bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form in a Sample of Spanish Fathers
Authors: Díaz-Herrero Ángela , López-Pina José Antonio , Pérez-López Julio , de la Nuez Alfredo G. Brito , Martínez-Fuentes María Teresa
Published: November 2011

The purpose of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form in a sample of 115 fathers of infants aged between ten and thirty-nine months old. The exploratory factor analysis revealed three reasonably distinct factors, as in the original version of the instrument. The three extracted factors: Parental Distress, Parent-Child Dysfunctional Interaction and Difficult Child accounted for 47.48 % of the variance. The internal consistency coefficients were high in each factor or subscale. These results provided empirical evidence in favour of the reliability and validity of the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form in Spanish fathers, and can be useful to elucidate the mechanisms through which stress impacts parenting and permitting to develop more targeted interventions for infants and their families.
Avoidance and Activation as Keys to Depression: Adaptation of the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale in a Spanish Sample
Authors: Barraca Jorge , Pérez-Álvarez Marino , Bleda José Héctor Lozano
Published: November 2011

In this paper we present the adaptation of the Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale (BADS), developed by Kanter, Mulick, Busch, Berlin, and Martell (2007), in a Spanish sample. The psychometric properties were tested in a sample of 263 participants (124 clinical and 139 non-clinical). The results show that, just as in the original English version, the Spanish BADS is a valid and internally consistent scale. Construct validity was examined by correlation with the BDI-II, AAQ, ATQ, MCQ-30, STAI and EROS. Factor analysis justified the four-dimensions of the original instrument (Activation, Avoidance/Rumination, Work/School Impairment and Social Impairment), although with some differences in the factor loadings of the items. Further considerations about the usefulness of the BADS in the clinical treatment of depressed patients are also suggested.
Semantic Priming Effects in a Lexical Decision Task: Comparing third Graders and College Students in two Different Stimulus Onset Asynchronies
Authors: Holderbaum Candice Steffen , de Salles Jerusa Fumagalli
Published: November 2011

Differences in the semantic priming effect comparing child and adult performance have been found by some studies. However, these differences are not well established, mostly because of the variety of methods used by researchers around the world. One of the main issues concerns the absence of semantic priming effects on children at stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) smaller than 300ms. The aim of this study was to compare the semantic priming effect between third graders and college students at two different SOAs: 250ms and 500ms. Participants performed lexical decisions to targets which were preceded by semantic related or unrelated primes. Semantic priming effects were found at both SOAs in the third graders' group and in college students. Despite the fact that there was no difference between groups in the magnitude of semantic priming effects when SOA was 250ms, at the 500ms SOA their magnitude was bigger in children, corroborating previous studies. Hypotheses which could explain the presence of semantic priming effects in children's performance when SOA was 250ms are discussed, as well as hypotheses for the larger magnitude of semantic priming effects in children when SOA was 500ms.
An Intervention to Raise Leadership Effectiveness among SME Owner-Managers in Wales
Authors: Henley Andrew , Norbury Heather
Published: November 2011

Successful leadership development for SME owner-managers has been shown to be problematic because of low interest levels and the unsuitability of formal learning methods. This paper assesses the introduction of a leadership development programme into a peripheral region, with an emphasis on situated and action learning, supported by peer-to-peer networking. Early findings suggest significant business and leadership benefits, including revenue growth and success in closing the gap between perceived and actual levels of leadership confidence. However, participation is selective and questions remain about the suitability of the programme for participants with a low level of formal education and without clearly articulated prior aspirations for personal or business development.
Práticas de Gestão de Pessoas: um estudo de casos múltiplos em empresas de bens de capital
Authors: Vanalle Rosangela Maria , Santos Eni Theodoro Theodoro , Santos Leandro Blanco
Published: November 2011

As demandas competitivas presentes no ambiente de negócios contemporâneo destacam a importância da capacidade organizacional que advém da força de trabalho e, por consequencia, a Gestão de Pessoas ganha notoriedade, trazendo à luz a questão de suas práticas. Atualmente a literatura acadêmica evidencia o imperativo de se ter o desempenho, as competências e o comprometimento das pessoas em nível elevado, configurando-se dessa forma a força de trabalho como um ativo intangível de grande valor a favorecer o alcance dos resultados pretendidos pelas empresas, mas, essencialmente, posiciona-se como um diferencial competitivo. Considerando tal contexto, este trabalho se propôs investigar, por intermédio de um estudo de casos múltiplos em empresas de um mesmo setor de atividade – fabricantes de bens de capital –, se há semelhança no que se refere às práticas destinadas à gestão da força de trabalho. Para desenvolver a análise comparativa, o presente estudo teve o aporte de uma revisão bibliográfica composta por conceitos contemporâneos das práticas de Gestão de Pessoas, e a pesquisa foi instrumentalizada com questionários, entrevista e análise documental. O panorama retratado pelos resultados da pesquisa apontou semelhanças e singularidades entre as unidades de estudo, as quais vêm favorecer a continuidade deste trabalho.
Barriers to diagnosis of a rare neurological disorder in China—Lived experiences of Rett syndrome families
Authors: Lim Faye , Downs Jenny , Li Jianghong , Bao Xin‐Hua , Leonard Helen
Published: November 2011

