bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
α-Lipoic acid enhances endogenous peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γ to ameliorate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice
Authors: Wang Kai-Chen , Tsai Ching-Piao , Lee Chao-Lin , Chen Shao-Yuan , Lin Gu-Jiun , Yen Mao-Hsiung , Sytwu Huey-Kang , Chen Shyi-Jou 
Published: April 2013

ALA (α-lipoic acid) is a natural, endogenous antioxidant that acts as a PPAR-γ (peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γ) agonist to counteract oxidative stress. Thus far, the antioxidative and immunomodulatory effects of ALA on EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis) are not well understood. In this study, we found that ALA restricts the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the CNS (central nervous system) in MOG (myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein)-EAE mice, thus reducing the disease severity. In addition, we revealed that ALA significantly suppresses the number and percentage of encephalitogenic Th1 and Th17 cells and increases splenic Treg-cells (regulatory T-cells). Strikingly, we further demonstrated that ALA induces endogenous PPAR-γ centrally and peripherally but has no effect on HO-1 (haem oxygenase 1). Together, these data suggest that ALA can up-regulate endogenous systemic and central PPAR-γ and enhance systemic Treg-cells to inhibit the inflammatory response and ameliorate MOG-EAE. In conclusion, our data provide the first evidence that ALA can augment the production of PPAR-γ in vivo and modulate adaptive immunity both centrally and peripherally in EAE and may reveal further antioxidative and immunomodulatory mechanisms for the application of ALA in human MS (multiple sclerosis).
Implications of the spectroscopic abundances in α Centauri A and B
Authors: Hinkel Natalie R. , Kane Stephen R. 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Regardless of their close proximity, abundance measurements for both stars in α Centauri by different groups have led to varying results. We have chosen to combine the abundance ratios from five similar data sets in order to reduce systematic effects that may have caused inconsistencies. With these collated relative abundance measurements, we find that the α Cen system and the Sun were likely formed from the same material, despite the [Fe/H] enrichment observed in the α Cen binaries: 0.28 and 0.31 dex, respectively. Both α Centauri A and B exhibit relative abundance ratios that are generally solar, with the mean at 0.002 and 0.03 dex, respectively. The refractory elements (condensation temperature ≳ 900 K) in each have a mean of −0.02 and 0.01 dex and a 1σ uncertainty of 0.09 and 0.11 dex, respectively. Given the trends seen when analysing the refractory abundances [X/Fe] with condensation temperature, we find it possible that α Centauri A may host a yet undiscovered planet.
Indices of Paraspinal Muscles Degeneration
Authors: Kalichman Leonid , Klindukhov Alexander , Li Ling , Linov Lina 
Published: April 2013

Study Design:
A reliability and cross-sectional observational study.

Objective:
To introduce a scoring system for visible fat infiltration in paraspinal muscles; to evaluate intertester and intratester reliability of this system and its relationship with indices of muscle density; to evaluate the association between indices of paraspinal muscle degeneration and facet joint osteoarthritis.

Summary of Background Data:
Current evidence suggests that the paraspinal muscles degeneration is associated with low back pain, facet joint osteoarthritis, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative disc disease. However, the evaluation of paraspinal muscles on computed tomography is not radiological routine, probably because of absence of simple and reliable indices of paraspinal degeneration.

Methods:
One hundred fifty consecutive computed tomography scans of the lower back (N=75) or abdomen (N=75) were evaluated. Mean radiographic density (in Hounsfield units) and SD of the density of multifidus and erector spinae were evaluated at the L4–L5 spinal level. A new index of muscle degeneration, radiographic density ratio=muscle density/SD of density, was calculated. To evaluate the visible fat infiltration in paraspinal muscles, we proposed a 3-graded scoring system. The prevalence of facet joint osteoarthritis was also evaluated. Intraclass correlation and κ statistics were used to evaluate inter-rater and intra-rater reliability. Logistic regression examined the association between paraspinal muscle indices and facet joint osteoarthritis.

