bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIF1A as a major vascular endothelial growth factor regulator: do its polymorphisms have an association with age‐related macular degeneration?
Authors: Okur Volkan , Cetin Ozan , Cetin Ebru , Tepeli Emre , Bulgu Yunus , Yildirim Cem 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the association between age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) and the polymorphisms of HIF1A, a major vascular epithelial growth factor regulator under hypoxic conditions. The associations of AMD and polymorphisms of genes CFH, SKIV2L and MYRIP were also studied.DesignProspective study.ParticipantsEighty‐seven AMD patients and 80 healthy subjects admitted to the Department of Ophthalmology at Pamukkale University Hospital, Denizli, Turkey, were included: 45 (52%) had wet type AMD, and 42 (48%) had dry type AMD.MethodsPolymorphisms rs1061170 (CFH), rs429608 (SKIV2L), rs2679798 (MYRIP) and both rs11549465 and rs11549467 (HIF1A) were investigated in DNA isolated from peripheral blood samples of the cases and controls by dye‐termination DNA sequencing.Main Outcome MeasuresGenotype distribution of rs1061170 (CFH), rs429608 (SKIV2L), rs2679798 (MYRIP) and both rs11549465 and rs11549467 (HIF1A) in AMD cases and healthy controls; association between genotypes and AMD subtypes.ResultsGiven the significant difference between the mean age of case and control groups (72.13 ± 5.77 vs. 62.80 ± 5.22, respectively) (P = .000), subsequent analyses were adjusted for age. We found that having at least one C allele for polymorphism rs1061170 increases AMD risk independent of age (OR = 2.42, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22–4.81). The ancestral T allele for polymorphism rs1061170 has a protective effect for AMD (OR = 0.53, 95% CI, 0.34–0.83). No statistically significant difference for distributions of other single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) emerged between patients and healthy subjects.ConclusionsNo associations appeared between HIF1A SNPs and AMD, which were studied here for the first time; however, polymorphism rs1061170 of the CFH gene is associated with AMD in our population.
Evaluation of the macular choroidal thickness using spectral optical coherence tomography in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Bayhan Hasan A , Aslan Bayhan Seray , İntepe Yavuz S , Muhafiz Ersin , Gürdal Canan 
Published: July 2014

AbstractBackgroundTo assess the choroidal thickness (CT) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and healthy controls.DesignProspective, cross‐sectional studyParticipantsNinety‐two eyes of 92 patients with OSAS and 32 eyes of 32 aged and body mass index‐matched healthy subjects were enrolled.MethodsOSAS patients were further divided into mild, moderate and severe OSAS groups according to their apnoea hypopnea index (AHI) values. The macular CT and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness measurements of the subjects were obtained using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (RTVue‐100, Optovue). The CT and RNFL thickness measurements of the groups were compared, and correlations among the AHI values and these measurements were calculated.Main Outcome MeasuresChoroidal thickness.ResultsThere were no significant differences in subfoveal and temporal CT measurements of the groups. A pairwise comparison between the groups revealed that severe OSAS group has significantly thinner CT than mild OSAS group at 3.0 mm nasal to the fovea. Also, compared with severe OSAS group, the CT measurements at 1.5 mm and 3.0 mm nasal to the fovea were significantly thicker in control eyes (both, P < 0.05). There were weak negative correlations between the nasal CT measurements and AHI in the OSAS group (nasal 1.5 mm, P = 0.002, r = −0.358; nasal 3.0 mm, P = 0.004, r = −0.336). Compared with controls, severe OSAS group had significantly thinner nasal and superior RNFL thickness measurement.ConclusionsSleep apnoea patients had choroidal structural alterations that may have significance on the pathophysiology of the ophthalmic disorders associated with OSAS.
Improving Environmental and Social Targeting through Adaptive Management in Mexico's Payments for Hydrological Services Program
Authors: SIMS KATHARINE R. E. , ALIX‐GARCIA JENNIFER M. , SHAPIRO‐GARZA ELIZABETH , FINE LEAH R. , RADELOFF VOLKER C. , ARONSON GLEN , CASTILLO SELENE , RAMIREZ‐REYES CARLOS , YAÑEZ‐PAGANS PATRICIA 
Published: July 2014

