bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Matrix Metalloproteinase-7 and ADAM-12 (a Disintegrin and Metalloproteinase-12) Define a Signaling Axis in Agonist-Induced Hypertension and Cardiac Hypertrophy
Authors: Wang Xiang , Chow Fung Lan , Oka Tatsujiro , Hao Li , Lopez-Campistrous Ana , Kelly Sandra , Cooper Stephan , Odenbach Jeffrey , Finegan Barry A. , Schulz Richard , Kassiri Zamaneh , Lopaschuk Gary D. , Fernandez-Patron Carlos 
Published: April 2009

Background—Excessive stimulation of Gq protein–coupled receptors by cognate vasoconstrictor agonists induces a variety of cardiovascular processes, including hypertension and hypertrophy. Here, we report that matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase-12 (ADAM-12) form a novel signaling axis in these processes.Methods and Results—In functional studies, we targeted MMP-7 in rodent models of acute, long-term, and spontaneous hypertension by 3 complementary approaches: (1) Pharmacological inhibition of activity, (2) expression knockdown (by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides and RNA interference), and (3) gene knockout. We observed that induction of acute hypertension by vasoconstrictors (ie, catecholamines, angiotensin II, and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitorNG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) required the posttranscriptional activation of vascular MMP-7. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, knockdown of MMP-7 (by RNA interference) resulted in attenuation of hypertension and stopped development of cardiac hypertrophy. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction studies in mouse models of MMP-7 knockdown (by RNA interference) and gene knockout revealed that MMP-7 controlled the transcription of ADAM-12, the major metalloproteinase implicated in cardiac hypertrophy. In mice with angiotensin II–induced hypertension and cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial ADAM-12 and downstream hypertrophy marker genes were overexpressed. Knockdown of MMP-7 attenuated hypertension, inhibited ADAM-12 overexpression, and prevented cardiac hypertrophy.Conclusions—Agonist signaling of both hypertension and hypertrophy depends on posttranscriptional and transcriptional mechanisms that involve MMP-7, which is transcriptionally connected with ADAM-12. Approaches targeting this novel MMP-7/ADAM-12 signaling axis could have generic therapeutic potential in hypertensive disorders caused by multiple or unknown agonists.
The Neural Bases of Distraction and Reappraisal
Authors: McRae Kateri , Hughes Brent , Chopra Sita , Gabrieli John D. E. , Gross James J. , Ochsner Kevin N. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractDistraction and reappraisal are two commonly used forms of cognitive emotion regulation. Functional neuroimaging studies have shown that each one depends upon interactions between pFC, interpreted as implementing cognitive control, and limbic regions, interpreted as mediating emotional responses. However, no study has directly compared distraction with reappraisal, and it remains unclear whether they draw upon different neural mechanisms and have different emotional consequences. The present fMRI study compared distraction and reappraisal and found both similarities and differences between the two forms of emotion regulation. Both resulted in decreased negative affect, decreased activation in the amygdala, and increased activation in prefrontal and cingulate regions. Relative to distraction, reappraisal led to greater decreases in negative affect and to greater increases in a network of regions associated with processing affective meaning (medial prefrontal and anterior temporal cortices). Relative to reappraisal, distraction led to greater decreases in amygdala activation and to greater increases in activation in prefrontal and parietal regions. Taken together, these data suggest that distraction and reappraisal differentially engage neural systems involved in attentional deployment and cognitive reframing and have different emotional consequences.
