bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Selection, tuning, and adaptation in mouse NK cell education
Authors: Kadri Nadir , Luu Thanh Thuy , Höglund Petter 
Published: August 2015

SummaryNatural killer (NK) cells recognize transformed cells with an array of germline‐encoded inhibitory and activating receptors. Inhibitory Ly49 receptors bind major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC‐I) molecules, providing a mechanism by which NK cells maintain self‐tolerance yet eliminate cells expressing reduced levels of MHC‐I. Additionally, MHC‐I molecules are required for NK cell education, a process in which NK cells acquire responsiveness. In this review, we discuss three facets of MHC class I‐dependent education of mouse NK cells: skewing of the inhibitory receptor repertoire, induction of functional responsiveness, and tuning in response to changes in MHC‐I expression. We discuss prevailing models for education such as licensing and disarming and propose a model for positive selection of ‘useful’ NK cell subsets. Furthermore, we argue that both repertoire skewing and functional NK cell education may be altered in mature NK cells subject to changes in MHC‐I input and suggest that this process may provide increased dynamics to the NK cell system.
Constrained Sintering of Alumina Stripes on Rigid Substrates: Effect of Substrate Roughness and Coating
Authors: Jamin Christine , Rasp Tobias , Kraft Torsten , Guillon Olivier 
Published: August 2015

Micromolding in capillaries has been used to fabricate alumina stripes on smooth (Ra = 0.5 nm) and rough substrates (Ra = 900 nm). Different lateral (10–500 μm) and vertical stripe dimensions (8–27 μm) were used to study the influence of substrate roughness (smooth and rough sapphire) and substrate material (platinum coated and plain sapphire) on sintering behavior. Alumina stripes experience edge delamination during sintering on a rigid substrate independent of substrate roughness. However, enhanced substrate roughness reduced delamination length by half and lowered lateral strains by up to 0.10. Grooves in the rough substrate were found to be responsible for this feature as they act as crack propagation barriers and generate local density minima. Accompanying discrete element simulations revealed a localized triaxial stress state at the grooves of a sinusoidal‐shaped substrate interface as the main cause of the density minima. Platinum interlayers also resulted in reduced delamination by 40% in some stripe geometries while density was enhanced by 4% and lateral strains doubled in some geometries. Creep of the metal layer during sintering is thought to be the reason for this seemingly contradictory behavior.
The effects of auditory hallucination symptom management programme for people with schizophrenia: a quasi‐experimental design
Authors: Yang Chiu‐Yueh , Lee Tien‐Hao , Lo Su‐Chen , Beckstead Jason W. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimTo examine the effectiveness of an auditory hallucinatory symptom management programme in patients with chronic schizophrenia.BackgroundThirty per cent of chronic schizophrenia patients are still disturbed by hallucinations, which influence their psychological and social well‐being, even when they take medication regularly.MethodFifty‐eight people experiencing schizophrenia with auditory hallucinations from psychiatric inpatient rehabilitation wards in northern Taiwan participated in the study, with 29 in the experimental group and 29 in the control group. The experimental group received an auditory hallucinatory symptom management programme. The auditory hallucinatory symptom management programme involved 60‐minute meetings once a week, for a total of 10 meetings. The control group received routine care, which included free recreation for 40 minutes and walking for 20 minutes. The participants completed three self‐report questionnaires: the Beck Depressive Inventory II, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Characteristics of Auditory Hallucinations Questionnaire. Data were collected at baseline, immediately following the intervention and at 3 months and 6 months post intervention. Data collection occurred between March 2010–May 2013.ResultsThe experimental group showed a non‐significant improvement in anxiety symptoms over time. Generalized estimating equations revealed that the experimental group achieved a greater drop in Characteristics of Auditory Hallucinations Questionnaire score than the controls at three and 6 months post intervention. Beck Depressive Inventory II scores in the experimental group (n = 29) had significantly improved in 3 months.ConclusionThe auditory hallucinatory symptom management programme seems to be effective in improving auditory hallucinatory symptoms and depressive symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Are support and social comparison compatible? Individual differences in the multiplexity of career‐related social networks
Authors: Tschopp Cécile , Unger Dana , Grote Gudela 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSocial networks are crucial for helping people in their careers. Moreover, social identity is reflected in and influenced by individuals’ networks. To date, there is little knowledge on how these different functions of networks might interact. A survey in which 450 individuals provided information on 2,499 contacts in their social networks indicated both multiplexity and segmentation in networks. Contacts tended either to provide psychosocial support only or to provide instrumental support and serve as a standard for social comparison. The segmentation was stronger for individuals with an independent career orientation than for promotion‐oriented individuals. These findings contribute to the literature on social networks and careers by providing insights into how career orientation affects the multiplexity in career‐related social networks.
