bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Watch the hands: infants can learn to follow gaze by seeing adults manipulate objects
Authors: Deák Gedeon O. , Krasno Anna M. , Triesch Jochen , Lewis Joshua , Sepeta Leigh 
Published: January 2014

AbstractInfants gradually learn to share attention, but it is unknown how they acquire skills such as gaze‐following. Deák and Triesch () suggest that gaze‐following could be acquired if infants learn that adults' gaze direction is likely to be aligned with interesting sights. This hypothesis stipulates that adults tend to look at things that infants find interesting, and that infants could learn by noticing this tendency. We tested the plausibility of this hypothesis through video‐based micro‐behavioral analysis of naturalistic parent–infant play. The results revealed that 3‐ to 11‐month‐old infants strongly preferred watching caregivers handle objects. In addition, when caregivers looked away from their infant they tended to look at their own object‐handling. Finally, when infants looked toward the caregiver while she was looking at her own hands, the infant's next eye movement was often toward the caregiver's object‐handling. In this way infants receive adequate naturalistic input to learn associations between their parent's gaze direction and the locations of interesting sights.
Differential influence of safe versus threatening facial expressions on decision‐making during an inhibitory control task in adolescence and adulthood
Authors: Cohen‐Gilbert J.E. , Killgore W.D.S. , White C.N. , Schwab Z.J. , Crowley D.J. , Covell M.J. , Sneider J.T. , Silveri M.M. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractSocial cognition matures dramatically during adolescence and into early adulthood, supported by continued improvements in inhibitory control. During this time, developmental changes in interpreting and responding to social signals such as facial expressions also occur. In the present study, subjects performed a Go No‐Go task that required them to respond or inhibit responding based on threat or safety cues present in facial expressions. Subjects (N = 112) were divided into three age groups: adolescent (12–15 years), emerging adult (18–25 years) and adult (26–44 years). Analyses revealed a significant improvement in accuracy on No‐Go trials, but not Go trials, during both safe and threat face conditions, with changes evident through early adulthood. In order to better identify the decision‐making processes responsible for these changes in inhibitory control, a drift diffusion model (DDM) was fit to the accuracy and reaction time data, generating measures of caution, response bias, nondecision time (encoding + motor response), and drift rate (face processing efficiency). Caution and nondecision time both increased significantly with age while bias towards the Go response decreased. Drift rate analyses revealed significant age‐related improvements in the ability to map threat faces to a No‐Go response while drift rates on all other trial types were equivalent across age groups. These results suggest that both stimulus‐independent and stimulus‐dependent processes contribute to improvements in inhibitory control in adolescence with processing of negative social cues being specifically impaired by self‐regulatory demands. Findings from this novel investigation of emotional responsiveness integrated with inhibitory control may provide useful insights about healthy development that can be applied to better understand adolescent risk‐taking behavior and the elevated incidence of related forms of psychopathology during this period of life.
Relationship between cognitive dysfunction, gait, and motor impairment in children and adolescents with neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Champion Joel A , Rose Kristy J , Payne Jonathan M , Burns Joshua , North Kathryn N 
Published: January 2014

AimMotor skill impairment and cognitive dysfunction are commonly reported features of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). We characterized and determined the relationship between motor impairment, gait variables, and cognitive function in children and adolescents with NF1.MethodMotor function, gait, and neurocognitive abilities were assessed in 46 children and adolescents with NF1 (26 males, 20 females; age range 7–17y; mean age 11y 1mo, SD 3y 2mo). Tests to establish correlations between neurocognitive, motor, and gait variables were performed.ResultsCompared with normative data, 28/39 of our NF1 cohort demonstrated impaired performance for balance and upper limb coordination and 16/38 for running speed and agility. Gait data revealed a strategy to preserve balance at the expense of velocity, with the unexpected exception of a tendency for reduced base of support. Neurocognitive testing confirmed mean IQ in the low average range (86.0) and deficits in spatial working memory and strategy generation. Significant correlations between a number of neurocognitive measures and motor abilities and gait were identified. The largest associations were between gait width and spatial working memory (r=0.594) and running speed and agility with strategy generation (r=0.549).InterpretationWe have identified a relationship between balance, running speed and agility, gait, and cognition in children with NF1. Findings suggest a shared abnormal neurodevelopmental process underlying some cognitive and motor abilities in NF1. Results are discussed within the context of evidence highlighting abnormal dopamine‐mediated corticostriatal circuitry in NF1.
