bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of favorable effects of Rho kinase inhibition on myocardial remodeling and systolic function after experimental myocardial infarction in the rat
Authors: Mera Claudia , Godoy Iván , Ramírez Renato , Moya Jackeline , Ocaranza María Paz , Jalil Jorge E. 
Published: October 2015

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the molecular mechanisms by which cardiac Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) activation after myocardial infarction (MI) does intervene in cardiac systolic function decline and remodeling. Methods: Simultaneous measurement of different cardiac ROCK target proteins levels, in vivo left ventricular (LV) systolic function, myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy in rats with MI under ROCK inhibition with fasudil. Results: Seven days after MI, the ventricular mass increased significantly by 5.6% in the MI group and was reduced with fasudil. LV systolic dysfunction improved significantly with fasudil whereas cardiac ROCK activation was reduced to sham levels. The ROCK inhibitor also reduced increased cardiac levels of both ROCK1 and ROCK2 isoforms, cardiomyocyte ROCK2 fluorescence levels and β-myosin heavy chain (MHC) levels in addition to myocardial collagen volume fraction decline. Compared with sham rats, troponin phosphorylation levels after MI were similar and ROCK inhibition reduced them. MI significantly increased phosphorylation levels of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 42 and ERK 44 by twofold and 63%, respectively, whereas in the fasudil-treated MI group these levels were similar to those in the sham group. MI significantly increased phosphorylated levels of the transcription factor GATA-4 and the ROCK inhibitor normalized them. Conclusions: LV systolic dysfunction after MI was strongly associated with cardiac ROCK activation and subsequent phosphorylation of ROCK target proteins that promote ventricular remodeling such as β-MHC and the ERK/GATA-4 pathway. ROCK inhibition with fasudil significantly improved systolic function, diminished myocardial fibrosis and normalized β-MHC and ERK/GATA-4 phosphorylation levels.
IFN-γ-mediated hematopoietic cell destruction in murine models of immune-mediated bone marrow failure
Authors: Chen Jichun , Feng Xingmin , Desierto Marie J. , Keyvanfar Keyvan , Young Neal S. 
Published: October 2015

Key PointsIFN-γ reduces functional HSCs and augments Fas expression and Fas-mediated apoptosis in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Disruption of the IFN-γ/IFN-γ-receptor 1 signaling axis by targeted gene deletion significantly attenuates immune-mediated BM failure.
Aspirin as a potential treatment in sepsis or acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Toner Philip , McAuley Danny Francis , Shyamsundar Murali 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSepsis is a common condition that is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and health-care cost. Pulmonary and non-pulmonary sepsis are common causes of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The mortality from ARDS remains high despite protective lung ventilation, and currently there are no specific pharmacotherapies to treat sepsis or ARDS. Sepsis and ARDS are characterised by activation of the inflammatory cascade. Although there is much focus on the study of the dysregulated inflammation and its suppression, the associated activation of the haemostatic system has been largely ignored until recently. There has been extensive interest in the role that platelet activation can have in the inflammatory response through induction, aggregation and activation of leucocytes and other platelets. Aspirin can modulate multiple pathogenic mechanisms implicated in the development of multiple organ dysfunction in sepsis and ARDS. This review will discuss the role of the platelet, the mechanisms of action of aspirin in sepsis and ARDS, and aspirin as a potential therapy in treating sepsis and ARDS.
The LRR receptor Islr2 is required for retinal axon routing at the vertebrate optic chiasm
Authors: Panza Paolo , Sitko Austen A. , Maischein Hans-Martin , Koch Iris , Flötenmeyer Matthias , Wright Gavin J. , Mandai Kenji , Mason Carol A. , Söllner Christian 
Published: October 2015

Abstract

Background
In the visual system of most binocular vertebrates, the axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) diverge at the diencephalic midline and extend to targets on both ipsi- and contralateral sides of the brain. While a molecular mechanism explaining ipsilateral guidance decisions has been characterized, less is known of how RGC axons cross the midline.

