bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The association between biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid and structural changes in the brain in patients with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Li X. , Li T.‐Q. , Andreasen N. , Wiberg M. K. , Westman E. , Wahlund L.‐O. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBackgroundBiochemical changes in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could reflect pathophysiological processes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is still not clear how these processes correlate with grey matter (GM) volume and microstructural changes in the brain.ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between CSF biomarkers and structural brain changes in AD.Design and settingCross‐sectional study in a memory clinic‐based sample.SubjectsA total of 78 subjects were included in the study: 22 with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), 35 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 21 with AD.Main outcome measuresVoxel‐wise correlations between CSF biomarkers, including β‐amyloid42 (Aβ42), tau phosphorylated at position threonine 181 and total tau protein, and GM volume, self‐diffusion fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD) maps using voxel‐based morphometry and tract‐based spatial statistical analyses. FA and MD maps were obtained using diffusion tensor imaging.ResultsIn the whole sample (patients with SCI, MCI and AD), there was positive correlation between GM volume and Aβ42 concentration, and negative correlation with total tau protein. Higher FA was only related to higher concentration of Aβ42. MD showed significant negative correlation with Aβ42 and positive correlation with T‐tau levels. The majority of brain regions with significant correlation with CSF biomarkers overlapped with the default mode network and extended to the adjacent white matter.ConclusionsEarly AD pathological changes can be detected with voxel‐based morphometric analysis and diffusion tensor imaging measurements. Furthermore, there was an association between CSF AD biomarkers and structural brain changes in areas related to the default mode network.
Placement of Deep Brain Electrodes in the Dog Using the Brainsight Frameless Stereotactic System: A Pilot Feasibility Study
Authors: Long S. , Frey S. , Freestone D.R. , LeChevoir M. , Stypulkowski P. , Giftakis J. , Cook M. 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundDeep brain stimulation (DBS) together with concurrent EEG recording has shown promise in the treatment of epilepsy. A novel device is capable of combining these 2 functions and may prove valuable in the treatment of epilepsy in dogs. However, stereotactic implantation of electrodes in dogs has not yet been evaluated.ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of implanting stimulating and recording electrodes in the brain of normal dogs using the Brainsight system and to evaluate the function of a novel DBS and recording device.AnimalsFour male intact Greyhounds, confirmed to be normal by clinical and neurologic examinations and hematology and biochemistry testing.MethodsMRI imaging of the brain was performed after attachment of fiducial markers. MRI scans were used to calculate trajectories for electrode placement in the thalamus and hippocampus, which was performed via burr hole craniotomy. Postoperative CT scanning was performed to evaluate electrode location and accuracy of placement was calculated. Serial neurologic examinations were performed to evaluate neurologic deficits and EEG recordings obtained to evaluate the effects of stimulation.ResultsElectrodes were successfully placed in 3 of 4 dogs with a mean accuracy of 4.6 ± 1.5 mm. EEG recordings showed evoked potentials in response to stimulation with a circadian variation in time‐to‐maximal amplitude. No neurologic deficits were seen in any dog.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceStereotactic placement of electrodes is safe and feasible in the dog. The development of a novel device capable of providing simultaneous neurostimulation and EEG recording potentially represents a major advance in the treatment of epilepsy.
