bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced fronto–striatal white matter integrity in schizophrenia patients and unaffected siblings: a DTI study
Authors: de Leeuw Max , Bohlken Marc M , Mandl René C W , Kahn René S , Vink Matthijs 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
Background:
Schizophrenia is characterized by impairments in the fronto–striatal network. Underlying these impairments may be disruptions in anatomical pathways connecting frontal and striatal regions. However, the specifics of these disruptions remain unclear and whether these impairments are related to the genetic vulnerability of schizophrenia is not known.

Methods:
Here, we investigated fronto–striatal tract connections in 24 schizophrenia patients, 30 unaffected siblings, and 58 healthy controls using diffusion tensor imaging. Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) was calculated for tracts connecting the striatum with frontal cortex regions including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), medial orbital frontal cortex, and inferior frontal gyrus. Specifically, the striatum was divided into three subregions (caudate nucleus, putamen, and nucleus accumbens) and mean FA was computed for tracts originating from these striatal subregions.

Results:
We found no differences between patients, siblings, and controls in mean FA when taking the whole striatum as a seed region. However, subregion analyses showed reduced FA in the tract connecting the left nucleus accumbens and left DLPFC in both patients (P=0.0003) and siblings (P=0.0008) compared with controls.

Conclusions:
The result of reduced FA in the tract connecting the left nucleus accumbens and left DLPFC indicates a possible reduction of white matter integrity, commonly associated with schizophrenia. As both patients and unaffected siblings show reduced FA, this may represent a vulnerability factor for schizophrenia.
Quantifying Adhesion Mechanisms and Dynamics of Human Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells
Authors: Burk Alexandra S. , Monzel Cornelia , Yoshikawa Hiroshi Y. , Wuchter Patrick , Saffrich Rainer , Eckstein Volker , Tanaka Motomu , Ho Anthony D. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractUsing planar lipid membranes with precisely defined concentrations of specific ligands, we have determined the binding strength between human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and the bone marrow niche. The relative significance of HSC adhesion to the surrogate niche models via SDF1α-CXCR4 or N-cadherin axes was quantified by (a) the fraction of adherent cells, (b) the area of tight adhesion and (c) the critical pressure for cell detachment. We have demonstrated that the binding of HSC to the niche model is a cooperative process and the adhesion mediated by the CXCR4- SDF1α axis is stronger than that by homophilic N-cadherin binding. The statistical image analysis of stochastic morphological dynamics unraveled that HSC dissipated energy by undergoing oscillatory deformation. The combination of an in vitro niche model and novel physical tools has enabled us to quantitatively determine the relative significance of binding mechanisms between normal HSC versus leukemia blasts to the bone marrow niche.
Ultra-thin and smooth transparent electrode for flexible and leakage-free organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Ok Ki-Hun , Kim Jiwan , Park So-Ra , Kim Youngmin , Lee Chan-Jae , Hong Sung-Jei , Kwak Min-Gi , Kim Namsu , Han Chul Jong , Kim Jong-Woong 
Published: March 2015

AbstractA smooth, ultra-flexible and transparent electrode was developed from silver nanowires (AgNWs) embedded in a colorless polyimide (cPI) by utilizing an inverted film-processing method. The resulting AgNW-cPI composite electrode had a transparency of >80%, a low sheet resistance of 8 Ω/□ and ultra-smooth surfaces comparable to glass. Leveraging the robust mechanical properties and flexibility of cPI, the thickness of the composite film was reduced to less than 10 μm, which is conducive to extreme flexibility. This film exhibited mechanical durability, for both outward and inward bending tests, up to a bending radius of 30 μm, while maintaining its electrical performance under cyclic bending (bending radius: 500 μm) for 100,000 iterations. Phosphorescent, blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) were fabricated using these composites as bottom electrodes (anodes). Hole-injection was poor, because AgNWs were largely buried beneath the composite's surface. Thus, we used a simple plasma treatment to remove the thin cPI layer overlaying the nanowires without introducing other conductive materials. As a result, we were able to finely control the flexible OLEDs' electroluminescent properties using the enlarged conductive pathways. The fabricated flexible devices showed only slight performance reductions of <3% even after repeated foldings with a 30 μm bending radius.
Ancient inland human dispersals from Myanmar into interior East Asia since the Late Pleistocene
Authors: Li Yu-Chun , Wang Hua-Wei , Tian Jiao-Yang , Liu Li-Na , Yang Li-Qin , Zhu Chun-Ling , Wu Shi-Fang , Kong Qing-Peng , Zhang Ya-Ping 
Published: March 2015

