bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lactation‐induced reduction in hippocampal neurogenesis is reversed by repeated stress exposure
Authors: Hillerer Katharina M. , Neumann Inga D. , Couillard‐Despres Sebastien , Aigner Ludwig , Slattery David A. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThe peripartum period is a time of high susceptibility for mood and anxiety disorders, some of which have recently been associated with alterations in hippocampal neurogenesis. Several factors including stress, aging, and, perhaps unexpectedly, lactation have been shown to decrease hippocampal neurogenesis. Intriguingly, lactation is also a time of reduced stress responsivity suggesting that the effect of stress on neurogenic processes may differ during this period. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of repeated stress during lactation [2 h restraint stress from lactation day (LD) 2 to LD13] on brain weight, hippocampal volume, cell proliferation and survival, and on neuronal and astroglial differentiation. In addition to confirming the known lactation‐associated decrease in cell proliferation and survival, we could reveal that stress reversed the lactation‐induced decrease in cell proliferation, while it did not affect survival of newly born cells, nor the number of mature neurons , nor did it alter immature neuron production or the number of astroglial cells in lactation. Stress exposure increased relative brain weight and hippocampal volume mirroring the observed changes in neurogenesis. Interestingly, hippocampal volume and relative brain weight were lower in lactation as compared to nulliparous females under nonstressed conditions. This study assessed the effect of stress during lactation on hippocampal neurogenesis and indicates that stress interferes with important peripartum adaptations at the level of the hippocampus. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Past and Future Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy Studies at the Convergence Point between Biology and Materials Research
Authors: Goobes Gil 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMany cellular events involve attachment of proteins to the surfaces of rigid or semi‐rigid solid materials, such as the inorganic materials in the extracellular matrix of hard tissue, and the macromolecular scaffolds made of actin and tubulin filaments in the cytoskeleton. Understanding these processes on a fundamental level will have far‐reaching repercussions for the design of biomaterials, biomedical research, and biomineralization. Numerous studies have reported structural changes experienced by proteins as they adhere to surfaces, yet there are only a few examples in which detailed views of protein conformation and alignment on surfaces were measured. Modern multidimensional solid‐state NMR spectroscopy is timely situated to unveil molecular details of these processes and shed light on many fundamental questions related to recognition of surfaces by biomolecules. Targeting these questions is currently at the focal point of many research fields and can lead to insights and breakthroughs in biotechnology and in biomimetic material design.
Molecular Sensing Using Hyperpolarized Xenon NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Palaniappan Krishnan K. , Francis Matthew B. , Pines Alexander , Wemmer David E. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractMolecular imaging is the determination of the spatial location and concentration of specific molecules in a sample of interest. Sophisticated modern magnetic resonance imaging machines can collect NMR spectra from small‐volume elements within a sample, enabling local chemical analysis. However, abundant water and fat signals limit detection of metabolites to near mM concentrations. Alternatively, targeted relaxation contrast agents enhance the relaxation of the strong water signal where they bind. A comparison of images with and without a contrast agent shows the target distribution, but high µM concentrations are needed. We have developed an approach that exploits the strong signals of hyperpolarized 129Xe (an inert reporter introduced for imaging). The imaging contrast agents are composed of a biological recognition motif to localize the agent (antibodies or aptamers) and covalently tethered cryptophane cages. Xenon binds to the cryptophane and though chemical exchange saturation transfer creates contrast in a xenon image. Imaging agents can deliver many cages per target, giving detection limits in the pM concentration range. The evolution and principles of this approach are described herein.