Signalling pathways in pemphigus vulgaris
Authors: Li Xiaoguang , Ishii Norito , Ohata Chika , Furumura Minao , Hashimoto Takashi 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAcantholysis in pemphigus vulgaris is induced by binding of autoantibodies to desmoglein 3 (Dsg3). The roles of signalling pathways on development of acantholysis have recently been extensively studied. In the study by Sayar et al., recently published in Exp Dermatol, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signalling was activated in both in vivo and in vitro pemphigus vulgaris experimental models. However, while EGFR inhibitors suppressed activity of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) linearly, they suppressed activity of c‐Myc and acantholysis in a non‐linear, V‐shaped relationship. These findings indicated complicated interactions among EGFR, p38MAPK and c‐Myc in pemphigus vulgaris pathology.
Selective hair therapy: bringing science to the fiction
Authors: Vogt Annika , Blume‐Peytavi Ulrike 
Published: January 2014

AbstractInvestigations on carrier‐based drug delivery systems for higher selectivity in hair therapy have clearly evolved from dye release and model studies to highly sophisticated approaches, many of which specifically tackle hair indications and the delivery of hair‐relevant molecules. Here, we group recent hair disease‐oriented work into efforts towards (i) improved delivery of conventional drugs, (ii) delivery of novel drug classes, for example biomolecules and (iii) targeted delivery on the cellular/molecular level. Considering the solid foundation of experimental work, it does not take a large step outside the current box of thinking to follow the idea of using large carriers (>500 nm, unlikely to penetrate as a whole) for follicular penetration, retention and protection of sensitive compounds. Yet, reports on particles <200 nm being internalized by keratinocytes and dendritic cells at sites of barrier disruption (e.g., hair follicles) combined with recent advances in nanodermatology add interesting new facets to the possibilities carrier technologies could offer, for example, unprecedented levels of selectivity. The authors provide thought‐provoking ideas on how smart delivery technologies and advances in our molecular understanding of hair pathophysiology could result in a whole new era of hair therapeutics. As the field still largely remains in preclinical investigation, determined efforts towards production of medical grade material and truly translational work are needed to demonstrate surplus value of carrier systems for clinical applications.
Functional characterization of DnaB helicase and its modulation by single‐stranded DNA binding protein in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Zhang Hua , Zhang Zhuanmei , Yang Jian , He Zheng‐Guo 
Published: January 2014

DnaB is important in the initiation and extension stages of DNA replication. Although DnaB has been studied in many bacterial species, its function in the devastating human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains unclear. In this study, an intein‐deleted form of M. tuberculosis DnaB (MtbDnaB) was cloned, expressed and characterized. MtbDnaB exhibited strong 5′ to 3′ helicase and ATPase activities, suggesting that MtbDnaB is a functional homolog of Escherichia coli DnaB. A physical interaction between MtbSSB (single‐stranded binding protein of M. tuberculosis) and MtbDnaB was further identified in vivo and in vitro. The MtbSSB C‐terminal fragment was found to have a critical function in this interaction. Moreover, the helicase activity of MtbDnaB was stimulated by MtbSSB at low concentrations and inhibited at high concentrations. An MtbSSB mutant with decreased binding affinity for ssDNA can stimulate the helicase activity of MtbDnaB over a wider concentration range than wild‐type MtbSSB. These results suggest that MtbSSB assists in the loading of MtbDnaB on the DNA replication fork in M. tuberculosis.