AbstractGiven the existence of plenty of river valleys connecting Southeast and East Asia, it is possible that some inland route(s) might have been adopted by the initial settlers to migrate into the interior of East Asia. Here we analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) HVS variants of 845 newly collected individuals from 14 Myanmar populations and 5,907 published individuals from 115 populations from Myanmar and its surroundings. Enrichment of basal lineages with the highest genetic diversity in Myanmar suggests that Myanmar was likely one of the differentiation centers of the early modern humans. Intriguingly, some haplogroups were shared merely between Myanmar and southwestern China, hinting certain genetic connection between both regions. Further analyses revealed that such connection was in fact attributed to both recent gene flow and certain ancient dispersals from Myanmar to southwestern China during 25–10 kya, suggesting that, besides the coastal route, the early modern humans also adopted an inland dispersal route to populate the interior of East Asia.
Genome-wide circulating microRNA expression profiling indicates biomarkers for epilepsy
Authors: Wang Jun , Yu Jin-Tai , Tan Lin , Tian Yan , Ma Jing , Tan Chen-Chen , Wang Hui-Fu , Liu Ying , Tan Meng-Shan , Jiang Teng , Tan Lan 
Published: March 2015

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as biomarkers for cancer and other diseases due to their stability in serum. In epilepsy, miRNAs have almost been studied in brain tissues and in animals' circulation, but not in circulation of human. To date, a major challenge is to develop biomarkers to improve the current diagnosis of epilepsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether circulating miRNAs can be used as biomarkers for epilepsy. We measured the differences in serum miRNA levels between 30 epilepsy patients and 30 healthy controls in discovery and training phases using Illumina HiSeq2000 sequencing followed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays. The selected miRNAs were then validated in 117 epilepsy patients and 112 healthy controls by qRT-PCR. Let-7d-5p, miR-106b-5p, -130a-3p and -146a-5p were found up-regulated, whereas miR-15a-5p and -194-5p were down-regulated in epilepsy patients compared to controls (P < 0.0001). Among these miRNAs, miR-106b-5p had the best diagnostic value for epilepsy with 80.3% sensitivity and 81.2% specificity. Circulating miRNAs were differentially regulated in epilepsy patients as compared with controls. MiR-106b-5p may serve as a novel, noninvasive biomarker to improve the current diagnosis of epilepsy.
Synchronized cell attachment triggered by photo-activatable adhesive ligands allows QCM-based detection of early integrin binding
Authors: Iturri Jagoba , García-Fernández Luis , Reuning Ute , García Andrés J. , Campo Aránzazu del , Salierno Marcelo J. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractThe Quartz Crystal Microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) technique was applied to monitor and quantify integrin-RGD recognition during the early stages of cell adhesion. Using QCM-D crystals modified with a photo-activatable RGD peptide, the time point of presentation of adhesive ligand at the surface of the QCM-D crystal could be accurately controlled. This allowed temporal resolution of early integrin-RGD binding and the subsequent cell spreading process and their separate detection by QCM-D. The specificity of the integrin-RGD binding event was corroborated by performing the experiments in the presence of soluble cyclicRGD as a competitor and cytochalasin D as inhibitor of cell spreading. Larger frequency change in the QCM-D signal was observed for cells with larger spread area and for cells overexpressing integrin αvβ3 upon stable transfection. This strategy enables quantification of integrin activity which, in turn, may allow discrimination among different cell types displaying distinct integrin subtypes and expression levels thereof. On the basis of these findings, we believe the strategy can be extended to other photoactivatable ligands to characterize cell membrane receptors activity, a relevant issue for cancer diagnosis (and prognosis) as other several pathologies.
Microtubule teardrop patterns
Authors: Okeyoshi Kosuke , Kawamura Ryuzo , Yoshida Ryo , Osada Yoshihito 
Published: March 2015