Fish multigeneration test with preliminary short‐term reproduction assay for estrone using Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Authors: Nakamura Ataru , Tamura Ikumi , Takanobu Hitomi , Yamamuro Masumi , Iguchi Taisen , Tatarazako Norihisa 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThe most potent chemicals potentially causing adverse effects on fish species are estrogens in human waste. Sewage is a source of these estrogens and it is difficult to reduce. In particular, although the bioactivity of estrone is estimated to be about half of that of estradiol, multiple studies report that more than 100 ng l–1 of estrone can be detected in urban rivers, including discharges from sewage treatment works; approximately two times as high as estradiol. Few studies have been conducted to investigate the long‐term effects of estrone on wildlife; therefore, we conducted fish multigeneration test using Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Medaka were exposed to estrone for 27 weeks across three generations in environmentally relevant concentrations, being 5.74, 11.4, 24.0, 47.1 and 91.4 ng l–1. No effects on reproduction were observed in the first generation; however, a decline in egg production and fertility was observed in the second generation exposed to 91.4 ng l–1 estrone, which is lower than some known environmental concentrations in urban environments. Furthermore, histopathological abnormalities were observed in the third generation exposed to both 47.1 and 91.4 ng l–1, suggesting that estrone possibly exerts severe effects on the third or later generations. However, appearances of testis–ova were observed in the second and third generation they were not consistent with actual effects on reproduction, notwithstanding the testis‐ova is regarded as the key evidence for endocrine disruption. Accordingly, we consider that qualitative measurement of abnormalities using histopathological observations is required for appropriate evaluation of endocrine disruption. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ephrin B2/EphB4 Mediates the Actions of IGF-I Signaling in Regulating Endochondral Bone Formation
Authors: Wang Yongmei , Menendez Alicia , Fong Chak , ElAlieh Hashem Z , Chang Wenhan , Bikle Daniel D 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACT

Ephrin B2/EphB4 mediates interactions among osteoblasts (OBs), osteoclasts (OCLs), and chondrocytes to regulate their differentiation. We investigated the role of ephrin B2/EphB4 signaling in mediating the anabolic effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) on those cells and overall endochondral bone formation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the expression of ephrin B2 in OBs, OCLs, and osteocytes, and the expression of EphB4 in OBs and osteocytes was dramatically decreased in global IGF-I knockout mice. Inactivation of EphB4 by EphB4 small, interfering RNA (siRNA) in cultured bone marrow stromal cells significantly decreased the mRNA levels of OB differentiation markers and abolished the stimulatory effects of IGF-I on these markers. Blocking the interaction of EphB4 and ephrin B2 in the OB-OCL cocultures with the EphB4 specific peptide TNYL-RAW or deletion of ephrin B2 in OCL prior to coculture led to fewer and smaller tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells, decreased expression of OB differentiation markers, and blunted response to IGF-I for both OCL and OB differentiation. In the growth plate, both ephrin B2 and EphB4 are expressed in late stage proliferating and prehypertrophic chondrocytes, and their expression was decreased in mice lacking the IGF-I receptor specifically in chondrocytes. In vitro, blocking the interaction of EphB4 and ephrin B2 in chondrogenic ATDC5 cells with TNYL-RAW significantly decreased both basal and IGF1-induced expression of type II and type X collagen. In the cocultures of ATDC5 cells and spleen cells (osteoclast precursors), TNYL-RAW decreased the numbers of TRAP-positive cells and the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) and receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK), and blocked their stimulation by IGF-I. Our data indicate that IGF-I/IGF-IR signaling promotes OB, OCL, and chondrocyte differentiation via ephrin B2/EphB4 mediated cell-cell communication. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
ROCK‐2 Is Associated With Focal Adhesion Maturation During Myoblast Migration