Trade Credit Risk Management: The Role of Executive Risk‐Taking Incentives
Authors: Elsilä Anna 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn this study we investigate how executive equity incentives affect companies’ risk‐taking behavior in relationships with their customers. We hypothesize and find that executive risk‐taking incentives provided by options are positively related to the degree of trade credit riskiness measured both as the amount of total trade credit a firm extends to all its customers and as the amount of trade credit a firm extends to customers with a high probability of default. We also find that the measures of trade credit riskiness are positively related to the firm's future stock return volatility, suggesting that the customer default risk inherent in customer‐supplier trade credit relationships represents an important economic source of the overall supplier‐firm riskiness. The findings of the study provide insights into why firms facing financial difficulties are not denied trade credit.
Impact of Pulmonary Vein Isolation on Superior Vena Cava Potentials With a Second‐Generation Cryoballoon
Authors: ICHIHARA NOBORU , MIYAZAKI SHINSUKE , KUROI AKIO , HACHIYA HITOSHI , NAKAMURA HIROAKI , TANIGUCHI HIROSHI , ARAKI MAKOTO , TAKAGI TAKAMITSU , IWASAWA JIN , IESAKA YOSHITO 
Published: August 2015

Impact of Cryoballoon Ablation on SVC PotentialsBackgroundRadiofrequency ablation of the right superior pulmonary vein (RSPV) can lead to inadvertent superior vena cava (SVC) isolation due to the close anatomical proximity. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of PV isolation on SVC potentials with a second‐generation cryoballoon.MethodsThirty‐one consecutive paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients who underwent PV isolation exclusively with a 28 mm second‐generation cryoballoon and single 3‐minute freeze technique were prospectively enrolled. The produced SVC potential conduction delay during the RSPV isolation was prospectively evaluated using circular mapping catheters placed in the SVC throughout the cryoballoon procedure.ResultsStable SVC potentials were recorded in 28 (90.3%) patients. The produced SVC potential conduction delay during the RSPV isolation was a median of 6.0 (0.5–7.6) milliseconds, and >5.0 milliseconds in 16 (57.1%) patients. Among them, the delay had shortened by >5.0 milliseconds in 7 (43.8%) patients within 5 minutes after the RSPV application. The distance between the RSPV ostium and SVC was the sole parameter correlated with the produced delay (R = 0.77, P < 0.0001). For the association between the distance and a produced delay of >5 milliseconds, the area under the curve was 0.896 (95% confidential interval = 0.775–1.000). The optimal cutoff point for the distance predicting the occurrence of the conduction delay (>5 milliseconds) was 2.5 mm (sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 81.2%).ConclusionsRSPV isolation with a second‐generation cryoballoon could produce an SVC potential conduction delay. The anatomical distance between the RSPV and SVC significantly correlated with the impact.
