bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Precast concrete wall with end columns (PreWEC) for earthquake resistant design
Authors: Sritharan Sri , Aaleti Sriram , Henry Richard Stuart , Liu Kuang‐Yen , Tsai Keh‐Chyuan 
Published: March 2015

SummaryAn innovative seismic resisting system consisting of a Precast Wall with End Columns (or PreWEC) has been developed, and its performance has been verified using large‐scale cyclic testing. The wall and end columns in the PreWEC system are anchored individually to a foundation using unbonded post‐tensioning. A newly designed, low‐cost mild steel connector is used to connect the wall and end columns horizontally along the vertical joint. The connectors are easily replaceable and provide additional hysteretic energy dissipation to the system. The PreWEC system can be economically designed to have a lateral load carrying capacity similar to that of a comparable reinforced concrete wall, while minimizing damage and providing self‐centering capability. In addition to confirming these benefits, the large‐scale test demonstrated that the PreWEC system: (i) would provide superior seismic performance compared to other currently available structural wall systems especially for the precast industry; and (ii) meets all the mandatory acceptance criteria established by the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for special unbonded post‐tensioned precast structural walls and building frame special reinforced concrete shear wall systems, as defined in the American Concrete Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7‐05. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heme oxygenase‐1 modulates microRNA expression in cultured astroglia: Implications for chronic brain disorders
Authors: Lin Shih‐Hsiung , Song Wei , Cressatti Marisa , Zukor Hillel , Wang Eugenia , Schipper Hyman M. 
Published: March 2015

BackgroundOver‐expression of the heme‐degrading enzyme, heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) promotes iron deposition, mitochondrial damage, and autophagy in astrocytes and enhances the vulnerability of nearby neuronal constituents to oxidative injury. These neuropathological features and aberrant brain microRNA (miRNA) expression patterns have been implicated in the etiopathogeneses of various neurodevelopmental and aging‐related neurodegenerative disorders.ObjectiveTo correlate glial HO‐1 overexpression with altered miRNA patterns, which have been linked to the aforementioned “core” neuropathological features.MethodsmiRNA microchip assays were performed on HMOX1‐ and sham‐transfected primary rat astroglia and affected miRNAs were further validated by qPCR. The roles of the heme degradation products, carbon monoxide (CO), iron (Fe) and bilirubin on miRNA expression were assessed and salient mRNA targets of the impacted miRNAs were ascertained.ResultsIn HMOX1‐transfected astrocytes, rno‐miR‐140*, rno‐miR‐17, and rno‐miR‐16 were significantly up‐regulated, and rno‐miR‐297, rno‐miR‐206, rno‐miR‐187, rno‐miR‐181a, rno‐miR‐138 and rno‐miR‐29c were down‐regulated, compared to sham‐transfected controls. CO and Fe were implicated in the HMOX1 effects, whereas bilirubin was inert or counteracted the HMOX1‐related changes. mRNA levels of Ngfr, Vglut1, Mapk3, Tnf‐α, and Sirt1, known targets of the down‐regulated miRNAs and abnormal in various human brain disorders, were significantly increased in the HMOX‐1‐transfected astrocytes.ConclusionsIn chronic CNS disorders, altered expression of salient miRNAs and their mRNA targets may contribute to the neural damage accruing from the over‐expression of glial HO‐1. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. GLIA 2015;63:1270–1284
Physical exercise and acute restraint stress differentially modulate hippocampal brain‐derived neurotrophic factor transcripts and epigenetic mechanisms in mice
Authors: Ieraci Alessandro , Mallei Alessandra , Musazzi Laura , Popoli Maurizio 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTPhysical exercise and stressful experiences have been shown to exert opposite effects on behavioral functions and brain plasticity, partly by involving the action of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Although epigenetic modifications are known to play a pivotal role in the regulation of the different BDNF transcripts, it is poorly understood whether epigenetic mechanisms are also implied in the BDNF modulation induced by physical exercise and stress. Here, we show that total BDNF mRNA levels and BDNF transcripts 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 were reduced immediately after acute restraint stress (RS) in the hippocampus of mice, and returned to control levels 24 