALS algorithms. We consider several approaches for incorporating the nonlinear preconditioner into the NCG algorithm that have been described in the literature previously and have met with success in certain application areas. However, it appears that the nonlinearly PNCG approach has received relatively little attention in the broader community and remains underexplored both theoretically and experimentally. Thus, this paper serves several additional functions, by providing in one place a concise overview of several PNCG variants and their properties that have only been described in a few places scattered throughout the literature, by systematically comparing the performance of these PNCG variants for the tensor decomposition problem, and by drawing further attention to the usefulness of nonlinearly PNCG as a general tool. In addition, we briefly discuss the convergence of the PNCG algorithm. In particular, we obtain a new convergence result for one of the PNCG variants under suitable conditions, building on known convergence results for non‐preconditioned NCG. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examination of polypeptide substrate specificity for Escherichia coliClpB
Authors: Li Tao , Lin Jiabei , Lucius Aaron L. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTEscherichia coli ClpB is a molecular chaperone that belongs to the Clp/Hsp100 family of AAA+ proteins. ClpB is able to form a hexameric ring structure to catalyze protein disaggregation with the assistance of the DnaK chaperone system. Our knowledge of the mechanism of how ClpB recognizes its substrates is still limited. In this study, we have quantitatively investigated ClpB binding to a number of unstructured polypeptides using steady‐state anisotropy titrations. To precisely determine the binding affinity for the interaction between ClpB hexamers and polypeptide substrates the titration data were subjected to global non‐linear least squares analysis incorporating the dynamic equilibrium of ClpB assembly. Our results show that ClpB hexamers bind tightly to unstructured polypeptides with binding affinities in the range of ∼3–16 nM. ClpB exhibits a modest preference of binding to Peptide B1 with a binding affinity of (1.7 ± 0.2) nM. Interestingly, we found that ClpB binds to an unstructured polypeptide substrate of 40 and 50 amino acids containing the SsrA sequence at the C‐terminus with an affinity of (12 ± 3) nM and (4 ± 2) nM, respectively. Whereas, ClpB binds the 11‐amino acid SsrA sequence with an affinity of (140 ± 20) nM, which is significantly weaker than other polypeptide substrates that we tested here. We hypothesize that ClpB, like ClpA, requires substrates with a minimum length for optimal binding. Finally, we present evidence showing that multiple ClpB hexamers are involved in binding to polypeptides ≥152 amino acids. Proteins 2015; 83:117–134. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of continuous B‐cell epitopes in the N‐terminus of glutamate decarboxylase67 using monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Agca Selin , Houen Gunnar , Trier Nicole Hartwig 
Published: October 2014

Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is an autoantigen associated with the autoimmune disorders Type‐1 diabetes (T1D) and stiff‐person syndrome (SPS). The protein, being an essential enzyme involved in the production of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ‐aminobutyric acid, exists in two isoforms, GAD67 and GAD65. Both isoforms may be targeted by autoantibodies in SPS and T1D patients, although SPS primarily is associated with the presence of GAD67 autoantibodies, whereas T1D mainly is associated with the presence of GAD65 autoantibodies.In this study, we describe antibody reactivity to overlapping GAD67 peptides covering the complete protein sequence by modified peptide enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in order to identify potential GAD67 epitopes using two monoclonal antibodies (mAbs).Both GAD67 mAbs showed reactivity to linear epitopes located at the N‐terminal end of GAD67. The epitopes of GAD mAb 1 and 2 were identified as the amino acid sequences NAGADPNTTN and TETDFSNLF, respectively, corresponding to amino acids 14–23 and 91–99. Fine mapping of the epitopes revealed that antibody reactivity was related to amino acid side‐chain functionality, rather than amino acid side‐chain specificity. Additionally, results suggested that non‐contact amino acids in the epitope structure were essential for antibody reactivity. The exact role of these amino acids remains to be determined, but they are thought to be involved in backbone hydrogen bonds or stabilization of the epitope structure.As only limited knowledge is available in relation to antigenic regions of GAD67, this study contributes to characterization of GAD67 epitopes and may be a first step in the development of peptide‐based therapeutics against SPS. Copyright © 2014 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust consensus tracking for a class of heterogeneous second‐order nonlinear multi‐agent systems
Authors: Wang Chuanrui , Ji Haibo 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThis paper deals with the robust consensus tracking problem for a class of heterogeneous second‐order nonlinear multi‐agent systems with bounded external disturbances. First, a distributed adaptive control law is proposed based on the relative position and velocity information. It is shown that for any connected undirected communication graph, the proposed control law solves the robust consensus tracking problem. Then, by introducing a novel distributed observer and employing backstepping design techniques, a distributed adaptive control law is constructed based only on the relative position information. Compared with the existing results, the proposed adaptive consensus protocols are in a distributed fashion, and the nonlinear functions are not required to satisfy any globally Lipschitz or Lipschitz‐like condition. Numerical examples are given to verify our proposed protocols. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation‐containment analysis and design for high‐order linear time‐invariant swarm systems
Authors: Dong Xiwang , Shi Zongying , Lu Geng , Zhong Yisheng 
Published: October 2014

