bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of δ‐opioid receptors in learning and memory underlying the development of addiction
Authors: Klenowski Paul , Morgan Michael , Bartlett Selena E 
Published: February 2014

Opioids are important endogenous ligands that exist in both invertebrates and vertebrates and signal by activation of opioid receptors to produce analgesia and reward or pleasure. The μ‐opioid receptor is the best known of the opioid receptors and mediates the acute analgesic effects of opiates, while the δ‐opioid receptor (DOR) has been less well studied and has been linked to effects that follow from chronic use of opiates such as stress, inflammation and anxiety. Recently, DORs have been shown to play an essential role in emotions and increasing evidence points to a role in learning actions and outcomes. The process of learning and memory in addiction has been proposed to involve strengthening of specific brain circuits when a drug is paired with a context or environment. The DOR is highly expressed in the hippocampus, amygdala, striatum and other basal ganglia structures known to participate in learning and memory. In this review, we will focus on the role of the DOR and its potential role in learning and memory underlying the development of addiction.Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Opioids: New Pathways to Functional Selectivity. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-2
Assessment of re‐aggregated human pancreatic islets for secondary drug screening
Authors: Ramachandran K , Peng X , Bokvist K , Stehno‐Bittel L 
Published: February 2014

Background and PurposeInsulin secretion from isolated pancreatic islets is a pivotal assay in developing novel insulin secretagogues, given its good correlation with in vivo efficacy. Because the supply of human islets is limited, this assay is typically run with rodent islets, which do not address species differences and are low‐throughput, because of the size matching or volume normalization required. Here we have evaluated the suitability of human re‐aggregated islets for this assay.Experimental ApproachWe generated re‐aggregated human islets of a consistent size, using micromolds and compared their responses with those of native human and rat islets, to known secretagogues and inhibitors of insulin release.Key ResultsInsulin secretion from rat islets, human islets and human re‐aggregated cell clusters was concentration‐dependently increased by glucose. The calcium channel agonist, Bay K 8644, stimulated insulin secretion in native rat islets and human re‐aggregated islets, but not native human islets. Glibenclamide and tolbutamide were more effective and potent in re‐aggregated human clusters compared with the other two preparations. Rat islets outperformed both human preparations of islets in response to caffeine, carbachol and glucagon‐like peptide‐1. Re‐aggregated human islet clusters were more sensitive to somatostatin, diazoxide and sodium azide, but rodent islets were more sensitive to nifedipine.Conclusions and ImplicationsHuman re‐aggregated clusters of islet cells, of a constant size were more responsive to all compounds tested than native human islets. Importantly, the assay variability was less in the re‐aggregated cluster preparations, which suggests that such re‐aggregated cells could be useful for drug development.
Reproductive delays in mammals: an unexplored avenue for post‐copulatory sexual selection
Authors: Orr Teri J. , Zuk Marlene 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTNumerous mammalian taxa exhibit reproductive delays, pauses in reproduction that occur between mating and fertilization, between fertilization and implantation of the embryo, or after an embryo has implanted. Of the 27 mammalian orders, 9 are known to exhibit reproductive delays, including Diptrotodontia, Dasyuromorphia, Eulipotyphyta, Cingulata, Carnivora, Rodentia, Chiroptera, Lagomorpha and Cetartiodactyla. Most researchers interested in delays have focused on their evolutionary origins. However, the consequences of these delays have not been considered fully. Given the lengthening of the period over which reproduction occurs, it is possible that this unique aspect of reproduction facilitates post‐copulatory sexual selection. When considered in the context of sexual selection, delays may allow sperm competition and female manipulation of fertilization (cryptic female choice) as well as other post‐copulatory processes. We investigate the potential for reproductive delays to facilitate post‐copulatory sexual selection and suggest avenues for research that may further our knowledge of sexual selection. We also provide a general review of reproductive delays in mammals.
Procedural Modelling of Urban Road Networks
Authors: Beneš Jan , Wilkie Alexander , Křivánek Jaroslav 
Published: February 2014