h after the stress session. On the contrary, exercise increased BDNF mRNA expression and counteracted the stress‐induced decrease of BDNF transcripts. Physical exercise‐induced up‐regulation of BDNF transcripts was accounted for by increase in histone H3 acetylated levels at specific BDNF promoters, whereas the histone H3 trimethylated lysine 27 and dimethylated lysine 9 levels were unaffected. Acute RS did not change the levels of acetylated and methylated histone H3 at the BDNF promoters. Furthermore, we found that physical exercise and RS were able to differentially modulate the histone deacetylases mRNA levels. Finally, we report that a single treatment with histone deacetylase inhibitors, prior to acute stress exposure, prevented the down‐regulation of total BDNF and BDNF transcripts 1, 2, 3, and 6, partially reproducing the effect of physical exercise. Overall, these results suggest that physical exercise and stress are able to differentially modulate the expression of BDNF transcripts by possible different epigenetic mechanisms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Orexinergic theta rhythm in the rat hippocampal formation: In vitro and in vivo findings
Authors: Bocian Renata , Kazmierska Paulina , Kłos‐Wojtczak Paulina , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Konopacki Jan 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTPrevious in vivo data suggested that orexin neuropeptides (ORXAand ORXB) synthetized in hypothalamic neurons were involved in the mechanism of generation of the hippocampal formation theta rhythm. Surprisingly, this suggestion has never been directly proved by experiments using intraseptal or intrahippocampal administration of orexins. In this study, involving the use of in vitro hippocampal formation slices and in vivo model of anesthetized rat, we provide the first convergent electropharmacological evidence that in the presence of both ORXAand ORXBthe hippocampal formation neuronal network is capable of producing oscillations in the theta band. This effect of orexin peptides was antagonized by selective blockers of orexin receptors (OX1R and OX2R), SB 334867 and TCS OX2 29, respectively. These results provide evidence for a novel, orexinergic mechanism responsible for the production of theta rhythm in the hippocampal formation neuronal network. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Network structure of functional hippocampal lateralization in birds
Authors: Jonckers Elisabeth , Güntürkün Onur , De Groof Geert , Van der Linden Annemie , Bingman Verner P. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTFunctional hemispheric asymmetry is a common feature of vertebrate brain organization, yet little is known about how hemispheric dominance is implemented at the neural level. One notable example of hemispheric dominance in birds is the leading role of the left hippocampal formation in controlling navigational processes that support homing in pigeons. Relying on resting state fMRI analyses (where Functional connectivity (FC) can be determined by placing a reference ‘seed’ for connectivity in one hemisphere), we show that following seeding in either an anterior or posterior region of the hippocampal formation of homing pigeons and starlings, the emergent FC maps are consistently larger following seeding of the left hippocampus. Left seedings are also more likely to result in FC maps that extend to the contralateral hippocampus and outside the boundaries of the hippocampus. The data support the hypothesis that broader FC is one neural‐organizational property that confers, with respect to navigation, functional dominance to the left hippocampus of birds. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Divergent ontogenies of trophic morphology in two closely related haplochromine cichlids
Authors: Santos‐Santos Javier H. , Audenaert Leen , Verheyen Erik , Adriaens Dominique 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTFish develop morphological specializations in their trophic and locomotor systems as a result of varying functional demands in response to environmental pressures at different life stages. These specializations should maximize particular performances in specialists, adapting them to their trophic and habitat niches at each ontogenetic stage. Because differential growth rates of the structural components comprised in the head are likely to be linked to the diet of a fish throughout its development, we investigated the ontogenetic development of two haplochromine cichlid species belonging to different trophic guilds. We employed geometric morphometric techniques to evaluate whether starting from morphologically similar fry they diverge into phenotypes that characterize trophic guilds and locomotor types. Our examination of overall body shape shows that certain specialized morphological features are already present in fry, whereas other traits diverge through ontogeny due to differences in species‐specific allometric variation. Allometric shape variation was found to be more relevant for the biter specialist than for the sucker morphotype. Our results confirm that phenotypic changes during ontogeny can be linked to dietary and habitat shifts in these fish. Furthermore, evidence for an integrated development of trophic and locomotor specializations in morphology was observed. J. Morphol. 