SummaryFormation‐containment analysis and design problems for high‐order linear time‐invariant swarm systems with directed interaction topologies are dealt with respectively. Firstly, protocols are presented for leaders and followers respectively to drive the states of leaders to realize the predefined time‐varying formation and propel the states of followers to converge to the convex hull formed by the states of leaders. Secondly, formation‐containment problems of swarm systems are transformed into asymptotic stability problems, and an explicit expression of the formation reference function is derived. Sufficient conditions for swarm systems to achieve formation containment are proposed. Furthermore, necessary and sufficient conditions for swarm systems to achieve containment and time‐varying formation are presented respectively as special cases. An approach to determine the gain matrices in the protocols is given. It is shown that containment problems, formation control problems, consensus problems and consensus tracking problems can all be treated as special cases of formation‐containment problems. Finally, numerical simulations are provided to demonstrate theoretical results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subchronic exposure to diflubenzuron causes health disorders in neotropical freshwater fish, Prochilodus lineatus
Authors: Benze Tayrine Paschoaletti , Sakuragui Marise Margareth , de Paula Zago Lucas Henrique , Fernandes Marisa Narciso 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe action of diflubenzuron (DFB) was evaluated in a freshwater fish, Prochilodus lineatus, after exposure to 0.06, 0.12, 0.25, or 0.50 mg L−1 DFB for 14 days. Erythrocyte nuclear abnormalities (ENA), the gill activity of Na+/K+‐ATPase, H+‐ATPase and carbonic anhydrase (CA), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) and histopathological changes in the gills and liver were determined. The number of micronuclei increased in fish exposed to 0.25 and 0.50 mg L−1 DFB. Plasma Cl− and the CA activity decreased, while the activity of Na+/K+‐ATPase and of H+‐ATPase increased in fish exposed to 0.25 and 0.50 mg L−1 DFB. LPO did not change in the gills but increased in the liver of fish exposed to 0.25 and 0.50 mg L−1 DFB. In the gills, histopathological changes indicated disperse lesions and slight to moderate damage in fish exposed to 0.50 mg L−1 DFB, whereas in the liver, these changes were significantly greater in fish exposed to 0.25 and 0.50 mg L−1 DFB, indicating moderate to severe damage. Continuous exposure to DFB is potentially toxic to P. lineatus, causing heath disorders when the fish is exposed to the two highest DFB concentrations, which are applied to control parasites in aquaculture and to control mosquito populations in the environment. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 533–542, 2016.
Comparative Analysis of Photograph-Based Clinical Goniometry to Standard Techniques
Authors: Crasto Jared A. , Sayari Arash J. , Gray Robert R-L. , Askari Morad 
Published: October 2014

Background Assessment of joint range of motion (ROM) is an accepted evaluation of disability as well as an indicator of recovery from musculoskeletal injuries. Many goniometric techniques have been described to measure ROM, with variable validity due to inter-rater reliability. In this report, we assessed the validity of photograph-based goniometry in measurement of ROM and its inter-rater reliability and compared it to two other commonly used techniques. Methods We examined three methods for measuring ROM in the upper extremity: manual goniometry (MG), visual estimations (VE), and photograph-based goniometry (PBG). Eight motions of the upper extremity were measured in 69 participants at an academic medical center. Results We found visual estimations and photograph-based goniometry to be clinically valid when tested against manual goniometry ( r avg. 0.58, range 0.28 to 0.87). Photograph-based measurements afforded a satisfactory degree of inter-rater reliability (ICC avg. 0.77, range 0.28 to 0.96). Conclusions Our study supports photograph-based goniometry as the new standard goniometric technique, as it has been clinically validated, is performed with greater consistency and better inter-rater reliability when compared with manual goniometry. It also allows for better documentation of measurements and potential incorporation into medical records in direct contrast to visual estimation.
Sourcing for the base of the pyramid: Constructing supply chains to address voids in subsistence markets
Authors: Parmigiani Anne , Rivera‐Santos Miguel 
Published: October 2014

AbstractSubstantial work has described downstream distribution systems for subsistence markets, but little is known about how upstream supply chains support these efforts. We suggest that a multinational corporation (MNC) entering these markets must resolve the institutional voids in product, labor, and capital markets, as well as address issues of regulatory ambiguities and the lack of contracting mechanisms that exist at the raw material, manufacturing, distribution, and marketing stages of the supply chain. We analyze the nature of these voids and their challenges, map them onto the value chain, discuss their interconnections, and suggest that they do not impact all firms equally. We provide examples from the food, beverage, and textile industries of how four firms have addressed institutional voids in constructing their supply chains. We conclude by providing implications, both across the value chain and regarding the trade‐offs of partnering with non‐profit agencies. Our analysis highlights the importance of going beyond the broad impact of the institutional environment to understanding its more nuanced and multi‐faceted effect on supply chains.