Structured digital abstract
MtbSSB physically interacts with MtbDnaB by two hybrid (View interaction)MtbDnaB physically interacts with MtbSSB by cross-linking study (View interaction)MtbDnaB binds to MtbSSB by surface plasmon resonance (View interaction)
Interfacial residues of SpcS chaperone affects binding of effector toxin ExoT in Pseudomonas aeruginosa: novel insights from structural and computational studies
Authors: Dey Supratim , Datta Saumen 
Published: January 2014

ExoT belongs to the family of type 3 secretion system (T3SS) effector toxins in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, known to be one of the major virulence determinant toxins that cause chronic and acute infections in immuno‐compromised individuals, burn victims and cystic fibrosis patients. Here, we report the X‐ray crystal structure of the amino terminal fragment of effector toxin ExoT, in complex with full‐length homodimeric chaperone SpcS at 2.1 Å resolution. The full‐length dimeric chaperone SpcS has the conserved α‐β‐β‐β‐α‐β‐β‐α fold of class I chaperones, the characteristic hydrophobic patches for binding effector proteins and a conserved polar cavity at the dimeric interface. The stable crystallized amino terminal fragment of ExoT consists of a chaperone binding domain and a membrane localization domain that wraps around the dimeric chaperone. Site‐directed mutagenesis experiments and a molecular dynamics study complement each other in revealing Asn65, Phe67 and Trp88 as critical dimeric interfacial residues that can strongly influence the effector–chaperone interactions.DatabaseThe atomic coordinates and structure factors of ExoT–SpcS complex (code 4JMF) have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank Japan (PDBj), Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University.
Trade‐offs among agronomic, energetic, and environmental performance characteristics of corn and prairie bioenergy cropping systems
Authors: Jarchow Meghann E. , Liebman Matt , Dhungel Shashi , Dietzel Ranae , Sundberg David , Anex Robert P. , Thompson Michael L. , Chua Teresita 
Published: January 2014

AbstractCellulosic bioenergy production provides opportunities to utilize a range of cropping systems that can enhance the multifunctionality of agricultural landscapes. In a 9‐ha field experiment located on fertile land in Boone County, IA, USA, we directly compared a corn‐soybean rotation harvested for grain, continuous corn harvested for grain and stover, continuous corn harvested for grain and stover with a rye cover crop, newly reconstructed prairie harvested for biomass and fertilized with nitrogen, and unfertilized newly reconstructed prairie harvested for biomass. Comparisons were made using four performance indicators: harvestable yield, net energy balance (NEB), root production, and nutrient balances. We found trade‐offs among systems in terms of the measured performance indicators. Continuous corn systems were the highest yielding, averaging 13 Mg ha−1 of harvested biomass (grain plus stover), whereas fertilized and unfertilized prairies produced the least harvested biomass at 8.8 and 6.5 Mg ha−1, respectively. Mean NEBs were highest in continuous corn systems at 45.1 GJ ha−1, intermediate in the corn‐soybean rotation at 28.6 GJ ha−1, and lowest in fertilized and unfertilized prairies at 11.4 and 10.5 GJ ha−1, respectively. Concomitant with the high yields of the continuous corn systems were the large nutrient requirements of these systems compared to the prairie systems. Continuous corn with rye required three times more nitrogen inputs than fertilized prairie. Root production, on the other hand, was on average seven times greater in the prairie systems than the annual crop systems. On highly fertile soils, corn‐based cropping systems are likely to play an important role in maintaining the high productivity of agricultural landscapes, but alternative cropping systems, such as prairies used for bioenergy production, can produce substantial yield, require minimal externally derived inputs, and can be incorporated into the landscape at strategic locations to maximize the production of other ecosystem services.