276:860–871, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modulation of satellite cells activity and MyoD in rat thyroarytenoid muscle after reinnervation
Authors: Kodama Haruka , Kumai Yoshihiko , Nishimoto Kohei , Sanuki Tetsuji , Yumoto Eiji 
Published: March 2015

Objectives/HypothesisTo examine modulation of M‐cadherin, a marker for satellite cells (SCs); and MyoD, which may indicate the myogenic activity following recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) denervation and immediate reinnervation; and to elucidate the correlation between their modulations and establishment of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in the reinnervated rat thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle.Study DesignQuantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction qPCR and histologic assessment of the TA muscle following RLN transection and anastomosis.MethodsRats were divided into three groups: 1) denervation alone (DNV) (n = 60), 2) denervation with anastomosis (ANS) (n = 60), and 3) sham‐operated controls (n = 12). Animals were sacrificed at 3 days and 1, 3, and 5 weeks after treatment. TA muscles harvested from 40 animals from each DNV and ANS group; all of sham group were subjected to qPCR for assessment of the modulation of M‐cadherin and MyoD; and the remaining larynges of DNV and ANS group were used for histologic analysis.ResultsThe expression levels of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) encoding M‐cadherin and MyoD in the TA muscle of the DNV group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the control throughout the study period. These mRNA levels in the ANS group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) at ≤ 1 week than in the controls but fell to control levels at ≥ 3 weeks. In the ANS group, recovery of muscle area and NMJs structure occurred by 3 weeks.ConclusionThese data suggested that NMJ formation following reinnervation might prompt recovery of M‐cadherin and MyoD mRNA expression to the quiescent level of SCs.Level of EvidenceN/A. Laryngoscope, 125:E245–E251, 2015
Trophic structure and food resources of epipelagic and mesopelagic fishes in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre ecosystem inferred from nitrogen isotopic compositions
Authors: Choy C. Anela , Popp Brian N. , Hannides Cecelia C. S. , Drazen Jeffrey C. 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe used bulk tissue δ13C and δ15N values and δ15N values of individual amino acids (AA) to characterize the trophic structure of a pelagic fish assemblage from the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) ecosystem. We focus on energy flow between fishes inhabiting distinct epipelagic, mesopelagic, and upper bathypelagic habitats and on predatory fish foraging across and within these depth habitats. Trophic positions (TPs) estimated from a combination of trophic and source AA δ15N values (TPTr‐Src) spanned a narrow range of 0.7 TP for 10 species of large fishes, including tunas, billfishes, and gempylids (TPTr‐Src 4.3‐5.0). Similarly, 13 species of small micronekton fishes encompassed a range of 1.2 TP (TPTr‐Src 2.6‐3.8). The δ15N values of three source AAs were found to increase with increasing depth of capture across the 13 micronekton fish species (δ15NPhe range = 6.6‰; δ15NGly range = 13.4‰; δ15NSer range = 13.6‰), indicating that some species from epipelagic, mesopelagic, and upper bathypelagic communities access distinct food resources, such as suspended particles. These isotopic depth trends are consistent with previous observations in particulate organic matter and zooplankton from the NPSG, providing new evidence that large pelagic and micronekton fishes access a food web fueled by particles formed in surface waters but that are highly modified by microbes as they slowly settle to remote depths. On the contrary, no significant relationships between the δ15N values of source AAs and habitat depth were observed in the large predator fish group, of which many species move and forage across large depth gradients.