Detection of a Weak Somatosensory Stimulus: Role of the Prestimulus Mu Rhythm and Its Top–Down Modulation
Authors: Zhang Yan , Ding Mingzhou 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe ongoing neural activity in human primary somatosensory cortex (SI) is characterized by field potential oscillations in the 7–13 Hz range known as the mu rhythm. Recent work has shown that the magnitude of the mu oscillation immediately preceding the onset of a weak stimulus has a significant impact on its detection. The neural mechanisms mediating this impact remain not well understood. In particular, whether and how somatosensory mu rhythm is modulated by executive areas prior to stimulus onset for improved behavioral performance has not been investigated. We addressed these issues by recording 128-channel scalp electroencephalogram from normal volunteers performing a somatosensory perception experiment in which they reported the detection of a near-threshold electrical stimulus (∼50% detection rate) delivered to the right index finger. Three results were found. First, consistent with numerous previous reports, the N1 component (∼140 msec) of the somatosensory-evoked potential was significantly enhanced for perceived stimulus compared to unperceived stimulus. Second, the prestimulus mu power and the evoked N1 amplitude exhibited an inverted-U relationship, suggesting that an intermediate level of prestimulus mu oscillatory activity is conducive to stimulus processing and perception. Third, a Granger causality analysis revealed that the prestimulus causal influence in the mu band from prefrontal cortex to SI was significantly higher for perceived stimulus than for unperceived stimulus, indicating that frontal executive structures, via ongoing mu oscillations, exert cognitive control over posterior sensory cortices to facilitate somatosensory processing.
Specific and Nonspecific Neural Activity during Selective Processing of Visual Representations in Working Memory
Authors: Oh Hwamee , Leung Hoi-Chung 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
In this fMRI study, we investigated prefrontal cortex (PFC) and visual association regions during selective information processing. We recorded behavioral responses and neural activity during a delayed recognition task with a cue presented during the delay period. A specific cue (“Face” or “Scene”) was used to indicate which one of the two initially viewed pictures of a face and a scene would be tested at the end of a trial, whereas a nonspecific cue (“Both”) was used as control. As expected, the specific cues facilitated behavioral performance (faster response times) compared to the nonspecific cue. A postexperiment memory test showed that the items cued to remember were better recognized than those not cued. The fMRI results showed largely overlapped activations across the three cue conditions in dorsolateral and ventrolateral PFC, dorsomedial PFC, posterior parietal cortex, ventral occipito-temporal cortex, dorsal striatum, and pulvinar nucleus. Among those regions, dorsomedial PFC and inferior occipital gyrus remained active during the entire postcue delay period. Differential activity was mainly found in the association cortices. In particular, the parahippocampal area and posterior superior parietal lobe showed significantly enhanced activity during the postcue period of the scene condition relative to the Face and Both conditions. No regions showed differentially greater responses to the face cue. Our findings suggest that a better representation of visual information in working memory may depend on enhancing the more specialized visual association areas or their interaction with PFC.
Neural Dynamics Associated with Semantic and Episodic Memory for Faces: Evidence from Multiple Frequency Bands
Authors: Zion-Golumbic Elana , Kutas Marta , Bentin Shlomo 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Prior semantic knowledge facilitates episodic recognition memory for faces. To examine the neural manifestation of the interplay between semantic and episodic memory, we investigated neuroelectric dynamics during the creation (study) and the retrieval (test) of episodic memories for famous and nonfamous faces. Episodic memory effects were evident in several EEG frequency bands: theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (9–13 Hz), and gamma (40–100 Hz). Activity in these bands was differentially modulated by preexisting semantic knowledge and by episodic memory, implicating their different functional roles in memory. More specifically, theta activity and alpha suppression were larger for old compared to new faces at test regardless of fame, but were both larger for famous faces during study. This pattern of selective semantic effects suggests that the theta and alpha responses, which are primarily associated with episodic memory, reflect utilization of semantic information only when it is beneficial for task performance. In contrast, gamma activity decreased between the first (study) and second (test) presentation of a face, but overall was larger for famous than nonfamous faces. Hence, the gamma rhythm seems to be primarily related to activation of preexisting neural representations that may contribute to the formation of new episodic traces. Taken together, these data provide new insights into the complex interaction between semantic and episodic memory for faces and the neural dynamics associated with mnemonic processes.