Results:
Intra-rater reliability for fat infiltration score (κ) ranged between 0.87 and 0.92; inter-rater reliability between 0.70 and 0.81. Intra-rater reliability (intraclass correlation) for mean density of paraspinal muscles ranged between 0.96 and 0.99, inter-rater reliability between 0.95 and 0.99; SD intra-rater reliability ranged between 0.82 and 0.91, inter-rater reliability between 0.80 and 0.89. Significant associations (P<0.01) were found between facet joint osteoarthritis, fat infiltration score, and radiographic density ratio.

Conclusions:
Two suggested indices of paraspinal muscle degeneration showed excellent reliability and were significantly associated with facet joint osteoarthritis. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the associations with other spinal degeneration features and low back pain.
Retrospective Study of Anterior Interbody Fusion Rates and Patient Outcomes of Using Mineralized Collagen and Bone Marrow Aspirate in Multilevel Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery
Authors: Hostin Richard , O’Brien Michael , McCarthy Ian , Bess Shay , Gupta Munish , Klineberg Eric 
Published: April 2013

Design:
Retrospective, single-center analysis of multilevel anterior fusion rates and health-related quality-of-life outcomes of mineralized collagen and bone marrow aspirate (BMA) in anterior interbody fusion cages for spine fusion surgery.

Objective:
To determine the ability and effectiveness of mineralized collagen and BMA to achieve multilevel anterior spinal fusion in adult spinal deformity patients when placed in carbon fiber reinforced polymer cages.

Summary of Background Data:
High rates of postoperative pain and nonunion can result from spine fusion procedures. Factors that affect the success of fusion include patient comorbidities, position of implant, and mechanical and biological deficiencies, as well as the choice of bone graft replacement.

Methods:
Analysis of radiographic images and health-related quality-of-life outcomes was performed for a consecutive series of 22 prospectively enrolled adult spinal deformity patients with 104 total anterior fusion levels. Fusions were graded by 3 blinded surgeons not involved in the operative procedure; each fusion was graded on a 1–4 scale based on fusion mass appearance. Levels with an average fusion grade of 1–2.4 were classified as fused; levels with an average grade >2.5 were classified as not fused.

Results:
The mean patient age was 51.5 years (range, 38–61) with 21 females. A total of 95% of anterior operative levels were graded as fused based on flexion/extension and full-length biplane radiographs at 1 year. Computed tomography grading showed a reduced fusion rate at 87% overall. There was a statistically significant improvement in the Oswestry Disability Index and Scoliosis Research Society 22-item questionnaire scores at 1 and 2 years after index surgery.

Conclusions:
Fusion rates in multilevel anterior spinal fusion using mineralized collagen and BMA are relatively low compared with fusion rates of 95% or more reported in the existing literature on long fusions with bone morphogenetic protein.
Molecular polymorphism and linkage analysis in sweet passion fruit, an outcrossing species
Authors: Pereira G.S. , Nunes E.S. , Laperuta L.D.C. , Braga M.F. , Penha H.A. , Diniz A.L. , Munhoz C.F. , Gazaffi R. , Garcia A.A.F. , Vieira M.L.C. 
Published: April 2013

