bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
GABA induces the differentiation of small into large cholangiocytes by activation of Ca2+/CaMK I-dependent adenylyl cyclase 8
Authors: Mancinelli Romina , Franchitto Antonio , Glaser Shannon , Meng Fanyin , Onori Paolo , DeMorrow Sharon , Francis Heather , Venter Julie , Carpino Guido , Baker Kimberley , Han Yuyan , Ueno Yoshiyuki , Gaudio Eugenio , Alpini Gianfranco 
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Large, but not small, cholangiocytes (1) secrete bicarbonate by interaction with secretin receptors (SRs) through activation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR), Cl−/HCO3
− (apex) anion exchanger 2 (Cl−/HCO3
− AE2), and adenylyl cyclase (AC)8 (proteins regulating large biliary functions) and (2) proliferate in response to bile duct ligation (BDL) by activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling. Small, mitotically dormant cholangiocytes are activated during damage of large cholangiocytes by activation of D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) I. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) affects cell functions by modulation of Ca2+-dependent signaling and AC. We hypothesized that GABA induces the differentiation of small into large cholangiocytes by the activation of Ca2+/CaMK I-dependent AC8. In vivo, BDL mice were treated with GABA in the absence or presence of 1,2-bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, tetraacetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA/AM) or N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphtalenesulfonamide (W7) before evaluating apoptosis and intrahepatic bile ductal mass (IBDM) of small and large cholangiocytes. In vitro, control- or CaMK I-silenced small cholangiocytes were treated with GABA for 3 days before evaluating apoptosis, proliferation, ultrastructural features, and the expression of CFTR, Cl−/HCO3
− AE2, AC8, and secretin-stimulated cAMP levels. In vivo administration of GABA induces the apoptosis of large, but not small, cholangiocytes and decreases large IBDM, but increased de novo small IBDM. GABA stimulation of small IBDM was blocked by BAPTA/AM and W7. Subsequent to GABA in vitro treatment, small cholangiocytes de novo proliferate and acquire ultrastructural and functional phenotypes of large cholangiocytes and respond to secretin. GABA-induced changes were prevented by BAPTA/AM, W7, and stable knockdown of the CaMK I gene. Conclusion: GABA damages large, but not small, cholangiocytes that differentiate into large cholangiocytes. The differentiation of small into large cholangiocytes may be important in the replenishment of the biliary epithelium during damage of large, senescent cholangiocytes. (HEPATOLOGY 2013;)
Financing incidence analysis of household out‐of‐pocket spending for healthcare: getting more health for money in Nigeria?
Authors: Onwujekwe Obinna , Hanson Kara , Ichoku Hyacinth , Uzochukwu Benjamin 
Published: February 2013

SUMMARYThe study examined the burden of out‐of‐pocket spending (OOPS) to households, because available data showed that OOPS dominates household expenditure on health in Nigeria. The study took place in rural and urban districts in Nigeria. A household questionnaire was used to collect data from 4873 households on their healthcare expenditures and payment mechanisms by using a 1‐month expenditure recall period. Financing incidence analysis was assessed at the household level on the basis of socio‐economic status (SES) groups and rural–urban location of the households. Concentration curves of OOPS were plotted with the Lorenz curve of total household expenditures to show the distribution of the burden of OOPS by SES compared with total household expenditure. The Kakwani index was computed to examine the overall progressivity or regressivity of OOPS. There was lack of financial risk protection for healthcare in the study area. The results showed that 3150 (98.8%) of payments were made using OOPS, nine (0.3%) using reimbursement by employers, one (0.03%) through private voluntary health insurance (PVHI), nine (0.3%) using instalment and 14 (0.44%) through ‘others’. The average monthly household OOPS was 2219.1 Naira. The Kakwani index for financing incidence of OOPS was −0.18, showing that OOPS was regressive. The most‐poor SES groups and rural dwellers experienced the highest burden of health expenditure. Urgent steps should be taken by the government to increase or enhance universal coverage in the country with financial protection mechanisms such as the National Health Insurance Scheme in addition to possibly abolishing some of the user fees that cause high incidence and burden of OOPS. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic Loci That Control the Loss and Regain of Trabecular Bone During Unloading and Reambulation
Authors: Judex Stefan , Zhang Weidong , Donahue Leah Rae , Ozcivici Engin 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACT

Changes in trabecular morphology during unloading and reloading are marked by large variations between individuals, implying that there is a strong genetic influence on the magnitude of the response. Here, we subjected more than 350 second-generation (BALBxC3H) 4-month-old adult female mice to 3 weeks of hindlimb unloading followed by 3 weeks of reambulation to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that define an individual's propensity to either lose trabecular bone when weight bearing is removed or to gain trabecular bone when weight bearing is reintroduced. Longitudinal in vivo micro–computed tomography (µCT) scans demonstrated that individual mice lost between 15% and 71% in trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the distal femur during unloading (average: −43%). Changes in trabecular BV/TV during the 3-week reambulation period ranged from a continuation of bone loss (−18%) to large additions (56%) of tissue (average: +10%). During unloading, six QTLs accounted for 21% of the total variability in changes in BV/TV whereas one QTL accounted for 6% of the variability in changes in BV/TV during reambulation. QTLs were also identified for changes in trabecular architecture. Most of the QTLs defining morphologic changes during unloading or reambulation did not overlap with those QTLs identified at baseline, suggesting that these QTLs harbor genes that are specific for sensing changes in the levels of weight bearing. The lack of overlap in QTLs between unloading and reambulation also emphasizes that the genes modulating the trabecular response to unloading are distinct from those regulating tissue recovery during reloading. The identified QTLs contain the regulatory genes underlying the strong genetic regulation of trabecular bone's sensitivity to weight bearing and may help to identify individuals that are most susceptible to unloading-induced bone loss and/or the least capable of recovering.
A universal fluid cell for the imaging of biological specimens in the atomic force microscope
Authors: Kasas Sandor , Radotic Ksenja , Longo Giovanni , Saha Bashkar , Alonso‐Sarduy Livan , Dietler Giovanni , Roduit Charles 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTRecently, atomic force microscope (AFM) manufacturers have begun producing instruments specifically designed to image biological specimens. In most instances, they are integrated with an inverted optical microscope, which permits concurrent optical and AFM imaging. An important component of the set‐up is the imaging chamber, whose design determines the nature of the experiments that can be conducted. Many different imaging chamber designs are available, usually designed to optimize a single parameter, such as the dimensions of the substrate or the volume of fluid that can be used throughout the experiment. In this report, we present a universal fluid cell, which simultaneously optimizes all of the parameters that are important for the imaging of biological specimens in the AFM. This novel imaging chamber has been successfully tested using mammalian, plant, and microbial cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:357–363, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Daily mean air temperature estimation from MODIS land surface temperature products based on M5 model tree
Authors: Emamifar Saeed , Rahimikhoob Ali , Noroozi Ali Akbar 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTThe use of satellite data to estimate air temperature (Ta) near the Earth's surface has become an effective way for a large area with high spatial and temporal resolution. In this study, M5 model tree was used to estimate Ta in Khuzestan province (in the southwest of Iran) using satellite remotely sensed land surface temperature (Ts) data acquired by the MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)‐Terra sensor. The input variables for the M5 model tree were the daytime and nighttime MODIS Ts, extraterrestrial solar radiation and Julian day. A total of 365 images of MOD11A1 Ts product for the year 2007, covering the area of this study were collected from the Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC). The results of this study showed that mean daily Ta can be estimated with acceptable levels of the statistical indicators from MODIS data and from the two geographic parameters using the M5 model. Root mean square error and R2 for the comparison between observed and estimated Ta for the tested data are 2.3 and 0.96 °C, respectively.