Two Comments on the Surface Quasigeostrophic Model for the Atmospheric Energy Spectrum
Authors: Lindborg Erik 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
The horizontal wavenumber spectra of wind and temperature in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere display a narrow k−3 range at scales on the order of 1000 km and a broad k−5/3 range at mesoscales on the order of 1 to 500 km. Recently, Tulloch and Smith suggested that a surface quasigeostrophic (SQG) turbulence model can explain the observed spectra. Here, it is first argued that the mesoscale spectra are not likely to be explained by any quasigeostrophic model because the Rossby number corresponding to the mesoscale dynamics is on the order of unity or larger. Then it is argued that the SQG model in particular cannot explain the observations because its mesoscale spectrum displays a k−5/3 dependence only in a very thin layer just below the tropopause. The thickness of this layer can be estimated to be of the order of 10 m, whereas aircraft measurements are typically performed several hundred meters away from the tropopause.
Investigating the Ability of a Land Surface Model to Simulate Streamflow with the Accuracy of Hydrological Models: A Case Study Using MOPEX Materials
Authors: Nasonova Olga N. , Gusev Yeugeniy M. , Kovalev Yeugeniy E. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
In the Model Parameter Estimation Experiment (MOPEX) project, after calibration of model parameters, complex rainfall–runoff hydrological models (HMs) simulated streamflow better than land surface models (LSMs), including the Soil–Water–Atmosphere–Plant (SWAP) model. A possible explanation for this is that the LSMs may not have been well calibrated. To test this statement, different strategies to calibrate SWAP using daily streamflow from 12 MOPEX basins were investigated. Optimization of parameter values was performed using a combination of an automated optimization algorithm and manual efforts. For automated optimization, two different global optimization algorithms were used: 1) a random search technique and 2) a shuffled complex evolution method developed by the University of Arizona (SCE-UA). Two objective functions, based on the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient of efficiency and the mean systematic error, were applied. The number of calibrated parameters ranged from 10 to 15. All adjusted parameters were kept within a reasonable range so as not to violate physical constraints while providing a close match between simulated and measured daily streamflow. The results of streamflow simulations with different sets of optimal parameters were compared with each other, with observations, and with simulation results obtained by the HMs that participated in the MOPEX project. The new SWAP calibration strategies resulted in significant improvement of SWAP streamflow simulations, which came close to the best HM results. It was confirmed that model performance depends greatly on the calibration strategy and that the land surface model SWAP, with appropriate calibration, can simulate runoff with the accuracy that is comparable to the accuracy of hydrological models.
Spectral Polarimetric Radar Clutter Suppression to Enhance Atmospheric Echoes
Authors: Unal Christine 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
The clutter present in the Doppler spectra of atmospheric targets can be removed by using polarimetry. The purpose is to suppress the Doppler velocity bins where spectral polarimetric parameters have atypical values. This procedure largely improves profiles of moments and polarimetric parameters of atmospheric targets. Several spectral polarimetric clutter-reduction techniques, which are based on thresholding and intended for real-time processing, are discussed in this paper. A new method, the double spectral linear depolarization ratio clutter-suppression technique, is proposed. Very satisfactory performances are obtained with this method, which can be used in the full range of elevations (0°–90°). Spectral polarimetric clutter-suppression techniques for real-time processing were studied for the S-band high-resolution Transportable Atmospheric Radar (TARA) profiler. For this study, precipitation, cloud, and clear-air scattering are considered examples of atmospheric echoes. After successful testing in 2008, the double spectral linear depolarization ratio filter was implemented in the real-time processing of the X-band scanning drizzle radar (IDRA).
Verification of Cloud Forecasts over the Eastern Pacific Using Passive Satellite Retrievals
Authors: Nachamkin Jason E. , Schmidt Jerome , Mitrescu Cristian 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Operational cloud forecasts generated by the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)1 were verified over the eastern Pacific Ocean. The study focused on the accuracy of cloud forecasts associated with extratropical cyclone and convective activity during the late winter and spring of 2007. The condensed total water (liquid and solid) path was used as a proxy for cloud cover to compare the forecasts with retrievals from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES). Analyses of the GOES retrievals indicate that deep cloud systems were generally well represented during daylight hours. Thus, the bulk of the verification focused on the general aspects of quality and timing of these deep systems. Multiple statistics were collected, ranging from simple correlations and histograms to more sophisticated fuzzy and composite statistics. The results show that synoptic-scale systems were generally well predicted to at least two days, with the primary error being an overestimation of deep cloud occurrence. Smaller subsynoptic-scale systems were subject to spatial and timing biases in that a number of the forecasts were lagged by 3–6 h. Despite the bias, 60%–70% of the forecasts of the mesoscale phenomena displayed useful skill.