AbstractOne of the current challenges of tropical fruit crop improvement is to incorporate molecular marker‐based approaches into conventional breeding programmes. This study was designed to build an integrated genetic map of the sweet passion fruit (Passiflora alata), a diploid (2n = 18) outcrossing species which is greatly appreciated forin naturaconsumption, and reported to inspire cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies to create plant‐derived compounds. With this in mind, a full‐sib family of 180 individuals was genotyped using different molecular marker types, such as amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP), microsatellite‐AFLP (M‐AFLP), simple sequence repeats (SSR), resistance gene analogues (RGA) and target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP). On average, the rate of polymorphism between the parental genotypes was 20.3%. We also searched for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in someAFLPbands and in seven gene fragments, and found oneSNPevery 87 bp. AllSNPswere biallelic and occurred most frequently in putative gene fragments (81.5%) rather than inAFLPbands (60.0%) analyzed. Excellent gel profiles were obtained allowing the recognition of all types of segregation expected for a progeny of an outcrossing species. Multipoint linkage analysis was performed usingOneMapsoftware, with logarithm of the odds (LOD) score ≥ 5.6 and recombination fraction <0.5. The resulting integrated map consists of 549 markers, 2.0% of which fit a segregation ratio of 1:1:1:1, 1.3% a ratio of 1:2:1, 27.3% a ratio of 3:1 and 69.4% a ratio of 1:1. The map spanned a total of 2073.0 cM, with an average distance between adjacent markers of 3.8 cM. This is the first linkage study on sweet passion fruit and should prove useful for quantitative trait loci mapping.
Angiogenesis and Collagen Type IV Expression in Different Endothelial Cell Culture Systems
Authors: Bahramsoltani M. , Slosarek I. , De Spiegelaere W. , Plendl J. 
Published: April 2013

SummaryIn vitro angiogenesis assays constitute an important tool for studying the mechanisms of angiogenesis and for identification of pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic substances. Therefore, endothelial cell and media systems used for in vitro angiogenesis assays are required to mimic the angiogenic process in vivo including endothelial capability to express collagen type IV as a component of the basement membrane. In this study, the expression of collagen type IV and its α chains (α1‐6) was investigated in different endothelial cell culture systems in vitro qualitatively and quantitatively. These systems included four different batches of microvascular endothelial cells derived from the human skin, heart and lung, from which only two batches were found to be angiogenic and two batches were classified as non‐angiogenic. Distribution of the transcripts of the α chains of collagen type IV was similar in all cell and media systems investigated. However, secretion and deposition of a stable extracellular network of collagen type IV could only be observed in the angiogenic cultures. In conclusion, the consecutive steps of the angiogenic cascade in vivo as well as in vitro depend on an increasing secretion and subsequent extracellular deposition of collagen type IV.
Young people's participation in Fiji: Merits, challenges and the way forward
Authors: Vakaoti Patrick 
Published: April 2013

AbstractYoung people's participation is central to the attainment of meaningful governance systems. In Fiji, this is a challenge as the traditional view of young people's participation is restricted to that of ‘service’ and the precarious political environment restricting free expression. Despite these concerns, young people's participation and expression appear to be thriving in hybridised forms. This paper draws from conversations with a group of ‘active’ young people and discusses the merits and challenges of their participation in Fiji. As a nation, Fiji is at the threshold of a new socio‐political era, where young people are expected to play a significant role. This discussion offers an understanding of young people's participation in Fiji and draws attention to how they can be meaningfully supported as active citizens in the process of national development.
Of mice, men, and King Tut: autosomal recessive Klippel–Feil syndrome is caused by mutations in MEOX1
Authors: Rosti RO 
Published: April 2013

Mutations in MEOX1, encoding mesenchyme homeobox 1, cause Klippel‐Feil anomaly.Jawahir et al. (2013)The American Journal of Human Genetics 92: 157–161
External negative electric potential accelerates exocytosis of lamellar bodies in human skin ex vivo
Authors: Kumamoto Junichi , Goto Makiko , Denda Sumiko , Nakatani Masashi , Takasugi Yuya , Tsuchiya Katsunori , Shimizu Yuji , Takatsuru Yusuke , Denda Mitsuhiro 
Published: April 2013

AbstractExocytosis of lamellar bodies at the uppermost nucleated layer of the epidermis is a crucial process for epidermal permeability barrier homoeostasis. We have previously suggested that skin surface electric potential might be associated with barrier homoeostasis. Thus, we hypothesized that the potential might drive exocytosis of lamellar bodies. In this study, we tested this idea by applying negative electric potential (−0.5 V) to human skin samples ex vivo for 2 h and observing the ultrastructure of the uppermost layer. The secretion of lamellar bodies was accelerated in the potential‐applied skin, compared to that in untreated control skin. Multiphoton observation indicated that extracellular lipid domains were more extensive in treated skin than in control skin. Moreover, the calcium ion gradient was greater at the uppermost layer of the epidermis of treated skin, compared to that in control skin. These results indicate that electric potential may regulate lamellar body secretion in healthy human skin.
Migrate or evolve: options for plant pathogens under climate change
Authors: Chakraborty Sukumar 
Published: April 2013