AbstractSeveral strategies for controlling microtubule patterns are developed because of the rigidity determined from the molecular structure and the geometrical structure. In contrast to the patterns in co-operation with motor proteins or associated proteins, microtubules have a huge potential for patterns via their intrinsic flexural rigidity. We discover that a microtubule teardrop pattern emerges via self-assembly under hydrodynamic flow from the parallel bundles without motor proteins. In the growth process, the bundles ultimately bend according to the critical bending curvature. Such protein pattern formation utilizing the intrinsic flexural rigidity will provide broad understandings of self-assembly of rigid rods, not only in biomolecules, but also in supramolecules.
Electrical stimulation alleviates depressive-like behaviors of rats: investigation of brain targets and potential mechanisms
Authors: Lim L W , Prickaerts J , Huguet G , Kadar E , Hartung H , Sharp T , Temel Y 
Published: March 2015

AbstractDeep brain stimulation (DBS) is a promising therapy for patients with refractory depression. However, key questions remain with regard to which brain target(s) should be used for stimulation, and which mechanisms underlie the therapeutic effects. Here, we investigated the effect of DBS, with low- and high-frequency stimulation (LFS, HFS), in different brain regions (ventromedial prefrontal cortex, vmPFC; cingulate cortex, Cg; nucleus accumbens (NAc) core or shell; lateral habenula, LHb; and ventral tegmental area) on a variety of depressive-like behaviors using rat models. In the naive animal study, we found that HFS of the Cg, vmPFC, NAc core and LHb reduced anxiety levels and increased motivation for food. In the chronic unpredictable stress model, there was a robust depressive-like behavioral phenotype. Moreover, vmPFC HFS, in a comparison of all stimulated targets, produced the most profound antidepressant effects with enhanced hedonia, reduced anxiety and decreased forced-swim immobility. In the following set of electrophysiological and histochemical experiments designed to unravel some of the underlying mechanisms, we found that vmPFC HFS evoked a specific modulation of the serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), which have long been linked to mood. Finally, using a neuronal mapping approach by means of c-Fos expression, we found that vmPFC HFS modulated a brain circuit linked to the DRN and known to be involved in affect. In conclusion, HFS of the vmPFC produced the most potent antidepressant effects in naive rats and rats subjected to stress by mechanisms also including the DRN.
Stress inoculation modeled in mice
Authors: Brockhurst J , Cheleuitte-Nieves C , Buckmaster C L , Schatzberg A F , Lyons D M 
Published: March 2015

AbstractStress inoculation entails intermittent exposure to mildly stressful situations that present opportunities to learn, practice and improve coping in the context of exposure psychotherapies and resiliency training. Here we investigate behavioral and hormonal aspects of stress inoculation modeled in mice. Mice randomized to stress inoculation or a control treatment condition were assessed for corticosterone stress hormone responses and behavior during open-field, object-exploration and tail-suspension tests. Stress inoculation training sessions that acutely increased plasma levels of corticosterone diminished subsequent immobility as a measure of behavioral despair on tail-suspension tests. Stress inoculation also decreased subsequent freezing in the open field despite comparable levels of thigmotaxis in mice from both treatment conditions. Stress inoculation subsequently decreased novel-object exploration latencies and reduced corticosterone responses to repeated restraint. These results demonstrate that stress inoculation acutely stimulates glucocorticoid signaling and then enhances subsequent indications of active coping behavior in mice. Unlike mouse models that screen for the absence of vulnerability to stress or presence of traits that occur in resilient individuals, stress inoculation training reflects an experience-dependent learning-like process that resembles interventions designed to build resilience in humans. Mouse models of stress inoculation may provide novel insights for new preventive strategies or therapeutic treatments of human psychiatric disorders that are triggered and exacerbated by stressful life events.
Allergische Rhinitis im Kontext der chronischen Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Geißler K. , Guntinas-Lichius O. 
Published: April 2015

