bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Traditional Chinese Biotechnology
Authors: Xu Yan , Wang Dong , Fan Wen Lai , Mu Xiao Qing , Chen Jian
Published: November 2012

Review: 78 refs.
ChemInform Abstract: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Authors: Gladden Lynn F. , Lutecki Michal , McGregor James
Published: November 2012

Review: 206 refs.
Remediation of Iron, Manganese, and Organic Pollutants in Lignite‐Derived Water Using an Upflow Biological Aerated Filter
Authors: Zhang Chunhui , Wang Qian , Li He , Lu Jia
Published: November 2012

A large amount of lignite‐derived water is created during the process of refining lignite. The concentration of Fe, Mn, phenol, and some other organic pollutants of the lignite‐derived water is above the discharge permit or circulating cooling water reuse standard in China. A laboratory‐scale upflow biological aerated filter (UBAF) was developed to treat this lignite‐derived water. Three kinds of coke powders, as waste products in the coal chemical industry with 0.1–0.4 mm, 0.5–1.0 mm, and 1.0–2.0 mm in diameter, were tested as the UBAF's carrier materials. A comparative study of gas–water ratio for the UBAF is presented. The studies presented in this paper demonstrate that with coke powder diameter of 0.5–1.0 mm and gas/water ratio of 7:1, the UBAF reactor can achieve optimal removal efficiency. After the UBAF treatment, the removal efficiency of Fe, Mn, and phenol was found to be 38.4–62.5%, 56.6–74.3%, and 89.5–94.3%, respectively. The lignite‐derived water can meet the discharge permit to surface water and reuse standard for circulating cooling water after the treatment by UBAF. The coke powder, as a waste material, can be used as a support material for UBAF very well.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital template for urologic cytology samples
Authors: Rosenthal Dorothy L. , VandenBussche Christopher J. , Burroughs Frances H. , Sathiyamoorthy Srividya , Guan Hui , Owens Christopher
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND:

The most important indicator for urologic surgeons at The Johns Hopkins Hospital to have a patient undergo cystoscopy is a cytologic diagnosis of high‐grade urothelial carcinoma. The template was designed to standardize diagnostic categories so clinicians can manage their patients uniformly. The template was based in part on the Bethesda System for cervical cytology.

METHODS:

According to the template, reactive/inflammatory changes were included in the negative group (no urothelial atypia or malignancy identified). The category atypical urothelial cells of undetermined significance (AUC‐US) was akin to atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC‐US), as was the category of atypical urothelial cells, favor high‐grade carcinoma (AUC‐H). The categories high‐grade urothelial carcinoma (HGUC) and low‐grade urothelial carcinoma also were added.

RESULTS:

The Pathology Data System at the Johns Hopkins Hospital was searched for cases that met the following criteria over a period from July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2009: all cytologic specimens from the urinary tract and all surgical specimens with a diagnosis of HGUC, regardless of invasion status. All cytologic specimens were then matched with biopsies during the same period, and all surgical specimens from patients who had a cytologic diagnosis of AUC‐US or AUC‐H were retrieved for 18 months after the end of the 2‐year study period. Greater than 50% of patients who had biopsy‐confirmed HGUC had a preceding cytologic diagnosis of AUC‐H or HGUC. When patients with AUC‐US were added to the analysis, 80% of patients with HGUC had at least 1 abnormal urinary cytology result. Of those patients who had a diagnosis of AUC‐H, 38% had urothelial cancer discovered at biopsy compared with only 10% of those with an AUC‐US diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

The authors concluded that their template is effective in targeting those patients who need to undergo cystoscopy. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:15–20 © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Moving forward in global‐change ecology: capitalizing on natural variability
Authors: Ibáñez Inés , Gornish Elise S. , Buckley Lauren , Debinski Diane M. , Hellmann Jessica , Helmuth Brian , HilleRisLambers Janneke , Latimer Andrew M. , Miller‐Rushing Abraham J. , Uriarte Maria
Published: November 2012

Natural resources managers are being asked to follow practices that accommodate for the impact of climate change on the ecosystems they manage, while global‐ecosystems modelers aim to forecast future responses under different climate scenarios. However, the lack of scientific knowledge about short‐term ecosystem responses to climate change has made it difficult to define set conservation practices or to realistically inform ecosystem models. Until recently, the main goal for ecologists was to study the composition and structure of communities and their implications for ecosystem function, but due to the probable magnitude and irreversibility of climate‐change effects (species extinctions and loss of ecosystem function), a shorter term focus on responses of ecosystems to climate change is needed. We highlight several underutilized approaches for studying the ecological consequences of climate change that capitalize on the natural variability of the climate system at different temporal and spatial scales. For example, studying organismal responses to extreme climatic events can inform about the resilience of populations to global warming and contribute to the assessment of local extinctions. Translocation experiments and gene expression are particular useful to quantitate a species' acclimation potential to global warming. And studies along environmental gradients can guide habitat restoration and protection programs by identifying vulnerable species and sites. These approaches identify the processes and mechanisms underlying species acclimation to changing conditions, combine different analytical approaches, and can be used to improve forecasts of the short‐term impacts of climate change and thus inform conservation practices and ecosystem models in a meaningful way.
Species‐specific water use by woody plants on the Edwards Plateau, Texas
Authors: Elkington R. J. , Rebel K. T. , Heilman J. L. , Litvak M. E. , Dekker S. C. , Moore G. W.
Published: November 2012