Results
Here, we took advantage of the zebrafish, in which all RGC axons project contralaterally at the optic chiasm, to characterize Islr2 as an RGC receptor required for complete retinal axon midline crossing. We used a systematic extracellular protein-protein interaction screening assay to identify two Vasorin paralogs, Vasna and Vasnb, as specific Islr2 ligands. Antibodies against Vasna and Vasnb reveal cellular populations surrounding the retinal axon pathway, suggesting the involvement of these proteins in guidance decisions made by axons of the optic nerve. Specifically, Vasnb marks the membranes of a cellular barricade located anteriorly to the optic chiasm, a structure termed the “glial knot” in higher vertebrates. Loss of function mutations in either vasorin paralog, individually or combined, however, do not exhibit an overt retinal axon projection phenotype, suggesting that additional midline factors, acting either independently or redundantly, compensate for their loss. Analysis of Islr2 knockout mice supports a scenario in which Islr2 controls the coherence of RGC axons through the ventral midline and optic tract.

Conclusions
Although stereotypic guidance of RGC axons at the vertebrate optic chiasm is controlled by multiple, redundant mechanisms, and despite the differences in ventral diencephalic tissue architecture, we identify a novel role for the LRR receptor Islr2 in ensuring proper axon navigation at the optic chiasm of both zebrafish and mouse.
In vitrostrain in human metacarpal bones during striking: testing the pugilism hypothesis of hominin hand evolution
Authors: Horns Joshua , Jung Rebekah , Carrier David R. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTThe hands of hominins (i.e. bipedal apes) are distinguished by skeletal proportions that are known to enhance manual dexterity but also allow the formation of a clenched fist. Because male–male physical competition is important in the mating systems of most species of great apes, including humans, we tested the hypothesis that a clenched fist protects the metacarpal bones from injury by reducing the level of strain during striking. We used cadaver arms to measure in vitro strain in metacarpals during forward strikes with buttressed and unbuttressed fist postures and during side slaps with an open palm. If the protective buttressing hypothesis is correct, the clenched fist posture should substantially reduce strain in the metacarpal bones during striking and therefore reduce the risk of fracture. Recorded strains were significantly higher in strikes in which the hand was secured in unbuttressed and slapping postures than in the fully buttressed posture. Our results suggest that humans can safely strike with 55% more force with a fully buttressed fist than with an unbuttressed fist and with twofold more force with a buttressed fist than with an open-hand slap. Thus, the evolutionary significance of the proportions of the hominin hand may be that these are the proportions that improved manual dexterity while at the same time making it possible for the hand to be used as a club during fighting.
Fish embryos on land: terrestrial embryo deposition lowers oxygen uptake without altering growth or survival in the amphibious fishKryptolebias marmoratus
Authors: Wells Michael W. , Turko Andy J. , Wright Patricia A. 
Published: October 2015

ABSTRACTFew teleost fishes incubate embryos out of water, but the oxygen-rich terrestrial environment could provide advantages for early growth and development. We tested the hypothesis that embryonic oxygen uptake is limited in aquatic environments relative to air using the self-fertilizing amphibious mangrove rivulus, Kryptolebias marmoratus, which typically inhabits hypoxic, water-filled crab burrows. We found that adult mangrove rivulus released twice as many embryos in terrestrial versus aquatic environments and that air-reared embryos had accelerated developmental rates. Surprisingly, air-reared embryos consumed 44% less oxygen and possessed larger yolk reserves, but attained the same mass, length and chorion thickness. Water-reared embryos moved their opercula ∼2.5 more times per minute compared with air-reared embryos at 7 days post-release, which probably contributed to the higher rates of oxygen uptake and yolk utilization we observed. Genetically identical air- and water-reared embryos from the same parent were raised to maturity, but the embryonic environment did not affect growth, reproduction or emersion ability in adults. Therefore, although aspects of early development were plastic, these early differences were not sustained into adulthood. Kryptolebias marmoratus embryos hatched out of water when exposed to aerial hypoxia. We conclude that exposure to a terrestrial environment reduces the energetic costs of development partly by reducing the necessity of embryonic movements to dispel stagnant boundary layers. Terrestrial incubation of young would be especially beneficial to amphibious fishes that occupy aquatic habitats of poor water quality, assuming low terrestrial predation and desiccation risks.