AbstractFindings on climate change influence on plant pathogens are often inconsistent and context dependent. Knowledge of pathogens affecting agricultural crops and natural plant communities remains fragmented along disciplinary lines. By broadening the perspective beyond agriculture, this review integrates cross‐disciplinary knowledge to show that at scales relevant to climate change, accelerated evolution and changing geographic distribution will be the main implications for pathogens. New races may evolve rapidly under elevated temperature and CO2, as evolutionary forces act on massive pathogen populations boosted by a combination of increased fecundity and infection cycles under favourable microclimate within enlarged canopy. Changing geographic distribution will bring together diverse lineages/genotypes that do not share common ecological niche, potentially increasing pathogen diversity. However, the uncertainty of model predictions and a lack of synthesis of fragmented knowledge remain as major deficiencies in knowledge. The review contends that the failure to consider scale and human intervention through new technology are major sources of uncertainty. Recognizing that improved biophysical models alone will not reduce uncertainty, it proposes a generic framework to increase focus and outlines ways to integrate biophysical elements and technology change with human intervention scenarios to minimize uncertainty. To synthesize knowledge of pathogen biology and life history, the review borrows the concept of ‘fitness’ from population biology as a comprehensive measure of pathogen strengths and vulnerabilities, and explores the implications of pathogen mode of nutrition to fitness and its interactions with plants suffering chronic abiotic stress under climate change. Current and future disease management options can then be judged for their ability to impair pathogenic and saprophytic fitness. The review pinpoints improving confidence in model prediction by minimizing uncertainty, developing management strategies to reduce overall pathogen fitness, and finding new sources of data to trawl for climate signatures on pathogens as important challenges for future research.
The temporal response to drought in a Mediterranean evergreen tree: comparing a regional precipitation gradient and a throughfall exclusion experiment
Authors: Martin‐StPaul Nicolas K. , Limousin Jean‐Marc , Vogt‐Schilb Hélène , Rodríguez‐Calcerrada Jesus , Rambal Serge , Longepierre Damien , Misson Laurent 
Published: April 2013

AbstractLike many midlatitude ecosystems, Mediterranean forests will suffer longer and more intense droughts with the ongoing climate change. The responses to drought in long‐lived trees differ depending on the time scale considered, and short‐term responses are currently better understood than longer term acclimation. We assessed the temporal changes in trees facing a chronic reduction in water availability by comparing leaf‐scale physiological traits, branch‐scale hydraulic traits, and stand‐scale biomass partitioning in the evergreenQuercus ilexacross a regional precipitation gradient (long‐term changes) and in a partial throughfall exclusion experiment (TEE, medium term changes). At the leaf scale, gas exchange, mass per unit area and nitrogen concentration showed homeostatic responses to drought as they did not change among the sites of the precipitation gradient or in the experimental treatments of theTEE. A similar homeostatic response was observed for the xylem vulnerability to cavitation at the branch scale. In contrast, the ratio of leaf area over sapwood area (LA/SA) in young branches exhibited a transient response to drought because it decreased in response to theTEEthe first 4 years of treatment, but did not change among the sites of the gradient. At the stand scale, leaf area index (LAI) decreased, and the ratios of stem SA toLAIand of fine root area toLAIboth increased in trees subjected to throughfall exclusion and from the wettest to the driest site of the gradient. Taken together, these results suggest that acclimation to chronic drought in long‐livedQ. ilexis mediated by changes in hydraulic allometry that shift progressively from low (branch) to high (stand) organizational levels, and act to maintain the leaf water potential within the range of xylem hydraulic function and leaf photosynthetic assimilation.
Texas Roundtable on: The Future of Graduate Business School Education
Authors: Sandefer Jeff , Gilligan Tom , Dewan Rajiv , Petty Bill , Naples Ron , Martin John , Chew Don 
Published: April 2013