Clinical supervision for nurses working in mental health settings in Queensland, Australia: a randomised controlled trial in progress and emergent challenges
Authors: White Edward , Winstanley Julie 
Published: April 2009

Abstract Several national and state-based inquiry documents have reported long-standing and major concerns about mental health service provision in Australia. In particular, accounts of the difficult circumstances that surround the recruitment and retention of high-quality mental health nurses have clearly emerged, independent of jurisdiction. However, the privately experienced cost of working and coping in contemporary mental health settings, especially when the resilience of nursing staff is tested remains poorly understood. Clinical supervision (CS), a structured staff support arrangement, has shown promise as a positive contribution to the clinical governance agenda and is now found reflected in central policy themes elsewhere in the world. However, the concept of CS remains underdeveloped in Australia. The background to a unique randomised controlled trial (RCT), currently in progress in Queensland, Australia, has been described in this study. The efficacy of the most widely adopted model of CS that may address the promotion of standards and clinical audit issues, the development of skills and knowledge and the personal well-being of the supervisee will be tested. This study, funded by the Queensland Treasury/Golden Casket Foundation, will focus not only on the outcomes for individual mental health nurses but also examine the quality of care they provide and the effects of both on patient outcomes. This study will seek to establish a sustainable, strategically significant contribution to the knowledge base both for the mental health nursing workforce in Queensland (and beyond) and the patients they seek to serve.
Slip systems and critical resolved shear stress in pyrite: an electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) investigation
Authors: Barrie C. D. , Boyle A. P. , Cox S. F. , Prior D. J. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractA suite of experimentally deformed single-crystal pyrite samples has been investigated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Single crystals were loaded parallel to <100> or <110> and deformed at a strain rate of 10-5 s-1, confining pressure of 300 MPa and temperatures of 600°C and 700°C. Although geometrically (Schmid factor) the {001}<100> slip system should not be activated in <100> loaded samples, lattice rotation and boundary trace analyses of the distorted crystals indicate this slip system is easier to justify. Determination of 75 MPa as the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) for {001}<100> activation, in the <110> loaded crystals, suggests a crystal misalignment of ~5—15° in the <100> loaded crystals would be sufficient to activate the {001}<100> slip system. Therefore, {001}<100> is considered the dominant slip system in all of the single-crystal pyrite samples studied. Slip-system analysis of the experimentally deformed polycrystalline pyrite aggregates is consistent with the single-crystal findings, with the exception that {001}<11̄> also appears to be important, although less common than the {001}<100> slip system. The lack of crystal preferred orientation (CPO) development in the polycrystalline pyrite aggregates can be accounted for by the presence of two independent symmetrically equivalent slip systems more than satisfying the von Mises criterion.
Participation of the urokinase receptor in neutrophil efferocytosis
Authors: Park Young-Jun , Liu Gang , Tsuruta Yuko , Lorne Emmanuel , Abraham Edward 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe urokinase receptor (uPAR) plays an important role in regulation of fibronolysis, cell migration, and adhesion. In this study, we examined whether uPAR plays a role in modulating efferocytosis of neutrophils. Macrophages from uPAR−/− mice demonstrated enhanced ability to engulf viable wild-type (WT) neutrophils in vitro and in vivo in the lungs. The increased phagocytic activity of uPAR−/− macrophages was abrogated by incubation with soluble uPAR (suPAR), arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)–containing peptides, or anti-integrin antibodies. There was increased uptake of viable uPAR−/− neutrophils by WT macrophages. Incubation of uPAR−/− neutrophils with suPAR or anti-integrin antibodies diminished uptake by WT macrophages to baseline. Uptake of uPAR−/− neutrophils by uPAR−/− macrophages was not enhanced. However, incubation of uPAR−/− neutrophils or uPAR−/− macrophages, but not both, with suPAR enhanced the uptake of viable uPAR−/− neutrophils by uPAR−/− macrophages. The adhesion of WT neutrophils to uPAR−/− macrophages was higher than to WT macrophages. uPAR−/− neutrophils demonstrated increased adhesion to suPAR, which was abrogated by blocking of low-density lipoprotein related protein and integrins. Expression of uPAR on the surface of apoptotic neutrophils was reduced compared with levels on viable neutrophils. These results demonstrate a novel role for uPAR in modulating recognition and clearance of neutrophils.