Influence of autochthonous adjunct cultures on ripening parameters of Argentinean goat's milk cheeses
Authors: Oliszewski Rubén , Wolf I Verónica , Bergamini Carina V , Candioti Mario , Perotti María C 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBackgroundArgentinean semi‐hard goat's cheeses manufactured with and without the addition of autochthonous adjunct cultures of Lactobacillus plantarum ETC17, Lactobacillus rhamnosus ETC14 and Enterococcus faecium ETC3 were analysed to evaluate the effect of these strains on ripening parameters.ResultsGross composition was similar among cheeses. Microbiological analysis indicated that lactic acid bacteria added to cheeses reached high levels. None of the strains assayed affected the primary proteolysis. Overall, E. faecium had a clearer effect on the peptide and lipolysis profiles of cheeses. Analysis of the volatile fraction of cheeses indicated that the levels of several compounds involved in the overall flavour of goat's cheeses were affected by the presence of E. faecium. This could explain the differences detected in the global perception of cheeses made with this strain compared with control cheeses.ConclusionThe present work represents a first contribution to knowledge of the ripening process of Argentinean goat's cheeses made with the addition of autochthonous adjunct cultures. The results suggest that E. faecium ETC3 showed a significant effect during ripening, which was reflected both in the profiles of proteolysis, lipolysis and volatile compounds and in the global sensory perception of cheeses. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Beneficial effects of Allium sativum L. stem extract on lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in obese mice fed a high‐fat diet
Authors: Kim Inhye , Kim Haeng‐Ran , Kim Jae‐Hyun , Om Ae‐Son 
Published: February 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study was designed to examine the potential health benefits of Allium sativum L. (garlic) stem extract (ASSE) on obesity and related disorders in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice. Obese mice were orally administered ASSE at doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg kg−1 body weight day−1 for 4 weeks.RESULTSConsumption of ASSE significantly suppressed body weight gain and white adipose tissue (WAT) weight regardless of daily food intake. Obese mice fed ASSE also exhibited a significant decrease in WAT cell size. The decreased level of adiponectin and increased level of leptin in obese mice reverted to near normal mice levels in ASSE‐treated mice. ASSE administration significantly improved lipid parameters of the serum and liver and inhibited fat accumulation in the liver by modulating the activities of hepatic lipid‐regulating enzymes in obese mice. Administration of ASSE also led to significant increases in antioxidant enzymes and suppressed glutathione depletion and lipid peroxidation in hepatic tissue.CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that ASSE may ameliorate obesity, insulin resistance and oxidative damage in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Stereocomplex Crystallization Behavior and Physical Properties of Linear 1‐Arm, 2‐Arm, and Branched 4‐Arm Poly(L‐lactide)/Poly(D‐lactide) Blends: Effects of Chain Directional Change and Branching
Authors: Sakamoto Yuzuru , Tsuji Hideto 
Published: February 2013