Evidence for the assimilation of ancient glacier organic carbon in a proglacial stream food web
Authors: Fellman Jason B. , Hood Eran , Raymond Peter A. , Hudson John , Bozeman Maura , Arimitsu Mayumi 
Published: March 2015

AbstractWe used natural abundance δ13C, δ15N, and Δ14C to compare trophic linkages between potential carbon sources (leaf litter, epilithic biofilm, and particulate organic matter) and consumers (aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish) in a nonglacial stream and two reaches of the heavily glaciated Herbert River. We tested the hypothesis that proglacial stream food webs are sustained by organic carbon released from glacial ecosystems. Carbon sources and consumers in the nonglacial stream had carbon isotope values that ranged from −30‰ to −25‰ for δ13C and from −14‰ to 53‰ for Δ14C reflecting a food web sustained mainly on contemporary primary production. In contrast, biofilm in the two glacial stream sites was highly Δ14C‐depleted (−215‰ to 175‰) relative to the nonglacial stream consistent with the assimilation of ancient glacier organic carbon. IsoSource modeling showed that in upper Herbert River, macroinvertebrates (Δ14C = −171‰ to 22‰) and juvenile salmonids (Δ14C = −102‰ to 17‰) reflected a feeding history of both biofilm (∼ 56%) and leaf litter (∼ 40%). We estimate that in upper Herbert River on average 36% of the carbon incorporated into consumer biomass is derived from the glacier ecosystem. Thus, 14C‐depleted glacial organic carbon was likely transferred to higher trophic levels through a feeding history of bacterial uptake of dissolved organic carbon and subsequent consumption of 14C‐depleted biofilm by invertebrates and ultimately fish. Our findings show that the metazoan food web is sustained in part by glacial organic carbon such that future changes in glacial runoff could influence the stability and trophic structure of proglacial aquatic ecosystems.
PGSE, OGSE, and sensitivity to axon diameter in diffusion MRI: Insight from a simulation study
Authors: Drobnjak Ivana , Zhang Hui , Ianuş Andrada , Kaden Enrico , Alexander Daniel C 
Published: March 2015

PurposeTo identify optimal pulsed gradient spin‐echo (PGSE) and oscillating gradient spin‐echo (OGSE) sequence settings for maximizing sensitivity to axon diameter in idealized and practical conditions.MethodsSimulations on a simple two‐compartment white matter model (with nonpermeable cylinders) are used to investigate a wide space of clinically plausible PGSE and OGSE sequence parameters with trapezoidal diffusion gradient waveforms. Signal sensitivity is measured as a derivative of the signal with respect to axon diameter. Models of parallel and dispersed fibers are investigated separately to represent idealized and practical conditions.ResultsSimulations show that, for the simple case of gradients perfectly perpendicular to straight parallel fibers, PGSE always gives maximum sensitivity. However, in real‐world scenarios where fibers have unknown and dispersed orientation, low‐frequency OGSE provides higher sensitivity. Maximum sensitivity results show that on current clinical scanners (Gmax = 60 mT/m, signal to noise ratio (SNR) = 20) axon diameters below 6 µm are indistinguishable from zero. Scanners with stronger gradient systems such as the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Connectom scanner (Gmax = 300 mT/m) can extend this sensitivity limit down to 2–3 µm, probing a much greater proportion of the underlying axon diameter distribution.ConclusionLow‐frequency OGSE provides additional sensitivity to PGSE in practical situations. OGSE is particularly advantageous for systems with high performance gradients. Magn Reson Med 75:688–700, 2016. © 2015 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and caregivers: Impact of assistive communication from early stages
Authors: Londral Ana , Pinto Anabela , Pinto Susana , Azevedo Luis , De Carvalho Mamede 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In this study we performed a longitudinal investigation to assess the impact of early introduction of assistive communication devices (ACDs) on quality of life (QoL) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and their caregivers. Methods: Patients were followed for 7–10 months (3 evaluation periods). Bulbar‐onset ALS patients (N = 27) and paired caregivers (N = 17) were included. Fifteen randomly selected patients received early support in ACD use. Patients were assessed using the ALS Functional Rating Scale—revised (ALSFRS‐R), the McGill QoL (MQoL), the Communication Effectiveness Index (CETI), and performance in writing; and caregivers were assessed with the MQoL and World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL‐BREF). Results: Patients with early support had higher MQoL Psychological and MQoL Existential well‐being domains; caregivers had higher MQoL Support domain and their MQoL Psychological domain positively associated with patient CETI. Most patients could communicate using a touchscreen keyboard to write, even when handwriting and speech were not possible. Conclusion: Early intervention with an ACD seems to have a positive impact on QoL and gives patients the opportunity to improve skills for communication in later disease stages. Muscle Nerve 52: 933–941, 2015