ZusammenfassungDie chronische Rhinosinusitis gehört zu den häufigsten chronischen Erkrankungen. Eine wichtige Ursache ist die allergische Rhinitis. Beide Erkrankungen und die Kombination von beiden, die im Mittelpunkt dieses Weiterbildungsbeitrags stehen, als auch die Abklärung und Behandlung der Differenzialdiagnosen gehören in die Hände des HNO-Arztes. Letztendlich ist nicht geklärt, warum eine allergische Rhinitis zu einer chronischen Rhinosinusitis führt. Zur Diagnostik und Therapie der allergischen Rhinosinusitis steht als Behandlungsrichtlinie eine Reihe von gut ausgearbeiteten nationalen und internationalen Leitlinien zur Verfügung. Dieser Beitrag stellt die wichtigsten aktuellen diagnostischen und therapeutischen Verfahren zur Behandlung derallergischen Rhinitis im Kindesalter und im Erwachsenenalter vor.
Evaluation of health promotion training for the Western Australian Aboriginal maternal and child health sector
Authors: Wilkins Alexa , Lobo Roanna C. , Griffin Denese M. , Woods Heather A. 
Published: March 2015

Issue addressedThe evaluation of health promotion training for the Western Australian (WA) Aboriginal maternal and child health (MCH) sector.MethodsFifty‐one MCH professionals from five regions in WA who attended one of three health promotion short courses in 2012–2013 were invited to complete an online survey or a telephone interview, between 4 to 17 months post‐course. Respondents were asked how they had utilised the information and resources from the training and to identify the enabling factors or barriers to integrating health promotion into their work practices subsequently.ResultsOverall response rate was 33% (n = 17); 94% of respondents reported they had utilised the information and resources from the course and 76% had undertaken health promotion activities since attending the course. Building contacts with other MCH providers and access to planning tools were identified as valuable components of the course. Barriers to translating knowledge into practice included financial constraints and lack of organisational support for health promotion activity.ConclusionsHealth promotion training provides participants with the skills and confidence to deliver health promotion strategies in their communities. The training presents an opportunity to build health professionals' capacity to address some determinants of poor health outcomes among pregnant Aboriginal women and their babies.
Stock assessment of eels in the Baltic: reconciling survey estimates to achieve quantitative analysis
Authors: Westerberg Håkan , Wickström Håkan 
Published: March 2015

Abstract
The data from two scientific surveys, where eel is part of the catch, have been studied to assess trends in recruitment and escapement to and from the Baltic. Abundance of juvenile eel was monitored in the Sound, between Sweden and Denmark, from 1992 to 2002. The total natural recruitment of new eels was estimated under the assumption that the number of juvenile eels observed in the surveys represented an accumulation of eels migrating into the Baltic. To assess the total recruitment, the stocking by imported glass eels, or transplanted juveniles from outside the Baltic, was added. Fish larvae monitoring at a nuclear power plant in the Kattegat gave an index of glass eel abundance which was well correlated with glass eel monitoring in the Sound. This was used to extrapolate the recruitment time-series to the full period from 1981 to the present. The main conclusions from the analysis were: (i) the recruitment to the Baltic region, including the contribution from stocking, has declined by 95% between 1981 and 2012. (ii) The stocking of glass eel and bootlace eel has been of the same order of magnitude as natural recruitment, averaging 25–30% of the total supply of glass eel to the Baltic, with a decreasing trend with time. (iii) The total landings in the Baltic countries have ranged from 5 to 15% of the estimated survival without anthropogenic mortality. This proportion has been stable and independent of a large decrease in potential escapement.
The Rpd3/Hda1 family of histone deacetylases regulates azole resistance in Candida albicans
Authors: Li Xiaofang , Cai Qing , Mei Huan , Zhou Xiaowei , Shen Yongnian , Li Dongmei , Liu Weida 
Published: March 2015

Abstract

Objectives
The histone deacetylase (HDAC) has recently been linked to the morphogenesis and virulence of yeast. However, the effects of HDAC on antifungal susceptibility are not well understood. We sought to characterize the action of histone deacetylation on azole resistance in Candida albicans and its possible mechanism of action.

Methods
A total of 40 C. albicans strains were studied. Azole susceptibility with or without trichostatin A (TSA) was determined according to the CLSI microdilution method. The null mutants of HDA1 and RPD3 (genes targeted by TSA) were also investigated using drop-plate assays and a rapid acquisition of adaptation to the azole test. Transcriptional levels of HDAC genes and efflux genes were quantified using RT–PCR for both the basal and fluconazole-induced conditions.