AbstractFor number‐average molecular weight (Mn) below 1 × 104 g mol−1, the comparison of cold crystallization temperature and spherulite growth rate and crystallinity of linear 1‐arm, 2‐arm, and branched 4‐arm poly(L‐lactide)/poly(D‐lactide) blends exhibits that the effects of chain directional change and branching significantly disturb stereocomplex crystallization. In contrast, the comparison of glass transition and melting temperatures of linear 1‐arm, 2‐arm, and branched 4‐arm poly(L‐lactide)/poly(D‐lactide) blends indicates that the effects of chain directional change and branching insignificantly alter and largely increase the segmental mobility of the blends, respectively, and the crystalline thickness of the blends is determined by Mn per one arm not by Mn and is not affected by the molecular architecture.magnified image
Characterization of peripheral hematopoietic stem cells and monocytes in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Funk Natalja , Wieghofer Peter , Grimm Sabrina , Schaefer Richard , Bühring Hans‐Jörg , Gasser Thomas , Biskup Saskia 
Published: February 2013

BackgroundEmerging evidence has highlighted the pivotal role of the immune system in neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigated the impact of progressive neurodegeneration on the differentiation and development of hematopoietic stem cells in the peripheral blood of Parkinson's patients. Methods: A colony‐forming cell assay was established to study hematopoietic stem cells from venous blood of Parkinson's patients, and flow cytometry was used to analyze the expression of chemokine receptors on monocytes.ResultsWe demonstrate that there is strong upregulation in the percentage of monocyte precursors in the peripheral blood of Parkinson's patients and asymptomatic high‐risk individuals. We identify the receptor CCR2 as undergoing strong upregulation on the surface of classical monocytes in Parkinson's patients.ConclusionsThe association between blood cell development and progressive cell death in the brain of Parkinson's patients should be further investigated as a potential dynamic biomarker and indicator of disease progression. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
Surgical treatment of myoclonus dystonia syndrome
Authors: Rughani Anand I. , Lozano Andres M. 
Published: February 2013

ABSTRACTMyoclonus dystonia (M‐D) syndrome is a heritable movement disorder characterized by myoclonic jerks and dystonia primarily of the upper extremities. M‐D remains poorly responsive to pharmacological treatment. Emerging reports suggest good response to DBS of the internal globus pallidus (GPi) and ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) of the thalamus. This study aimed to appraise the value of these two DBS targets by evaluating reports available in the literature. A systematic search of published case reports and case series was performed on Medline and Embase. Responses to DBS were evaluated. Myoclonus was assessed with the Unified Myoclonus Rating Scale (UMRS) and dystonia by the Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden dystonia rating scale (BFMDRS). The primary outcome of interest was the relative improvements noted with GPi, compared to VIM stimulation. A total of 17 publications yielded 40 unique cases, with mean follow‐up of 27.2 months. All patients demonstrated improvements in myoclonus scores, with 93.5% showing at least a 50% improvement in UMRS. The mean improvement in myoclonus scores was 72.6%. In contrast, dystonia scores were improved in 87.9% of patients, with 72.7% reporting at least a 50% improvement in BFMDRS. The mean improvement in dystonia scores was 52.6%. Improvements in myoclonus scores were similar for both GPi (75.7%) and VIM (70.4%; P = 0.27). However, the improvements in dystonia scores were greater with GPi (60.2%), compared to VIM (33.3%; P = 0.03). Although both targets achieve similar improvements in myoclonus, GPi stimulation may be a preferred target because it may achieve greater improvements in dystonia, compared to VIM stimulation. © 2013 Movement Disorder Society
Structure‐Activity Relationship Analysis of the Thermal Stabilities of Nitroaromatic Compounds Following Different Decomposition Mechanisms
Authors: Li Jiazhong , Liu Huanxiang , Huo Xing , Gramatica Paola 
Published: February 2013

AbstractThe decomposition behavior of energetic materials is very important for the safety problems concerning their production, transportation, use and storage, because molecular decomposition is intimately connected to their explosive properties. Nitroaromatic compounds, particularly nitrobenzene derivatives, are often considered as prototypical energetic molecules, and some of them are commonly used as high explosives. Quantitative structure‐activity relationship (QSAR) represents a potential tool for predicting the thermal stability properties of energetic materials. But it is reported that constructing general reliable models to predict their stability and their potential explosive properties is a very difficult task. In this work, we make our efforts to investigate the relationship between the molecular structures and corresponding thermal stabilities of 77 nitrobenzene derivatives with various substituent functional groups (in ortho, meta and/or para positions). The proposed best MLR model, developed by the new software QSARINS, based on Genetic Algorithm for variable selection and with various validation tools, is robust, stable and predictive with R2 of 0.86, QLOO2 of 0.79 and CCC of 0.90. The results indicated that, though difficult, it is possible to build predictive, externally validated QSAR models to estimate the thermal stability of nitroaromatic compounds.
Novel retrospective, respiratory‐gating method enables 3D, high resolution, dynamic imaging of the upper airway during tidal breathing
Authors: Wagshul Mark E. , Sin Sanghun , Lipton Michael L. , Shifteh Keivan , Arens Raanan 
Published: February 2013