Woody encroachment is of great socio‐economic and ecological importance in semiarid savannas because it is presumed to alter the water balance in such ecosystems. We compared two encroachers, Ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) and honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), with the less invasive live oak (Quercus fusiformis) to ascertain whether soil depth or species‐specific water use strategy is most important in determining transpirational losses on shallow soils underlain by fractured limestone bedrock on the Edwards Plateau. Sap fluxes, leaf water potentials, soil moisture and meteorological information were monitored during spring 2009 at three sites with differing soil depths and were used in a non‐spatial soil–vegetation–atmosphere water transfer model to predict different rooting depths. Sap flux responses and soil water stress were compared using multivariate statistical analysis. At two relatively deep‐soil savanna sites, we found that dominant tree species had similar water use behaviour. However, at the shallow‐soil forest containing Ashe juniper and live oak, juniper transpiration was much higher early in the season than oak transpiration, indicating that juniper benefited more from early spring rainfall than oaks. The model predicts that maximum rooting depths for the woody vegetation were mostly constrained by site soil depths. This study provides new evidence that these species perform similarly on shallow soils and that their water use is restricted by soil depth. The only species‐specific strategy found important in determining transpirational losses was juniper's ability to withstand low soil water potentials in very shallow soils. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monomeric, Dimeric Helical, and 1D Nickel Polyoxotungstates Structured by Carboxylate Derivatives
Authors: Rousseau Guillaume , Rivière Eric , Dolbecq Anne , Marrot Jérôme , Oms Olivier , Mialane Pierre
Published: November 2012

Three new nickel‐substituted Keggin‐type polyoxometalates functionalized by carboxylate derivatives were characterized. In the monomeric tetranuclear complex Na1.5K2.5[Ni(H2O)6]0.5[(SiW9O34)(OH)3Ni4(C6H13NO2)3]·17H2O (1), three dimethylaminobutyrate amino acids are connected to a {SiW9Ni4} subunit through the carboxylato groups, and the pendant amino functions are protonated. In the dimeric, octanuclear species Na2K12[Ni(H2O)6][(SiW9O34)2(OH)6Ni8(C6H8O4)3]·40H2O (2), three saturated adipato (C6, dicarboxylate) ligands connect two {SiW9Ni4} fragments. This unique molecular‐helical polyoxometalate is obtained as a racemic mixture of the M and P enantiomers. When the aromatic dicarboxylate p‐phenylenediacetate is used as a bridging ligand, the compound Na6K8[(SiW9O34)2(OH)6Ni8(C10H8O4)3]·45H2O (3) is obtained. In this species, two equivalent p‐phenylenediacetato linkers connect two {SiW9Ni4} subunits to form a {Si2W18Ni8} assembly, and a third dicarboxylato ligand connects these fragments, which affords a 1D polyoxometalate with a zigzag‐chain topology. Solution 1H NMR studies and IR experiments show that redissolving all these species in water affords carboxylato‐free compounds after few hours. The magnetic properties of complexes 1 and 2 were also studied. For these two compounds, a quantification of the magnetic exchange interactions revealed the presence of competitive antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions.
Characterization of Electrode/Electrolyte Interface of ECIS Devices
Authors: Pradhan Rangadhar , Mitra Analava , Das Soumen
Published: November 2012

Electric cell‐substrate impedance sensing requires low electrode/electrolyte interface impedance for effective biomedical and biophysical applications. Thus a complete understanding of physical processes involved in the formation of an electric double layer is required to design a low interface impedance device. This paper presents the numerical simulation of the impedance for the electrode/electrolyte interface of three‐electrode devices along with the practical realization for the effective workout of impedance sensing devices. The three‐electrode based impedance sensing devices along with phosphate buffered saline as electrolyte is simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics to evaluate the impedance of the electrode/electrolyte interface. Microfabrication technology is used to realize three‐electrode impedance sensing devices with diverse configuration which are used to measure the electrode/electrolyte interface impedance. The measured impedance data were then compared with the COMSOL simulated results and it is found that both the data sets fitted well with less than 5 % RSE. The results obtained from simulation and experiments indicate that the impedance due to double layer diffusion dominates in the low frequency region up to few kHz whereas electrolytic bulk resistance plays a major role in the higher frequency range. The experimental impedance data were further interpreted by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis software to model the equivalent circuit of the electrochemical system.
Altered protein profiles in human umbilical cords with preterm and full‐term delivery
Authors: Park Mi‐Ryung , Park Jong‐Yi , Kwon Deug‐Nam , Cho Ssang‐Goo , Park Chankyu , Seo Han‐Geuk , Ko Yeoung‐Gyu , Gurunathan Sangiliyandi , Kim Jin‐Hoi
Published: November 2012