Heterogeneity in Women’s Adherence and Its Role in Optimal Breast Cancer Screening Policies
Authors: Ayer Turgay , Alagoz Oguzhan , Stout Natasha K. , Burnside Elizabeth S. 
Published: October 2015

Most major health institutions recommend women to undergo repeat mammography screening for early diagnosis of breast cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. Although the proportion of women who ever had a mammogram is increasing, a majority of women do not get repeat mammograms. This paper analyzes the role of heterogeneity in women’s adherence on optimal mammography screening recommendations. We develop a dynamic modeling framework that considers imperfect and heterogeneous adherence to screening recommendations. We carefully calibrate our model and solve it using real data. Unlike the existing breast cancer screening guidelines, our results suggest that adherence and heterogeneity in women’s adherence behaviors should be explicitly considered. In particular, we find that when screening strategies are optimized assuming average adherence for everyone, the effect on patients with already low adherence would be relatively small, but patients with high adherence would be adversely affected. Considering imperfect and heterogeneous adherence in the population, our model suggests (1) given the current low adherence rates, an aggressive screening policy such as annual screening between the ages of 40 and 79 should be promoted to the general population; (2) screening strategies may be adjusted in clinical practice based on women’s adherence, and screening intervals can be extended to two years for women with a history of high adherence; and (3) if the screening patterns change in the long run and most regular screeners adopt the most recent U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines, then improving overall mammography adherence in society becomes more critical. This paper was accepted by Rakesh Sarin, decision analysis.
SEM And EDS Analysis Of Nitinol Surfaces Treated By Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation
Authors: Rokosz K. , Hryniewicz T. , Dudek Ł. , Malorny W. 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
In the paper, the surface layers formed on nickel-titanium alloy during Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO), known also as Micro Arc Oxidation (MAO), are described. The mixture of phosphoric acid and copper nitrate as the electrolyte for all plasma electrochemical processes was used. Nitinol biomaterial was used for the studies. All the experiments were performed under the voltage of 450 V and current density of 0.3 A/dm2. The main purpose of the studies was to achieve the highest amount of copper in the surface layer versus amount of the copper nitrate in phosphoric acid. The highest copper concentration was found in the surface layer after the PEO treatment in the electrolyte consisting of 150g Cu(NO3)2 in 0.5 dm3 H3PO4. The worst results, in case of the amount of copper in the NiTi surface layer, were recorded after oxidizing in the solution with 5 g Cu(NO3)2.
Migration strategy predicts stopover ecology in shorebirds on the northern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Henkel Jessica Renee , Taylor Caz M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTwenty-eight species of migratory shorebirds rely
on the coastlines of the northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) to
fuel migrations to near-arctic breeding grounds. Shorebird
species vary in their migration ecology: some species
use a “jump” strategy, migrating long distances without
stopping, while others use “skip” and “hop” strategies,
stopping to refuel at shorter intervals along their journey.
We compared stopover duration, body condition (fat
scores and size-adjusted mass), and refueling rates
(plasma metabolite concentrations), in three Calidrid
sandpiper species (Calidris pusilla, C. mauri, and C. alpina)
that differ in migration strategy after leaving the NGOM
during spring. Results indicate that, while birds refueled
at similar rates, C. alpina, an intermediate distance jump
migrant, reached higher fuel stores before departing on
migration than the hop and skip migrants, C. pusilla and
C. mauri. C. alpina also spent more time on the NGOM
than the other two species. Results suggest that NGOM
habitats may be particularly important for migration
success in C. alpina. This knowledge will help us predict
the potential population level consequences of habitat
loss due to global change on NGOM shorebird populations
and develop conservation plans to mitigate these impacts.