PurposeA retrospective, respiratory‐gated technique for measuring dynamic changes in the upper airway over the respiratory cycle was developed, with the ultimate goal of constructing anatomically and functionally accurate upper airway models in obstructive sleep apnea patients.MethodsThree‐dimensional cine, retrospective respiratory‐gated, gradient echo imaging was performed in six adolescents being evaluated for polycystic ovary syndrome, a disorder with a high obstructive sleep apnea prevalence. A novel retrospective gating scheme, synchronized to flow from a nasal cannula, limited image acquisition to predefined physiological ranges. Images were evaluated with respect to contrast, airway signal leakage, and demonstration of dynamic airway area changes.ResultsTwo patients were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Motion artifacts were absent in all image sets. Scan efficiency ranged from 48 to 88%. Soft tissue‐to‐airway contrast‐to‐noise ratio varied from 6.1 to 9.6. Airway signal leakage varied between 10 and 17% of soft tissue signal. Automated segmentation allowed calculation of airway area changes over the respiratory cycle. In one severe apnea patient, the technique allowed demonstration of asynchronous airway expansion and contraction above and below a severe constriction.ConclusionsRetrospective, respiratory gated imaging of the upper airway has been demonstrated, utilizing a gating algorithm to ensure acquisition over specified ranges of respiratory rate and tidal volume. Magn Reson Med 70:1580–1590, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of image reconstruction on fiber orientation mapping from multichannel diffusion MRI: Reducing the noise floor using SENSE
Authors: Sotiropoulos S. N. , Moeller S. , Jbabdi S. , Xu J. , Andersson J. L. , Auerbach E. J. , Yacoub E. , Feinberg D. , Setsompop K. , Wald L. L. , Behrens T. E. J. , Ugurbil K. , Lenglet C. 
Published: February 2013

PurposeTo examine the effects of the reconstruction algorithm of magnitude images from multichannel diffusion MRI on fiber orientation estimation.Theory and MethodsIt is well established that the method used to combine signals from different coil elements in multichannel MRI can have an impact on the properties of the reconstructed magnitude image. Using a root‐sum‐of‐squares approach results in a magnitude signal that follows an effective noncentral‐χ distribution. As a result, the noise floor, the minimum measurable in the absence of any true signal, is elevated. This is particularly relevant for diffusion‐weighted MRI, where the signal attenuation is of interest.ResultsIn this study, we illustrate problems that such image reconstruction characteristics may cause in the estimation of fiber orientations, both for model‐based and model‐free approaches, when modern 32‐channel coils are used. We further propose an alternative image reconstruction method that is based on sensitivity encoding (SENSE) and preserves the Rician nature of the single‐channel, magnitude MR signal. We show that for the same k‐space data, root‐sum‐of‐squares can cause excessive overfitting and reduced precision in orientation estimation compared with the SENSE‐based approach.ConclusionThese results highlight the importance of choosing the appropriate image reconstruction method for tractography studies that use multichannel receiver coils for diffusion MRI acquisition. Magn Reson Med 70:1682–1689, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Principal component analysis enhances SNR for dynamic electron paramagnetic resonance oxygen imaging of cycling hypoxia in vivo
Authors: Redler Gage , Epel Boris , Halpern Howard J. 
Published: February 2013

PurposeLow oxygen concentration (hypoxia) in tumors strongly affects their malignant state and resistance to therapy. These effects may be more deleterious in regions undergoing cycling hypoxia. Electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) has provided a noninvasive, quantitative imaging modality to investigate static pO2 in vivo. However, to image changing hypoxia, EPRI images with better temporal resolution may be required. The tradeoff between temporal resolution and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) results in lower SNR for EPRI images with imaging time short enough to resolve cycling hypoxia.MethodsPrincipal component analysis allows for accelerated image acquisition with acceptable SNR by filtering noise in projection data, from which pO2 images are reconstructed. Principal component analysis is used as a denoising technique by including only low‐order components to approximate the EPRI projection data.ResultsSimulated and experimental studies show that principal component analysis filtering increases SNR, particularly for small numbers of sub‐volumes with changing pO2, enabling an order of magnitude increase in temporal resolution with minimal deterioration in spatial resolution or image quality.ConclusionThe SNR necessary for dynamic EPRI studies with temporal resolution required to investigate cycling hypoxia and its physiological implications is enabled by principal component analysis filtering. Magn Reson Med 71:440–450, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.