bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-33a regulates cholesterol synthesis and cholesterol efflux-related genes in osteoarthritic chondrocytes
Authors: Kostopoulou Fotini , Malizos Konstantinos N , Papathanasiou Ioanna , Tsezou Aspasia 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Several studies have shown that osteoarthritis (OA) is strongly associated with metabolism-related disorders, highlighting OA as the fifth component of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). On the basis of our previous findings on dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis in OA, we were prompted to investigate whether microRNA-33a (miR-33a), one of the master regulators of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism, plays a key role in OA pathogenesis.

Methods
Articular cartilage samples were obtained from 14 patients with primary OA undergoing total knee replacement surgery. Normal cartilage was obtained from nine individuals undergoing fracture repair surgery. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify miR-33a target genes. miR-33a and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2) expression levels were investigated using real-time PCR, and their expression was also assessed after treatment with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in cultured chondrocytes. Akt phosphorylation after treatment with both TGF-β1 and miR-33a inhibitor or TGF-β1 and miR-33a mimic was assessed by Western blot analysis. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of miR-33a mimic and miR-33a inhibitor on Smad7, a negative regulator of TGF-β signaling, on cholesterol efflux-related genes, ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) and liver X receptors (LXRα and LXRβ), as well as on matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), using real-time PCR.

Results
We found that the expression of miR-33a and its host gene SREBP-2 was significantly elevated in OA chondrocytes compared with normal chondrocytes. Treatment of cultured chondrocytes with TGF-β1 resulted in increased expression of both miR-33a and SREBP-2, as well as in rapid induction of Akt phosphorylation, whereas TGF-β-induced Akt phosphorylation was enhanced by miR-33a and suppressed by inhibition of miR-33a, as a possible consequence of Smad7 regulation by miR-33a. Moreover, treatment of normal chondrocytes with miR-33a resulted in significantly reduced ABCA1 and ApoA1 mRNA expression levels and significantly elevated MMP-13 expression levels, promoting the OA phenotype, whereas miR-33a’s suppressive effect was reversed using its inhibitor.

Conclusions
Our findings suggest, for the first time to our knowledge, that miR-33a regulates cholesterol synthesis through the TGF-β1/Akt/SREBP-2 pathway, as well as cholesterol efflux-related genes ABCA1 and ApoA1, in OA chondrocytes, pointing to its identification as a novel target for ameliorating the OA phenotype.
Polychromatic flow cytometry in evaluating rheumatic disease patients
Authors: Wei Chungwen , Jenks Scott , Sanz Iñaki 
Published: March 2015

AbstractB cells are central players in multiple autoimmune rheumatic diseases as a result of the imbalance between pathogenic and protective B-cell functions, which are presumably mediated by distinct populations. Yet the functional role of different B-cell populations and the contribution of specific subsets to disease pathogenesis remain to be fully understood owing to a large extent to the use of pauci-color flow cytometry. Despite its limitations, this approach has been instrumental in providing a global picture of multiple B-cell abnormalities in multiple human rheumatic diseases, more prominently systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren’s syndrome. Accordingly, these studies represent the focus of this review. In addition, we also discuss the added value of tapping into the potential of polychromatic flow cytometry to unravel a higher level of B-cell heterogeneity, provide a more nuanced view of B-cell abnormalities in disease and create the foundation for a precise understanding of functional division of labor among the different phenotypic subsets. State-of-the-art polychromatic flow cytometry and novel multidimensional analytical approaches hold tremendous promise for our understanding of disease pathogenesis, the generation of disease biomarkers, patient stratification and personalized therapeutic approaches.
Brivaracetam, but not ethosuximide, reverses memory impairments in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model
Authors: Nygaard Haakon B , Kaufman Adam C , Sekine-Konno Tomoko , Huh Linda L , Going Hilary , Feldman Samantha J , Kostylev Mikhail A , Strittmatter Stephen M 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Introduction
Recent studies have shown that several strains of transgenic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mice overexpressing the amyloid precursor protein (APP) have cortical hyperexcitability, and their results have suggested that this aberrant network activity may be a mechanism by which amyloid-β (Aβ) causes more widespread neuronal dysfunction. Specific anticonvulsant therapy reverses memory impairments in various transgenic mouse strains, but it is not known whether reduction of epileptiform activity might serve as a surrogate marker of drug efficacy for memory improvement in AD mouse models.