AbstractNatural resource managers are often expected to achieve both environmental protection and economic development even when there are fundamental trade‐offs between these goals. Adaptive management provides a theoretical structure for program administrators to balance social priorities in the presence of trade‐offs and to improve conservation targeting. We used the case of Mexico's federal Payments for Hydrological Services program (PSAH) to illustrate the importance of adaptive management for improving program targeting. We documented adaptive elements of PSAH and corresponding changes in program eligibility and selection criteria. To evaluate whether these changes resulted in enrollment of lands of high environmental and social priority, we compared the environmental and social characteristics of the areas enrolled in the program with the characteristics of all forested areas in Mexico, all areas eligible for the program, and all areas submitted for application to the program. The program successfully enrolled areas of both high ecological and social priority, and over time, adaptive changes in the program's criteria for eligibility and selection led to increased enrollment of land scoring high on both dimensions. Three factors facilitated adaptive management in Mexico and are likely to be generally important for conservation managers: a supportive political environment, including financial backing and encouragement to experiment from the federal government; availability of relatively good social and environmental data; and active participation in the review process by stakeholders and outside evaluators.Mejorando los Objetivos Ambiental y Social Mediante el Manejo Adaptativo en el Programa de Pagos por Servicios Hidrológicos en México
Clinical usefulness of a short‐type, prototype single‐balloon enteroscope for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with altered gastrointestinal anatomy: Preliminary experiences
Authors: Kawamura Takuji , Uno Koji , Suzuki Azumi , Mandai Koichiro , Nakase Kojiro , Tanaka Kiyohito , Yasuda Kenjiro 
Published: July 2014

Background and AimA limited number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) accessories are compatible with the conventional single‐balloon enteroscope (SBE) because of the latter's dimensions. The aim of the present study was to assess the utility of a prototype SBE that has a shorter working length and a wider channel than the conventional SBE.MethodsERCP procedures carried out between January 2012 and July 2013 using the short SBE prototype were reconstructions such as Billroth II (B‐II), post‐gastrectomy with Roux‐en‐Y (RY‐G), and post‐choledochojejunostomy with Roux‐en‐Y (RY‐CJ). We retrospectively analyzed the rate of reaching the blind end of the intestine, the diagnostic success rate, the interventional success rate, and the frequency of related complications.ResultsTwenty‐seven ERCP procedures on 18 patients analyzed comprised two B‐II, 15 RY‐G, and 10 RY‐CJ reconstructions. With a mean procedure time of 56 min (range 40–150 min), the rate of reaching the blind end, the diagnostic success rate, and the interventional success rate were 24/27 (89%), 20/27 (74%), and 19/27 (70%), respectively. There were no major ERCP‐related complications in any patient.ConclusionsThe prototype short‐type SBE appears safe and effective for use in ERCP, and is compatible with conventional endoscopy accessories.
Neonatal imitation predicts how infants engage with faces
Authors: Paukner Annika , Simpson Elizabeth A. , Ferrari Pier F. , Mrozek Timothy , Suomi Stephen J. 
Published: July 2014

AbstractIn human infants, neonatal imitation and preferences for eyes are both associated with later social and communicative skills, yet the relationship between these abilities remains unexplored. Here we investigated whether neonatal imitation predicts facial viewing patterns in infant rhesus macaques. We first assessed infant macaques for lipsmacking (a core affiliative gesture) and tongue protrusion imitation in the first week of life. When infants were 10–28 days old, we presented them with an animated macaque avatar displaying a still face followed by lipsmacking or tongue protrusion movements. Using eye tracking technology, we found that macaque infants generally looked equally at the eyes and mouth during gesture presentation, but only lipsmacking‐imitators showed significantly more looking at the eyes of the neutral still face. These results suggest that neonatal imitation performance may be an early measure of social attention biases and might potentially facilitate the identification of infants at risk for atypical social development.
Effects of Ranolazine on Noninvasive Coronary Flow Reserve in Patients with Myocardial Ischemia But without Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Tagliamonte Ercole , Rigo Fausto , Cirillo Teresa , Astarita Costantino , Quaranta Gaetano , Marinelli Umberto , Caruso Archimede , Romano Carlo , Capuano Nicola 
Published: July 2014