Several biomarkers are routinely used clinically for predicting preterm labor; however, these factors are either nonspecific or detected too late. Here, we performed protein profiles in preterm‐ and term‐derived human umbilical cord by using 2DE. Approximately 200 different proteins were identified between preterm‐ and term‐delivered umbilical cords. Among them, 48 proteins were identified. A comparison of preterm proteome to that of term proteome revealed potential candidates for biomarkers, such as hypoxia‐inducible proteins, phosphorylated heat‐shock protein 27 (HSP27), transgelin, vimentin, and transferrin that are specific to preterm umbilical cords. Especially, HSP27 in preterm‐derived umbilical cords shows a significant increase in the mono‐ and tetra‐phosphorylation. The real importance of all of HSP27 phosphorylation as well as hypoxia‐inducible factor 1alpha, and glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase require further validation in vitro and in vivo; nevertheless, we believe that they could represent promising diagnostic targets for detection of sudden early delivery. In conclusion, the results of the current study may provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying umbilical cord development.
CCR4 expressing cells cultured adherently on a capillary wall and formaldehyde fixed as the stationary phase for ligand screening by ACE
Authors: Yakufu Pazilaiti , Qi Hui , Li Meina , Ling Xiaomei , Chen Wenjing , Wang Ying
Published: November 2012

We have developed an on‐line screening method for CC chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4) ligands, in which the whole cells expressed with CCR4 were cultured adherently and immobilized on the inner wall of the capillary as the stationary phase for the first time. Moreover, in this method it is unnecessary to isolate and purify the target receptors from cell membranes. Therefore, it is possible to almost completely preserve the native conformation of the target receptors. The binding activities of the immobilized CCR4 did not change. A known antagonist of CCR4, compound A, was employed to validate the bioactivity of the cell layer and stability of this method. The intraday, interday, and batch‐to‐batch reproducibilities were investigated (RSD ≤ 13.9%). Nonlinear chromatography was used to calculate the binding constant between the compound A and CCR4 (6.4 × 104/M, RSD = 4.96%). Using this method, the qualitative and quantitative characterizations of 23 computer‐aided drug design compounds were achieved and the kinetic parameters (K, ka, kd, and k′) were obtained by nonlinear chromatography. Three active compounds were screened out, which also showed activity in chemotaxis inhibition assay. The experimental results show that this method is simple, sensitive, and efficient for drug screening. Moreover, it offered a novel way to detect the nonspecific interactions between ligands and cell membrane.
Determination of micro‐RNA in cardiomyoblast cells using CE with LIF detection
Authors: Ban Eunmi , Chae Dong‐Kyu , Song Eun Joo
Published: November 2012

Micro‐RNAs (miRNAs) are small, endogenous, singlestranded, and noncoding RNAs. The miRNAs have been found to perform important functions in many cellular processes, such as development, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Circulating miRNAs have been proposed as emerging biomarkers in diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease including acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this study, we developed CE with LIF (CE‐LIF) using fluorescence‐labeled DNA probe for determination of low abundance miRNA in cell extracts. The target miRNA is miRNA‐499, a biomarker candidate of AMI with low abundance in biological samples. In order to measure the trace level of miRNA, we optimized the hybridization conditions such as hybridization time, temperature, and buffer solution. The highest fluorescence intensity of the hybridized miRNA‐499 was found when hybridization was conducted at 40°C in 50 mM Tris‐acetate (pH 8.0) buffer containing 50 mM NaCl, and 10 mM EDTA for 15 min. The hybridized miRNA‐499 was detected in cultured H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells and the analysis of miRNA‐499 was completed within 1 h using CE‐LIF. These results showed the potential of CE for fast, specific, and sensitive high‐throughput analysis of low‐abundance miRNAs in cell extracts, biofluids, and tissues.
Interstitial telomeric sequences are not preferentially involved in the chromosome damage induced by the methylating compound streptozotocin in chinese hamster cells
Authors: Quiroga Ivana Y. , Paviolo Natalia S. , Bolzán Alejandro D.
Published: November 2012

The effect of the methylating compound streptozotocin (STZ) on interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) was investigated in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells by using peptide nucleic acid‐fluorescence in situ hybridization with a pantelomeric probe. Cells were exposed to increasing concentrations of STZ, and chromosomal aberrations were analyzed at the first mitosis after treatment. The frequency of chromosomal aberrations directly involving ITSs increased in STZ‐treated cells by a factor of 2.6 (2 mM) and 3.6 (4 mM) when compared with the frequency of these aberrations in control cells (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were found between control and exposed cells in the percentage of aberrations directly involving ITSs, demonstrating that these repeat regions were not preferentially involved in the chromosome damage induced by STZ. In addition, STZ did not alter telomerase activity, suggesting that this enzyme may not be involved in the induction of chromosomal aberrations by this compound. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An examination of historical air pollutant emissions from us petroleum refineries
Authors: Nelson Thomas P.
Published: November 2012

Criteria and hazardous air pollutant emissions from petroleum refineries in the US have decreased over the last 20 yr despite increasing crude density, changes in sulfur concentrations, increasingly stringent product specifications, and overall increase of refinery production of major fuel types. Refinery emissions of criteria air pollutants have decreased as much as 80% from 1990 to 2010. Emissions of hazardous air pollutants and their associated toxicity hazard potential have decreased nearly 70%. Furthermore, the emissions are not correlated with changes in crude oil sulfur content or density. Trends in annual criteria and hazardous air pollutant emissions and in crude oil density and sulfur content are compared to assess potential relationships between crude quality and refinery emissions. The potential toxicity of hazardous air pollutant emissions is evaluated using USEPA‐derived toxicity criteria and then trended to demonstrate the overall reduction in toxicity hazard potential that has occurred. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 425‐432, 2013
Intraday Liquidity Provision by Trader Types in a Limit Order Market: Evidence from Taiwan Index Futures
Authors: Chiu Junmao , Chung Huimin , Wang George H. K.
Published: November 2012