Immunohistochemical localization of NALP3 inflammasome in experimental periapical lesions
Authors: Liu S. , Li Q. , Liu Y. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimTo explore the role of NALP3 inflammasome [NALP3, its effector molecule apoptosis associated speck‐like protein (ASC), caspase‐1, interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐18] in the development of periapical lesions in rats.MethodologyPeriapical lesions were developed within 21 days after mandibular first molar pulp exposure in Sprague‐Dawley rats. The animals were randomly sacrificed at 0, 1, 3, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days after pulpal exposure. The bilateral mandibles were extracted for histological processing, then they were haematoxylin‐eosin (HE) stained to examine inflammation infiltration in the apical region and immunohistochemically examined for the NALP3 inflammasome signalling pathway. Data were analysed by one‐way analysis of variance and the Pearson's correlation and linear tendency test.ResultsNALP3 was detected in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts, monocytes, neutrophils, macrophages and vascular endothelial cells in the periapical region. From day 1 to day 21, the number of NALP3‐positive cells ascended and was significantly correlated with the intensity of inflammatory infiltration (r = 0.776, P < 0.01). ASC, caspase‐1, IL‐1β and IL‐18 were all expressed in the inflammatory periapical tissues. The positive cell counts of IL‐1β and IL‐18 were significantly correlated with that of NALP3, and r = 0.718, P < 0.01; r = 0.688, P < 0.01, respectively.ConclusionsNALP3 inflammasome is expressed in the inflammatory periapical tissues. This cytokine‐signalling pathway may therefore be crucial in the regulatory control of inflammatory responses in periapical tissues and the development of periapical lesions.
Fracture resistance and stress distribution of simulated immature teeth after apexification with mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Brito‐Júnior M. , Pereira R. D. , Veríssimo C. , Soares C. J. , Faria‐e‐Silva A. L. , Camilo C. C. , Sousa‐Neto M. D. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effect of adhesive restorations on fracture resistance and stress distribution in teeth with simulated immature apices and apical plugs of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).MethodologySixty bovine incisors were sectioned 8 mm above and 12 mm below the cemento‐enamel junction (CEJ). The root canal was enlarged using a diamond bur, resulting in remaining root canal walls with 0.1–0.2 mm of thickness. A 5‐mm apical plug of MTA was placed and the teeth were restored according to the following groups: GP – the root canal was filled with gutta‐percha and endodontic sealer; CR – the root canal was filled with light‐cured composite resin inserted incrementally; FP – a fibre post was cemented into the root canal; and RFP – the fibre post was relined with composite resin prior to the cementation into the root canal. A load was applied on the crown of all teeth at 135° to their long axis until fracture. Data was analysed by one‐way anova and SNK tests (α = 0.05), whilst the fracture pattern was evaluated according to the position of the fracture. Stress distributions in the restored teeth were verified by finite element analysis.ResultsTeeth restored with fibre posts and relined fibre posts were associated with the highest fracture resistance, whilst the GP group had the lowest values. GP and RC groups had similar fracture resistance values (P = 0.109). All fractures types involved the cervical and middle thirds of roots. The GP model had high levels of stress concentration in the cervical and middle thirds of roots. No difference was found amongst the stress concentration in the RC, FP and RFP models.ConclusionRestorative protocols alter the fracture resistance and stress distribution of immature teeth after placement of MTA apical plugs.
The survival of indirect composite resin onlays for the restoration of root filled teeth: a retrospective medium‐term study
Authors: Chrepa V. , Konstantinidis I. , Kotsakis G. A. , Mitsias M. E. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimTo investigate the outcomes of root filled posterior teeth restored with indirect composite resin onlays using tooth and restoration survival as well as the quality of restoration as outcome measures.MethodologyAll patients were treated by the same clinician with indirect composite onlays for the restoration of root filled posterior teeth between January 2008 and February 2010 in a single clinic setting. Primary root canal treatment was performed and onlays fabricated with the indirect method using indirect composite resin. Patients were seen every 4–6 months for maintenance visits according to standard clinic protocols and each patient's individualized maintenance schedule. Tooth and restoration survival were calculated, and the onlays were evaluated in accordance with the modified US Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria.ResultsThirty‐one premolars and one hundred and fifty‐eight molars (n = 189) of 153 patients were included. The observation period ranged from 24 to 52 months with a median follow‐up time of 37 months. Tooth survival was found to be 100%, whilst the restoration survival was 96.8% and the functional restoration survival 98.9% at the end of the follow‐up period. According to modified USPHS criteria, the A rating had a range of 83.1–100% for all evaluation criteria.ConclusionsOnlay restorations fabricated with indirect resin can be a viable option for the restoration of root filled teeth.
