bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 signaling and homer in oxygen glucose deprivation-mediated astrocyte apoptosis
Authors: Paquet Maryse , Ribeiro Fabiola M , Guadagno Jennifer , Esseltine Jessica L , Ferguson Stephen SG , Cregan Sean P 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Background
Group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) are coupled via Gαq/11 to the activation of phospholipase Cβ, which hydrolyzes membrane phospholipids to form inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate and diacylglycerol. In addition to functioning as neurotransmitter receptors to modulate synaptic activity, pathological mGluR5 signaling has been implicated in a number of disease processes including Fragile X, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, epilepsy, and drug addiction. The expression of mGluR5 in astrocytes has been shown to be increased in several acute and chronic neurodegenerative conditions, but little is known about the functional relevance of mGluR5 up-regulation in astrocytes following injury.

Results
In the current study, we investigated primary mouse cortical astrocyte cell death in response to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) and found that OGD induced both necrotic and apoptotic cell death of astrocytes. OGD resulted in an increase in astrocytic mGluR5 protein expression, inositol phosphate formation and extracellular regulated kinase (ERK1/2) phosphorylation, but only inositol phosphate formation was blocked with the mGluR5 selective antagonist MPEP. Cortical astrocytes derived from mGluR5 knockout mice exhibited resistance to OGD-stimulated apoptosis, but a lack of mGluR5 expression did not confer protection against necrotic cell death. The antagonism of the inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor also reduced apoptotic cell death in wild-type astrocytes, but did not provide any additional protection to astrocytes derived from mGluR5 null mice. Moreover, the disruption of Homer protein interactions with mGluR5 also reduced astrocyte apoptosis.

Conclusion
Taken together these observations indicated that mGluR5 up-regulation contributed selectively to the apoptosis of astrocytes via the activation of phospholipase C and the release of calcium from intracellular stores as well as via the association with Homer proteins.
Gyrification, cortical and subcortical morphometry in neurofibromatosis type 1: an uneven profile of developmental abnormalities
Authors: Violante Inês R , Ribeiro Maria J , Silva Eduardo D , Castelo-Branco Miguel 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundNeurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a monogenic disorder associated with cognitive impairments. In order to understand how mutations in theNF1gene impact brain structure it is essential to characterize in detail the brain structural abnormalities in patients with NF1. Previous studies have reported contradictory findings and have focused only on volumetric measurements. Here, we investigated the volumes of subcortical structures and the composite dimensions of the cortex through analysis of cortical volume, cortical thickness, cortical surface area and gyrification.MethodsWe studied 14 children with NF1 and 14 typically developing children matched for age, gender, IQ and right/left-handedness. Regional subcortical volumes and cortical gyral measurements were obtained using the FreeSurfer software. Between-group differences were evaluated while controlling for the increase in total intracranial volume observed in NF1.ResultsSubcortical analysis revealed disproportionately larger thalami, right caudate and middle corpus callosum in patients with NF1. Cortical analyses on volume, thickness and surface area were however not indicative of significant alterations in patients. Interestingly, patients with NF1 had significantly lower gyrification indices than typically developing children primarily in the frontal and temporal lobes, but also affecting the insula, cingulate cortex, parietal and occipital regions.ConclusionsThe neuroanatomic abnormalities observed were localized to specific brain regions, indicating that particular areas might constitute selective targets forNF1gene mutations. Furthermore, the lower gyrification indices were accompanied by a disproportionate increase in brain size without the corresponding increase in folding in patients with NF1. Taken together these findings suggest that specific neurodevelopmental processes, such as gyrification, are more vulnerable toNF1dysfunction than others. The identified changes in brain organization are consistent with the patterns of cognitive dysfunction in the NF1 phenotype.
Cellular and extracellular matrix changes in anterior cruciate ligaments during human knee aging and osteoarthritis
Authors: Hasegawa Akihiko , Nakahara Hiroyuki , Kinoshita Mitsuo , Asahara Hiroshi , Koziol James , Lotz Martin K 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Introduction
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) degeneration is observed in most osteoarthritis (OA)-affected knee joints. However, the specific spatial and temporal relations of these changes and their association with extracellular matrix (ECM) degeneration are not well understood. The objective of this study was to characterize the patterns and relations of aging-related and OA-associated changes in ACL cells and the ECM.