Methods
Transgenic AD mice (APP/PS1 and 3xTg-AD) were chronically implanted with dural electroencephalography electrodes, and epileptiform activity was correlated with spatial memory function and transgene-specific pathology. The antiepileptic drugs ethosuximide and brivaracetam were tested for their ability to suppress epileptiform activity and to reverse memory impairments and synapse loss in APP/PS1 mice.

Results
We report that in two transgenic mouse models of AD (APP/PS1 and 3xTg-AD), the presence of spike-wave discharges (SWDs) correlated with impairments in spatial memory. Both ethosuximide and brivaracetam reduce mouse SWDs, but only brivaracetam reverses memory impairments in APP/PS1 mice.

Conclusions
Our data confirm an intriguing therapeutic role of anticonvulsant drugs targeting synaptic vesicle protein 2A across AD mouse models. Chronic ethosuximide dosing did not reverse spatial memory impairments in APP/PS1 mice, despite reduction of SWDs. Our data indicate that SWDs are not a reliable surrogate marker of appropriate target engagement for reversal of memory dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice.
Should Temporary Hemodialysis Catheter Insertion Remain a Requirement of Nephrology Residency Training?
Authors: Jain Arsh K 
Published: March 2015

Purpose of review: Recently, there has been much debate about the practicality and utility of training nephrology fellows in temporary hemodialysis catheter insertion. Sources of information: Literature review along with the authors' opinion. Findings: This skill can be taught easily, in a controlled fashion to maximize success and minimize complications. In order to achieve this training centres should be required to teach using simulation based mastery learning and ultrasound guidance. Employing these strategies makes the inexperienced operator perform at the level of an experienced operator. As a specialty, nephrologists have a responsibility to provide hemodialysis in a timely fashion during emergencies, meaning nephrologists should be able to insert temporary hemodialysis catheters. We should take ownership over this skill and depend on no other specialty. Limitations: Limited data has been published on this subject. Implications: Temporary hemodialysis catheter insertion should be maintained as a core competency by the Royal College.
Fast Huygens’ sweeping methods for multiarrival Green’s functions of Helmholtz equations in the high-frequency regime
Authors: Qian Jianliang , Luo Songting , Burridge Robert 
Published: March 2015

Multiarrival Green’s functions are essential in seismic modeling, migration, and inversion. Huygens-Kirchhoff (HK) integrals provide a bridge to integrate locally valid first-arrival Green’s functions into a globally valid multiarrival Green’s function. We have designed robust and accurate finite-difference methods to compute first-arrival traveltimes and amplitudes, so that first-arrival Green’s functions can be constructed rapidly. We adapted a fast butterfly algorithm to evaluate discretized HK integrals. The resulting fast Huygens’ sweeping method has the following unique features: (1) it precomputes a set of local traveltime and amplitude tables, (2) it automatically takes care of caustics, (3) it constructs Green’s functions of the Helmholtz equation for arbitrary frequencies and for many point sources, and (4) for a fixed number of points per wavelength, it constructs each Green’s function in nearly optimal complexity [Formula: see text] in terms of the total number of mesh points [Formula: see text], where the prefactor of the complexity only depends on the specified accuracy, and is independent of the frequency. The 2D and 3D examples revealed the performance of the method.
Surface geochemical measurements applied to monitoring, verification, and accounting of leakage from sequestration projects
Authors: Klusman Ronald W. 
Published: March 2015

