bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Central Aortic Pressure and Pulsatility Index in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Kim Jeong Yeon , Bushnell Cheryl D. , Park Joong Hyun , Han Seung Min , Im Jin Hee , Han Sang Won , Baik Jong Sam , Park Jae Hyeon 
Published: July 2014

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEWe investigated the relationship between transcranial Doppler (TCD) pulsatility index (PI) and central aortic pressure by measurement of the aortic augmentation index (AIx).METHODSWe enrolled 148 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke. Patients were eligible for the study if they experienced their first ischemic stroke within the preceding 7 days and were 45 years of age or older. At Day 7 (±2) after stroke onset, TCD studies were performed and AIx was measured by applanation tonometry on the same days.RESULTSThe mean age was 66.3 (47–90) years and 37.8% were women. The mean middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI was significantly related with age (r =.361), hypertension (r = .184), peripheral systolic blood pressure (SBP; r = .211), peripheral pulse pressure (PP; r = .396), aortic SBP (r = .184), aortic DBP (r = –.181), and aortic PP (r = .371). The basilar artery (BA) PI was significantly related with age (r = .311), peripheral DBP (r = –.267), peripheral PP (r = .358), aortic DBP (r = –.266), and aortic PP (r = .347).CONCLUSIONSTCD PI was significantly related with central aortic pressure, especially PP. The PI in the MCA and BA is closely associated with the pulsatile component of BP in the systemic circulation.
Hepatic expression of miR‐122, miR‐126, miR‐136 and miR‐181a and their correlation to histopathological and clinical characteristics of patients with hepatitis C
Authors: Boštjančič E. , Bandelj E. , Luzar B. , Poljak M. , Glavač D. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryIt has been shown for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection that host miRNAs contribute to the replication of the viral RNA genome. However, the clinical impact of these and many other cellular miRNAs on HCV in humans is still largely unclear. We therefore analysed the expression of miR‐122, miR‐126, miR‐181a and miR‐136 in HCV‐infected patients. The study included liver biopsies of 65 patients infected with HCV of different genotypes (gt 1, gt 1a, gt 1b, gt 3 and gt 4) and nine noninfected individuals. Expression analysis of miRNAs was performed by qPCR, and they were analysed for differences between patient gender and age, genotypes, stage of fibrosis, grade of inflammation, serum level of liver enzymes, serum viral load, the presence of steatosis and mode of transmission. Different target prediction algorithms were used to search for targets of analyzed miRNAs. Statistical analysis revealed significant up‐regulation of miR‐136 and down‐regulation of miR‐126 and miR‐181a in patients infected with HCV of different genotypes compared with noninfected individuals. The same expression pattern was observed in different stages and grades of liver disease. miR‐122 was up‐regulated in women relative to men and associated to portal inflammation, miR‐122 and miR‐126 correlated with serum HCV load and miR‐136 and miR‐122 correlated with the presence of steatosis. miR‐126 and miR‐136 were differentially expressed between different modes of HCV transmission. There were approximately 2000 different targets predicted for all four miRNAs and each of the analyzed miRNAs could be involved in more than a 100 different biochemical pathways. miR‐122, miR‐126, miR‐136 and miR‐181a have been shown to be involved in HCV infection with different genotypes. Their expression has been associated with the gender, stage and grade of liver disease, mode of transmission, serum HCV load and the presence of steatosis. Numerous target genes and biochemical pathways are predicted for each of the analyzed miRNAs. All these results suggest their role in HCV‐infected liver disease.