Clinical Characterization of Epilepsy of Unknown Cause in Cats
Authors: Wahle A.M. , Brühschwein A. , Matiasek K. , Putschbach K. , Wagner E. , Mueller R.S. , Fischer A. 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundThe diagnosis of feline epilepsy of unknown cause (EUC) requires a thorough diagnostic evaluation, otherwise the prevalence ofEUCcould be overestimated.HypothesisFelineEUCis a clinically defined disease entity, which differs from feline hippocampal necrosis by the absence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal alteration of the hippocampus. The objectives of this study were (1) to evaluate the prevalence ofEUCin a hospital population of cats by applying well‐defined inclusion criteria, and (2) to describe the clinical course ofEUC.AnimalsEighty‐one cats with recurrent seizures.MethodsRetrospective study—medical records were reviewed for cats presented for evaluation of recurrent seizures (2005–2010). Inclusion criteria were a defined diagnosis based on laboratory data, and eitherMRIor histopathology. Final outcome was confirmed by telephone interview with the owner. Magnetic resonance images were reviewed to evaluate hippocampal morphology and signal alterations.ResultsEpilepsy of unknown cause was diagnosed in 22% of cats with epilepsy. Physical, neurologic, and laboratory examinations, and either 1.5 TMRIand cerebrospinal fluid analysis or postmortem examination failed to identify an underlying cause. Cats withEUChad a higher survival rate (P < .05) and seizure remission occurred frequently (44.4%).Conclusion and Clinical ImportanceA detailed clinical evaluation and diagnostic imaging withMRIis recommended in any cat with recurrent seizures. The prognosis of cats with normalMRIfindings and a clinical diagnosis ofEUCare good. Standardized imaging guidelines should be established to assess the hippocampus in cats.
Comparison of Thoracic Auscultation, Clinical Score, and Ultrasonography as Indicators of Bovine Respiratory Disease in Preweaned Dairy Calves
Authors: Buczinski S. , Forté G. , Francoz D. , Bélanger A.‐M. 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundThe diagnostic tools for bovine respiratory disease diagnosis include clinical inspection, thoracic auscultation, and ultrasonography.HypothesisThoracic auscultation and clinical examination have limitations in the detection of lung consolidation in dairy calves.AnimalsProspective cohort of 106 preweaned calves from 13 different dairy herds (10 with a history of active bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves and 3 without suspectedBRDproblems).MethodsEach preweaned calf was clinically inspected using the Wisconsin calf respiratory scoring chart (CRSC) and treatment history was noted. Systematic thoracic auscultation and ultrasonography then were performed, the latter focusing on lung consolidation. Mortality was recorded over a 30‐day period.ResultsA total of 56 of 106 calves had ultrasonographic evidence of lung consolidation. The sensitivity of thoracic auscultation to detect consolidation was 5.9% (range, 0–16.7%). Only 41.1% (23/33) of calves with consolidated lungs had been treated previously by the producers. When addingCRSCand previousBRDtreatment by the producer, sensitivity of detection increased to 71.4% (40/56). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve was 0.809 (95%CI, 0.721–0.879) for the number of areas within the lungs with consolidation and 0.743 (95%CI, 0.648–0.823) for the maximal depth of consolidation as predictors of death within 1 month after examination. These were not significantly different (P = .06).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThis study shows that thoracic auscultation is of limited value in diagnosing lung consolidation in calves. Ultrasonographic assessment of the thorax could be a useful tool to assessBRDdetection efficiency on dairy farms.
Genomic inference accurately predicts the timing and severity of a recent bottleneck in a nonmodel insect population
Authors: McCoy Rajiv C. , Garud Nandita R. , Kelley Joanna L. , Boggs Carol L. , Petrov Dmitri A. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe analysis of molecular data from natural populations has allowed researchers to answer diverse ecological questions that were previously intractable. In particular, ecologists are often interested in the demographic history of populations, information that is rarely available from historical records. Methods have been developed to infer demographic parameters from genomic data, but it is not well understood how inferred parameters compare to true population history or depend on aspects of experimental design. Here, we present and evaluate a method ofSNPdiscovery usingRNAsequencing and demographic inference using the programδaδi, which uses a diffusion approximation to the allele frequency spectrum to fit demographic models. We test these methods in a population of the checkerspot butterflyEuphydryas gillettii. This population was intentionally introduced to Gothic, Colorado in 1977 and has as experienced extreme fluctuations including bottlenecks of fewer than 25 adults, as documented by nearly annual field surveys. UsingRNAsequencing of eight individuals from Colorado and eight individuals from a native population in Wyoming, we generate the first genomic resources for this system. While demographic inference is commonly used to examine ancient demography, our study demonstrates that our inexpensive, all‐in‐one approach to marker discovery and genotyping provides sufficient data to accurately infer the timing of a recent bottleneck. This demographic scenario is relevant for many species of conservation concern, few of which have sequenced genomes. Our results are remarkably insensitive to sample size or number of genomic markers, which has important implications for applying this method to other nonmodel systems.