AbstractWe present a model for growing procedural road networks in and close to cities. The main idea of our paper is that a city cannot be meaningfully simulated without taking its neighbourhood into account. A simple traffic simulation that considers this neighbourhood is then used to grow new major roads and to influence the locations of minor road growth. Waterways are introduced and used to help position the city nuclei on the map. The resulting cities are formed by allowing several smaller settlements to grow together and to form a rich road structure, much like in real world, and require only minimal per‐city input, allowing for batch generation.
Expression of Prox1, D2‐40, and WT1 in spindle cell hemangioma
Authors: Wang Lei , Gao Tianwen , Wang Gang 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundSpindle cell hemangioma is a benign vascular proliferation that usually occurs on acral sites. A recent report showed focal positive staining of Prox1 in spindle cell hemangioma.MethodsWe performed an immunohistochemical study of spindle cell hemangioma with antibodies to CD31, D2‐40, Prox1, smooth muscle actin (SMA) and Wilms tumor‐1 (WT‐1).ResultsThe endothelial cells in spindle cell hemangioma were positive for CD31 and Prox1, focally positive for D2‐40 and negative for WT‐1, whereas the myoid spindle cells around the endothelial cells were weakly positive for WT‐1.ConclusionOur results suggest that spindle cell hemangioma is a lymphatic malformation.
Steatocystoma multiplex associated with bilateral preauricular sinuses
Authors: Fernandez‐Flores Angel , Cuesta César Cosme Álvarez , García Carlos Suárez , del Río José Sánchez 
Published: February 2014

AbstractSteatocystoma multiplex is characterized by the development of numerous steatocystomas. The condition has occasionally been related to congenital bilateral preauricular sinuses. Herein, we present the third case of such an association, a 34‐year‐old male who was born with bilateral preauricular sinuses that were surgically repaired. When he was 14 years old, he presented with multiple steatocystomas on his forehead and temples, one of which was biopsied. There was no family history of the condition.
The routine use of iron stain for biopsies of dermatoses of the legs
Authors: Northcutt Alan D. , Tschen Jaime A. 
Published: February 2014

BackgroundOur goal was to study the utility of the routine use of the Gomori iron stain in the evaluation of leg biopsies of inflammatory lesions.MethodsOne hundred consecutive skin biopsies from the legs were evaluated with hematoxylin and eosin and Gomori iron stains. Iron positivity was semi‐quantitatively graded from trace to 4+.ResultsForty‐two (42) cases were positive with the Gomori iron stain as follows: stasis dermatitis (14), Schamberg's disease (7), folliculitis (2), psoriasis (2), trauma (2), arthropod bite (2), allergic contact dermatitis (2), lichen simplex chronicus (1), senile purpura (1), vascular ectasia (1), lobular capillary hemangioma (1), scar (1), pretibial pigmented patches (1), tinea (1), lentigo maligna (1), traumatic fat necrosis (1), lichen planus (1) and fixed drug eruption (1). Twelve of 14 cases of stasis dermatitis had 2+ or greater iron staining; 8 cases were 3+ or 4+. All other diagnoses had trace or 1+ staining for iron except for one scar (2+). One of 19 samples (5.3%) of ‘normal’ leg skin controls showed iron stain positivity, and was graded as trace.ConclusionsAfter correcting for iron staining in 5.3% of normal leg skin controls, we observed Gomori iron positivity in 36.7% of 100 consecutive leg biopsies. We suggest that routine application of an iron stain on biopsies of dermatoses from the legs is useful. Stasis dermatitis and Schamberg's disease are the most frequent iron positive diagnoses, and the diagnosis is aided by the pattern of hemosiderin deposition. Negative iron stain is also useful in suggesting the presence of melanin pigment in macrophages in lichenoid and other dermatoses. To confirm a truly negative iron stain, study of the section at ×400 rather than ×100 is recommended.
Prognostic impact of fat tissue loss and cachexia assessed by computed tomography scan in elderly patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma treated with immunochemotherapy
Authors: Camus Vincent , Lanic Helene , Kraut Jerôme , Modzelewski Romain , Clatot Florian , Picquenot Jean M. , Contentin Nathalie , Lenain Pascal , Groza Luminata , Lemasle Emilie , Fronville Carole , Cardinael Nathalie , Fontoura Marie‐Laure , Chamseddine Ali , Brehar Oana , Stamatoullas Aspasia , Leprêtre Stéphane , Tilly Hervé , Jardin Fabrice 
Published: February 2014