IntroductionRanolazine reduces the Na‐dependent calcium overload via inhibition of the late sodium current, improving diastolic tone and oxygen handling during myocardial ischemia. In patients with angina, evidence of myocardial ischemia, but no obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), abnormal coronary autoregulation plays a key role. Transthoracic Doppler–derived coronary flow reserve (CFR) is an index of coronary arterial reactivity and decreases in both microvascular dysfunction and coronary artery stenosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of ranolazine on CFR in this group of patient.MethodsFifty‐eight (39M, 19F) patients with angina and evidence of myocardial ischemia, but no obstructive CAD, were enrolled in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Participants were assigned to ranolazine (29) or placebo (29) for 8 weeks (up to 500 mg twice a day). CFR was determined as the ratio of hyperemic, induced by intravenous dypiridamole administration, to baseline diastolic coronary flow velocity. CFR was assessed before and after 8‐week therapy.ResultsCFR was successfully performed in all patients. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics and CFR between ranolazine and placebo group. After 8 weeks CFR significantly increased in ranolazine group (2.54 ± 0.44 vs. 1.91 ± 0.31; P = 0.005) but not in placebo group (1.99 ± 0.32 vs. 1.94 ± 0.29; P = ns). No patient dropped out during 8 weeks therapy. Side effects were similar in both groups.ConclusionsRanolazine is able to improve CFR in these patients. This is probably due to improvement in abnormal coronary autoregulation, both reducing baseline diastolic coronary flow velocity and increasing hyperemic diastolic coronary flow velocity.
The impact of prolonged hyperinsulinaemia on glucose transport in equine skeletal muscle and digital lamellae
Authors: de Laat M. A. , Clement C. K. , Sillence M. N. , McGowan C. M. , Pollitt C. C. , Lacombe V. A. 
Published: July 2014

SummaryReasons for performing studyAn increased incidence of metabolic disease in horses has led to heightened recognition of the pathological consequences of insulin resistance. Laminitis, failure of the weightbearing digital lamellae, is an important consequence. Altered trafficking of specialised glucose transporters (GLUTs), responsible for glucose uptake, is central to the dysregulation of glucose metabolism and may play a role in the pathophysiology of laminitis.ObjectivesWe hypothesised that prolonged hyperinsulinaemia alters the regulation of glucose transport in insulin‐sensitive tissue and digital lamellae. Our objectives were to compare the relative protein expression of major GLUT isoforms in striated muscle and digital lamellae in healthy horses and during marked and moderate hyperinsulinaemia.Study designRandomised, controlled study.MethodsProlonged hyperinsulinaemia and lamellar damage were induced by a prolonged euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp or a prolonged glucose infusion, and results were compared with those of electrolyte‐treated control animals. Protein expression of GLUTs was examined with immunoblotting.ResultsLamellar tissue contained more GLUT1 protein than skeletal muscle (P = 0.002) and less GLUT4 than the heart (P = 0.037). During marked hyperinsulinaemia and acute laminitis (induced by the prolonged euglycaemic–hyperinsulinaemic clamp), GLUT1 protein expression was decreased in skeletal muscle (P = 0.029) but unchanged in the lamellae, while novel GLUTs (8 and 12) were increased in the lamellae (P = 0.03) but not in skeletal muscle. However, moderate hyperinsulinaemia and subclinical laminitis (induced by the prolonged glucose infusion) did not cause differential GLUT protein expression in the lamellae compared with control horses.ConclusionsThe results suggest that lamellar tissue functions independently of insulin and that insulin resistance may not be an essential component of the aetiology of laminitis. Marked differences in GLUT expression exist between insulin‐sensitive and insulin‐independent tissues during metabolic dysfunction in horses. The different expression profiles of novel GLUTs during acute and subclinical laminitis may be important to disease pathophysiology and require further investigation.
Sestrin2 promotes Unc‐51‐like kinase 1 mediated phosphorylation of p62/sequestosome‐1
Authors: Ro Seung‐Hyun , Semple Ian A. , Park Haewon , Park Haeli , Park Hwan‐Woo , Kim Myungjin , Kim Jeong Sig , Lee Jun Hee 
Published: July 2014