Kin‐bias, breeding site selection and female fitness in a cannibalistic Neotropical frog
Authors: Muralidhar P. , de Sá F. P. , Haddad C. F. B. , Zamudio K. R. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractResource availability influences sexual selection within populations and determines whether behaviours such as territoriality or resource sharing are adaptive. In Thoropa taophora, a frog endemic to the Atlantic Coastal Rainforest of Brazil, males compete for and defend limited breeding sites while females often share breeding sites with other females; however, sharing breeding sites may involve costs due to cannibalism by conspecific tadpoles. We studied a breeding population of T. taophora to determine (i) whether this species exhibits polygynous mating involving female choice for territorial males and limited breeding resources; (ii) whether limited breeding resources create the potential for male–male cooperation in defence of neighbouring territories; and (iii) whether females sharing breeding sites exhibit kin‐biased breeding site choice, possibly driven by fitness losses due to cannibalism among offspring of females sharing sites. We used microsatellites to reconstruct parentage and quantify relatedness at eight breeding sites in our focal population, where these sites are scarce, and in a second population, where sites are abundant. We found that at localities where the appropriate sites for reproduction are spatially limited, the mating system for this species is polygynous, with typically two females sharing a breeding site with a male. We also found that females exhibit negative kin‐bias in their choice of breeding sites, potentially to maximize their inclusive fitness by avoiding tadpole cannibalism of highly related kin. Our results indicate that male territorial defence and female site sharing are likely important components of this mating system, and we propose that kinship‐dependent avoidance in mating strategies may be more general than previously realized.
Stretch‐Dependent Smooth Muscle Differentiation in the Portal Vein—Role of Actin Polymerization, Calcium Signaling, and microRNAs
Authors: Albinsson Sebastian , Bhattachariya Anirban , Hellstrand Per 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe mechanical forces acting on SMC in the vascular wall are known to regulate processes such as vascular remodeling and contractile differentiation. However, investigations to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of mechanotransduction in smooth muscle have been hampered by technical limitations associated with mechanical studies on pressurized small arteries, due primarily to the small amount of available tissue. The murine portal vein is a relatively large vessel showing myogenic tone that in many respects recapitulates the properties of small resistance vessels. Studies on stretched portal veins to elucidate mechanisms of mechanotransduction in the vascular wall have shown that stretch‐sensitive regulation of contractile differentiation is mediated via Rho‐activation and actin polymerization, while stretch‐induced growth is regulated by the MAPK pathway. In this review, we have summarized findings on mechanotransduction in the portal vein with focus on stretch‐induced contractile differentiation and the role of calcium, actin polymerization and miRNAs in this response.
Transglutamination allows production and characterization of native‐sized ELPylated spider silk proteins from transgenic plants
Authors: Weichert Nicola , Hauptmann Valeska , Menzel Matthias , Schallau Kai , Gunkel Philip , Hertel Thomas C. , Pietzsch Markus , Spohn Uwe , Conrad Udo 
Published: November 2013

SummaryIn the last two decades it was shown that plants have a great potential for production of specific heterologous proteins. But high cost and inefficient downstream processing are a main technical bottleneck for the broader use of plant‐based production technology especially for protein‐based products, for technical use as fibres or biodegradable plastics and also for medical applications. High‐performance fibres from recombinant spider silks are, therefore, a prominent example. Spiders developed rather different silk materials that are based on proteins. These spider silks show excellent properties in terms of elasticity and toughness. Natural spider silk proteins have a very high molecular weight, and it is precisely this property which is thought to give them their strength. Transgenic plants were generated to produce ELPylated recombinant spider silk derivatives. These fusion proteins were purified byInverseTransitionCycling (ITC) and enzymatically multimerized with transglutaminasein vitro. Layers produced by casting monomers and multimers were characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) andAFM‐based nanoindentation. The layered multimers formed by mixing lysine‐ and glutamine‐tagged monomers were associated with the highest elastic penetration modulus.