AbstractObjectivesApproximately 30% of DLBCL patients are older than 70 yr. This study evaluated the prognostic impact of a cachexia score (CS) including fat tissue loss (adipopenia) and sarcopenia as assessed by computed tomography (CT scan) in elderly DLBCL patients treated with chemotherapy and rituximab (R).MethodsThis retrospective analysis included 80 DLBCL patients older than 70 yr treated with R‐CHOP or R‐miniCHOP. Skeletal muscle (SM) and visceral (V) and subcutaneous (S) adipose (A) tissues were measured by analysing CT images at the third lumbar (L3) level.ResultsThe median age of the patients was 78 yr. Forty‐four and 46 patients were considered sarcopenic and adipopenic, respectively. The median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 13.6 months in the adipopenic group and 49.4 months in the non‐adipopenic group [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.27; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–4; P = 0.0042]. The median overall survival (OS) was 25.7 months in the adipopenic group and 57.1 months in the non‐adipopenic group (HR = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.05–3.55; P = 0.0342). A two‐point CS including adipopenia and sarcopenia was created and defined two distinct risk groups with differences in outcomes that were highly significant. The CS was predictive of the prognosis in a multivariate analysis including body mass index (BMI) (< or ≥25 kg/m2), age (< or ≥80 yr), international prognostic index (IPI) and albuminaemia (HR = 3.67; 95% CI = 1.93–6.97; P < 0.0001).ConclusionA CS including sarcopenia and adipopenia, assessed by a single CT scan slice, predicts outcome independent of BMI and the IPI.
Early botulinum toxin treatment for spastic pes equinovarus – a randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Fietzek U. M. , Kossmehl P. , Schelosky L. , Ebersbach G. , Wissel J. 
Published: February 2014

Background and purposeSpastic pes equinovarus is a frequent pathological posture of the lower extremity. Botulinum toxin (BoNT/A) has been successfully applied to treat lower limb spasticity. However, the best time to initiate treatment remains unclear. A beneficial effect of an early treatment has been suggested in previous studies.MethodsA single‐centre double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled trial was performed to investigate the efficacy of BoNT/A to reduce muscle hypertonicity at the ankle. Fifty‐two patients with unilateral or bilateral spastic pes equinovarus with a modified Ashworth score (mAS) of at least 1+ after stroke, traumatic brain injury or hypoxic encephalopathy were allocated to receive either BoNT/A or placebo treatment. A second, open injection was optional at week 12. Patients received unilateral or bilateral injections with 230 or 460 U onabotulinumtoxinA, respectively. The course of the mAS was explored during the open study phase.ResultsPatients who had received BoNT/A treatment had lower mAS compared with placebo at week 12 (P < 0.01). During the open label phase, patients from the placebo group showed further deterioration of muscle tone despite starting from a similar baseline and receiving BoNT treatment. Spastic feet that had received BoNT/A in the first cycle had comparatively lower mAS scores over all follow‐up data and at week 24 (P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe study demonstrates a reduction of muscular hypertonicity in spastic pes equines with BoNT/A treatment given during the first 3 months after the lesion. Exploratory analyses of the course of muscular hypertonicity during the open phase favour earlier to later treatment.
Silkworm strains that can be clearly destined towards either embryonic diapause or direct development by adjusting a single ambient parameter during the preceding generation
Authors: Egi Yuichi , Akitomo Shion , Fujii Tsuguru , Banno Yutaka , Sakamoto Katsuhiko 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIn the silkworm, Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), embryonic diapause is under maternal control and the decision between diapause and direct development in bivoltine strains depends on environmental factors such as temperature and photoperiod experienced by the preceding generation. We reared ten bivoltine silkworm strains (c10, g32, k06, n25, p21, p22, p24, p44, p50 and p63) under various thermal and light conditions and examined the incidence of embryonic diapause in the next generation to identify strains in which the incidence of diapause can be controlled within the range of 0 to 100% by adjusting a single ambient parameter. Some strains were clearly destined towards either diapause or direct development. The diapause incidence in the c10, p22 and p50 strains was controlled by temperature during the egg stage (0% at 18°C and 100% at 25°C), that in the p50 strain was also determined to be dependent on illumination during the egg stage (0% under continuous darkness and 100% under continuous illumination), and photoperiod during the larval stage regulated diapause in p44 and p50 (0% and 100% under long‐day and short‐day photoperiod, respectively), when all other external parameters remained constant under each experimental condition. These diapause‐controllable silkworm strains might serve as model systems for studies of insect diapause, especially for the differential screening of related factors.
Mutations to a glycine loop in the catalytic site of human Lon changes its protease, peptidase and ATPase activities
Authors: Ambro Ľuboš , Pevala Vladimír , Ondrovičová Gabriela , Bellová Jana , Kunová Nina , Kutejová Eva , Bauer Jacob 
Published: February 2014