Rett syndrome is a rare neurological disorder affecting girls and usually caused by a mutation on the MECP2 gene. It is estimated that approximately 1,000 girls are born every year in China with Rett syndrome but far fewer have received a diagnosis. Fourteen of 74 Chinese families known to the International Rett Syndrome Phenotype Database participated in this qualitative study. Telephone interviews were conducted in Mandarin to explore pathways to a diagnosis of Rett syndrome in China and associated barriers. Families consulted multiple clinical centers and eventually received a diagnosis at a centrally located hospital. Over the course of this pathway, families encountered lack of knowledge and diagnostic expertise for Rett syndrome at local levels and a heavily over‐burdened hospital system. There was a paucity of information available to guide management of this rare disorder after the diagnosis had been received. Our study suggests that the frustrations experienced by families could in part be addressed by the provision of information, education, and training related to Rett syndrome for clinicians, additional resources to allow clinicians to request genetic testing for confirmation of the clinical diagnosis and for information and support services for families. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phenotype of FOXP2 haploinsufficiency in a mother and son
Authors: Rice Gregory M. , Raca Gordana , Jakielski Kathy J. , Laffin Jennifer J. , Iyama‐Kurtycz Christina M. , Hartley Sigan L. , Sprague Rae E. , Heintzelman Anne T. , Shriberg Lawrence D.
Published: November 2011

Disruptions in FOXP2, a transcription factor, are the only known monogenic cause of speech and language impairment. We report on clinical findings for two new individuals with a submicroscopic deletion of FOXP2: a boy with severe apraxia of speech and his currently moderately affected mother. A 1.57 Mb deletion on chromosome 7q31 was detected by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). In addition to FOXP2, the patients' deletion involves two other genes, MDFIC and PPP1R3A, neither of which has been associated with speech or language disorders. Thus, findings for these two family members provide informative phenotypic information on FOXP2 haploinsufficiency. Evaluation by a clinical geneticist indicated no major congenital anomalies or dysmorphic features. Evaluations by a clinical psychologist and occupational therapist indicated cognitive‐linguistic processing and sensorimotor control deficits, but did not support a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Evaluation by clinical and research speech pathologists confirmed that both patients' speech deficits met contemporary criteria for apraxia of speech. Notably, the patients were not able to laugh, cough, or sneeze spontaneously, replicating findings reported for two other FOXP2 cases and a potential diagnostic sign of nonsyndromic apraxia of speech. Speech severity findings for the boy were not consistent with the hypothesis that loss of maternal FOXP2 should be relatively benign. Better understanding of the behavioral phenotype of FOXP2 disruptions will aid identification of patients, toward an eventual understanding of the pathophysiology of syndromic and nonsyndromic apraxia of speech. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investigation of fire behavior of rigid polyurethane foams containing fly ash and intumescent flame retardant by using a cone calorimeter
Authors: Usta Nazım
Published: November 2011

Cone calorimeter is one of the most useful bench‐scale equipment which can simulate real‐world fire conditions. Therefore, cone calorimeter tests have been the most important and widely used tests for research and development of fire behavior of polymeric materials. In this study, fire behavior of rigid polyurethane foams containing fly ash (up to 5 wt %) and intumescent flame retardant (up to 5 wt %) composed of ammonium polyphosphate/pentaerythritol was investigated by using a cone calorimeter. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis of the additives and the foams were also carried out to explain the effects of fly ash and intumescent flame retardant on fire behavior of the foams. Experimental results indicated that rigid polyurethane foam containing fly ash and the intumescent flame retardant in comparison with pure rigid polyurethane foam shows significantly enhanced fire resistance and thermal stability. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Effects of polymerization conditions on the properties of poly(furfuryl alcohol) composite membranes
Authors: He Li , Li Dan , Dong Dehua , Yao Jianfeng , Huang Yi , Wang Huanting
Published: November 2011

Poly(furfuryl alcohol) (PFA) composite membranes were prepared by polymerization of furfuryl alcohol (FA) using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) as the catalyst and polysulfone ultrafiltration membrane as the substrate. The membrane samples were characterized by ATR‐IR, TGA, SEM, and gas permeation technique. The effects of synthesis conditions including the FA/H2SO4 molar ratio, polymerization temperature, and the type of solvent on the chemical structure, surface morphology, and gas permeation properties of PFA composite membranes were studied. Our results showed that the suitable synthesis conditions for the preparation of PFA composite membranes with smooth surfaces and uniform structure include (1) FA/H2SO4 molar ratios: 74‐300, (2) polymerization temperatures: 80–100°C, and (3) solvents: ethanol and acetone. The PFA composite membrane prepared with a FA/H2SO4 molar ratio of 250, a polymerization temperature of 80°C and ethanol as the solvent exhibited the highest H2/N2 ideal selectivity (
$ {\rm{\alpha }}_{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}} {\rm{/N}}_{\rm{2}} } = 24.9 $), and a H2 permeability of 206 Barrers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Influence of reactant concentration on formation of AgCl particles in PEO–PPO–PEO microemulsion and morphology and performance of AgCl–PMMA membranes
Authors: Wu Li‐Guang , Wang Ting , Xiang Wen , Du Chun‐Hui
Published: November 2011