Authors: Goetsch K.P. , Snyman C. , Myburgh K.H. , Niesler C.U. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTSatellite cell migration is critical for skeletal muscle growth and regeneration. Controlled cell migration is dependent on the formation of mature focal adhesions between the cell and the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM). These cell–ECM interactions trigger the activation of signalling events such as the Rho/ROCK pathway. We have previously identified a specific role for ROCK‐2 during myoblast migration. In this study we report that ROCK inhibition with Y‐27632 increases C2C12 myoblast velocity, but at the expense of directional migration. In response to Y‐27632 an increased number of smaller focal adhesions were distributed across adhesion sites that in turn were clearly larger than sites in untreated cells, suggesting a reduction in focal adhesion maturation. We also confirm ROCK‐2 localisation to the focal adhesion sites in migrating myoblasts and demonstrate a change in the distribution of these ROCK‐2 containing adhesions in response to Y‐27632. Taken together, our observations provide further proof that ROCK‐2 regulates directional myoblast migration through focal adhesion formation and maturation. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1299–1307, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regulatory Roles of miRNA in the Human Neural Stem Cell Transformation to Glioma Stem Cells
Authors: Liu Shuang , Yin Feng , Zhang Jianning , Wicha Max S. , Chang Alfred E. , Fan Wenhong , Chen Ling , Fan Ming , Li Qiao 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTTo investigate the expressional alternation of microRNAs (miRNA) during the malignant transformation and development of human glioma, we measured miRNA expression profile as well as mRNA expression profile in normal human neural stem cells (hNSCs) and human glioma stem cells (hGSCs). We found 116 miRNA up‐regulated and 62 miRNA down‐regulated in GSCs. On the other hand, we identified 1,372 mRNA down‐regulated, and 1,501 mRNA up‐regulated in GSCs compared to those in NSCs. We then analyzed the pathways and the predicted target genes of the miRNAs which differ significantly in expression between GSCs and NSCs using the statistical enrichment methods. These target mRNAs are involved in many cancer‐related signaling pathways, such as cell cycle, axon guidance, glioma development, adhesion junction, MAPK and Wnt signaling. Furthermore, we obtained the differently expressed miRNA‐target relationships according to the θ value which is used to calculate the regulation extent of miRNA‐target and using the databases of miRanda, Targetscans and Pictar. Among the top 10 miRNA‐target relationships, hsa‐miR‐198 and its potential targeted gene DCX and NNAT were selected for validation, and NNAT was found to be the direct target of miR‐198. Finally, the functional roles of miR‐155–5p and miR‐124–3p whose expressions altered significantly between GSCs and NSCs were addressed. Our results provide new clues for the potential mechanisms involved in the origin and development of glioma. Clinically, the altered miRNAs may serve as potential targets and diagnostic tools for novel therapeutic strategies of glioblastoma. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1368–1380, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Computer assisted surgery, preoperative planning and navigation for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Abe Yuta , Itano Osamu , Kitago Minoru , Shinoda Masahiro , Yagi Hiroshi , Hibi Taizo , Takano Kiminori , Chiba Naokazu , Kawachi Shigeyuki , Shimazu Motohide , Kitagawa Yuko 
Published: February 2014

Abstract Currently, the best treatment for locally advanced pancreatic cancer is considered to be safe and effective surgery, followed by appropriate additional therapies implemented as quickly as possible. The use of diagnostic imaging to assist surgery is being researched in a range of institutions. This report introduces the results of a study into the optimized contrast conditions for computed tomography (CT)‐volume rendering image generation, effective in providing image support for pancreatic surgery, and introduces actual cases in which imaging support was used in surgery. The authors demonstrated that the conventional contrast protocols used in making a diagnosis are not necessarily the optimum protocols for image creation. It is thought that the use of image‐supported surgery will improve the safety and effectiveness of pancreatic surgery.