Comparative phylogeography and population genetic structure of three widespread mollusc species in the Mediterranean and near Atlantic
Authors: Fernández Rosa , Lemer Sarah , McIntyre Erin , Giribet Gonzalo 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAlthough several studies have evaluated the genetic structure and phylogeographic patterns in many species of marine invertebrates, a general model that applies to all of them remains elusive. For example, some species present an admixture of populations with high gene flow, whereas others exhibit more complex patterns characterized by small‐scale unstructured genetic heterogeneity, even at a local scale. These differences are thought to be due to clear biological aspects such as direct versus indirect development, or the presence of lecithotrophic versus planktotrophic larvae, but few studies compare animals with similar distributions and life modes. Here, we explore the phylogeographic and genetic structure patterns in two chiton (Chiton olivaceus and Lepidopleurus cajetanus) and one abalone (Haliotis tuberculata) species co‐occurring in the same habitat. Samples were obtained from shallow rocky bottoms along the Iberian Peninsula (Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts), Italy, Croatia and Greece, and the mitochondrial markers COI and 16S rRNA gene were sequenced. Our data show evidence of admixture and population expansion in C. olivaceus and H. tuberculata, whereas L. cajetanus exhibited a ‘chaotic patchiness’ pattern defined by a high genetic variability with locality‐exclusive haplotypes, high genetic divergence, and a lack of geographic structure. Shared haplotypes were sampled in both coasts of Iberia (for H. tuberculata) and in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean (for C. olivaceus), potentially indicating high dispersal ability and a recent expansion. The processes underlying the fine‐scale structuring in L. cajetanus remain a mystery. These results are especially interesting because the reproductive mode of the two chitons is similar but differs from that of the abalone, with a veliger larva, while instead the genetic structure of C. olivaceus and H. tuberculata are similar, thus contrasting with predictions based on the life history of the three molluscs and showing that the genetic patterns of marine species may be shaped by many factors, including historical ones.
Phylogeography of Chinese house mice (Mus musculus musculus/castaneus): distribution, routes of colonization and geographic regions of hybridization
Authors: Jing Meidong , Yu Hon‐Tsen , Bi Xiaoxin , Lai Yung‐Chih , Jiang Wei , Huang Ling 
Published: July 2014

AbstractHouse mice (Mus musculus) are human commensals and have served as a primary model in biomedical, ecological and evolutionary research. Although there is detailed knowledge of the biogeography of house mice in Europe, little is known of the history of house mice in China, despite the fact that China encompasses an enormous portion of their range. In the present study, 535 house mice caught from 29 localities in China were studied by sequencing the mitochondrial D‐loop and genotyping 10 nuclear microsatellite markers distributed on 10 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two evolutionary lineages corresponding to Mus musculus castaneus and Mus musculus musculus in the south and north, respectively, with the Yangtze River approximately representing the boundary. More detailed analyses combining published sequence data from mice sampled in neighbouring countries revealed the migration routes of the two subspecies into China: M. m. castaneus appeared to have migrated through a southern route (Yunnan and Guangxi), whereas M. m. musculus entered China from Kazakhstan through the north‐west border (Xinjiang). Bayesian analysis of mitochondrial sequences indicated rapid population expansions in both subspecies, approximately 4650–9300 and 7150–14 300 years ago for M. m. castaneus and M. m. musculus, respectively. Interestingly, the migration routes of Chinese house mice coincide with the colonization routes of modern humans into China, and the expansion times of house mice are consistent with the development of agriculture in southern and northern China, respectively. Finally, our study confirmed the existence of a hybrid zone between M. m. castaneus and M. m. musculus in China. Further study of this hybrid zone will provide a useful counterpart to the well‐studied hybrid zone between M. m. musculus and Mus musculus domesticus in central Europe.