Autophagy is a homeostatic process that is important for degrading protein aggregates, nutrient deposits, dysfunctional organelles and several signaling molecules. p62/sequestosome‐1 is a protein that binds to several autophagy substrates, such as ubiquitinated proteins, damaged mitochondria and signaling molecules such as an Nrf2 inhibitor Keap1, promoting their autophagic degradation. Sestrin2, a stress‐inducible protein, has recently been shown to bind to p62 and promote autophagic degradation of such p62 targets. Because Sestrin2 is a metabolic regulator that suppresses diverse age‐ and obesity‐associated pathologies, the autophagy‐controlling function of Sestrin2 may be important for its other physiological functions. However, the molecular mechanism of how Sestrin2 can promote clearance of p62‐associated proteins has been unclear. Here we show that Sestrin2 physically associates with Unc‐51‐like protein kinase 1 (ULK1) and p62 to form a complex in which both Sestrin2 and p62 become phosphorylated by ULK1 at multiple sites. Ser403 of p62, whose phosphorylation is known to promote autophagic degradation of p62 and its targets, is among the sites phosphorylated by ULK1. ULK1‐mediated p62 phosphorylation was facilitated by Sestrin2 in cells as well as in in vitro kinase assays. Consistent with this finding, oligomycin‐induced energy deprivation, which strongly activates ULK1, provoked a robust Ser403 phosphorylation of p62 in wild‐type mouse embryonic fibroblasts. However, in ULK1/2‐ and Sestrin2‐deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts, oligomycin‐induced p62 phosphorylation was dramatically attenuated, suggesting that endogenous Sestrin2‐ULK1/2 mainly mediates p62 phosphorylation in response to energetic stress. Taken together, this study identifies ULK1 as a new p62 Ser403 kinase and establishes Sestrin2 as a promoter of ULK1‐mediated p62 phosphorylation.Structured digital abstract

ULK1 physically interacts with Sestrin2 by pull down (View interaction)
p62 physically interacts with Sestrin2 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (1, 2)
p62 physically interacts with ULK1 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
Sestrin2 physically interacts with p62 and ULK1 by anti bait coip (View interaction)
Sestrin2 physically interacts with ULK1, FIP200 and Atg13 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
p62 physically interacts with ULK1 and Sestrin2 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
ULK1 physically interacts with Sestrin2 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (1, 2, 3)
p62 physically interacts with Sestrin2 by pull down (View interaction)
p62 physically interacts with Sestrin2 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
IgE/antigen‐mediated enhancement of IgE production is a mechanism underlying the exacerbation of airway inflammation and remodelling in mice
Authors: Mizutani Nobuaki , Nabe Takeshi , Yoshino Shin 
Published: July 2014

SummaryIgE is known to enhance some antibody responses to specific antigens, but whether this contributes to allergic asthma remains unclear. We have previously found that repeated antigen challenges in mice sensitized with antigen‐specific IgE monoclonal antibody (mAb) exacerbated airway inflammation and remodelling accompanied by increased levels of endogenous antigen‐specific IgE and IgG1. Here, we investigated whether IgE/antigen‐mediated enhancement of endogenous IgE production contributes to the exacerbation of airway inflammation and remodelling. BALB/c mice passively sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) ‐specific IgE mAb were challenged with OVA intratracheally seven times; anti‐IgE mAb was intraperitoneally administered 1 day before the fourth challenge. Treatment with anti‐IgE mAb inhibited the increased level of endogenous OVA‐specific IgE in serum, but not OVA‐specific IgG1, and a biphasic increase in airway resistance at the fourth challenge. Furthermore, a biphasic increase in airway resistance, airway hyper‐responsiveness to methacholine, OVA‐specific IgE and IgG1 production, and infiltrations by neutrophils and eosinophils in the lungs at the seventh challenge were suppressed by treatment; airway remodelling, such as goblet cell hyperplasia and sub‐epithelial fibrosis, was also reduced. In addition, the production of interleukin‐17A, interleukin‐33 and CXCL1 in the lungs related to these IgE‐mediated responses was decreased by treatment. Collectively, we found that the mechanism leading to the exacerbation of allergic asthma is closely related to IgE/antigen‐mediated enhancement of IgE production, suggesting that this may create a vicious circle leading to the chronic status in asthmatic patients having levels of antigen‐specific IgE ready to form complexes with antigen.
Phase Evolution and Microwave Dielectric Properties of (Bi1−xFex)VO4 (x ≤ 0.40) Ceramics
Authors: Zhou Di , Bin He , Guo Jing , Pang Li‐Xia , Qi Ze‐Ming , Shao Tao , Wang Qiu‐Ping , Yue Zhen‐Xing , Yao Xi 
Published: July 2014