Precipitation as a factor triggering landslide activity in the Kamień massif (Beskid Niski Mts, Western Carpathians)
Authors: Papciak Tomasz , Malik Ireneusz , Krzemień Kazimierz , Wistuba Małgorzata , Gorczyca Elżbieta , Wrońska-Wałach Dominika , Sobucki Mateusz 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
On the landslide slope in the Beskid Niski Mts (Western Carpathians) 48 silver firs were cored for dendrochronological samples. Tree-ring widths were measured for the upslope and downslope sides of each stem. Events of landslide activity were dated using the method of the eccentricity index. The tree-ring record of landsliding was compared with the occurrence of precipitation in the study area. The nature of the relation between precipitation and landsliding is complex. We have found a statistically significant correlation between landsliding and the number of days with 24-hour precipitation totals above 20 mm and high 3-, 5-, and 10-day precipitation totals during winter half-years. Thus landsliding in the Kamień massif is triggered mainly by high precipitation totals in the preceding winter period. No such relation was found for annual precipitation totals and different types of precipitation totals in the summer period. Single landsliding events related to high summer precipitation totals were found, but the correlation is not statistically significant. In addition some landsliding events are 1–2 years lagged after the occurrence of high long-term precipitation totals. It seems that the strongest landsliding events resulted from sequences of wet summer, wet winter and once again wet summer seasons directly following one another.
The origin of sandstone boulder aprons along the escarpments of the Stołowe Mountains: are they all rockfall-derived? A new insight into an old problem using the CONEFALL 1.0 software
Authors: Duszyński Filip , Migoń Piotr , Strzelecki Mateusz Czesław 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
A characteristic feature of sandstone-capped escarpments in the Stołowe Mountains is the occurrence of extensive boulder mantles which extend from the rock face to the footslope over distances of 300–500 m. The hypothesis implying rockfall as the process of boulder release from the rock face and subsequent transport is tested by means of Conefall 1.0 software, designed to simulate run-out zones of rockfalls. The actual extent of boulder mantles is much larger than the simulated extent, which casts doubt on the applicability of rockfall scenario. Alternative hypotheses are briefly discussed and it is concluded that a similar morphological effect can be achieved by in situ caprock disintegration and sub-caprock slope lowering and retreat.
Investigation of low amyloid level toxicity effects
on the function of hippocampal neurons
Authors: Popugaeva Elena , Pchitskaya Ekaterina , Zhang Hua , Vlasova Olga , Bezprozvanny Ilya 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is responsible for the
majority of elderly dementia cases. There are multiple
mouse models of AD, however, none of them completely
recapitulate human pathology. Moreover, it is even more
difficult to imitate the onset of the disease in experimental
models. In the current study we analyzed the influence of
low amyloid level toxicity on the function of hippocampal
neurons. Our assay is based on use of synthetic oligomeric
amyloid beta peptides. These peptides were added to
primary hippocampal cultures at a physiological nanomolar
range to mimic early AD. Calcium imaging was used to
evaluate the functionality of the assay. A low amyloid level
toxicity assay could be useful for fundamental research as
well as for testing newly developed AD drugs.
Genetic structure of the cisco (Coregonus albula L.)
from lakes of glacial origin in northern Poland
Authors: Kirczuk L. , Rymaszewska A. , Czerniawski R. , Pilecka-Rapacz M. , Domagała J. 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
European cisco (Coregonus albula L.) is one of the
most precious species of the European lake ichtyofauna,
however, due to progressive eutrophication of water,
the range of its occurrence has decreased. Deteriorating
ecological conditions are the main cause of this decline
in population, and most of the existing populations in
lakes are maintained thanks to reintroduction. Thus, it
is important to determine the genetic structure of the
European cisco. The study involved PCR-RFLP-based
genetic analysis of C. albula caught in 15 lakes in northern
Poland, including four lakes located in national parks.