MSCs inhibit monocyte-derived DC maturation and function by selectively interfering with the generation of immature DCs: central role of MSC-derived prostaglandin E2
Authors: Spaggiari Grazia Maria , Abdelrazik Heba , Becchetti Flavio , Moretta Lorenzo 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Various studies analyzed the inhibitory effect exerted by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on cells of the innate or acquired immunity. Myeloid dendritic cells (DCs) are also susceptible to such inhibition. In this study, we show that MSCs strongly inhibit DC generation from peripheral blood monocytes. In the presence of MSCs, monocytes supplemented with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) did not acquire the surface phenotype typical of immature (CD14−, CD1a+) or mature (CD80+, CD86+, CD83+) DCs, failed to produce IL-12, and did not induce T-cell activation or proliferation. Analysis of the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for the inhibitory effect revealed a major role of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Thus, addition of the PGE2 inhibitor NS-398 restored DC differentiation and function. Moreover, PGE2 directly added to cultures of monocytes blocked their differentiation toward DCs in a manner similar to MSCs. Although IL-6 has been proposed to play a role in MSC-mediated inhibition of DC differentiation, our data indicate that PGE2 and not IL-6 represents the key inhibitory mediator. Indeed, NS-398 inhibited PGE2 production and restored DC differentiation with no effect on IL-6 production. These data emphasize the role of MSCs in inhibiting early DC maturation and identifying the molecular mechanisms responsible for the inhibitory effect.
Identification of genes differentially expressed in dorsal and ventral chick midbrain during early Development
Authors: Chittka A , Volff JN , Wizenmann A 
Published: April 2009

Abstract

Background
During the development of the central nervous system (CNS), patterning processes along the dorsoventral (DV) axis of the neural tube generate different neuronal subtypes. As development progresses these neurons are arranged into functional units with varying cytoarchitecture, such as laminae or nuclei for efficient relaying of information. Early in development ventral and dorsal regions are similar in size and structure. Different proliferation rates and cell migration patterns are likely to result in the formation of laminae or nuclei, eventually. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that establish these different structural arrangements are not well understood.
We undertook a differential display polymerase chain reaction (DD-PCR) screen to identify genes with distinct expression patterns between dorsal and ventral regions of the chick midbrain in order to identify genes which regulate the sculpturing of such divergent neuronal organisation. We focused on the DV axis of the early chick midbrain since mesencephalic alar plate and basal plate develop into laminae and nuclei, respectively.

Results
We identified 53 differentially expressed bands in our initial screen. Twenty-six of these could be assigned to specific genes and we could unambiguously show the differential expression of five of the isolated cDNAs in vivo by in situ mRNA expression analysis. Additionally, we verified differential levels of expression of a selected number of genes by using reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR method with gene-specific primers.
One of these genes, QR1, has been previously cloned and we present here a detailed study of its early developmental time course and pattern of expression providing some insights into its possible function. Our phylogenetic analysis of QR1 shows that it is the chick orthologue of Sparc-like 1/Hevin/Mast9 gene in mice, rats, dogs and humans, a protein involved in cell adhesion.

Conclusion
This study reveals some possible networks, which might be involved in directing the difference in neuronal specification and cytoarchitecture observed in the brain.