BrpSPL9 (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis SPL9) controls the earliness of heading time in Chinese cabbage
Authors: Wang Yali , Wu Feijie , Bai Jinjuan , He Yuke 
Published: November 2013

SummaryThe leafy heads of cabbage (Brassica oleracea), Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa ssp. pekinensis), Brussels sprouts (B. oleracea ssp. gemmifera) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa) comprise extremely incurved leaves that are edible vegetable products. The heading time is important for high quality and yield of these crops. Here, we report that BrpSPL9‐2 (B. rapa ssp. pekinensis SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING‐LIKE 9‐2), a target gene of microRNA brp‐miR156, controls the heading time of Chinese cabbage. Quantitative measurements of leaf shapes, sizes, colour and curvature indicated that heading is a late adult phase of vegetative growth. During the vegetative period, miR156 levels gradually decreased from the seedling stage to the heading one, whereas BrpSPL9‐2 and BrpSPL15‐1 mRNAs increased progressively and reached the highest levels at the heading stage. Overexpression of a mutated miR156‐resistant form of BrpSPL9‐2 caused the significant earliness of heading, concurrent with shortening of the seedling and rosette stages. By contrast, overexpression of miR156 delayed the folding time, concomitant with prolongation of the seedling and rosette stages. Morphological analysis reveals that the significant earliness of heading in the transgenic plants overexpressing BrpSPL9‐2 gene was produced because the juvenile phase was absent and the early adult phase shortened, whereas the significant delay of folding in the transgenic plants overexpressing Brp‐MIR156a was due to prolongation of the juvenile and early adult phases. Thus, miR156 and BrpSPL9 genes are potentially important for genetic improvement of earliness of Chinese cabbage and other crops.
Inter‐instrument comparison of particle‐size analysers
Authors: Roberson Sam , Weltje Gert Jan 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThis paper presents a methodological framework for inter‐instrument comparison of different particle‐size analysers. The framework consists of: (i) quantifying the difference between complete particle‐size distributions; (ii) identifying the best regression model for homogenizing data sets of particle‐size distributions measured by different instruments; (iii) quantifying the precision of a range of particle‐size analysers; and (iv) identifying the most appropriate instrument for analysing a given set of samples. Thelog‐ratiotransform is applied to particle‐size distributions throughout this study to avoid the pitfalls of analysing percentage‐frequency data in ‘closed‐space’. ANormalized Distancestatistic is used to quantify the difference between particle‐size distributions and assess the performance oflog‐ratioregression models. Forty‐six different regression models are applied to sediment samples measured by both sieve‐pipette and laser analysis. Interactive quadratic regression models offer the best means of homogenizing data sets of particle‐size distributions measured by different instruments into a comparable format. However, quadratic interactive log‐ratio regression models require a large number of training samples (n > 80) to achieve optimal performance compared to linear regression models (n = 50). The precision of ten particle‐size analysis instruments was assessed using a data set of ten replicate measurements made of four previously published silty sediment samples. Instrument precision is quantified as the medianNormalized Differencemeasured between the ten replicate measurements made for each sediment sample. TheDifferentiation Powerstatistic is introduced to assess the ability of each instrument to detect differences between the four sediment samples.Differentiation Powerscores show that instruments based on laser diffraction principles are able to differentiate most effectively between the samples of silty sediment at a 95% confidence level. Instruments applying the principles of sedimentation offer the next most precise approach.