Lon, also called protease La, is an ATP‐dependent protease present in all kingdoms of life. It is involved in protein quality control and several regulatory processes. Eukaryotic Lon possesses three domains, an N‐terminal domain, an ATPase domain and a proteolytic domain. It requires ATP hydrolysis to digest larger, intact proteins, but can cleave small, fluorogenic peptides such as Glu‐Ala‐Ala‐Phe‐MNA by only binding, but not hydrolyzing, ATP. Both ATPase and peptidase activities can be stimulated by the binding of a larger protein substrate, such as β‐casein. To better understand its mechanism of action, we have prepared several point mutants of four conserved residues of human Lon (G893A, G893P, G894A, G894P, G894S, G893A‐G894A, G893P‐G894A, G893A‐G894P, T880V, W770A, W770P) and studied their ATPase, protease and peptidase activities. Our results show that mutations to Gly894 enhance its basal ATPase activity but do not change its β‐casein‐stimulated activity. The loop containing Gly893 and Gly894, which flanks Lon's proteolytic active site, therefore appears to be involved in the conformational change that occurs upon substrate binding. Furthermore, mutations to Trp770 have the same general effects on the ATPase activity as mutations to Gly893, indicating that Trp770 is involved in ATPase stimulation. We have also established that this loop does not need to move in order to cleave small, fluorogenic peptides, but does move during the digestion of β‐casein. Finally, we also noted that Lon's ability to digest small peptides can be inhibited by moderate ATP concentrations.DatabaseLon (Endopeptidase La), EC 4.4.21.53Structured digital abstract• hLonP cleaves beta casein by protease assay (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)• hLon and hLon bind by cross-linking study (View interaction)
New unloading compliance correlation for throughwall circumferentially cracked pipe to measure crack growth during fracture tests
Authors: Chattopadhyay J. , Venkatramana W. , Dutta B. K. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTCrack growth is generally measured during fracture experiment of specimen or component. The unloading compliance technique is commonly used for this purpose because of its simplicity. It infers the crack length from unloading compliance of cracked component. The pre‐requisite of this technique is the availability of an equation that correlates crack length with unloading compliance. While such correlations are available for compact tension and three‐point bend specimens, it is not available for big components such as pipe or pipe bend. Development of such a correlation for throughwall circumferentially cracked (TCC) straight pipe under bending, therefore, forms the objective of the present study. However, the challenge to develop such correlation for TCC pipe is that the equation should contain not only crack length as a function but also the current deformation or load level as a parameter. This is attributed to the fact that the circular cross section of the pipe ovalizes during deformation leading to change of bending stiffness of the cracked body. New compliance correlations have been proposed for TCC pipe under bending load considering these complexities. Elastic‐perfectly plastic material behaviour has been assumed to characterize the material stress–strain response. However, it has been shown that error due to this approximation with respect to the actual stress–strain behaviour is negligible if one chooses flow stress equal to average of yield and ultimate strength. The proposed correlations are expressed in terms of normalized parameters to make them independent of specific values of geometric dimensions such as radius, thickness and span length of four‐point bending loading system. Effectiveness of this normalization has also been verified by carrying out a sensitivity study.
In situ light and phosphorus manipulations reveal potential role of biofilm algae in enhancing enzyme‐mediated decomposition of organic matter in streams
Authors: Rier Steven T. , Shirvinski Jonathan M. , Kinek Keith C. 
Published: February 2014