Experimental evidence for the effects of task repetitiveness on mental strain and objective work performance
Authors: Häusser Jan Alexander , Schulz‐Hardt Stefan , Schultze Thomas , Tomaschek Anne , Mojzisch Andreas 
Published: February 2014

SummaryPeople frequently have to work in high repetitive jobs. Previous research has focused exclusively on the effects of task repetitiveness on well‐being, while neglecting effects on work performance. In the present study, we aimed to fill this void by conducting two workplace simulations with experimental manipulations of task repetitiveness. Participants worked for about 5 hours at either a computer workstation, compiling computer hardware packages according to customer requests (Experiment 1, N = 160), or at an assembly line, piecing together equipment sets for furniture (Experiment 2, N = 213). Both experiments provide consistent evidence that high repetitiveness has a detrimental effect on well‐being, whereas work performance increases under conditions of high repetitiveness. On a practical level, our study hence shows that high task repetitiveness is a double‐edged sword for both employees and organizations. On a conceptual level, our findings emphasize the necessity to account for both mental strain and work performance when examining the effects of task repetitiveness. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Southern Hemisphere winter cyclone activity under recent and future climate conditions in multi‐model AOGCM simulations
Authors: Grieger J. , Leckebusch G.C. , Donat M.G. , Schuster M. , Ulbrich U. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTThis article investigates extratropical winter cyclone activity in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) in a multi‐model ensemble (MME) of coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation model (AOGCM) simulations of recent and potential future climate conditions. Most individual models and also the ensemble mean yield good reproductions of the typical cyclone characteristics found in reanalysis data, although some individual models show peculiarities, and a large inter‐model spread in terms of quantity of identified cyclone tracks is found. We use a scaling approach to combine the cyclone statistics from different models into a MME. In the future climate simulations, the total number of SH cyclones is reduced, whereas an increased number of strong cyclones is found in most models and in the ensemble mean. The long term trend with respect to all cyclones is a robust feature throughout the simulations. It is associated with a general poleward shift, shown to be related to both tropical upper tropospheric warming and shifting meridional sea surface temperature gradients in the Southern Ocean. The magnitude of increased strong cyclone activity has a focus on the Eastern Hemisphere. It is clearly influenced by natural variability and thus depends on specific time periods considered.
Utilization of climate information and soil moisture estimates to provide monthly and sub‐monthly streamflow forecasts
Authors: Wang Hui , Fu Xiang 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTStreamflow forecasts at monthly and sub‐monthly time scales, e.g. 10‐day period, are critical for making decisions to allocate water for different users and mitigate possible flooding. Adaptive forecasting of 10‐day streamflow is still challenging, although persistence prediction models sometimes have good performance when streamflow has strong lag‐correlation. This study proposes a scheme of proving monthly and sub‐monthly flow forecasts at the beginning of the month and updating sub‐monthly forecasts subsequently. It examines a principal component regression method to provide monthly average streamflow and sub‐monthly, e.g. 10‐day, average streamflow forecasts, utilizing gridded precipitation forecasts from climate models and soil moisture estimates from hydrological models. Monthly streamflow forecasts are first obtained. It is then disaggregated to 10‐day streamflow based on historical observations using a nonparametric approach. The disaggregated 10‐day streamflow forecasts are further improved by incorporating streamflow and soil moisture estimates in the previous 10 days. Hence, sub‐monthly flow can be improved adaptively. The proposed approach is demonstrated for monthly and sub‐monthly streamflow forecasts in July at the Yangtze River, the largest river in China. The correlation between monthly streamflow forecasts and observation is 0.46 in leave‐one‐out cross‐validation mode. Updated sub‐monthly streamflow shows better skill than disaggregated sub‐monthly forecasts. To examine the impact of the accuracy of monthly streamflow forecasts on disaggregated 10‐day streamflow, synthetic streamflow time series of different level of forecasting skills were examined. Results show that the higher skill of synthetic monthly streamflow forecasts, the lower forecasts error. The value of soil moisture estimates in proving streamflow forecasts is also examined.