This study examines the dynamic liquidity provision process by institutional and individual traders in the Taiwan index futures market, which is a pure limit order market. The empirical analysis obtains several interesting empirical results. We find that trader type affects liquidity provision in a number of interesting ways. First, although institutional traders use more limit orders than market orders, foreign institution (individual) traders use a relatively higher percentage of market (limit) orders in the early trading session and then switch to more limit (market) orders for the remainder of the day until close to the end of the trading day. Second, net limit order submissions by both institutional and individual traders are positively related to one‐period lagged transitory volatility and negatively related to informational volatility. Third, net limit order submissions by institutional traders are positively related to one‐period lagged spread. Finally, both the state of limit order book and order size significantly influence all types of traders’ strategy on submission of limit order versus market order during the intraday trading session. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 34:145–172, 2014
Liver-specific p38α deficiency causes reduced cell growth and cytokinesis failure during chronic biliary cirrhosis in mice
Authors: Tormos Ana M. , Arduini Alessandro , Talens-Visconti Raquel , del Barco Barrantes Ivan , Nebreda Angel R. , Sastre Juan
Published: November 2012

p38α mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) may be essential in the up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and can be activated by transforming growth factor β, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and oxidative stress. p38 MAPK activation results in hepatocyte growth arrest, whereas increased proliferation has been considered a hallmark of p38α-deficient cells. Our aim was to assess the role of p38α in the progression of biliary cirrhosis induced by chronic cholestasis as an experimental model of chronic inflammation associated with hepatocyte proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and fibrogenesis. Cholestasis was induced in wildtype and liver-specific p38α knockout mice by bile duct ligation and animals were sacrificed at 12 and 28 days. p38α knockout mice exhibited a 50% decrease in mean life-span after cholestasis induction. MK2 phosphorylation was markedly reduced in liver of p38α-deficient mice upon chronic cholestasis. Hepatocyte growth was reduced and hepatomegaly was absent in p38α-deficient mice during chronic cholestasis through down-regulation of both AKT and mammalian target of rapamycin. Cyclin D1 and cyclin B1 were up-regulated in liver of p38α-deficient mice upon chronic cholestasis, but unexpectedly proliferating cell nuclear antigen was down-regulated at 12 days after cholestasis induction and the mitotic index was very high upon cholestasis in p38α-deficient mice. p38α-knockout hepatocytes exhibited cytokinesis failure evidenced by an enhanced binucleation rate. As chronic cholestasis evolved the binucleation rate decreased in wildtype animals, whereas it remained high in p38α-deficient mice.

Conclusion :

Our results highlight a key role of p38α in hepatocyte proliferation, in the development of hepatomegaly, and in survival during chronic inflammation such as biliary cirrhosis.
Establishment and characterization of MRT cell lines from genetically engineered mouse models and the influence of genetic background on their development
Authors: Kuwahara Yasumichi , Mora‐Blanco E. Lorena , Banine Fatima , Rogers Arlin B. , Fletcher Christopher , Sherman Larry S. , Roberts Charles W. M. , Weissman Bernard E.
Published: November 2012

Malignant rhabdoid tumors (MRTs) are rare, aggressive cancers occuring in young children primarily through inactivation of the SNF5(INI1, SMARCB1) tumor suppressor gene. We and others have demonstrated that mice heterozygous for a Snf5 null allele develop MRTs with partial penetrance. We have also shown that Snf5+/− mice that lack expression of the pRb family, due to TgT121 transgene expression, develop MRTs with increased penetrance and decreased latency. Here, we report that altering the genetic background has substantial effects upon MRT development in Snf5+/−‐ and TgT121;Snf5+/− mice, with a mixed F1 background resulting in increased latency and the appearance of brain tumors. We also report the establishment of the first mouse MRT cell lines that recapitulate many features of their human counterparts. Our studies provide further insight into the genetic influences on MRT development as well as provide valuable new cell culture and genetically engineered mouse models for the study of CNS‐MRT etiology.
Fiber‐optic Raman spectroscopy probes gastric carcinogenesis in vivo at endoscopy
Authors: Bergholt Mads Sylvest , Zheng Wei , Ho Khek Yu , Teh Ming , Yeoh Khay Guan , So Jimmy Bok Yan , Shabbir Asim , Huang Zhiwei
Published: November 2012

Intestinal‐type gastric carcinogenesis is a complex multi‐step disease, and early precursors (e.g. intestinal metaplasia (IM), dysplasia) can be very challenging to identify using conventional white‐light endoscopic imaging. This study aims to assess the capability of Raman spectroscopy for multi‐class elucidation of intestinal‐type gastric carcinogenesis sequence in vivo for improving precancer detection at endoscopy. We employ a novel image‐guided Raman endoscopy technique developed for in vivo gastric tissue Raman measurement within 0.5 s during clinical endoscopic examination. We have acquired a total of 1277 in vivo Raman spectra from 83 gastric patients associated with intestinal‐type carcinogenesis. In vivo Raman spectroscopy integrated with semi‐quantitative spectral modelling (e.g. DNA, lipids, glycoprotein, proteins and blood) reveals the progressive changes of biochemical constituents in gastric tissue associated with preneoplastic and neoplastic transformation (i.e., IM, dysplasia and adenocarcinoma). Multi‐class probabilistic partial least squares‐discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) diagnostic algorithms based on in vivo Raman spectra are able to identify normal mucosa with sensitivity of 75.88% and specificity of 87.21%; IM with sensitivity of 46.67% and specificity of 87.55%; dysplasia with sensitivity of 83.33%; specificity of 95.80%, and adenocarcinoma with sensitivity of 84.91% and specificity 95.57%, respectively. This work demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy is a sensitive biomolecular probe for monitoring intestinal‐type gastric carcinogenesis to realize early diagnosis and detection of precancer and early gastric cancer in vivo during clinical endoscopic examination. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Increased mandibular condylar growth in mice with estrogen receptor beta deficiency
Authors: Kamiya Yosuke , Chen Jing , Xu Manshan , Utreja Achint , Choi Thomas , Drissi Hicham , Wadhwa Sunil
Published: November 2012