Summary

Biofilms play crucial roles in the carbon and nutrient dynamics of stream ecosystems. Measuring extracellular enzyme activities can reveal universal patterns in C, N and P dynamics at the microbial level and enhance our understanding of how microorganisms influence ecosystem‐level processes.

Because algae may potentially enhance the activities of enzymes produced by heterotrophic microorganisms for degrading allochthonous organic matter, more work is needed to understand how factors that influence biofilm algae could in turn alter activities of these enzymes and how these influences alter the demand for inorganic nutrients.

The purpose of this study was to use extracellular enzymes (alkaline or acid phosphatase, β‐glucosidase, β‐xylosidase, leucine aminopeptidase and phenol oxidase) to examine the response of biofilms to in situ shade and phosphorus manipulations in two streams with contrasting DOC quantity and quality.

Despite the water column nutrient ratios indicating P limitation in both streams, shade had the biggest effect on algal and bacterial biomass.

Enzyme results clearly demonstrated the positive effects of algae on the activities of both hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes in stream biofilms. In most cases, we observed at least a doubling in activities between the shaded and ambient treatments, with P additions indicating enhanced P demand under ambient light. Furthermore, similar phenol oxidase activities between the two streams suggests pH or enzyme inhibitors might have played a role or that a proportion of the measured enzyme activities was directed at the degradation of fine particulate organic matter embedded in the biofilm matrix in addition to water column DOC.

This study provides further evidence that algae might contribute to the degradation of terrestrial organic matter through indirect influences on extracellular enzyme activities and possibly priming.
Rainfall and temperatures changes have confounding impacts on Phytophthora cinnamomi occurrence risk in the southwestern USA under climate change scenarios
Authors: Thompson Sally E. , Levin Simon , Rodriguez‐Iturbe Ignacio 
Published: February 2014

AbstractGlobal change will simultaneously impact many aspects of climate, with the potential to exacerbate the risks posed by plant pathogens to agriculture and the natural environment; yet, most studies that explore climate impacts on plant pathogen ranges consider individual climatic factors separately. In this study, we adopt a stochastic modeling approach to address multiple pathways by which climate can constrain the range of the generalist plant pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc): through changing winter soil temperatures affecting pathogen survival; spring soil temperatures and thus pathogen metabolic rates; and changing spring soil moisture conditions and thus pathogen growth rates through host root systems. We apply this model to the southwestern USA for contemporary and plausible future climate scenarios and evaluate the changes in the potential range of Pc. The results indicate that the plausible range of this pathogen in the southwestern USA extends over approximately 200 000 km2 under contemporary conditions. While warming temperatures as projected by the IPCC A2 and B1 emissions scenarios greatly expand the range over which the pathogen can survive winter, projected reductions in spring rainfall reduce its feasible habitat, leading to spatially complex patterns of changing risk. The study demonstrates that temperature and rainfall changes associated with possible climate futures in the southwestern USA have confounding impacts on the range of Pc, suggesting that projections of future pathogen dynamics and ranges should account for multiple pathways of climate–pathogen interaction.