A small group of academics and practitioners discuss the challenges now facing today's business schools. First and foremost is the challenge now being mounted by “online” courses to the traditional methods of classroom lecture and discussion, supplemented in some cases by apprenticeships and other kinds of “experiential” learning. How will traditional universities burdened with high and rising fixed costs for buildings and faculty compete with very low‐cost competitors—programs that reportedly have enabled star lecturers to reach audiences that, in some cases, have exceeded 100,000 students?In assessing the seriousness of the challenge, the panelists start by attempting to articulate what is valuable in current business school education—valuable enough to enable the best business schools to command as much as $175,000 for two‐year (or shorter) programs that confer MBAs. Much of the discussion focuses on establishing the relative importance of the disciplines, or body of knowledge, that are taught in business schools, as compared to the development of “collaborative” habits and interpersonal skills aimed at enabling students to make more effective use of their knowledge within large organizations. Some of the panelists, notably Jeff Sandefer, founder of the (now ten‐year old) Acton School of Business, argue that far too much of today's business school curriculum is devoted to the classroom and conventional learning. And many of the changes in the top business schools during the past decade appear to reflect Sandefer's charges. But, to the extent there is a consensus among the other panelists, it is that the best business schools will continue to try to accomplish both of these goals, though with varying degrees of effectiveness, while most schools attempt to maintain their specialized capabilities, and carve out distinctive niches based on them. For some schools, such specialization is likely to mean continued emphasis on theory and classroom learning—though almost certainly with more attention to practical application and collaborative decision‐making. For other schools, the main focus will continue to be the development of general management and leadership skills.
Corporate Governance and Value: Evidence from “Close Calls” On Shareholder Governance Proposals
Authors: Cuñat Vicente , Gine Mireia , Guadalupe Maria 
Published: April 2013

The authors summarize the findings of their recent study of the effects of specific corporate governance provisions on firm value. Using a sample of governance provisions that were subjected to shareholder votes during the period 1997–2011, this study analyzes cases in which shareholder‐sponsored corporate governance proposals were either rejected or passed by a small margin (no more than 5% of the vote). By so doing, this study helps correct two limitations of the existing governance literature: (1) that the effects of expected governance changes are already incorporated in share prices (the “expectations” problem); and (2) that governance policies are often a consequence rather than a cause of other variables such as corporate performance and are thus correlated with many other firm characteristics (the “endogeneity” problem).The authors' findings show that expected improvements in corporate governance through the adoption of particular corporate governance provisions—particularly the removal of anti‐takeover provisions—is associated with both positive abnormal stock returns and improvements in long‐term firm operating performance. The authors estimate that the adoption of such governance proposals increases shareholder value by 2.6%, on average. Moreover, these returns are consistent with, and thus accurate predictors of, future changes in corporate investment (reductions of capital spending, in most cases) and improvements in operating performance.
Neuropeptide Y in black seabream Acanthopagrus schlegelii: identification, distribution and mRNA expression responses to ghrelin
Authors: Ma X. L. , Zheng L. W. , Mao L. T. , Zhou L. B. , Wang A. L. 
Published: April 2013

The coding region of neuropeptide Y (NPY) complementary (c)DNA was cloned from the hypothalamus RNA of black seabream Acanthopagrus schlegelii, including 297 bp coding for prepro‐NPY of 98 amino acids. Real‐time reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine A. schlegelii npy gene expression; NPY messenger RNA (mRNA) was expressed highly in the brain and stomach. Treatment with acylated ghrelin significantly up‐regulated NPY mRNA level in the hypothalamus, suggesting that NPY may be involved in regulating food intake of A. schlegelii.