AgCl/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) organic–inorganic hybrid membrane has been synthesized by reverse microemulsion polymerization using triblock copolymer polyoxyethylene–polyoxypropylene–polyoxyethylene as surfactant and MMA as oil phase. The results by ultraviolet–visible spectrum, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy showed that small AgCl nanoparticles distributed well in the F127 microemulsions and hybrid membranes at low reactant concentration. AgCl nanoparticles in the microemulsion became smaller with increasing reactant concentration. However, AgCl nanoparticles aggregated obviously in hybrid membranes, when reactant concentration was more than 0.15 mol L−1. The performance of different hybrid membranes for separation of the benzene and cyclohexane was measured. The results indicated that the separation performance of membrane was promoted obviously due to presence of more well‐dispersed AgCl particles in hybrid membranes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Radiation‐assisted morphology modification of LDPE/TPS blends: A study on starch degradation‐processing‐morphology correlation
Authors: Dubey K. A. , Chaudhari C. V. , Raje Naina , Panickar Lata , Bhardwaj Y. K. , Sabharwal S.
Published: November 2011

Potato starch was radiolytically degraded to different extents by irradiating with Co‐60 gamma radiation in wide dose range. The degraded starch was plasticized using glycerol and water to obtain radiation processed thermoplastic starch (RTPS). Blends of different RTPS and low density polyethylene (LDPE) were prepared by internal melt mixing. Characterization of blends using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, melt flow, contact angle, and soil burial studies indicated changes in the blend morphology and biodegradation behavior with the increase in the dose imparted to the starch fraction. Molecular weight of starch decreased substantially in the dose range of the study. The melt viscosity of LDPE/RTPS blend decreased whereas crystallinity of LDPE phase increased with the incorporation of RTPS. No significant change in the carbonyl index and thermal stability of the blends was observed in the dose range studied; therefore, the observed changes in the physical and thermal properties of the blends were attributed primarily to the kinetic factors affecting crystallization and time‐dependent phase separation process. Biodegradability of blends varied with the radiation dose imparted to starch component of blend, suggesting better encapsulation of RTPS by LDPE chains. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
A target‐specific feeding toxicity of β1 integrin dsRNA against diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed A. M. , Kim Yonggyun
Published: November 2011

Integrin is a cell‐surface protein consisting of α and β heterodimers. A predicted amino acid sequence of an integrin subunit of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, was highly homologous to other lepidopteran β1 subunits and possessed essential functional domains. The β1 integrin of P. xylostella (βPx1) was expressed in all developmental stages of P. xylostella. It was also expressed in all tested tissues including hemocyte, fat body, gut, and epidermis of last instar. When βPx1 expression was suppressed by injection of dsRNA specific to βPx1 (dsRNAβPx1), the treated larvae exhibited significant suppression in immune response and also suffered significant larval mortality. When dsRNAβPx1 was orally fed to young larvae, it suppressed the expression of âPx1 and resulted in a significant mortality. By contrast, a dsRNA specific to β1 subunit of Spodoptera exigua gave little adverse effects on βPx1 expression and larval development when it was treated by injection or oral administration, though these two genes showed 71% sequence homology. These results suggest a target‐specific RNA interference of dsRNAβPx1, which causes significant mortality to P. xylostella by feeding treatment. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study on pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of pteryxin in mice by ultra‐pressure liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Juan , Ma Yufeng , Li Wen , Hu Fangdi , Chen Tongqiang , Shen Xiaoli , Feng Shilan
Published: November 2011

Pteryxin is a coumarin compound naturally occurring in the roots of Radix Peucedani, a commonly used as traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of certain respiratory diseases and hypertension. An UPLC‐MS/MS method was established to quantify pteryxin in mouse plasma and tissue homogenates. Isoimperatorin was used as internal standard (IS). The method was based on protein precipitation with methanol for sample preparation. Pteryxin and IS were separated using a UPLC™ BEH C18 column and eluted with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and water (70:30, v/v) at a flow‐rate of 0.2 mL/min. MS/MS detection was carried out by monitoring the fragmentation of m/z 409.3–287.2 for pteryxin and m/z 271.3–185.2 for IS on a triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer. The total run time was only 6 min. The results showed that it had good linearity over a wide concentration range (r > 0.999), and pteryxin was rapidly distributed and then eliminated from mouse plasma (t1/2 =1.463 h). The major distribution tissues of pteryxin in mice were liver, and pteryxin was enabled to cross the blood–brain barrier owing to its low polarity. There was no long‐term accumulation of pteryxin in mouse tissues. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hydrodynamic characterisation of liquid–solid two–phase fluidised beds: Vibration signature and pressure fluctuations analyses
Authors: Sheikhi Amir , Sotudeh‐Gharebagh Rahmat , Alfi Mehrdad , Mostoufi Navid , Zarghami Reza
Published: November 2011