A detailed study of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] surface fluxes, shallow soil gas composition, 10-m hole soil gas composition was made at Rangely, Colorado, Teapot Dome, Wyoming, USA, and the results of geochemical verification measurements at Weyburn, Saskatchewan, Canada. Summer and winter soil gas and gas flux measurements were made at Rangely, and winter only at Teapot Dome. The objectives were to determine if leakage of [Formula: see text] and/or [Formula: see text] could be detected in the overpressured Rangely and the underpressured Teapot Dome systems. At Weyburn, the objective was the determination of the presence or absence of an alleged leak. Seasonal surface [Formula: see text] fluxes at Rangely were similar at on-field locations and an off-field control area. Methane fluxes were much higher at on-field locations than in the control area, suggesting a reservoir source. Seasonal differences in [Formula: see text] fluxes suggested methanotrophic oxidation was occurring in the soils. Shallow soil gas concentration measurements of [Formula: see text] were similar at a 100-cm depth, on-field and in the control area. Methane soil gas concentrations were higher on-field than in the control area; summer and winter. These data were used to select locations with and without evidence for seepage allowing nested sampling up to a 10-m depth. More complex chemical and isotopic measurements were made in 10-m holes at Rangely and Teapot Dome. Methanotrophy was operational at the active Rangely and the passive Teapot Dome systems. A small methane leakage rate of 400–700 tonnes [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] tonnes [Formula: see text] were determined at Rangely, and rates near zero at Teapot Dome. Inert gases, carbon-containing gases, as well as isotopic ratios supported the presence of pathways at geochemically anomalous locations at Teapot Dome. Measurements of soil gas and inert gas isotopes in shallow groundwater by other authors at Weyburn, Saskatchewan, found no evidence of leakage.
Ammonia excretion inCaenorhabditis elegans: mechanism and evidence of ammonia transport of the Rhesus protein CeRhr-1
Authors: Adlimoghaddam Aida , Boeckstaens Mélanie , Marini Anna-Maria , Treberg Jason R. , Brassinga Ann-Karen C. , Weihrauch Dirk 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTThe soil-dwelling nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a bacteriovorous animal, excreting the vast majority of its nitrogenous waste as ammonia (25.3±1.2 µmol gFW−1 day−1) and very little urea (0.21±0.004 µmol gFW−1 day−1). Although these roundworms have been used for decades as genetic model systems, very little is known about their strategy to eliminate the toxic waste product ammonia from their bodies into the environment. The current study provides evidence that ammonia is at least partially excreted via the hypodermis. Starvation reduced the ammonia excretion rates by more than half, whereas mRNA expression levels of the Rhesus protein CeRhr-2, V-type H+-ATPase (subunit A) and Na+/K+-ATPase (α-subunit) decreased correspondingly. Moreover, ammonia excretion rates were enhanced in media buffered to pH 5 and decreased at pH 9.5. Inhibitor experiments, combined with enzyme activity measurements and mRNA expression analyses, further suggested that the excretion mechanism involves the participation of the V-type H+-ATPase, carbonic anhydrase, Na+/K+-ATPase, and a functional microtubule network. These findings indicate that ammonia is excreted, not only by apical ammonia trapping, but also via vesicular transport and exocytosis. Exposure to 1 mmol l−1 NH4Cl caused a 10-fold increase in body ammonia and a tripling of ammonia excretion rates. Gene expression levels of CeRhr-1 and CeRhr-2, V-ATPase and Na+/K+-ATPase also increased significantly in response to 1 mmol l−1 NH4Cl. Importantly, a functional expression analysis showed, for the first time, ammonia transport capabilities for CeRhr-1 in a phylogenetically ancient invertebrate system, identifying these proteins as potential functional precursors to the vertebrate ammonia-transporting Rh-glycoproteins.
Integration of Technologies within Elective Courses at a Profession-Oriented School
Authors: Китайгородский  , Kitaygorodskiy Mikhail , Муртазин  , Murtazin Igor 
Published: March 2015

The paper presents the model for integrating IT and material technologies within elective courses taught during pre-profile training of students. The
model is developed based the classification of integration levels. On the basis of the generalized model of integration the authors have developed
detailed models for different levels of technology integration. The presented models can be used as the basis for designing elective courses curricula.
How to provide nursing care to the surgical ophthalmic patient
Authors: Hayton-Lee Emma 
Published: March 2015