Stimulation of colonic motility by oral PEG electrolyte bowel preparation assessed by MRI: comparison of split vs single dose
Authors: Marciani L. , Garsed K. C. , Hoad C. L. , Fields A. , Fordham I. , Pritchard S. E. , Placidi E. , Murray K. , Chaddock G. , Costigan C. , Lam C. , Jalanka‐Tuovinen J. , De Vos W. M. , Gowland P. A. , Spiller R. C. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundMost methods of assessing colonic motility are poorly acceptable to patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can monitor gastrointestinal motility and fluid distributions. We predicted that a dose of oral polyethylene glycol (PEG) and electrolyte solution would increase ileo‐colonic inflow and stimulate colonic motility. We aimed to investigate the colonic response to distension by oral PEG electrolyte in healthy volunteers (HVs) and to evaluate the effect of single 2 L vs split (2 × 1 L) dosing.MethodsTwelve HVs received a split dose (1 L the evening before and 1 L on the study day) and another 12 HVs a single dose (2 L on the main study day) of PEG electrolyte. They underwent MRI scans, completed symptom questionnaires, and provided stool samples. Outcomes included small bowel water content, ascending colon motility index, and regional colonic volumes.Key ResultsSmall bowel water content increased fourfold from baseline after ingesting both split (p = 0.0010) and single dose (p = 0.0005). The total colonic volume increase from baseline was smaller for the split dose at 35 ± 8% than for the single dose at 102 ± 27%, p = 0.0332. The ascending colon motility index after treatment was twofold higher for the single dose group (p = 0.0103).Conclusions & InferencesIngestion of 1 and 2 L PEG electrolyte solution caused a rapid increase in the small bowel and colonic volumes and a robust rise in colonic motility. The increase in both volumes and motility was dose dependent. Such a challenge, being well‐tolerated, could be a useful way of assessing colonic motility in future studies.
Cardiac Implanted Electronic Device‐Related Infective Endocarditis: Clinical Features, Management, and Outcomes of 80 Consecutive Patients
Authors: KIM DAVID H. , TATE JESALYN , DRESEN WILLIAM F. , PAPA FRANK C. , BLOCH KAREN C. , KALAMS SPYROS A. , ELLIS CHRISTOPHER R. , BAKER MICHAEL T. , LENIHAN DANIEL J. , MENDES LISA A. 
Published: July 2014

BackgroundThe use of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has expanded dramatically over the past decade, but net clinical benefit has been curtailed by increasing infectious complications. In particular, CIED‐related infectious endocarditis (IE) is a serious condition with significant morbidity and mortality.MethodsWe performed a single‐center, retrospective study between July 2006 and February 2011 with CIED‐related IE, defined by either lead vegetations detected on echocardiography or by fulfilling Duke criteria for definite endocarditis. Clinical parameters and outcomes were detailed by electronic medical record review and vital status was confirmed by the Social Security Death Index.ResultsEighty patients (median age 67, interquartile range 56–75, 58 M/22 F) were diagnosed with CIED‐related IE. Overall mortality was 36% with a median time to death of 95 days from presentation. Over half (52%) of the deaths were infection related with a median time to death of 29 days. Multivariate analysis showed methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection (odds ratio [OR] 0.158; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.047–0.534; P = .003) and concomitant valve endocarditis (OR 0.141, CI 0.041–0.491, P = .002) independently predicted mortality.ConclusionIn this contemporary series, all‐cause mortality in patients with CIED‐related IE was high with a short time to death from onset of infection. MRSA and concomitant valve infection were the most powerful independent predictors of mortality.
Asthma and respiratory physiology: Putting lung function into perspective
Authors: Sferrazza Papa Giuseppe Francesco , Pellegrino Giulia Michela , Pellegrino Riccardo 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBronchial asthma is a chronic disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation and remodelling. The hypothesis that the illness is inflammatory in nature has recently been challenged by studies showing that airway smooth muscle (ASM) plays a more important role than previously thought. For example, it is now known that in asthma patients, ASM proliferates more and faster than in healthy subjects, carries intrinsic defects and exhibits impaired relaxation, increased velocity of shortening, plastic adaptation to short length and perturbed equilibrium of actin‐to‐myosin during cycling. Similar conclusions can be drawn from studies on airway mechanics. For instance, in asthma, abnormal ASM contributes to limiting the response to deep lung stretching and accelerates the return of bronchial tone to baseline conditions, and contributes to increased airway stiffness. Upon stimulation, ASM causes airway narrowing that is heterogeneous across the lung and variable over time. This heterogeneity leads to patchy ventilation. Experimental studies have shown that patchy ventilation may precipitate an asthma attack, and inability to maintain bronchial tone control over time can predict the occurrence of bronchospastic attacks over a matter of a few days. To improve our knowledge on the pathogenesis of asthma, we believe that it is necessary to explore the disease within the framework of the topographical, volume and time domains of the lung that play an important role in setting the severity and progression of the disease. Application of the forced oscillation technique and multiple breath nitrogen washout may, alone or in combination, help address questions unsolvable until now.