Hydrodynamic behaviour of a two–phase liquid–solid fluidised bed was investigated over a wide range of liquid velocities by means of simultaneous vibration and pressure fluctuations analyses. The liquid velocities were set in a way that covered two most important hydrodynamic events in the bed, namely minimum fluidisation and circulating‐solid regime. To prevent solids from being carried out of the bed, the maximum liquid velocity was kept lower than the terminal velocity of solids. Statistical analysis on the vibration signatures of bed shell proved to be a strong representative for minimum fluidisation characterisation and solid regime change. The minimum fluidisation velocity can be obtained from the intersection of two linear parts in the standard deviation of vibration fluctuation signals. Moreover, the kurtosis of vibration signals could predict the minimum fluidisation and approximate solid regime transition successfully. Meanwhile, statistical parameters, such as standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis as well as newly‐introduced parameters, namely the energy and average cycle frequency of pressure signals, determined both of minimum fluidisation condition and circulating‐solid flow regime. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Enhanced ovalbumin‐induced airway inflammation in CD26−/− mice
Authors: Yan Shuling , Geßner Reinhard , Dietel Corinna , Schmiedek Ulrike , Fan Hua
Published: November 2011

In this study, we investigated the potential role of CD26 in ovalbumin (OVA)‐induced airway inflammation using CD26 gene knockout mice. Compared with WT counterparts, CD26−/− mice showed an obviously enhanced tissue response and denser pulmonary infiltrates containing eosinophils around vessels and in the parenchyma after OVA sensitization and challenge. Serum IgG, including subclasses IgG1 and IgG2a, was greatly reduced in CD26−/− mice, but serum IgE remained unchanged. CD26−/− mice had increased mRNA expression of the Th2 cytokines IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13 in the lungs compared with WT mice, whereas the levels of the pro‐Th1 cytokine IL‐12p40 were similar in both strains. Consequently, enhanced protein secretion of IL‐4, IL‐5, and IL‐13 was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid from CD26−/− mice. In agreement with overexpressed Th2 cytokines, both mRNA transcript and protein levels of chemokines eotaxin and RANTES, as well as their receptors CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) and CCR5, were elevated in CD26−/− mice. These results suggest a protective role for CD26 in restricting OVA‐induced airway inflammation.
DUSP4 deficiency enhances CD25 expression and CD4+ T‐cell proliferation without impeding T‐cell development
Authors: Huang Ching‐Yu , Lin Yu‐Chun , Hsiao Wan‐Yi , Liao Fang‐Hsuean , Huang Pau‐Yi , Tan Tse‐Hua
Published: November 2011

The differentiation and activation of T cells are critically modulated by MAP kinases, which are in turn feed‐back regulated by dual‐specificity phosphatases (DUSPs) to determine the duration and magnitude of MAP kinase activation. DUSP4 (also known as MKP2) is a MAP kinase‐induced DUSP member that is dynamically expressed during thymocyte differentiation. We generated DUSP4‐deficient mice to study the function of DUSP4 in T‐cell development and activation. Our results show that thymocyte differentiation and activation‐induced MAP kinase phosphorylation were comparable between DUSP4‐deficient and WT mice. Interestingly, activated DUSP4−/− CD4+ T cells were hyperproliferative while DUSP4−/− CD8+ T cells proliferated normally. Further mechanistic studies suggested that the hyperproliferation of DUSP4−/− CD4+ T cells resulted from enhanced CD25 expression and IL‐2 signaling through increased STAT5 phosphorylation. Immunization of DUSP4−/− mice recapitulated the T‐cell hyperproliferation phenotype in antigen recall responses, while the profile of Th1/Th2‐polarized antibody production was not altered. Overall, these results suggest that other DUSPs may compensate for DUSP4 deficiency in T‐cell development, MAP kinase regulation, and Th1/Th2‐mediated antibody responses. More importantly, our data indicate that DUSP4 suppresses CD4+ T‐cell proliferation through novel regulations in STAT5 phosphorylation and IL‐2 signaling.
Pyridine‐Catalyzed Double C–N Coupling Reaction of an Isocyanate with Two Benzynes
Authors: Lee Yi‐Hsien , Chen Yen‐Chung , Hsieh Jen‐Chieh
Published: November 2011

A pyridine‐catalyzed double C–N bond cross‐coupling reaction involving two benzynes with an isocyanate was carried out. The coupling reaction proceeded through a unique pathway involving the formation of an unstable carbamic acid intermediate and facile decarboxylation. Subsequent nucleophilic addition/protonation of in situ prepared amines with benzynes afforded variously substituted diaryl‐ and triarylamines in moderate to good yields with tolerance of a variety of functional groups.
Threat(s) and conformity deconstructed: Perceived threat of infectious disease and its implications for conformist attitudes and behavior
Authors: Murray Damian R. , Schaller Mark
Published: November 2011