Methods
Human knee joints from 80 donors (age 23 through 94) were obtained at autopsy. ACL degeneration was assessed histologically by using a quantitative scoring system. Tissue sections were analyzed for cell density, cell organization, ECM components, ECM-degrading enzymes and markers of differentiation, proliferation, and stem cells.

Results
Total cell number in normal ACL decreased with aging but increased in degenerated ACL, because of the formation of perivascular cell aggregates and islands of chondrocyte-like cells. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3, and -13 expression was reduced in aging ACL but increased in degenerated ACL, mainly in the chondrocyte-like cells. Collagen I was expressed throughout normal and degenerated ACL. Collagen II and X were detected only in the areas with chondroid metaplasia, which also expressed collagen III. Sox9, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and scleraxis expression was increased in the chondrocyte-like cells in degenerated ACL. Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of myofibroblasts and the progenitor cell marker STRO-1, decreased with aging in normal ACL. In degenerated ACL, the new cell aggregates were positive for α-SMA and STRO-1.

Conclusions
ACL aging is characterized by reduced cell density and activation. In contrast, ACL degeneration is associated with cell recruitment or proliferation, including progenitor cells or myofibroblasts. Abnormally differentiated chondrocyte-like cell aggregates in degenerated ACL produce abnormal ECM and may predispose to mechanical failure.
SOAPfuse: an algorithm for identifying fusion transcripts from paired-end RNA-Seq data
Authors: Jia Wenlong , Qiu Kunlong , He Minghui , Song Pengfei , Zhou Quan , Zhou Feng , Yu Yuan , Zhu Dandan , Nickerson Michael L , Wan Shengqing , Liao Xiangke , Zhu Xiaoqian , Peng Shaoliang , Li Yingrui , Wang Jun , Guo Guangwu 
Published: February 2013

AbstractWe have developed a new method, SOAPfuse, to identify fusion transcripts from paired-end RNA-Seq data. SOAPfuse applies an improved partial exhaustion algorithm to construct a library of fusion junction sequences, which can be used to efficiently identify fusion events, and employs a series of filters to nominate high-confidence fusion transcripts. Compared with other released tools, SOAPfuse achieves higher detection efficiency and consumed less computing resources. We applied SOAPfuse to RNA-Seq data from two bladder cancer cell lines, and confirmed 15 fusion transcripts, including several novel events common to both cell lines. SOAPfuse is available at http://soap.genomics.org.cn/soapfuse.html.
Immunoenhancing therapy with interleukin-18 against bacterial infection in immunocompromised hosts after severe surgical stress
Authors: Kinoshita Manabu , Miyazaki Hiromi , Ono Satoshi , Seki Shuhji 
Published: February 2013

AbstractReview on the biological consequences of IL-18 injections on cellular, humoral, and neutrophil-mediated immunity against bacterial infections, even in the immunocompromised hosts.IL-18 has a potential to up-regulate the Th1 and Th2 immune responses. It is known that IL-18, in synergy with IL-12, augments the Th1 response to bacterial infections, but it also augments the Th2 response to allergic disorders in the absence of IL-12. Although the Th1 and Th2 immune responses cross-regulate each other, our recent murine studies have demonstrated that multiple, alternate-day IL-18 injections (but not a single injection) could augment not only the Th1 immune response but also the Th2 immune response, including IgM production against bacterial infection in mice. In addition, critically ill patients who suffer from severe surgical stresses, e.g., trauma injury, burn injury, and major surgery, are known to be highly susceptible to bacterial infections/sepsis, and their outcomes become extremely poor as a result of infectious complications. Their host defense systems against infections, such as Th1-mediated cellular immunity, Th2-mediated humoral immunity, and neutrophil-mediated immunity, are impaired severely and multifactorially. Although simultaneous enhancement of these immune responses may be ideal for such immunocompromised patients, its achievement appears to be difficult because of the cross-regulating effect of the Th1 and Th2 responses. However, multiple IL-18 injections into mice can effectively restore these impaired immune responses in the immunocompromised mice receiving severe burn injury or splenectomy, thus improving their survival after bacterial infections. Therefore, IL-18 treatment may be an attractive and useful therapeutic tool against bacterial complications in immunocompromised hosts after severe surgical stress.
Diabetes Mellitus Increases Reactive Oxygen Species Production in the Thyroid of Male Rats
Authors: Santos Maria C. S. , Louzada Ruy A. N. , Souza Elaine C. L. , Fortunato Rodrigo S. , Vasconcelos Andressa L. , Souza Kléber L. A. , Castro João P. S. W. , Carvalho Denise P. , Ferreira Andrea C. F. 
Published: February 2013

Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) disrupts the pituitary-thyroid axis and leads to a higher prevalence of thyroid disease. However, the role of reactive oxygen species in DM thyroid disease pathogenesis is unknown. Dual oxidases (DUOX) is responsible for H2O2 production, which is a cosubstrate for thyroperoxidase, but the accumulation of H2O2 also causes cellular deleterious effects. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) is another member of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase family expressed in the thyroid. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the thyroid DUOX activity and expression in DM rats in addition to NOX4 expression. In the thyroids of the DM rats, we found increased H2O2 generation due to higher DUOX protein content and DUOX1, DUOX2, and NOX4 mRNA expressions. In rat thyroid PCCL3 cells, both TSH and insulin decreased DUOX activity and DUOX1 mRNA levels, an effect partially reversed by protein kinase A inhibition. Most antioxidant enzymes remained unchanged or decreased in the thyroid of DM rats, whereas only glutathione peroxidase 3 was increased. DUOX1 and NOX4 expression and H2O2 production were significantly higher in cells cultivated with high glucose, which was reversed by protein kinase C inhibition. We conclude that thyroid reactive oxygen species is elevated in experimental rat DM, which is a consequence of low-serum TSH and insulin but is also related to hyperglycemia per se.
Die Präsentation der Software-Sammlung Feibel
Authors: Prill Henning 
Published: February 2013

Zusammenfassung:
An der Zentral- und Landesbibliothek Berlin (ZLB) wird die Software-Sammlung des Journalisten und Autors Thomas Feibel katalogisiert und inventarisiert. Um die Computerspiele der Sammlung einer breiten Öffentlichkeit zugänglich zu machen, wurde die Gamelounge gegründet. In einer angenehmen Atmosphäre können Computerspiele der letzten 20 Jahre erlebt werden. Regelmäßige Veranstaltungen runden das Angebot der Gamelounge ab und präsentieren die Sammlung Feibel in einem öffentlichkeitswirksamen Rahmen.
Behaviors of Precipitates, Voids, and Hillocks in Electromigration Stressed Al-2wt%Cu Interconnects
Authors: Grosjean D. E. , Okabayashi H. , Komatsu M. , Mori H. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTWe observed the dynamics of Al2Cu precipitates, voids, and hillocks under electromigration (EM) stress (200–250° C, 1–2 MA/cm2) in Al-2wt%Cu lines using in-situ and ex-situ side-view TEM. The sub-micron wide (0.5 to 0.8 μm) bamboo Al-Cu lines were on a TiN underlayer in a drift velocity measurement structure. Large precipitates near the cathode ends of the lines shrank under EM, leaving voids before all the Cu was depleted from the cathode ends. We attribute the void formation at the cathode end to the stram induced by the shrinking precipitates in neighboring Al grams. Precipitates downstream of a sufficient Al source (eroding precipitate or Al grain) eroded without adjacent void growth. Size and location of precipitates were thus important in determining whether voids formed or not. Size and location of precipitates at the anode end, however, did not necessarily affect hillock growth. Hillocks grew near the anode end of the lines even with so-called blocking grain precipitates upstream in some cases.
Electromigration Induced Failure as a Function of Via Interface
Authors: Kisselgof Larisa , Lloyd J. R. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTFailure of test structures composed of pairs of W vias connected by lengths of Al/0.5%Cu conductor were compared as a function of the position of the via with respect to the conductor link. In one configuration, the current was passed from first level to a conductor link on second level and in the other the current was passed from second level to one on the first. In each case the links were identical in cross section, length and composition. There was a significant difference in the performance with respect to electromigration lifetime between these configurations as well as a difference in the failure mode. In the first level links, where the current passed first through a a 350A thick TiN ARC (Anti-Reflective Coating) layer and then a 150A Ti layer, the lifetime was significantly shorter than that of the second level samples where the current was passed across an interface of Al3Ti intermetallic compound. In addition, the failure mode was different, the first metal links failing directly under the via whereas in second metal link, the failures were away from the via in the metal link itself.
Mechanical Properties of Al-Cu Films with Various Heat Treatments
Authors: Joo Young-Chang , Müllner Peter , Baker Shefford P. , Arzt Eduard 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTPrecipitation and solid solution hardening have been studied in Al-Cu thin films with Cu content ranging from 0 to 2 wt%. We have changed the precipitate and dislocation structures of films having different Cu concentrations by varying the heat treatments prior to mechanical testing. Pure Al films showed the same values of tensile and compressive yield stresses at a given temperature during stress-temperature cycling. Al-Cu alloy films, however, showed larger stresses in tension than in compression. The compressive flow stress during heating could be changed by a factor of five by the initial heat treatment, but the differences disappeared above 250°C. Upon cooling from 480°C, solution hardening as well as precipitation hardening was observed in the Al-Cu films. Solution hardening is independent of Cu concentration, but for precipitation hardening, both the magnitude and the temperature range in which the mechanism is effective are sensitive to the Cu concentration. The microstructure was observed using transmission electron microscopy. The mechanical behavior is consistent with interactions between dislocations and precipitates which arise due to constraints on the film by the substrate.
Community Poverty and Trends in Racial/Ethnic Survival Disparities Among People Diagnosed With AIDS in Florida, 1993–2004
Authors: Trepka Mary Jo , Niyonsenga Theophile , Maddox Lorene , Lieb Spencer , Lutfi Khaleeq , Pavlova-McCalla Elena 
Published: February 2013