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders predominantly afflict women of childbearing age, suggesting a role for female hormones in the disease process. In long bones, estrogen acting via estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) inhibits axial skeletal growth in female mice. However, the role of ERβ in the mandibular condyle is largely unknown. We hypothesize that female ERβ-deficient mice will have increased mandibular condylar growth compared to wild-type (WT) female mice. This study examined female 7-day-old, 49-day-old, and 120-day-old WT and ERβ knockout (KO) mice. There was a significant increase in mandibular condylar cartilage thickness as a result of an increased number of cells, in the 49-day-old and 120-day-old female ERβ KO compared with WT controls. Analysis in 49-day-old female ERβ KO mice revealed a significant increase in collagen type X, parathyroid hormone–related protein (Pthrp), and osteoprotegerin gene expression and a significant decrease in receptor activator for nuclear factor κ B ligand (Rankl) and Indian hedgehog (Ihh) gene expression, compared with WT controls. Subchondral bone analysis revealed a significant increase in total condylar volume and a decrease in the number of osteoclasts in the 49-day-old ERβ KO compared with WT female mice. There was no difference in cell proliferation in condylar cartilage between the genotypes. However, there were differences in the expression of proteins that regulate the cell cycle; we found a decrease in the expression of Tieg1 and p57 in the mandibular condylar cartilage from ERβ KO mice compared with WT mice. Taken together, our results suggest that ERβ deficiency increases condylar growth in female mice by inhibiting the turnover of fibrocartilage. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Sodium hydrogen sulfide inhibits nicotine and lipopolysaccharide‐induced osteoclastic differentiation and reversed osteoblastic differentiation in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Lee Sun‐Kyung , Chung Jong‐Hyuk , Choi Sung‐Chul , Auh Q‐Schick , Lee Young‐Man , Lee Sang‐Im , Kim Eun‐Cheol
Published: November 2012

Although previous studies have demonstrated that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) stimulated or inhibited osteoclastic differentiation, little is known about the effects of H2S on the differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. To determine the possible bioactivities of H2S on bone metabolism, we investigated the in vitro effects of H2S on cytotoxicity, osteoblastic, and osteoclastic differentiation as well as the underlying mechanism in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and nicotine‐stimulated human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). The H2S donor, NaHS, protected hPDLCs from nicotine and LPS‐induced cytotoxicity and recovered nicotine‐ and LPS‐downregulated osteoblastic differentiation, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mRNA expression of osteoblasts, including ALP, osteopontin (OPN), and osteocalcin (OCN), and mineralized nodule formation. Concomitantly, NaHS inhibited the differentiation of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)‐positive osteoclasts in mouse bone marrow cells and blocked nicotine‐ and LPS‐induced osteoclastogenesis regulatory molecules, such as RANKL, OPG, M‐CSF, MMP‐9, TRAP, and cathepsin K mRNA. NaHS blocked nicotine and LPS‐induced activation of p38, ERK, MKP‐1, PI3K, PKC, and PKC isoenzymes, and NF‐κB. The effects of H2S on nicotine‐ and LPS‐induced osteoblastic and osteoclastic differentiation were remarkably reversed by MKP‐1 enzyme inhibitor (vanadate) and expression inhibitor (triptolide). Taken together, we report for the first time that H2S inhibited cytotoxicity and osteoclastic differentiation and recovered osteoblastic differentiation in a nicotine‐ and periodontopathogen‐stimulated hPDLCs model, which has potential therapeutic value for treatment of periodontal and inflammatory bone diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 1183–1193, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical value of carotid wave intensity analysis for differentiating nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to systemic hypertension
Authors: Li Yue , Guo Liang
Published: November 2012

Purpose.

Wave intensity (WI) is a set of new hemodynamic indexes (W1, W2, and NA) based on the calculation of (dp/dt) × (dv/dt) on any artery. We assessed the value of carotid WI analysis for differentiating nonobstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (NOHCM) from left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to hypertension (LVHSH).

Methods.

Nineteen NOHCM, 34 LVHSH, and 37 normal controls (NC) underwent conventional echocardiographic examination and carotid WI analysis performed with an Aloka α10 sonographic system (Alok, Tokyo, Japan) with real‐time wave intensity calculation software.

Results.