The analysis covered 3 genes located in the mitochondrial
DNA: ND1, ND3/4 and cytochrome b, as well as a control
region (D-loop). The PCR product was digested with
4 endonucleases (RsaI, MspI, BsuI and HhaI) and the
resulting haplotypes were grouped into combinations.
Statistical analysis were then performed on these
groups. Based on the genetic distance, a phenogram was
constructed in which two groups could be distinguished.
One group was represented by C. albula populations from
most lakes in north-western Poland, including the three
protected lakes. The other group consisted of the European
cisco population from Lake Wigry (north-eastern Poland)
and commercially exploited lakes from the southern part
of the investigated north-western Poland area. The results
of the study of C. albula from northern Poland present a
valuable molecular characterization of the populations
and can be a starting point for further genetic monitoring.
Myristoylated p110α Causes Embryonic Death
Due to Developmental and Vascular Defects
Authors: Sheen Mee Rie , Warner Sandra L. , Fields Jennifer L. , Conejo-Garcia Jose R. , Fiering Steven 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)
signaling pathway regulates many important cellular
functions. The functional impact of deregulating the
PIK3CA gene, encoding the p110α catalytic subunit of
PI3K, is validated by frequent gain of function mutations
in a range of human cancers. We generated a mouse
model with an inducible constitutively active form of
PI3K. In this model Cre recombinase activates expression
of a myristoylated form of p110α (myr-p110α). The
myristoylated version of p110α brings the protein to the
cytoplasmic side of the cell membrane, which mimics
the normal activation mechanism for the p110α catalytic
subunit and activates the PI3K enzyme. Constitutively
activated PI3K signaling induced by myr-p110α in all cells
of the developing mouse caused lethality during embryonic
development. Transgenic Cre;myr-p110α heterozygous
embryos displayed morphological malformation and
poor vascular development with extremely dilated
blood vessels and hemorrhage in the embryo and the
extraembryonic yolk sac. Previous studies demonstrated
that loss of p110α during embryonic development causes
angiogenic disruption and here we show that constitutive
activation of p110α by gain of function mutation during
development also disrupts vasculogenesis/angiogenesis
in what appears to be a similar manner. These finding
demonstrate the importance of tight regulation of PI3K
signaling during embryonic vasculogenesis/angiogenesis.
Vernacular architecture and traditional rural landscape in new socio-economic realities - a case study from Central Poland
Authors: Gorączko Marcin , Gorączko Aleksandra 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
The article presents the results of the research survey of the old rural constructions in the Koło Basin (Central Poland) and its closest vicinity, conducted by the authors in the period 2011-2013. From the beginning of the 19th century until the late 1960s, the population of that region tended to use for construction limestone, instead of wood which for centuries was the most common building material on Polish lowlands. Using the local deposits of limestone, excavated near Rożaniatow village, various structures were built, with the parts of the building most endangered by degradation made of ceramic bricks (for corners and window/door frames) or glacial erratics (for wall base), thereby forming structures with specific architectural and aesthetic features, unique to that region. The survey was conducted in 165 villages of the region, cataloguing more than 2,000 such structures - residential buildings, farm facilities, industrial buildings. Many of these buildings display a similar elevation style of same-coloured stones, making them one of the most specific elements of the landscape.
The analysed area, just like the majority of rural Poland, is currently undergoing socio-economic changes which started in the 1990s and intensified after Poland joined the European Union. Changes in production profiles and farm sizes, migration of rural population to cities or countries of Western and Northern Europe, and progress of suburbanization are some of the main factors which trigger significant changes in the settlement network of the country. This is the right moment to assess whether the traditional solutions applied in the rural construction of the Koło Basin are worth modern application or whether they are only an element of cultural heritage valuable just from the historical perspective.