Doxycycline reduces the migration of tuberous sclerosis complex‐2 null cells ‐ effects on RhoA‐GTPase and focal adhesion kinase
Authors: Ng Ho Yin , Oliver Brian Gregory George , Burgess Janette Kay , Krymskaya Vera P. , Black Judith Lee , Moir Lyn M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractLymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is associated with dysfunction of the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) leading to enhanced cell proliferation and migration. This study aims to examine whether doxycycline, a tetracycline antibiotic, can inhibit the enhanced migration of TSC2‐deficient cells, identify signalling pathways through which doxycycline works and to assess the effectiveness of combining doxycycline with rapamycin (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 inhibitor) in controlling cell migration, proliferation and wound closure. TSC2‐positive and TSC2‐negative mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), 323‐TSC2‐positive and 323‐TSC2‐null MEF and Eker rat uterine leiomyoma (ELT3) cells were treated with doxycycline or rapamycin alone, or in combination. Migration, wound closure and proliferation were assessed using a transwell migration assay, time‐lapse microscopy and manual cell counts respectively. RhoA‐GTPase activity, phosphorylation of p70S6 kinase (p70S6K) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in TSC2‐negative MEF treated with doxycycline were examined using ELISA and immunoblotting techniques. The enhanced migration of TSC2‐null cells was reduced by doxycycline at concentrations as low as 20 pM, while the rate of wound closure was reduced at 2–59 μM. Doxycycline decreased RhoA‐GTPase activity and phosphorylation of FAK in these cells but had no effect on the phosphorylation of p70S6K, ERK1/2 or AKT. Combining doxycycline with rapamycin significantly reduced the rate of wound closure at lower concentrations than achieved with either drug alone. This study shows that doxycycline inhibits TSC2‐null cell migration. Thus doxycycline has potential as an anti‐migratory agent in the treatment of diseases with TSC2 dysfunction.
Human cytomegalovirus‐1 and Epstein–Barr virus‐1 viral colonization of titanium and zirconia abutments: a split‐mouth study
Authors: Kheur Mohit , Harianawala Husain Hatim , Sethi Tania , Kheur Supriya , Acharya Aneesha , Mattheos Nikos 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAimHuman cytomegalovirus‐1 (HCMV‐1) and Epstein–Barr virus‐1 (EBV‐1) detection in submarginal plaque is linked to diseased states of the periodontium. In the present study, we evaluated the viral colonization of titanium and zirconia abutments by HCMV‐1 and EBV‐1 in a split‐mouth study.MethodsForty dental implant abutments placed in 20 non‐smokers were evaluated retrospectively. Each participant had received at least one each of titanium and zirconia abutments (in function for at least 1 year). HCMV‐1 and EBV‐1 were evaluated in these clinically‐healthy peri‐implant sites' submarginal plaque biofilm at one titanium and one zirconia abutment, one healthy tooth site, and serum using polymerase chain reaction assays. Related‐samples McNemar test and Wilcoxon signed‐rank test were used to determine the differences in viral detection frequency and load, respectively.ResultsEBV‐1 was detected at the titanium abutment in 60% of participants, but in none at their zirconia abutment (P = 0.04). HCMV‐1 was detected at the titanium abutments in 90% of participants, and at the zirconia abutments in 70% of participants. This difference was not significant (P = 0.25). The differences in HCMV‐1 viral load between the abutment types were insignificant (P = 0.075).ConclusionEBV‐1 did not colonize the biofilm at the zirconia abutments as opposed to the titanium abutments in the same participants. Abutment material could contribute to differences in biofilm characteristics.
Detection of Intraparenchymal Hemorrhage After Endovascular Therapy in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Using Immediate Postprocedural Flat‐Panel Computed Tomography Scan
Authors: Payabvash Seyedmehdi , Khan Asif A. , Qureshi Mushtaq H. , Saeed Omar , Suri M. Fareed K. , Qureshi Adnan I. 