Results
The inhibition of HDACs by TSA (0.25 mg/L) markedly reduced the trailing growth and the growth of most C. albicans strains. Trailing growth for C. albicans strains was decreased from 2-fold to 256-fold at 48 h. The deletion of HDA1 or RPD3 increased the susceptibility to azoles compared with the WT strain. The expression of HDA1 and RPD3 was up-regulated to different levels, and returned to the level of the susceptible parental strain when stable resistance had formed during the course of acquired fluconazole resistance both in vitro and in vivo. Efflux genes were poorly expressed in mutant strains compared with those of the WT strain.

Conclusions
Our results indicate the important role of the Rpd3/Hda1 family in the development of azole resistance in C. albicans. Histone deacetylation may govern the expression of genes related to the early stages of adaptation to azole stress, such as efflux pump genes.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation Increases Rectal Activity in Children
Authors: Moeller Joensson Iben , Hagstroem Soren , Siggaard Charlotte , Bower Wendy , Djurhuus Jens Christian , Krogh Klaus 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACTObjectives:Neurostimulation is increasingly used in treating bladder and bowel dysfunction, but its effect on rectal motility is obscure. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acute effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on rectal motility in children with overactive bladder (OAB).Methods:In this double‐blind placebo‐controlled study in 20 children with OAB (mean age 8.6 ± 1.8 years; 7 girls), 48‐hour urodynamic monitoring including rectal manometry was performed. After 24‐hours of baseline investigation without stimulation the children were randomised to either active TENS (n = 10) or placebo (n = 10). Surface electrodes were placed over the sacral bone. The exterior of active and placebo stimulators was identical. Starting in the morning, the children received either continuous TENS stimulation or placebo until bedtime. Rectal contractions were deﬁned as pressure runs exceeding 5 cm H2O and lasting ≥3 minutes.Results:At baseline there was no significant difference in proportion of time with rectal contractions in the 2 groups (TENS group median 31% [range 12%–66%] vs placebo group median 31% [range 10%–66%]; P = 0.75); however, on the day of stimulation there was more time with rectal contractions in the group receiving TENS (median 51% [range 25%–78%]) compared with placebo (median 32% [range 4%–68%]; P = 0.02). Also, there was an increase in time with rectal contractions in the TENS group (P = 0.007) but not in the placebo group (P = 0.39). The night after the TENS was disabled, rectal activity in both groups returned to baseline level.Conclusions:TENS acutely increases time with rectal contractions in children undergoing urodynamic investigation. The effect disappears when the stimulator is turned off.
Threonine Requirement of the Enterally Fed Term Infant in the First Month of Life
Authors: Hogewind‐Schoonenboom Jacomine E. , Huang Lisha , de Groof Femke , Zhu Li , Voortman Gardi J. , Schierbeek Henk , Vermes Andras , Chen Chao , Huang Ying , van Goudoever Johannes B. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractObjective:Threonine is one of the essential amino acids. Its major fate is incorporation into intestinal mucosal proteins and synthesis of secretory glycoproteins. Therefore, it has an important function in the neonatal gut barrier integrity. The objective was to quantify the threonine requirement in fully enterally fed term neonates by means of the indicator amino acid oxidation (IAAO) method, using L‐[1‐13C]phenylalanine as indicator.Methods:After a 24‐hour test diet adaptation, containing randomly assigned amounts of threonine (range 5–182 mg · kg−1 · day−1), the participating neonates received a primed continuous infusion of [13C]bicarbonate and L‐[1–13C]phenylalanine. At baseline and during the plateau phase of both infusions, breath samples were obtained for 13CO2. The fractional L‐[1‐13C]phenylalanine oxidation (F13CO2) was estimated and plotted against the threonine intakes. Biphasic linear regression crossover analysis was used to calculate the breakpoint of the F13CO2, representing the mean threonine requirement. Data are presented as mean ± SD.Results:Thirty‐two term neonates (gestational age 39 ± 1 weeks, birth weight 3.3 ± 0.3 kg, mean postnatal age 10 ± 4 days) were studied. The mean threonine requirement was estimated to be 68 mg · kg−1 · day−1 with an upper and lower 95% confidence interval of 104 and 32 mg · kg−1 · day−1, respectively (r2 = 0.37).Conclusions:The determined threonine requirement is extremely close to the existing requirement recommendations (~90% of the present World Health Organization requirement guidelines). Infant formula preparations presently on the market, however, contain up to twice as much threonine as recommended. The threonine intake in formula‐fed infants may therefore be reduced considerably.