Threat has been linked to conformity, but little is known about the specific effects of different kinds of threat. We test the hypothesis that perceived threat of infectious disease exerts a unique influence on conformist attitudes and behavior. Correlational and experimental results support the hypothesis. Individual differences in Perceived Vulnerability to Disease predict conformist attitudes; these effects persist when controlling for individual differences in the Belief in a Dangerous World. Experimentally manipulated salience of disease threat produced stronger conformist attitudes and behavior, compared with control conditions (including a condition in which disease‐irrelevant threats were salient). Additional results suggest that these effects may be especially pronounced in specific domains of normative behavior that are especially pertinent to pathogen transmission. These results have implications for understanding the antecedents of conformity, the psychology of threat, and the social consequences of infectious disease. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parameter identification of river current and diffusion by reduced Kalman filter finite element method
Authors: Kanai Osamu , Kawahara Mutsuto
Published: November 2011

The objective of this study is to propose a parameter identification of a river current and diffusion coefficients by using the reduced Kalman filter finite element method, which has been previously presented and now extended by the authors. For comparison, the estimation computations of velocity, water elevation, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration are carried out on the basis of nonlinear shallow water flow and compared with the observations carried out at the Teganuma river in Japan. A marked discrepancy in COD concentration is found between the computed and observed results. The correlation factor between the computed and observed results is 0.51. To reduce the discrepancy, the authors believe that the diffusion coefficients should be identified. Assuming that the diffusion coefficient is constant in the entire domain and over the entire total duration, satisfactory results were not obtained. Thus, the computational domain is divided into four subdomains according to the water depth. Assuming that the diffusion coefficients are constant in each subdomain, the identification is carried out. Relatively good, albeit unsatisfactory, results are obtained. The discrepancy between the computed and observed COD concentration has special features. In some time zones, the computed results are larger whereas in other time zones, they are smaller than the observed results. To compensate this discrepancy, we assumed that the diffusion coefficient is a function of COD concentration. The correlation factor is improved to be 0.73. The identified diffusion coefficients are time functions that change cyclically with a period of 24 h. This fact suggests that biological phenomenas occurred in the river. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scar tissue classification using nonlinear optical microscopy and discriminant analysis
Authors: Kelf Timothy Andrew , Gosnell Martin , Sandnes Bjornar , Guller Anna E. , Shekhter Anatoly B. , Zvyagin Andrei V.
Published: November 2011

This paper addresses the scar tissue maturation process that occurs stepwise, and calls for reliable classification. The structure of collagen imaged by nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) in post‐burn hypertrophic and mature scar, as well as in normal skin, appeared to distinguish these maturation steps. However, it was a discrimination analysis, demonstrated here, that automated and quantified the scar tissue maturation process. The achieved scar classification accuracy was as high as 96%. The combination of NLOM and discrimination analysis is believed to be instrumental in gaining insight into the scar formation, for express diagnosis of scar and surgery planning. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation of a bioresorbable drug delivery system for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Vedantham Kumar , Swet Jacob H. , McKillop Iain H. , El‐Ghannam Ahmed
Published: November 2011

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major global health burden. Typically HCC responds poorly to chemotherapy, and such approaches to treat HCC are commonly associated with severe hepatic and/or systemic toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate a porous resorbable silica‐calcium phosphate nanocomposite (SCPC) as a controlled release vehicle for cisplatin. Particles of two different formulations—SCPC50 and SCPC75, containing 19.49 and 32.9 mol % silica, respectively—were loaded with cisplatin by immersion treatment and pressed into discs. In vitro release kinetics studies of cisplatin from SCPC50 and SCPC75 demonstrated an initial burst release of 0.39 ± 0.04 mg (of the 1.49 mg total loaded) and 0.87 ± 0.07 mg (of the 2.34 mg total loaded), respectively. Over the following 44‐day period. SCPC75‐cisplatin hybrid produced a significantly higher sustained cisplatin release than that released from SCPC50. Cisplatin release correlated well with the surface area, and silica dissolution kinetics of the SCPC carrier. Treatment of rat HCC cells (H4IIE) with cisplatin released from SCPC‐cisplatin hybrids induced apoptotic cell death in H4IIE cells in vitro. Results of this study suggest that SCPC composites may be of potential use for the treatment of HCC in vivo. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Development of Ti‐Ag‐Fe ternary titanium alloy for dental application
Authors: Zhang B.B. , Wang B.L. , Wang Y.B. , Li L. , Zheng Y.F. , Liu Y.
Published: November 2011

A series of titanium‐silver‐iron ternary alloys have been prepared in this study, and their feasibility as dental materials has been evaluated by the microstructural examination, mechanical testing, corrosion resistance evaluation, surface analysis, and cytotoxicity tests. More and more β‐Ti phase appears at room temperature and retains with the increasing of Fe content in Ti‐5Ag‐xFe alloy systems. The compression strength, wear resistance, and microhardness increase largely (p < 0.05) by the addition of element Fe to Ti‐Ag alloy. Moreover, when comparing with commercial pure titanium (CP Ti), nobler electrochemical corrosion behavior could be obtained for Ti‐5Ag‐1Fe and Ti‐5Ag‐2.5Fe alloys in the 1% lactic acid solution (pH = 2.1) and 0.1 mol/L H2O2 + 0.9% NaCl solution (pH = 4.0). The released metal ions from Ti‐5Ag‐xFe alloys into the simulated fluid are trace, similar to the case of CP Ti. The addition of Fe slightly decreases the corrosion resistance of Ti‐5Ag alloy. All experimental Ti‐5Ag‐xFe alloy extracts do not present any cytotoxicity to L‐929 and NIH3T3 cell lines. All in all, the combination of superior corrosion resistance and enhanced mechanical properties make Ti‐5Ag‐1Fe alloy and Ti‐5Ag‐2.5Fe alloy suitable for dental applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Standardized methods to quantify thrombogenicity of blood‐contacting materials via thromboelastography
Authors: Shankarraman Venkat , Davis‐Gorman Grace , Copeland Jack G. , Caplan Michael R. , McDonagh Paul F.
Published: November 2011