Introduction Management of the ophthalmic surgical patient is a team effort with veterinary nurses, veterinary surgeons and owners all playing vital roles in ensuring a successful outcome. The role of the veterinary nurse extends from ensuring careful and appropriate restraint of the ophthalmic patient pre surgery to monitoring post-operative analgesia. Nursing the surgical ophthalmic patient requires specific considerations and often has rewarding outcomes.
The Possibility of Reform: Micropolitics in Higher Education
Authors: Haag Susan , Smith Mary Lee 
Published: March 2015

The purpose of this case study was to examine the restructuring of an institution of higher education's teacher preparation program and to assess the possibility for systemic reform. Although teacher education represents a vital link in not only the educational system but in curricular reform, the increased expectations for educational reform made this institution unavoidably more political. These conditions meant that the study of micropolitics was critical to understanding how organizations change or fail to initiate change. Any effort to reform an organization requires examination of the reform effort's underlying assumptions, social and historical context for the reform, and how reform is congruent with the values, ideologies, and goals of the constituents. This case will serve those critiquing reform and also takes the extant K-12 micropolitical research into the heretofore unstudied realm of higher education therefore impacting reform at the post secondary level. Schools are vulnerable to a host of powerful external and internal forces. They exist in a vortex of government mandates, social and economic pressures, and conflicting ideologies associated with administrators, faculty, and students. Efforts to reform school are confounded by competing political agendas. At the very least, reform is an opportunity for political action by people in power. While literature regarding effective schools touts strong leadership and shared values, accomplishing school reform continues to remain problematic. Despite the widespread interest and infusion of resources for restructuring teacher education, the history of educational reform shows that initiatives have often failed. The study began with the micropolitical hypothesis that the educational system comprises diverse constituencies with differing ideologies regarding schooling. Qualitative methodology was employed to portray intra-organizational processes, to provide concrete depiction of detail, and to study social change. Micropolitics and symbolic interactionism, the theoretical frameworks for the study, influenced the design and production of research and functioned as the interpretive focus. The study followed a multi method approach to understand meanings in context and to interpret these patterns in light of broader contexts. We employed the following multiple methods to generate a credible account of constituent ideologies: 23 semi-structured interviews, document review, and observational data. Data reveal fundamental differences in the images of five constituencies in these areas: curriculum, teachers, pupils, and teacher education and support the micropolitical assertion that systemic reform is unobtainable.
Factores de éxito para la enseñanza de la prevención de riesgos laborales en la escuela: aportaciones desde la opinión del profesorado de la comunidad autónoma de Andalucía (España)
Authors: Burgos Garcia Antonio , Rodriguez Sabiote Clemente , Alvarez Rodriguez Jose 
Published: March 2015

En este trabajo de investigación pretendemos determinar la influencia que una colección de factores de éxito relacionados con el proceso de implantación de la prevención de riesgos laborales en la escuela poseen en la consecución de un conjunto de beneficios y ventajas en el futuro laboral del alumnado, según la opinión del profesorado andaluz inmerso en un programa de prevención en riesgos laborales. Hemos desarrollado un estudio correlacional-predictivo con una muestra de profesorado (N= 258) que participo en el programa “Aprende a crecer con seguridad 2009” de la Consejería de Empleo y Educación en los centros escolares de Andalucía. Dicho profesorado, valoró un conjunto de factores de éxito (variables predictivas) basados en el modelo propuesto por la Agencia Europea para la Seguridad y Salud Laboral (EU-OSHA). Los resultados alcanzados tras la implementación de un análisis de regresión lineal múltiple indican que los factores relacionados con la realización y la decisión de la puesta en marcha de la prevención en riesgos laborales son los predictores de éxito más influyentes en la consecución de un conjunto de beneficios relacionados en el futuro acceso al mercado laboral del alumnado.
La exclusión social en el discurso educativo: un análisis basado en un programa de investigación
Authors: González Faraco Juan Carlos , Luzón Trujillo Antonio , Torres Sánchez Mónica 
Published: March 2015