Magnetic resonance imaging pattern recognition in sporadic inclusion‐body myositis
Authors: Tasca Giorgio , Monforte Mauro , De Fino Chiara , Kley Rudolf A. , Ricci Enzo , Mirabella Massimiliano 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In sporadic inclusion‐body myositis (IBM), additional tools are needed to confirm the diagnosis, particularly in clinically atypical or pathologically unproven patients. The aims of this study were to define the pattern of muscle MRI in IBM and to assess its accuracy in differentiating IBM from other myopathies that overlap with it clinically or pathologically. Methods: Blind assessment was done on the scans of 17 definite IBM, 2 possible IBM, and 118 patients with other myopathies. Results: The diagnostic accuracy to detect definite IBM was 95% for the typical pattern (with 100% specificity) and 97% for both typical and consistent patterns (with 97% specificity). Conclusions: Muscle MRI is an accurate tool for diagnostic work‐up of suspected IBM patients and may be particularly helpful in patients with early disease or who lack the classical IBM pathology. Muscle Nerve 52: 956–962, 2015
Territory and fiber orientation of vastus medialis motor units: A Surface electromyography investigation
Authors: Gallina Alessio , Vieira Taian 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether muscle fibers innervated by single motor neurons are confined in small subvolumes of the vastus medialis (VM) and if motor unit fiber orientation depends on their position within the muscle. Methods: Single motor units were identified from a grid of surface electrodes. The size of their surface representation and fiber orientation were extracted using an algorithm validated on simulated signals. Results: The action potentials of 77 motor units were represented locally on the skin (10th–90th percentiles: 14–25 mm). According to simulations, this indicates territories smaller than 11.8–64.8 mm. Motor units in distal regions of VM had fibers at a greater angle than those in proximal regions (R = –0.54, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Motor units with small territories and varying fiber orientations may be an anatomical predisposition to regulate how regions within VM apply forces to the patella. This could help to redistribute loads within the joint in painful conditions. Muscle Nerve 52: 1057–1065, 2015
F‐wave and motor‐evoked potentials during motor imagery and observation in apraxia of Parkinson disease
Authors: Gündüz Ayşegül , Kiziltan Meral E. 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The amplitudes of F‐waves and motor‐evoked potentials (MEPs) increase during imagination or active motor performance. The aim of this study was to investigate F‐wave and MEP facilitation during assessment of apraxia. Methods: Eight Parkinson disease (PD) patients with apraxia, 11 patients without apraxia, and 8 healthy volunteers were enrolled. F‐waves and MEPs were recorded during 4 states (resting, imagination, observation, and active movement). Results: The mean amplitude of the F‐waves increased significantly during imagination and active movement as compared with at rest in healthy individuals (P = 0.028) and in the nonapraxia group (P = 0.005). PD patients with apraxia did not have similar facilitation. The mean amplitude of the MEPs also showed a similar loss of facilitation in PD with apraxia. Conclusions: Loss of facilitation during the preparation for movement is closely related to the “gold standard” clinical praxis battery. This study provides additional support and a potential electrophysiological assessment method for apraxia in PD. Muscle Nerve 52: 1072–1077, 2015
Muscle magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in X‐linked myopathy with excessive autophagy
Authors: Mercier Sandra , Magot Armelle , Caillon Florence , Isidor Bertrand , David Albert , Ferrer Xavier , Vital Anne , Coquet Michelle , Penttilä Sini , Udd Bjarne , Mussini Jean‐Marie , Pereon Yann 
Published: March 2015

ABSTRACTIntroduction: X‐linked myopathy with excessive autophagy (XMEA) is an X‐linked recessive myopathy due to recently reported mutations in the VMA21 gene. Methods: Four men from 2 separate families were studied. The clinical presentation, genetic data, muscle biopsy, and muscle MRI were analyzed. Results: A known VMA21 mutation, c.163+4A>G, and a new mutation, c.163+3A>G, respectively, were found in the 2 families. The clinical course was characterized by onset in childhood and progressive muscle weakness with a limb‐girdle pattern. Muscle biopsy revealed a mild myopathy with an increased number of giant autophagic vacuoles. Whole‐body muscle MRI showed that pelvic girdle and proximal thighs were the most and earliest affected territories, with sparing of rectus femoris muscles. Muscle changes essentially consisted of degenerative fatty replacement. Conclusions: This study highlights a distinctive MRI pattern of muscle involvement, which can be helpful for diagnosis of XMEA, even before muscle biopsy or genetic analysis. Muscle Nerve 52: 673–680, 2015