Blood coagulation is the most significant complication of vascular biomaterials. A straightforward, sensitive, and standard measure of the compatibility of these materials with whole blood (hemocompatibility) is necessary to avoid coagulation. Current techniques used quantify only individual clotting components and are poor predictors of coagulation. The thromboelastograph (TEG) provides a measure of overall clot formation from whole blood. Although TEG is very common in clinical settings, its application to biomaterials is limited partly due to difficulty in sample preparation. In this protocol, whole blood samples are incubated with (1) biomaterials (tube with clamped ends) and (2) endothelial cells cultured on biomaterial surfaces (12‐well plate) under controlled shearing conditions (10 rpm on rocker, at 37°C), and then the blood is transferred to the TEG to measure clot formation. TEG clearly discriminates among the R‐times (time until initial clot formation) of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(urethane), and Tygon tubing. Marked differences in R‐time are also seen when endothelial cells are cultured on various extracellular matrix proteins and proteoglycans. Thus, R‐time provides a robust metric of overall thrombogenicity of biomaterials, and these procedures provide a standardized method for TEG to facilitate direct comparison among candidate biomaterials undergoing in‐vitro testing. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Topographic characterization and protein quantification of esophageal basement membrane for scaffold design reference in tissue engineering
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Zhu Yabin , Yu Hongwei , Chen Ling , Liu Yuxin
Published: November 2011

Basement membrane (BM) has been investigated widely and applied in the field of bio‐synthesized scaffold design in tissue engineering. However, this respect of investigation has seen scarcely in the field of esophageal tissue engineering. This study reports BM's basic topographic characters and quantification of structural and major proteins involving collagen IV, laminin, entactin, proteoglycans of porcine esophagus. Several methods were adopted to strip epithelium from mucosa tissue. For example, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, sonication, dithiothreitol, cold sodium chloride (NaCl), mechanical force of glass coverslip, and cold trypsin and so forth. Assessed experimental results under different conditions, the optimal condition to isolate epithelium from BM was established. After the reaction of cold trypsin at 4°C for 15 h, the BM was isolated from epithelium and exposed integratedly. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining verified the effectiveness of epithelium removal and the integrity of BM. The topographic features of the exposed BM were observed under transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It displayed a rugged surface and 3‐D topography consisting of pores and fibers with sub‐100 nm range via ImageJ software. The major proteins existing in BM were quantitatively analyzed by enzyme‐linked immune sorbent assay. All these results will provide references for the design of synthesized scaffolds and protein modification in esophageal tissue‐engineering research. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Biomimetic collagen/apatite coating formation on Ti6Al4V substrates
Authors: Xia Zengmin , Yu Xiaohua , Wei* Mei
Published: November 2011

Hydroxyapatite and type I collagen are two major components of natural bone. They have been used extensively to engineer biomaterial surfaces for enhanced implant‐bone integrations. In this study, a collagen/apatite composite coating was successfully deposited on treated Ti6Al4V surfaces by coprecipitation of type I collagen and apatite in a collagen‐containing modified simulated body fluid (m‐SBF). X‐ray diffraction and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated that the coating achieved was a composite of bone‐like carbonated apatite and collagen type I, which is similar to the composition of natural bone. The coating composition and morphology could be tailored by carefully adjusting the collagen concentration in the m‐SBF. In addition, both the coating thickness and bonding strength were down regulated by the collagen concentration in the m‐SBF. Collagen inhibited the apatite nucleation on the metallic substrate, and thereby reduced the bonding strength of the composite coating. In addition, an in vitro cell culture study was conducted on both the apatite and the collagen‐apatite coating surfaces. Addition of collagen promoted osteoblast activities, which may lead to early bone formation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Comprehensive analysis of titin protein isoform and alternative splicing in normal and mutant rats
Authors: Li Shijun , Guo Wei , Schmitt Benjamin M. , Greaser Marion L.
Published: November 2011