Objectives. We described the racial/ethnic disparities in survival among people diagnosed with AIDS in Florida from 1993 to 2004, as the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) became widespread. We determined whether these disparities decreased after controlling for measures of community-level socioeconomic status. Methods. We compared survival from all causes between non-Hispanic Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites vis-a-vis survival curves and Cox proportional hazards models controlling for demographic, clinical, and area-level poverty factors. Results. Racial/ethnic disparities in survival peaked for those diagnosed during the early implementation of HAART (1996–1998) with a Black-to-White hazard ratio (HR) of 1.72 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.62, 1.83) for males and 1.40 (95% CI = 1.24, 1.59) for females. These HRs declined significantly to 1.48 (95% CI = 1.35, 1.64) for males and nonsignificantly to 1.25 (95% CI = 1.05, 1.48) for females in the 2002 to 2004 diagnosis cohort. Disparities decreased significantly for males but not females when controlling for baseline demographic factors and CD4 count and percentage, and became nonsignificant in the 2002 to 2004 cohort after controlling for area poverty. Conclusions. Area poverty appears to play a role in racial/ethnic disparities even after controlling for demographic factors and CD4 count and percentage.
Health Cobenefits and Transportation-Related Reductions in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the San Francisco Bay Area
Authors: Maizlish Neil , Woodcock James , Co Sean , Ostro Bart , Fanai Amir , Fairley David 
Published: February 2013

Objectives. We quantified health benefits of transportation strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE). Methods. Statistics on travel patterns and injuries, physical activity, fine particulate matter, and GHGE in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, were input to a model that calculated the health impacts of walking and bicycling short distances usually traveled by car or driving low-emission automobiles. We measured the change in disease burden in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) based on dose–response relationships and the distributions of physical activity, particulate matter, and traffic injuries. Results: Increasing median daily walking and bicycling from 4 to 22 minutes reduced the burden of cardiovascular disease and diabetes by 14% (32 466 DALYs), increased the traffic injury burden by 39% (5907 DALYS), and decreased GHGE by 14%. Low-carbon driving reduced GHGE by 33.5% and cardiorespiratory disease burden by less than 1%. Conclusions: Increased physical activity associated with active transport could generate a large net improvement in population health. Measures would be needed to minimize pedestrian and bicyclist injuries. Together, active transport and low-carbon driving could achieve GHGE reductions sufficient for California to meet legislative mandates.
Community Needs, Concerns, and Perceptions About Health Research: Findings From the Clinical and Translational Science Award Sentinel Network
Authors: Cottler Linda B. , McCloskey Donna Jo , Aguilar-Gaxiola Sergio , Bennett Nancy M. , Strelnick Hal , Dwyer-White Molly , Collyar Deborah E. , Ajinkya Shaun , Seifer Sarena D. , O’Leary Catina Callahan , Striley Catherine W. , Evanoff Bradley 
Published: February 2013