El objetivo de este artículo es mostrar los fundamentos teóricos y metodológicos y las etapas de un programa de investigación, que ha cubierto ya más de una década. Este programa pone el acento en las complejas relaciones entre exclusión social y educación, y más específicamente entre la inclusión-exclusión social y el gobierno de la educación, en el marco de las políticas generales y también de las prácticas institucionales. Este programa combina dos enfoques analíticos: el enfoque de la equidad y el enfoque del conocimiento, siempre desde una perspectiva político-comparada y cultural. Ambos tienen raíces epistemológicas e incluso ideológicas diferenciadas, aunque no contradictorias: ambos, en una u otra medida, están presentes en los tres proyectos sucesivos de este programa de investigación: 1. Gobierno de la Educación, Inclusión y Exclusión Social en Europa; 2. Estudiantes en riesgo de exclusión educativa en la Educación Secundaria Obligatoria; 3. Exclusión social y educativa de Niños y Jóvenes con SIDA. En conjunto, este programa sostiene la idea de que ciertos cambios en el gobierno de la educación se pueden volver mecanismos de inclusión/exclusión, en términos de diferenciación y estratificación social y cultural. Esto quiere decir que ciertos cambios en las políticas educativas pueden afectar severamente la capacidad de la educación para combatir la exclusión social. Hablamos de aquellos cambios concernientes a la manera de construir la solidaridad social y las racionalidades políticas, según la cual se establecen las formas de comprender a los individuos. Tratamos de estudiar, a partir de varios conceptos y categorías, como los de transición y narración, cómo se producen los cambios o se modifican los principios que ordenan la política, la pedagogía, el éxito escolar o incluso las estadísticas. En otras palabras, cómo se introducen ciertos sistemas de razón que juegan su papel en un medio desigual, así como ciertas reglas de acción que premian o castigan, califican o descalifican, integran o marginan a los individuos o a los grupos.
Is Administration Leaner in Charter Schools? Resource Allocation in Charter and Traditional Public Schools
Authors: Arsen David D. , Ni Yongmei 
Published: March 2015

There is widespread concern that administration consumes too much of the educational dollar in traditional public schools, diverting needed resources from classroom instruction and hampering efforts to improve student outcomes. By contrast, charter schools are predicted to have leaner administration and allocate resources more intensively to instruction. This study analyzes resource allocation in charter and district schools in Michigan, where charter and tradition public schools receive approximately the same operational funding. Controlling for factors that could affect resource allocation patterns between school types, we find that charter schools on average spend $774 more per pupil per year on administration and $1141 less on instruction than traditional public schools.
Off-loading Responsibility in Alberta's Post-Secondary System
Authors: Barnetson Robert J. 
Published: March 2015

The introduction of a performance-based funding mechanism by Alberta's provincial government alters the public definition of "educational quality" and fully shifts the responsibility for declining educational quality from the provincial government onto institutions. This article outlines the process by which the provincial government has compelled institutions to accept this redefinition and transfer despite the substantial loss of institutional autonomy it entails. The implications of this change are explored and possible reasons are suggested.
Effect of cellulase-assisted refining on the thermal degradation of bleached high-density paper
Authors: Vänskä Emilia , Vuorinen Tapani 
Published: March 2015

AbstractPulp was treated with cellulase, and the chemical, physical, and optical properties of the refined pulps in paper sheets were measured in terms of the degree of polymerization of cellulose, tensile strength, elongation, burst strength, light scattering, and brightness. The sheets were thermally treated for 20 and 60 min at 225°C in the presence of 1% and 75% (v/v) water vapor. The cellulase treatment intensified the fibrillation of fibers and reduced the specific energy consumption during refining. It was demonstrated based on the water retention value that the refining modified the water-bonding ability of the pulp fibers, which was further enhanced in the case of cellulase-treated pulps. However, the enzymatic pretreatment impaired the physical properties, such as the tensile strength, elongation, and burst strength of the high-density paper. These changes further reduced the thermal strength stability of the paper. In addition, considerable brightness loss of the cellulase-treated high-density paper was observed compared to the reference paper, indicating more severe thermal degradation reactions as a consequence of enzyme-assisted refining.