Titin is a giant protein with multiple functions in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Rat cardiac titin undergoes developmental isoform transition from the neonatal 3.7 MDa N2BA isoform to primarily the adult 2.97 MDa N2B isoform. An autosomal dominant mutation dramatically altered this transformation. Titins from eight skeletal muscles: Tibialis Anterior (TA), Longissimus Dorsi (LD) and Gastrocnemius (GA), Extensor Digitorum Longus (ED), Soleus (SO), Psoas (PS), Extensor Oblique (EO), and Diaphram (DI) were characterized in wild type and in homozygous mutant (Hm) rats with a titin splicing defect. Results showed that the developmental reduction in titin size is eliminated in the mutant rat so that the titins in all investigated skeletal muscles remain large in the adult. The alternative splicing of titin mRNA was found repressed by this mutation, a result consistent with the large titin isoform in the mutant. The developmental pattern of titin mRNA alternative splicing differs between heart and skeletal muscles. The retention of intron 49 reveals a possible mechanism for the absence of the N2B unique region in the expressed titin protein of skeletal muscle. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1265–1273, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NIP45 negatively regulates RANK ligand induced osteoclast differentiation
Authors: Shanmugarajan Srinivasan , Haycraft Courtney J. , Reddy Sakamuri V. , Ries William L.
Published: November 2011

Receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐RANK receptor signaling to induce NFATc1 transcription factor is critical for osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. RANK adaptor proteins, tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factors (TRAFs) play an essential role in RANKL signaling. Evidence indicates that NIP45 (NFAT interacting protein) binds with TRAFs and NFATc2. We therefore hypothesized that NIP45 regulates RANKL induced osteoclast differentiation. In this study, we demonstrate that RANKL treatment down regulates NIP45 expression in mouse bone marrow derived pre‐osteoclast cells. Lentiviral (pGIPZ) mediated shRNA knock‐down of NIP45 expression in RANKL stimulated pre‐osteoclast cells resulted in increased levels of NFATc1, NFATc2, and TRAF6 but not TRAF2 expression compared to control shRNA transduced cells. Also, NIP45 suppression elevated p‐IκB‐α levels and NF‐κB‐luciferase reporter activity. Confocal microscopy demonstrated NIP45 colocalized with TRAF6 in the cytosol of osteoclast progenitor cells. In contrast, RANKL stimulation induced NIP45 nuclear translocation and colocalization with NFATc2 in these cells. Coimmuneprecipitation assay demonstrated NIP45 binding with NFATc2 but not NFATc1. We further show that shRNA knock‐down of NIP45 expression in pre‐osteoclast cells significantly increased RANKL induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption activity. Taken together, our results indicate that RANKL signaling down regulates NIP45 expression and that NIP45 is a negative regulator of osteoclast differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1274–1281, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Web interface for brownian dynamics simulation of ion transport and its applications to beta‐barrel pores
Authors: Lee Kyu Il , Jo Sunhwan , Rui Huan , Egwolf Bernhard , Roux Benoît , Pastor Richard W. , Im Wonpil
Published: November 2011

Brownian dynamics (BD) based on accurate potential of mean force is an efficient and accurate method for simulating ion transport through wide ion channels. Here, a web‐based graphical user interface (GUI) is presented for carrying out grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) BD simulations of channel proteins: http://www.charmm‐gui.org/input/gcmcbd. The webserver is designed to help users avoid most of the technical difficulties and issues encountered in setting up and simulating complex pore systems. GCMC/BD simulation results for three proteins, the voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC), α‐Hemolysin (α‐HL), and the protective antigen pore of the anthrax toxin (PA), are presented to illustrate the system setup, input preparation, and typical output (conductance, ion density profile, ion selectivity, and ion asymmetry). Two models for the input diffusion constants for potassium and chloride ions in the pore are compared: scaling of the bulk diffusion constants by 0.5, as deduced from previous all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations of VDAC, and a hydrodynamics based model (HD) of diffusion through a tube. The HD model yields excellent agreement with experimental conductances for VDAC and α‐HL, while scaling bulk diffusion constants by 0.5 leads to underestimates of 10–20%. For PA, simulated ion conduction values overestimate experimental values by a factor of 1.5–7 (depending on His protonation state and the transmembrane potential), implying that the currently available computational model of this protein requires further structural refinement. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012
Theoretical investigation of the ethylene dimer: Interaction energy and dipole moment
Authors: Kalugina Yulia N. , Cherepanov Victor N. , Buldakov Mikhail A. , Zvereva‐Loëte Natalia , Boudon Vincent
Published: November 2011

The interaction potential energy and the interaction‐induced dipole moment surfaces of the van der Waals C2H4‐C2H4 complex has been calculated for a broad range of intermolecular separations and configurations in the approximation of rigid interacting molecules. The calculations have been carried out using high‐level ab initio theory with the aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis set and within the framework of the analytical description of long‐range interactions between ethylene molecules. Binding energy for the most stable configuration of the C2H4‐C2H4 complex was calculated at the CCSD(T)/CBS level of theory. The harmonic fundamental vibrational frequencies for this complex were calculated at the MP2 level of theory. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012
Human myxomatous mitral valve prolapse: Role of bone morphogenetic protein 4 in valvular interstitial cell activation
Authors: Sainger Rachana , Grau Juan B. , Branchetti Emanuela , Poggio Paolo , Seefried William F. , Field Benjamin C. , Acker Michael A. , Gorman Robert C. , Gorman Joseph H. , Hargrove Clark W. , Bavaria Joseph E. , Ferrari Giovanni
Published: November 2011