In the present work, (Bi1−xFex)VO4 (x ≤ 0.40) ceramics were prepared using the solid‐state reaction method. All the ceramics could be well densified at sintering temperatures below 800°C. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that monoclinic solid solution was formed within x ≤ 0.08. When x ≥ 0.10, both monoclinic scheelite and FeVO4 phases were detected. The (Bi0.92Fe0.08)VO4 sample sintered at 720°C for 2 h had a permittivity of 57.5 and a Qf value of 15 000 GHz. The IR reflectivity was fitted to study the intrinsic dielectric properties, showing that the majority of the dielectric contribution for this system at microwave region was attributed to the absorptions of structural phonon oscillation in infrared region.
Polarization Response and Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Current of BaTiO3‐based Y5V Ceramic Multilayer Capacitors
Authors: Zhang Xiaohua , Yue Zhenxing , Peng Bin , Xie Zhenkun , Yuan Lixin , Zhang Jie , Li Longtu 
Published: July 2014

Polarization response and thermally stimulated depolarization current (TSDC) of BaTiO3‐based ceramic multilayer capacitors with Y5V specification were studied. The temperature dependence of dielectric behavior shows that as the dc electric field increases, the polarization response in the whole measurement range (from −125°C to +350°C) is suppressed. As the temperature rises to about 250°C, dielectric loss significantly increases and has a dependence on dc electric field, due to the leakage behavior at high temperature. According to the hysteresis loops, the calculated electrostatic energy density and energy efficiency are also closely related to polarization‐electric field. Utilizing a fixed measuring polarization condition, two TSDC relaxation peaks are observed and both are associated with oxygen vacancies. It is demonstrated that the weak peak originates from the in‐grain migration of oxygen vacancies and the strong peak with high relaxation temperature is caused by the across grain‐boundary oxygen vacancies. The activation energy estimated for the relaxation of oxygen vacancies across grain boundaries is about 0.78 eV. The main contribution for the leakage behavior is from the across grain‐boundary relaxation of oxygen vacancies. With increasing of temperature and electric field stress, the extrinsic oxygen vacancy defects show more fluent migration, which eventually leads to the resistance degradation and breakdown.
In Situ Gamma Radiation‐Induced Attenuation in Sapphire Optical Fibers Heated to 1000°C
Authors: Petrie Christian M. , Wilson Brandon , Blue Thomas E. 
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this work was to determine the suitability of using instrumentation utilizing sapphire optical fibers in a high‐temperature gamma radiation environment. In this work, the broadband (500–2200 nm, or 0.56–2.48 eV) optical attenuation of commercially available sapphire optical fibers was monitored in situ during continuous gamma irradiation from room temperature up to 1000°C. The gamma dose rate of the irradiation facility was measured to be 370 rad/h (dose in sapphire). Results show rapid growth of an absorption band centered below 500 nm (the minimum detectable wavelength in this work) and extending as far as ~1000 nm that reached a dynamic equilibrium after approximately 4 h of irradiation at room temperature. Increasing temperature generally reduced the added attenuation, although the added attenuation came to a nonzero equilibrium at temperatures of 1000°C and below. No peaks in the added attenuation were observed above 1000 nm, and the added attenuation at 1300 and 1550 nm remained less than 0.7 dB throughout the entire experiment. Fitting the attenuation spectra to Gaussian functions at each temperature revealed a large absorption band near 3 eV that monotonically decreased both in magnitude and width with increasing temperature. A second smaller band near 1.73 eV monotonically increased in both magnitude and width with increasing temperature, suggesting that some interconversion between defects may be occurring at higher temperatures.