Flexibility in Embodied Language Processing: Context Effects in Lexical Access
Authors: van Dam Wessel O. , Brazil Inti A. , Bekkering Harold , Rueschemeyer Shirley‐Ann 
Published: July 2014

AbstractAccording to embodied theories of language (ETLs), word meaning relies on sensorimotor brain areas, generally dedicated to acting and perceiving in the real world. More specifically, words denoting actions are postulated to make use of neural motor areas, while words denoting visual properties draw on the resources of visual brain areas. Therefore, there is a direct correspondence between word meaning and the experience a listener has had with a word's referent on the brain level. Behavioral and neuroimaging studies have provided evidence in favor of ETLs; however, recent studies have also shown that sensorimotor information is recruited in a flexible manner during language comprehension (e.g., Raposo et al. ; Van Dam et al., ), leaving open the question as to what level of language processing sensorimotor activations contribute. In this study, we investigated the time course of modality‐specific contributions (i.e., the contribution of action information) as to word processing by manipulating both (a) the linguistic and (b) the action context in which target words were presented. Our results demonstrate that processes reflecting sensorimotor information play a role early in word processing (i.e., within 200 ms of word presentation), but that they are sensitive to the linguistic context in which a word is presented. In other words, when sensorimotor information is activated, it is activated quickly; however, specific words do not reliably activate a consistent sensorimotor pattern.
AtMYB41 activates ectopic suberin synthesis and assembly in multiple plant species and cell types
Authors: Kosma Dylan K. , Murmu Jhadeswar , Razeq Fakhria M. , Santos Patricia , Bourgault Richard , Molina Isabel , Rowland Owen 
Published: July 2014

SummarySuberin is a lipid and phenolic cell wall heteropolymer found in the roots and other organs of all vascular plants. Suberin plays a critical role in plant water relations and in protecting plants from biotic and abiotic stresses. Here we describe a transcription factor, AtMYB41 (At4g28110), that can activate the steps necessary for aliphatic suberin synthesis and deposition of cell wall‐associated suberin‐like lamellae in both Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana. Overexpression of AtMYB41 increased the abundance of suberin biosynthetic gene transcripts by orders of magnitude and resulted in the accumulation of up to 22 times more suberin‐type than cutin‐type aliphatic monomers in leaves. Overexpression of AtMYB41 also resulted in elevated amounts of monolignols in leaves and an increase in the accumulation of phenylpropanoid and lignin biosynthetic gene transcripts. Surprisingly, ultrastructural data indicated that overexpression led to the formation of suberin‐like lamellae in both epidermal and mesophyll cells of leaves. We further implicate AtMYB41 in the production of aliphatic suberin under abiotic stress conditions. These results provide insight into the molecular‐genetic mechanisms of the biosynthesis and deposition of a ubiquitous cell wall‐associated plant structure and will serve as a basis for discovering the transcriptional network behind one of the most abundant lipid‐based polymers in nature.