Evaluation of the root canal shaping ability of two rotary nickel–titanium systems
Authors: Al‐Manei K. K. , Al‐Hadlaq S. M. S. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimThe aim was to investigate the canal shaping abilities of the twisted file (TF) and GT series X file (GTX) systems.MethodologySixty mesial root canals of mandibular molars with curvatures of 15–50° were divided randomly into two groups of 30 canals each. The teeth were sectioned horizontally at 3, 6 and 9 mm from the apex. Root canals were prepared with TF and GTX files, respectively, and the shaping abilities of the systems were evaluated at three levels (coronal, middle and apical) based on the comparison of pre‐ and post‐instrumentation photographs using AutoCAD software. Preparation time was also assessed. Data from the two groups were compared statistically using the Student's t‐test.ResultsThere was no significant difference between the rotary systems in terms of change in root canal cross‐sectional area, root canal transportation, centring ability or minimum dentine thickness. Remaining dentine thickness at the coronal and middle levels was similar in the TF and GTX groups, but GTX instruments left significantly less dentine than TF instruments on the mesial aspects of root canals at the apical level. Root canal preparation with TF instruments required significantly less time than with GTX instruments.ConclusionsThe TF and GTX NiTi rotary instruments showed similar shaping abilities, but root canal preparation was more rapid with the TF than with the GTX system.
A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Effects of Yoga With an Active Control on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Individuals With Prehypertension and Stage 1 Hypertension
Authors: Hagins Marshall , Rundle Andrew , Consedine Nathan S. , Khalsa Sat Bir S. 
Published: January 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of yoga with an active control (nonaerobic exercise) in individuals with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension. A randomized clinical trial was performed using two arms: (1) yoga and (2) active control. Primary outcomes were 24‐hour day and night ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Within‐group and between‐group analyses were performed using paired t tests and repeated‐measures analysis of variance (time × group), respectively. Eighty‐four participants enrolled, with 68 participants completing the trial. Within‐group analyses found 24‐hour diastolic, night diastolic, and mean arterial pressure all significantly reduced in the yoga group (−3.93, −4.7, −4.23 mm Hg, respectively) but no significant within‐group changes in the active control group. Direct comparisons of the yoga intervention with the control group found a single blood pressure variable (diastolic night) to be significantly different (P=.038). This study has demonstrated that a yoga intervention can lower blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. Although this study was not adequately powered to show between‐group differences, the size of the yoga‐induced blood pressure reduction appears to justify performing a definitive trial of this intervention to test whether it can provide meaningful therapeutic value for the management of hypertension.
Eliminating the Human Factor in Office Blood Pressure Measurement
Authors: Myers Martin G. 
Published: January 2014

Factors related to the physician/nurse and patient and their interaction are potential sources of error in manual office blood pressure (MOBP). The use of automated sphygmomanometers to record blood pressure (BP) with the patient alone reduces measurement error and minimizes anxiety‐related increases in BP, thus eliminating the “white‐coat” response. Comparative studies have shown the cut‐point for a normal automated office BP (AOBP), awake ambulatory BP, and home BP (<135/85 mmHg) to be similar, providing the patient does not rest for a prolonged period before the first AOBP reading, as recommended for MOBP measurement. AOBP should now replace MOBP in routine clinical practice.
Managerial Agency Costs of Socialistic Internal Capital Markets: Empirical Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Jiwei , Ye Kangtao 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis study provides empirical evidence of managerial agency costs in socialistic internal capital markets. Listed Chinese companies are required to disclose the amount of resources that are reallocated to other firms of the parent company, which provides us with a direct measure of the socialistic subsidization of weak member firms by strong member firms within a business group. We hypothesize that in strong member firms, managerial compensation is less sensitive to firm performance because cross‐subsidization makes it difficult for group CEOs to hold the managers in strong firms accountable for their own firms' performance, and also increases the noise in performance measures. We also hypothesize that socialistic cross‐subsidization results in an increase in managerial agency costs of strong member firms due to the low pay‐performance sensitivity and low incentive to work hard. We document empirical results that are consistent with these two predictions.