Regional changes of climate extremes over Australia – a comparison of regional dynamical downscaling and global climate model simulations
Authors: Perkins Sarah E. , Moise Aurel , Whetton Penny , Katzfey Jack 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTDynamically downscaled simulations are an attractive source of information for those requiring greater regional detail than what Global Climate Models (GCMs) can provide. However, an important question is whether the information derived from downscaled simulations is plausible. Some recent studies have attempted to answer this question using an ‘added value’ framework. This study takes an alternate approach by comparing projectedchangesof climate extremes from Regionally Dynamically Downscaled Model (RDM) ensembles to the hostGCMensemble over the Australian continent. Bias‐corrected sea‐surface temperatures (SSTs) from five Coupled Model Inter‐comparison Program Phase 3 (CMIP3)GCMsare used to force two different configurations of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Conformal Cubic Atmosphere Model (CCAM), run at 60 km. For each member of the twoCCAMensembles and eachGCMensemble member, a selection of extreme events and their changes were calculated for minimum temperature, maximum temperature and precipitation for the climate of the 20th century (20c3m; 1980–1999) andA2(2081–2100) simulations. We find thatCCAMshows finer spatial detail in the current distribution of extremes and also the projected climate change signal thanGCMs. While the projected change in extreme temperatures has a similar pattern inCCAMcompared to the hostGCMs, the projected changes in rainfall are not only more spatially detailed but also different at the large scale. This, however, does not infer that climate change signal inCCAMis necessarily more or less physically plausible than theGCMs. In order to ascertain the plausibility and usefulness ofRDMsimulations, we strongly encourage a critical assessment of the required simulations before their use in adaptation and impacts planning, which includes a comparison to similar simulations from the hostGCM(s).
Hydrological links in Southeastern South America: soil moisture memory and coupling within a hot spot
Authors: Ruscica R. C. , Sörensson A. A. , Menéndez C. G. 
Published: February 2014

ABSTRACTSoutheastern South America has been identified as a hot spot of soil moisture and evapotranspiration coupling efficiency during austral summer in a previous study. Here, hydrological processes such as coupling and memory of soil moisture, evapotranspiration and precipitation and the links between these variables are discussed on the daily time scale over this region. The correlations between surface variables, rainfall persistence and soil moisture memory are discussed over three subregions selected on basis of their coupling efficiency and mean daily intensity of precipitation. The relationship between surface climate and land cover is qualitatively assessed. The memory, or statistical persistence, is longer and has a more robust spatial pattern for the root zone than for the top soil moisture. Where the coupling efficiency between soil moisture and evapotranspiration is high, the evapotranspiration is regulated by soil moisture conditions independently on the intensity of precipitation, whereas in a region with low coupling efficiency and high intensity, the evapotranspiration is regulated by the atmosphere. The coupling efficiency is in general related to the memory of the root‐zone layer, since the soil state is modified when the soil moisture and the atmosphere interact, resulting in an anticorrelation between these metrics. The persistence of rainfall is another factor that modulates the memory. Nevertheless, there are some areas around the La Plata River where both the coupling efficiency and the memory are relatively high, such as Uruguay and the northeast of Argentina, where an improvement of soil moisture initial conditions could improve predictability of surface variables on a monthly timescale.
Isolated limb infusion with melphalan and actinomycin D for melanoma: A systematic review
Authors: Kroon Hidde M. , Huismans Anna M. , Kam Peter C.A. , Thompson John F. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractIsolated limb infusion (ILI) was developed as a simplified and minimally invasive alternative to isolated limb perfusion (ILP) to treat unresectable limb melanoma. A number of centers around the world have reported their results using this procedure. In this study a systematic review of reported ILI experiences was undertaken. A literature search was conducted according to the guidelines for systematic reviews in order to select eligible papers reporting limb toxicity and response rates following ILI using melphalan and actinomycin D to treat limb melanoma. A total of 576 patients from seven publications were included. Regional toxicity following ILI was low: no visible effect of the treatment or slight erythema or edema was observed in 79% of the patients, while considerable erythema and/or edema with blistering was experienced by 19%. In 2% there was a threatened or actual compartment syndrome. No procedure‐related amputation was reported. Complete response occurred in 33% of the patients and partial response in 40%, an overall response rate of 73%. Stable disease and progressive disease were achieved in 14% and 13% of the patients, respectively. This first systematic review of ILI procedures using melphalan and actinomycin D indicates that regional toxicity was generally low, with satisfactory response rates. When comparing ILI and ILP, it must be borne in mind that ILI is often performed in significantly older patients and in patients with higher stages of disease, which decreases the likelihood of a favorable response. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:348–351. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.