Keys for microRNA expression profiling of single rat hypothalamic nuclei and multiplex sequencing strategies
Authors: Baroin‐Tourancheau A. , Benigni X. , Benoit C. , Doubi‐Kadmiri S. , Vacher C. M. , Taouis M. , Amar L. 
Published: November 2013

New Findings
What is the topic of this review?  We sought to establish a high number of microRNA expression profiles of individual hypothalamic nuclei of single rats.
What advances does it highlight?  This can be achieved at a cost compatible with laboratory finance by using tagged cDNA libraries constructed from purified small RNAs and a multiplex sequencing strategy.
Integrative research has taken on the challenge of addressing questions in physiology by using novel knowledge and novel techniques. Recently, small and long non‐coding RNAs have emerged as key regulators of gene expression, while next‐generation sequencing technologies have revolutionized the characterization of genomes and gene expression. For a decade, it has been known that microRNAs (miRNAs) are RNAs of 18–24 bases that regulate gene expression in mammals. Here, we first describe the nature of miRNAs and the advantages of high‐throughput sequencing technologies for establishing miRNA expression profiles. The hypothalamus harbours a dozen specialized areas or nuclei, the sampling of which is required to establish physiologically relevant miRNA expression profiles. MicroRNA expression profiling from single animals is also important for investigating potential genetic or epigenetic differences between individuals. Establishing a large number of miRNA expression profiles of individual hypothalamic nuclei of single rats at a cost compatible with laboratory finance can be achieved by using tagged cDNA libraries constructed from purified small RNAs and a multiplex sequencing strategy. We continue this report by surveying specificities of the different strategies that are used at present for constructing tagged cDNA libraries and provide a comparative analysis of miRNA expression profiles from hypothalamic arcuate nuclei of seven male Wistar rats.
AltitudeOmics: effect of ascent and acclimatization to 5260 m on regional cerebral oxygen delivery
Authors: Subudhi Andrew W. , Fan Jui‐Lin , Evero Oghenero , Bourdillon Nicolas , Kayser Bengt , Julian Colleen G. , Lovering Andrew T. , Roach Robert C. 
Published: November 2013

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
Hypoxia associated with ascent to high altitude may threaten cerebral oxygen delivery. We sought to determine whether there are regional changes in the distribution of cerebral blood flow that might favour oxygen delivery to areas associated with basic homeostatic functions to promote survival in this extreme environment.
What is the main finding and its importance?
We show evidence of a ‘brain‐sparing’ effect during acute exposure to high altitude, in which there is a slight increase in relative oxygen delivery to the posterior cerebral circulation. This may serve to support basic regulatory functions associated with the brainstem and hypothalamus.
Cerebral hypoxaemia associated with rapid ascent to high altitude can be life threatening; yet, with proper acclimatization, cerebral function can be maintained well enough for humans to thrive. We investigated adjustments in global and regional cerebral oxygen delivery () as 21 healthy volunteers rapidly ascended and acclimatized to 5260 m. Ultrasound indices of cerebral blood flow in internal carotid and vertebral arteries were measured at sea level, upon arrival at 5260 m (ALT1; atmospheric pressure 409 mmHg) and after 16 days of acclimatization (ALT16). Cerebral was calculated as the product of arterial oxygen content and flow in each respective artery and summed to estimate global cerebral blood flow. Vascular resistances were calculated as the quotient of mean arterial pressure and respective flows. Global cerebral blood flow increased by ∼70% upon arrival at ALT1 (P < 0.001) and returned to sea‐level values at ALT16 as a result of changes in cerebral vascular resistance. A reciprocal pattern in arterial oxygen content maintained global cerebral throughout acclimatization, although to the posterior cerebral circulation was increased by ∼25% at ALT1 (P = 0.032). We conclude that cerebral is well maintained upon acute exposure and acclimatization to hypoxia, particularly in the posterior and inferior regions of the brain associated with vital homeostatic functions. This tight regulation of cerebral was achieved through integrated adjustments in local vascular resistances to alter cerebral perfusion during both acute and chronic exposure to hypoxia.