Myxomatous mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most common cardiac valvular abnormality in industrialized countries and a leading cause of mitral valve surgery for isolated mitral regurgitation. The key role of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) during mitral valve development and homeostasis has been recently suggested, however little is known about the molecular pathways leading to MVP. We aim to characterize Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4) as a cellular regulator of mitral VIC activation towards a pathologic synthetic phenotype and to analyze the cellular phenotypic changes and extracellular matrix (ECM) reorganization associated with the development of myxomatous MVP. Microarray analysis showed significant up regulation of BMP4‐mediated signaling molecules in myxomatous MVP when compared to controls. Histological analysis and cellular characterization suggest that during myxomatous MVP development, healthy quiescent mitral VICs undergo a phenotypic activation via up regulation of BMP4‐mediated pathway. In vitro hBMP4 treatment of isolated human mitral VICs mimics the cellular activation and ECM remodeling as seen in MVP tissues. The present study characterizes the cell biology of mitral VICs in physiological and pathological conditions and provides insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediated by BMP4 during MVP. The ability to test and control the plasticity of VICs using different molecules may help in developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for myxomatous MVP. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2595–2604, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alveolar macrophage dynamics in murine lung regeneration
Authors: Chamoto Kenji , Gibney Barry C. , Ackermann Maximilian , Lee Grace S. , Lin Miao , Konerding Moritz A. , Tsuda Akira , Mentzer Steven J.
Published: November 2011

In most mammalian species, the removal of one lung results in dramatic compensatory growth of the remaining lung. To investigate the contribution of alveolar macrophages (AMs) to murine post‐pneumonectomy lung growth, we studied bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)‐derived AM on 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after left pneumonectomy. BAL demonstrated a 3.0‐fold increase in AM (CD45+, CD11b−, CD11c+, F4/80+, Gr‐1−) by 14 days after pneumonectomy. Cell cycle flow cytometry of the BAL‐derived cells demonstrated an increase in S + G2 phase cells on days 3 (11.3 ± 2.7%) and 7 (12.1 ± 1.8%) after pneumonectomy. Correspondingly, AM demonstrated increased expression of VEGFR1 and MHC class II between days 3 and 14 after pneumonectomy. To investigate the potential contribution of peripheral blood cells to this AM population, parabiotic mice (wild‐type/GFP) underwent left pneumonectomy. Analysis of GFP+ cells in the post‐pneumonectomy lung demonstrated that by day 14, less than 1% of the AM population were derived from the peripheral blood. Finally, AM gene transcription demonstrated a significant shift from decreased transcription of angiogenesis‐related genes on day 3 to increased transcription on day 7 after pneumonectomy. The increased number of locally proliferating AM, combined with their growth‐related gene transcription, suggests that AM actively participate in compensatory lung growth. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3208–3215, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The seventh ring: Exploring TRAF7 functions
Authors: Zotti Tiziana , Vito Pasquale , Stilo Romania
Published: November 2011

Tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factors (TRAFs) have been discovered and characterized by their capacity to link tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFR) family proteins to signaling pathways that transduce the cellular effects mediated by TNF family ligands. There are seven known mammalian TRAF proteins (TRAF1–7), that share a domain organization made of a modular structure, characteristic of adaptor proteins whose function is to link structurally dissimilar factors. Functionally, TRAF proteins mediate the assembly of cytoplasmic signal transducers and regulatory molecules downstream of receptors complexes. Despite the similarities in the signaling pathways activated by the different TRAF proteins, each appears to play distinct physiological roles. TRAF7 is the last member of the TRAF family that has been identified. Yet, the functional characterization of TRAF7 presents some aspects still obscure and poorly defined, making this protein arguably the most mysterious member of the family. In fact, recent data indicate that TRAF7 is involved in signal transduction pathways that lead either to activation or repression of NF‐κB transcription factor. In addition, TRAF7 regulates activation of cellular stress pathways, as well as unconventional ubiquitination events and differentiation of muscle tissue. In this review, we try to summarize the most recent advances in our understanding of TRAF7 function and the biological processes of this protein is involved in. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1280–1284, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Homogentisate 1,2 dioxygenase is expressed in human osteoarticular cells: Implications in alkaptonuria
Authors: Laschi Marcella , Tinti Laura , Braconi Daniela , Millucci Lia , Ghezzi Lorenzo , Amato Loredana , Selvi Enrico , Spreafico Adriano , Bernardini Giulia , Santucci Annalisa
Published: November 2011

Alkaptonuria (AKU) results from defective homogentisate1,2‐dioxygenase (HGD), causing degenerative arthropathy. The deposition of ochronotic pigment in joints is so far attributed to homogentisic acid produced by the liver, circulating in the blood and accumulating locally. Human normal and AKU osteoarticular cells were tested for HGD gene expression by RT‐PCR, mono‐ and 2D‐Western blotting. HGD gene expression was revealed in chondrocytes, synoviocytes, osteoblasts. Furthermore, HGD expression was confirmed by Western blotting, that also revealed the presence of five enzymatic molecular species. Our findings indicate that AKU osteoarticular cells produce the ochronotic pigment in loco and this may strongly contribute to induction of ochronotic arthropathy. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3254–3257, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.