W1 was higher in NOHCM (11,830 ± 7,850 mmHg·m·s−3) and in LVHSH (13,670 ± 13,490 mmHg·m·s−3) than in NC (7,010 ± 3,620 mmHg·m·s−3). W2 was lower in NOHCM (850 ± 870 mmHg·m·s−3) than in LVHSH (2,310 ± 1,390 mmHg·m·s−3, p < 0.01) and in NC (1,650 ± 960 mmHg·m·s−3, p < 0.01). Using W2 ≤ 1,100 mmHg·m·s−3 as a threshold for differentiating NOHCM from LVHSH yielded an 84.2% sensitivity and 82.4% specificity. NA was higher in LVHSH (57.55 ± 57.82 mmHg·m·s−2) than in NOHCM (34.24 ± 13.03 mmHg·m·s−2, p < 0.05) and in NC (31.67 ± 23.05 mmHg·m·s−2, p < 0.05). Using NA ≤40 mmHg·m·s−2 as a threshold for differentiating NOHCM from LVHSH yielded a 63.2% sensitivity and 70.6% specificity.

Conclusions.

W2 and NA indexes derived from carotid WI analysis may be helpful for differentiating NOHCM from LVHSH. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2013
The reproductive cycle of the male sleep snake Sibynomorphus mikanii (Schlegel, 1837) from southeastern brazil
Authors: Rojas Claudio A. , Barros Verônica A. , Almeida‐Santos Selma M.
Published: November 2012

This study describes the male reproductive cycle of Sibynomorphus mikanii from southeastern Brazil considering macroscopic and microscopic variables. Spermatogenesis occurs during spring–summer (September–December) and spermiogenesis or maturation occurs in summer (December–February). The length and width of the kidney, the tubular diameter, and the epithelium height of the sexual segment of the kidney (SSK) are larger in summer–autumn (December–May). Histochemical reaction of the SSK [periodic acid‐Schiff (PAS) and bromophenol blue (BB)] shows stronger results during summer–autumn, indicating an increase in the secretory activity of the granules. Testicular regression is observed in autumn and early winter (March–June) when a peak in the width of the ductus deferens occurs. The distal ductus deferens as well as the ampulla ductus deferentis exhibit secretory activities with positive reaction for PAS and BB. These results suggest that this secretion may nourish the spermatozoa while they are being stored in the ductus deferens. The increase in the Leydig cell nuclear diameter in association with SSK hypertrophy and the presence of sperm in the female indicate that the mating season occurs in autumn when testes begin to decrease their activity. The peak activity of Leydig cells and SSK exhibits an associated pattern with the mating season. However, spermatogenesis is dissociated of the copulation characterizing a complex reproductive cycle. At the individual level, S. mikanii males present a continuous cyclical reproductive pattern in the testes and kidneys (SSK), whereas at the populational level the reproductive pattern may be classified as seasonal semisynchronous. © J. Morphol., 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Respiratory bellows‐gated late gadolinium enhancement of the left atrium
Authors: Peters Dana C. , Shaw Jaime L. , Knowles Benjamin R. , Moghari Mehdi Hedjazi , Manning Warren J.
Published: November 2012

Purpose

To compare bellows‐gated late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) with standard navigator‐gated (NAV‐gated) LGE for left atrial (LA) imaging, to eliminate the inflow artifacts associated with NAV‐gating.

Materials and Methods

Eleven subjects, including six patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), were imaged with a 3D free‐breathing NAV‐gated and bellows‐gated LGE. Motion compensation was compared by blinded grading of image sharpness and motion ghosting (0 = worst, 2 = best). Inflow artifacts in the right inferior pulmonary vein (RIPV) and right superior PV (RSPV) were characterized on the same scale (0 = none, 2 = prominent). In patients, each PV was divided into four quadrants circumferentially in order to assess agreement about scar presence on both image sets.

Results

Respiratory compensation was not different (1.7 ± 0.5 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5, sharpness, 1.6 ± 0.5 vs. 1.6 ± 0.5, ghosting, P = NS) for bellows‐ and NAV‐gated images. For NAV‐gated LGE, inflow artifacts were more prominent in the RSPV than the RIPV (1.2 ± 0.8 vs. 0.7 ± 0.5, P = 0.046). Visually, inflow artifacts both obscured and mimicked the true scar. Disagreement on the presence of scar was found in 18% of the assessed quadrants, with 25% disagreement for RSPV quadrants (P = 0.01).

Conclusion

Bellows‐gated LGE provides similar respiratory compensation as NAV‐gating, without inflow artifacts, leading to improved assessment of scar presence. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;38:1210–1214. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthetic lipophilic antioxidant BO‐653 suppresses HCV replication
Authors: Yasui Fumihiko , Sudoh Masayuki , Arai Masaaki , Kohara Michinori
Published: November 2012

The influence of the intracellular redox state on the hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle is poorly understood. This study demonstrated the anti‐HCV activity of 2,3‐dihydro‐5‐hydroxy‐2,2‐dipentyl‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylbenzofuran (BO‐653), a synthetic lipophilic antioxidant, and examined whether BO‐653's antioxidant activity is integral to its anti‐HCV activity. The anti‐HCV activity of BO‐653 was investigated in HuH‐7 cells bearing an HCV subgenomic replicon (FLR3‐1 cells) and in HuH‐7 cells infected persistently with HCV (RMT‐tri cells). BO‐653 inhibition of HCV replication was also compared with that of several hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants. BO‐653 suppressed HCV replication in FLR3‐1 and RMT‐tri cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. The lipophilic antioxidants had stronger anti‐HCV activities than the hydrophilic antioxidants, and BO‐653 displayed the strongest anti‐HCV activity of all the antioxidants examined. Therefore, the anti‐HCV activity of BO‐653 was examined in chimeric mice harboring human hepatocytes infected with HCV. The combination treatment of BO‐653 and polyethylene glycol‐conjugated interferon‐α (PEG‐IFN) decreased serum HCV RNA titer more than that seen with PEG‐IFN alone. These findings suggest that both the lipophilic property and the antioxidant activity of BO‐653 play an important role in the inhibition of HCV replication. J. Med. Virol. 85:241–249, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Kinematic changes in patients with double arthrodesis of the hindfoot for realignment of planovalgus deformity
Authors: Schuh Reinhard , Salzberger Florian , Wanivenhaus Axel H. , Funovics Philipp T. , Windhager Reinhard , Trnka Hans‐Joerg
Published: November 2012