Published: August 2015

ABSTRACTPURPOSETo assess the diagnostic value of parenchymal hyperdense lesions visualized on the flat‐panel CT scan in detecting/excluding intraparenchymal hemorrhage (IPH) after the endovascular treatment of acute stroke patients.METHODSTwo separate cohorts of acute ischemic stroke patients who underwent endovascular treatment were evaluated. In the first group, patients were evaluated for hyperdense parenchymal lesions immediately after the treatment with flat‐panel CT scan; whereas, in the second group, patients underwent multidetector CT scan post procedure. IPH was defined as hyperdensity that persisted for >24 hours on follow up CT scan.RESULTSA total of 30 patients were evaluated with flat panel, and 135 with multidetector CT scan immediately after the endovascular treatment. Hyperdense lesions were visualized on 7/30 (23%) of those evaluated with flat‐panel CT versus 74/135 (55%) of those evaluated with multidetector CT scan. Based on 24‐hour follow up imaging, hyperdense parenchymal lesions on immediate postprocedural flat‐panel or multidetector CT studies had 100% sensitivity and negative predictive value for IPH; whereas, the specificity, and positive predictive value of such lesions were 88% and, 57% on the flat panel; and 53% and, 27% on the multidetector CT study, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe absence of hyperdense lesions on immediate postprocedural flat‐panel CT scan of ischemic stroke patients can exclude IPH with a high sensitivity and negative predictive value. The hyperdense parenchymal lesions visualized on flat‐panel versus multidetector CT studies may have comparable sensitivity and negative predictive value for the detection of IPH.
Roost site selection by tree‐dwelling bats across biogeographical regions: an updated meta‐analysis with meta‐regression
Authors: Naďo Ladislav , Kaňuch Peter 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
Bats roosting in tree cavities, under loose bark or just on branches in foliage, so‐called tree‐dwelling bats, are a very diverse and abundant group of species. Although they can be very different species with locally distinct needs, radical exploitation of forest habitats and global changes have meant that many of them are regionally endangered and survive today only in small populations. To help develop appropriate conservation policies and management plans, much research in recent decades has been focussed on inferring habitat selection by tree‐dwelling bats. However, large variability in the reported selection patterns makes it difficult to suggest some more‐or‐less universal and easily applicable management recommendations, also for regions in which nature conservation awareness is low.
We created a meta‐analytic model to explore selection patterns at a global scale. Phylogenetic relationships among species and additional variables were included to explain discrepancies between studies.
A meta‐analytic model showed that bats are selecting trees with trunk diameters that are larger than those of randomly selected trees, and this pattern is consistent within each biogeographical region. However, meta‐regression revealed that the detectability of the selection depends strongly on the structural variability within the study environment (size of randomly selected or surrounding trees in forest stands, forest fragmentation, habitat disturbance) and on the methodological approach that has been applied (the length of the study). We found stronger selection for larger trees in non‐fragmented and less disturbed forests than in fragmented forests with high habitat disturbance, and, strikingly, short‐term studies yielded results with stronger selection than long‐term studies.
Our results suggest that patterns of roosting habitat selection by bats may be overestimated in some studies. In conclusion, we propose that further research should be conducted in all types of forest ecosystem (data from the tropics are currently missing). Future studies should include at least three years of data collection, in order to avoid estimation bias in habitat selection patterns.
Evolutionary processes driving spatial patterns of intraspecific genetic diversity in river ecosystems
Authors: Paz‐Vinas I. , Loot G. , Stevens V. M. , Blanchet S. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractDescribing, understanding and predicting the spatial distribution of genetic diversity is a central issue in biological sciences. In river landscapes, it is generally predicted that neutral genetic diversity should increase downstream, but there have been few attempts to test and validate this assumption across taxonomic groups. Moreover, it is still unclear what are the evolutionary processes that may generate this apparent spatial pattern of diversity. Here, we quantitatively synthesized published results from diverse taxa living in river ecosystems, and we performed a meta‐analysis to show that a downstream increase in intraspecific genetic diversity (DIGD) actually constitutes a general spatial pattern of biodiversity that is repeatable across taxa. We further demonstrated that DIGD was stronger for strictly waterborne dispersing than for overland dispersing species. However, for a restricted data set focusing on fishes, there was no evidence that DIGD was related to particular species traits. We then searched for general processes underlying DIGD by simulating genetic data in dendritic‐like river systems. Simulations revealed that the three processes we considered (downstream‐biased dispersal, increase in habitat availability downstream and upstream‐directed colonization) might generate DIGD. Using random forest models, we identified from simulations a set of highly informative summary statistics allowing discriminating among the processes causing DIGD. Finally, combining these discriminant statistics and approximate Bayesian computations on a set of twelve empirical case studies, we hypothesized that DIGD were most likely due to the interaction of two of these three processes and that contrary to expectation, they were not solely caused by downstream‐biased dispersal.