Objectives. We used results generated from the first study of the National Institutes of Health Sentinel Network to understand health concerns and perceptions of research among underrepresented groups such as women, the elderly, racial/ethnic groups, and rural populations. Methods. Investigators at 5 Sentinel Network sites and 2 community-focused national organizations developed a common assessment tool used by community health workers to assess research perceptions, health concerns, and conditions. Results. Among 5979 individuals assessed, the top 5 health concerns were hypertension, diabetes, cancer, weight, and heart problems; hypertension was the most common self-reported condition. Levels of interest in research participation ranged from 70.1% among those in the “other” racial/ethnic category to 91.0% among African Americans. Overall, African Americans were more likely than members of other racial/ethnic groups to be interested in studies requiring blood samples (82.6%), genetic samples (76.9%), or medical records (77.2%); staying overnight in a hospital (70.5%); and use of medical equipment (75.4%). Conclusions. Top health concerns were consistent across geographic areas. African Americans reported more willingness to participate in research even if it required blood samples or genetic testing.
Protective Benefits of Deep Tube Wells Against Childhood Diarrhea in Matlab, Bangladesh
Authors: Winston Jennifer Jane , Escamilla Veronica , Perez-Heydrich Carolina , Carrel Margaret , Yunus Mohammad , Streatfield Peter Kim , Emch Michael 
Published: February 2013

Objectives. We investigated whether deep tube wells installed to provide arsenic-free groundwater in rural Bangladesh have the added benefit of reducing childhood diarrheal disease incidence. Methods. We recorded cases of diarrhea in children younger than 5 years in 142 villages of Matlab, Bangladesh, during monthly community health surveys in 2005 and 2006. We surveyed the location and depth of 12 018 tube wells and integrated these data with diarrhea data and other data in a geographic information system. We fit a longitudinal logistic regression model to measure the relationship between childhood diarrhea and deep tube well use. We controlled for maternal education, family wealth, year, and distance to a deep tube well. Results. Household clusters assumed to be using deep tube wells were 48.7% (95% confidence interval = 27.8%, 63.5%) less likely to have a case of childhood diarrhea than were other household clusters. Conclusions. Increased access to deep tube wells may provide dual benefits to vulnerable populations in Matlab, Bangladesh, by reducing the risk of childhood diarrheal disease and decreasing exposure to naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater.
Effects of Residential Indoor Air Quality and Household Ventilation on Preterm Birth and Term Low Birth Weight in Los Angeles County, California
Authors: Ghosh Jo Kay C. , Wilhelm Michelle , Ritz Beate 
Published: February 2013

Objectives. The purpose of our study was to examine the effects of indoor residential air quality on preterm birth and term low birth weight (LBW). Methods. We evaluated 1761 nonsmoking women from a case-control survey of mothers who delivered a baby in 2003 in Los Angeles County, California. In multinomial logistic regression models adjusted for maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, parity and birthplace, we evaluated the effects of living with smokers or using personal or household products that may contain volatile organic compounds and examined the influence of household ventilation. Results. Compared with unexposed mothers, women exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) at home had increased odds of term LBW (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] =  0.85, 2.18) and preterm birth (adjusted OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 0.95, 1.70), although 95% CIs included the null. No increase in risk was observed for SHS-exposed mothers reporting moderate or high window ventilation. Associations were also observed for product usage, but only for women reporting low or no window ventilation. Conclusions. Residential window ventilation may mitigate the effects of indoor air pollution among pregnant women in Los Angeles County, California.