Double fusion (i.e., fusion of the subtalar and talonavicular joint) represents a modification of triple arthrodesis preserving integrity of the calcaneocuboidal joint. Our aims were (1) to evaluate dynamic plantar pressure distribution in patients undergoing double arthrodesis, (2) to obtain a comparison of kinematic changes to healthy feet, (3) to evaluate the influence of radiographic alignment, and (4) to assess functional outcome. Sixteen feet (14 patients) treated by double fusion due to fixed planovalgus deformity were included. Dynamic plantar pressure distribution was assessed using a capacitive pressure platform. Results were compared with a demographically matched control group. Clinical assessment included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and radiographic assessment included measurement of talometatarsal, calcaneal pitch, and talocalcaneal (TC) angle on lateral radiographs. Significant differences in plantar pressure distribution were found for maximum force of the hindfoot, midfoot, and big toe region: While the hindfoot and hallux represented decreased load in the double arthrodesis patients, load increased in the midfoot region compared with healthy controls. The lateral talus‐first metatarsal‐angle increased from −16.3° to −8.2°, and the TC angle decreased from 41.3° to 35.8° (p < 0.05). The pre‐ and post‐operative AOFAS score increased from 37 points (SD, 16.3) to 70 points (SD, 16.7). These results revealed that double arthrodesis represents a reliable method for correction of planovalgus deformity. Compared with healthy feet, force transmission of the midfoot is increased whereas push‐off force decreases. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 517–524, 2013
Fas ligand plays an important role for the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells
Authors: Yamamoto Junya , Maeno Koichiro , Takada Toru , Kakutani Kenichiro , Yurube Takashi , Zhang Zhongying , Hirata Hiroaki , Kurakawa Takuto , Sakai Daisuke , Mochida Joji , Doita Minoru , Kurosaka Masahiro , Nishida Kotaro
Published: November 2012

It is suggested that pro‐inflammatory cytokines, which are produced by interaction of the intervertebral nucleus pulposus cells and macrophages, may be linked to the cause of pain of the intervertebral disc herniation. This study carries out the in vitro experiments to examine the mechanism, with the use of the co‐culture of an immortalized cell line of nucleus pulposus of the human intervertebral disc and the macrophage cell line. As a result, it is found that the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines is significantly larger at the co‐culture group than at the independent culture group. Also, at the co‐culture group of macrophages and intervertebral nucleus pulposus cells with over‐expression of fas ligand (FasL), the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines is found to be far larger. Furthermore, it is found that these pro‐inflammatory cytokines are produced mainly by the intervertebral nucleus pulposus cells with over‐expression of FasL, and that the expression of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) 10, which controls the expression of FasL and activates reverse signaling inside cells, also increases. From these findings, it is suggested that FasL and ADAM10 play an important role in the production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines coming from interaction of the intervertebral nucleus pulposus cells and macrophages. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 608–615, 2013
Investigation of variants within the COL27A1 and TNC genes and Achilles tendinopathy in two populations
Authors: Saunders Colleen J. , van der Merwe Lize , Posthumus Michael , Cook Jill , Handley Christopher J. , Collins Malcolm , September Alison V.
Published: November 2012

The TNC gene has previously been associated with Achilles tendinopathy (AT) in a South African population. The aims of this study were (i) to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms within the TNC gene, and the additional candidate gene, COL27A1, with AT in two populations, and (ii) to identify if there is a risk haplotype for AT in both populations. Three hundred and thirty nine healthy control participants (CON) and 179 participants clinically diagnosed with AT (TEN) from South Africa and Australia, were genotyped for variants: rs4143245, rs1249744, rs753085, rs946053 (COL27A1) and rs13321, rs2104772, rs1330363 (TNC). Haplotypes were inferred using the genotype data. The rs2104772 (p = 0.017) and rs1330363 (p = 0.020) variants within TNC showed a significant allele association with AT. The GCA haplotype (rs946053‐rs13321‐rs2104772) occurred significantly more frequently in TEN participants compared to CON (27% vs. 18%; p = 0.019). This study further implicates the genomic region containing the TNC and COL27A1 genes in influencing risk of AT, and maps the potential risk allele to a genetic interval flanked by rs946053 and rs2104772. This region may have functional effects on the transcription, structure and properties of tenascin‐C and the alpha‐1 chain of type XXVII collagen. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 632–637, 2013
In vivo bioluminescence imaging of magnetically targeted bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells in skeletal muscle injury model
Authors: Nakabayashi Akihiro , Kamei Naosuke , Sunagawa Toru , Suzuki Osami , Ohkawa Shingo , Kodama Akira , Kamei Goki , Ochi Mitsuo
Published: November 2012