Assessment of bolus transit with intraluminal impedance measurement in patients with esophageal motility disorders
Authors: Bogte A. , Bredenoord A. J. , Oors J. , Siersema P. D. , Smout A. J. P. M. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical management of patients with non‐obstructive dysphagia is notoriously difficult. Esophageal impedance measurement can be used to measure esophageal bolus transit without the use of radiation exposure to patients. However, validation of measurement of bolus transit with impedance monitoring has only been performed in healthy subjects with normal motility and not in patients with dysphagia and esophageal motility disorders. The aim was, therefore, to investigate the relationship between transit of swallowed liquid boluses in healthy controls and in patients with dysphagia.MethodsTwenty healthy volunteers and 20 patients with dysphagia underwent concurrent impedance measurement and videofluoroscopy. Each subject swallowed five liquid barium boluses. The ability of detecting complete or incomplete bolus transit by means of impedance measurement was assessed, using radiographic bolus transit as the gold standard.Key ResultsImpedance monitoring recognized stasis and transit in 80.5% of the events correctly, with 83.9% of bolus transit being recognized and 77.2% of stasis being recognized correctly. In controls 79.8% of all swallows were scored correctly, whereas in patients 81.3% of all swallows were scored correctly. Depending on the contractility pattern, between 77.0% and 94.3% of the swallows were scored correctly.Conclusions & InferencesImpedance measurement can be used to assess bolus clearance patterns in healthy subjects, but can also be used to reliably assess bolus transit in patients with dysphagia and motility disorders.
Chemical analysis of constitutive pigmentation of human epidermis reveals constant eumelanin to pheomelanin ratio
Authors: Del Bino Sandra , Ito Shosuke , Sok Juliette , Nakanishi Yukiko , Bastien Philippe , Wakamatsu Kazumasa , Bernerd Françoise 
Published: August 2015

SummaryThe skin constitutive pigmentation is given by the amount of melanin pigment, its relative composition (eu/pheomelanin) and distribution within the epidermis, and is largely responsible for the sensitivity to UV exposure. Nevertheless, a precise knowledge of melanins in human skin is lacking. We characterized the melanin content of human breast skin samples with variable pigmentations rigorously classified through the Individual Typology Angle (ITA) by image analysis, spectrophotometry after solubilization with Soluene‐350 and high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after chemical degradation. ITA and total melanin content were found correlated, ITA and PTCA (degradation product of DHICA melanin), and TTCA (degradation product of benzothiazole‐type pheomelanin) as well but not 4‐AHP (degradation product of benzothiazine‐type pheomelanin). Results revealed that human epidermis comprises approximately 74% of eumelanin and 26% pheomelanin, regardless of the degree of pigmentation. They also confirm the low content of photoprotective eumelanin among lighter skins thereby explaining the higher sensitivity toward UV exposure.
Cytokine profile of food‐allergic post‐liver transplant children is identified by high levels of IL‐5 and low IL‐10 secretion from patients' peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Authors: Nahum Amit , Brener Avivit , Granot Ettie 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSevere allergic reaction to food following liver transplantation is a well‐known phenomenon. However, the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are not yet elucidated. This study aimed to reveal the nature of the immune response in post‐transplanted allergic patients and compare them to non‐allergic transplanted as well as allergic and non‐allergic control subjects, with focus on cytokine milieu. Post‐liver transplant patients with and without allergic reactions as well as food‐allergic but otherwise healthy and healthy non‐allergic control patients were recruited. We reviewed patient records and routine laboratory tests and assayed subjects' PBMCs, studying cytokine secretion profile in response to different stimuli. Post‐transplant patients with food allergy showed a unique cytokine profile in response to various stimuli, with extremely elevated IL‐5, low IL‐10 secretion, and somewhat higher IFN‐γ. T regulatory cell number was not significantly different among the groups of patients and controls. Immune response of food‐allergic post‐liver transplant patients is identified by a unique cytokine profile when compared to allergic but otherwise healthy individuals.