SEUSS and SEUSS‐LIKE 2 coordinate auxin distribution and KNOXI activity during embryogenesis
Authors: Lee Joanne E. , Lampugnani Edwin R. , Bacic Antony , Golz John F. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryIn Arabidopsis, SEUSS (SEU) and SEUSS‐LIKE 2 (SLK2) are components of the LEUNIG (LUG) repressor complex that coordinates various aspects of post‐embryonic development. The complex also plays a critical role during embryogenesis, as seu slk2 double mutants have small, narrow cotyledons and lack a shoot apical meristem (SAM). Here we show that seu slk2 double mutant embryos exhibit delayed cotyledon outgrowth and that this is associated with altered PIN‐FORMED1 (PIN1) expression and localisation during the early stages of embryogenesis. These observations suggest that SEU and SLK2 promote the transition to bilateral symmetry by modulating auxin distribution in the embryonic shoot. This study also shows that loss of SAM formation in seu slk2 mutants is associated with reduced expression of the class I KNOX (KNOXI) genes SHOOTMERISTEMLESS (STM), BREVIPEDICELLUS and KNAT2. Furthermore, elevating STM expression in seu slk2 mutant embryos was sufficient to restore SAM formation but not post‐embryonic activity, while both SAM formation and activity were rescued when SLK2 expression was restored in either the cotyledons or boundary regions. These results demonstrate that SEU and SLK2 function redundantly to promote embryonic shoot development and likely act through a non‐cell autonomous pathway to promote KNOXI activity.
The genome‐scale metabolic network of Ectocarpus siliculosus (EctoGEM): a resource to study brown algal physiology and beyond
Authors: Prigent Sylvain , Collet Guillaume , Dittami Simon M. , Delage Ludovic , Ethis de Corny Floriane , Dameron Olivier , Eveillard Damien , Thiele Sven , Cambefort Jeanne , Boyen Catherine , Siegel Anne , Tonon Thierry 
Published: July 2014

SummaryBrown algae (stramenopiles) are key players in intertidal ecosystems, and represent a source of biomass with several industrial applications. Ectocarpus siliculosus is a model to study the biology of these organisms. Its genome has been sequenced and a number of post‐genomic tools have been implemented. Based on this knowledge, we report the reconstruction and analysis of a genome‐scale metabolic network for E. siliculosus, EctoGEM (http://ectogem.irisa.fr). This atlas of metabolic pathways consists of 1866 reactions and 2020 metabolites, and its construction was performed by means of an integrative computational approach for identifying metabolic pathways, gap filling and manual refinement. The capability of the network to produce biomass was validated by flux balance analysis. EctoGEM enabled the reannotation of 56 genes within the E. siliculosus genome, and shed light on the evolution of metabolic processes. For example, E. siliculosus has the potential to produce phenylalanine and tyrosine from prephenate and arogenate, but does not possess a phenylalanine hydroxylase, as is found in other stramenopiles. It also possesses the complete eukaryote molybdenum co‐factor biosynthesis pathway, as well as a second molybdopterin synthase that was most likely acquired via horizontal gene transfer from cyanobacteria by a common ancestor of stramenopiles. EctoGEM represents an evolving community resource to gain deeper understanding of the biology of brown algae and the diversification of physiological processes. The integrative computational method applied for its reconstruction will be valuable to set up similar approaches for other organisms distant from biological benchmark models.
Immunohistochemical expression of heat shock proteins, p63 and androgen receptor in benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatic carcinoma in the dog
Authors: Romanucci M. , Frattone L. , Ciccarelli A. , Bongiovanni L. , Malatesta D. , Benazzi C. , Brachelente C. , Della Salda L. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractThis study compared heat shock proteins Hsp60, Hsp72 and Hsp73, along with p63 and androgen receptor (AR) immunoexpression between 16 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 11 prostatic carcinomas (PCa) in dogs. The proportion of Hsp60‐positive cells was higher in PCa compared with BPH (P = 0.033), whereas the frequency and intensity of Hsp73 immunostaining did not differ significantly between the two groups. Hsp72‐immunostained nuclei formed a discontinuous layer along the basement membrane in BPH, whereas cells in this layer in PCa were negative or weakly positive. Hsp72 nuclear score showed significant positive associations with both p63 (P = 0.016) and AR (P = 0.009) scores. Double immunofluorescence revealed Hsp72‐p63 and Hsp72‐AR co‐expressions in basal cell nuclei. Aberrant cytoplasmic p63 immunolabelling was observed in 3 of 11 PCa cases. These results suggest a role of the combined expression of Hsp72, p63 and AR in basal epithelial cells in canine BPH and PCa.