The purpose of this study is to clarify the kinetics of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in rat skeletal muscle injury model and the contribution of the magnetic cell delivery system to muscle injury repair. A magnetic field generator was used to apply an external magnetic force to the injury site of the tibia anterior muscle, and 1 × 106 MSCs labeled with ferucarbotran–protamine complexes, which were isolated from luciferase transgenic rats, were injected into the injury site. MSCs were injected with and without an external magnetic force (MSC M+ and MSC M− groups, respectively), and phosphate‐buffered saline was injected into injury sites as a control. In vivo bioluminescence imaging was performed immediately after the transplantation and, at 12, 24, and 72 h, and 1 and 4 weeks post‐transplantation. Also, muscle regeneration and function were histologically and electromechanically evaluated. In vivo bioluminescence imaging showed that the photon of the MSC M+ group was significantly higher than that of the MSC M− group throughout the observation period. In addition, muscle regeneration and function in the MSC M+ group was histologically and functionally better than that of the MSC M− group. The results of our study indicated that magnetic cell delivery system may be of use in directing the transplanted MSCs to the injury site to promote skeletal muscle regeneration. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 754–759, 2013
Ionic liquids based on the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion for high‐pressure Raman spectroscopy measurements
Authors: Faria Luiz F. O. , Nobrega Marcelo M. , Temperini Marcia L. A. , Ribeiro Mauro C. C.
Published: November 2012

Assembling a diamond anvil cell for high‐pressure measurements involves placing in a gasket hole the sample of interest, a pressure transmitting fluid, and a material for pressure calibration. In this communication, we propose the use of ionic liquids containing the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion ([Tf2N]‐), [(CF3SO2)2 N]‐, as a simultaneous pressure transmitting and calibrant material for high‐pressure Raman spectroscopy measurements of solid samples that are not soluble in ionic liquids. The position of the characteristic Raman band of the [Tf2N]‐ anion at 740 cm−1 exhibits linear frequency shift for pressures up to 2.5 GPa. High‐pressure Raman spectra of different ionic liquids containing the same anion indicate that the actual magnitude of the pressure‐induced frequency shift of the [Tf2N]‐ normal mode depends on the counterion, the typical shift being 4.2 cm−1/GPa. Ionic liquids based on the [Tf2N]‐ anion are also good pressure transmitting mediums because hydrostatic condition is kept at high pressure, and no crystallization is observed up to 4.0 GPa. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visible light response of silver 4‐aminobenzenethiolate and silver 4‐dimethylaminobenzenethiolate probed by Raman scattering spectroscopy
Authors: Kim Kwan , Lee Seung Hun , Kim Kyung Lock , Shin Kuan Soo
Published: November 2012

Silver thiolate is a layered compound with a Raman spectrum that is known to change with time, becoming the same as the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectrum of the parent thiol molecule adsorbed on Ag nanoparticles. On this basis, the Raman scattering characteristics of silver 4‐aminobenzenethiolate (Ag‐4ABT) compounds were investigated to determine whether certain peaks that are identifiable in the SERS spectrum of 4‐aminobenzenethiol (4‐ABT) but absent in its normal Raman spectrum were also apparent in the Ag salt spectrum. For comparative purposes, the Raman scattering characteristics of silver 4‐dimethylaminobenzenethiolate (Ag‐4MABT) were also examined. Raman spectra acquired while spinning the sample were typified by only a1‐type vibrational bands of Ag‐4ABT and Ag‐4MABT, whereas in the static condition, several non‐a1‐type bands were identified. The spectral patterns acquired in the static condition were similar to the intrinsic SERS spectra of 4‐ABT or 4‐dimethylaminobenzenethiol (4‐MABT) adsorbed on pure Ag nanoparticles. Notably, the CH3 group vibrational bands were observable for Ag‐4MABT irrespective of the sample rotation. In addition, no decrease in intensity during irradiation with a visible laser was observed for any of the bands, suggesting that no chemical conversion actually took place in either 4‐ABT or 4‐MABT. The preponderance of evidence led to the conclusion that the non‐a1‐type bands observable in the SERS spectra must be associated with the chemical enhancement mechanism acting on the Ag nanoparticles. The chemical enhancement effect was more profound at 514.5 nm than at 632.8 nm, and was more favorable for 4‐ABT than 4‐MABT at both wavelengths. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Salting‐out homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction in narrow‐bore tube: Extraction and preconcentration of phthalate esters from water
Authors: Farajzadeh Mir Ali , Sheykhizadeh Saheleh , Khorram Parisa
Published: November 2012

In this study a simple and rapid sample preparation technique, homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction based on phase separation in the presence of a salt performed in a narrow‐bore tube, followed by GC‐flame ionization detection has been developed. In this work, sodium chloride and ACN were used as the salting‐out agent and water‐soluble extraction solvent, respectively. The homogeneous solution of water and ACN was broken by addition of the salt. Small volume of ACN was collected on top of the tube and the extracted analytes in the collected phase were determined. It has been successfully used for the analysis of five phthalate esters as model compounds in aqueous sample. Experimental parameters affecting the extraction efficiency such as kind and volume of the water‐soluble organic solvent, length and diameter of the tube, and pH of the sample solution were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the LODs were between 0.02 and 0.7 μg/L and enrichment factors were in the range of 172–309. In addition, good linearity (between 1 and 5000 μg/L) and high precision on the base of RSD (<8%, C = 600 μg/L, n = 6) were achieved.