bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization of different aroma‐types of chinese liquors based on their aroma profile by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and sensory evaluation
Authors: Xiao Zuobing , Yu Dan , Niu Yunwei , Ma Ning , Zhu Jiancai
Published: January 2016

The aroma profile of different aroma‐types of Chinese liquors was measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and sensory evaluation. Sensory analysis coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) showed that strong‐aroma liquors were mainly characterized by cellar aroma; light‐aroma liquors were mainly characterized by fen, floral, grain, sweet and vinegar aromas while sauce‐aroma liquors were mainly characterized by sauce, fruity and caramel aromas. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) results indicated that ethyl hexanoate, hexanoic acid, hexyl hexanoate, 4‐methyl pheno, ethyl pentanoate, isoamyl hexanoate and pentanoic acid were significantly and positively associated with cellar aroma and strong‐aroma liquors. Vinegar and fen aroma were strongly linked with light‐aroma liquor and associated with of ethyl acetate, 2‐methylpropyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, isoamyl lactate, ethyl decanoate, diethyl butanedioate, 2‐phenethyl acetate, 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐1‐benzopyran‐2‐one 1‐dodecanol, ethyl decanoate, 3‐methyl‐1‐butanol and thymol. While sauce‐aroma liquors were positively correlated with caramel, fruity and sauce sensory descriptors and volatile compounds such as ethyl 2‐methylpropanoate, ethyl 3‐methylbutanoate, furfural, 1,3‐dimethyl trisulfide, trimethyl pyrazine, ethyl benzeneacetate, benzaldehyde and 1‐octanol. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Suitability of CO2 capture technologies for carbon capture and storage in India
Authors: Yadav Dharmender , Chandel Munish K. , Kumar Pramod
Published: January 2016

The Indian power sector relies heavily on coal power plants for electricity generation as 59% of the total installed capacity is from coal power plants. Considerable research has been done in developed countries to analyze the suitability of CO2 capture technologies for coal power plants, but not in India. This work analyzes the suitability of various CO2 capture technologies for Indian coal power plants on the basis of different parameters: energy penalty, cost of CO2 capture, efficiency, and age and size of the power plant. An Integrated Environmental Control Model (IECM) was used to simulate the power plants, and to calculate the energy penalty and cost of capture. All existing 517 units of 115 coal power plants in India, along with one Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plant and one ultra‐supercritical plant were analyzed for CO2 capture suitability. Results show that the total installed capacity of Indian coal power plants would reduce to somewhere between 66 896 and 105 991 MW, depending on the CO2 capture technology applied, from and existing 126 320 MW. The average efficiency of Indian coal power plants would reduce from the current 29% to 24.4%, 20.7%, and 15.4% if we retrofit the plants with amine‐, ammonia‐, and membrane‐based capture systems, respectively. Cost of CO2 capture for these three technologies would be $42.3, $75.2, and $81.9 per tonne of CO2, respectively. The CO2 capture technologies would be better off on coal power plants which are less than 20 years old, as the energy penalty would be less. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Modality‐independent representations of small quantities based on brain activation patterns
Authors: Damarla Saudamini Roy , Cherkassky Vladimir L. , Just Marcel Adam
Published: January 2016

Machine learning or MVPA (Multi Voxel Pattern Analysis) studies have shown that the neural representation of quantities of objects can be decoded from fMRI patterns, in cases where the quantities were visually displayed. Here we apply these techniques to investigate whether neural representations of quantities depicted in one modality (say, visual) can be decoded from brain activation patterns evoked by quantities depicted in the other modality (say, auditory). The main finding demonstrated, for the first time, that quantities of dots were decodable by a classifier that was trained on the neural patterns evoked by quantities of auditory tones, and vice‐versa. The representations that were common across modalities were mainly right‐lateralized in frontal and parietal regions. A second finding was that the neural patterns in parietal cortex that represent quantities were common across participants. These findings demonstrate a common neuronal foundation for the representation of quantities across sensory modalities and participants and provide insight into the role of parietal cortex in the representation of quantity information. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1296‐1307, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Effects of Smoking Bans on Self‐Assessed Health: Evidence from Germany
Authors: Kuehnle Daniel , Wunder Christoph
Published: January 2016

We examine the effects of smoking bans on self‐assessed health in Germany taking into account heterogeneities by smoking status, gender and age. We exploit regional variation in the dates of enactment and dates of enforcement across German federal states. Using data from the German Socio‐Economic Panel, our difference‐in‐differences estimates show that non‐smokers' health improves, whereas smokers report no or even adverse health effects in response to bans. We find statistically significant health improvements especially for non‐smokers living in households with at least one smoker. Non smokers' health improvements materialise largely with the enactment of smoking bans. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anticipatory Behavior in Response to Medicare Part D's Coverage Gap
Authors: Kaplan Cameron M. , Zhang Yuting
Published: January 2016

Under the standard Medicare Part D benefit structure, copayments for medications change discontinuously at certain levels of accumulative drug spending. Beneficiaries pay 25% of the cost of medications in the initial phase, 100% in the coverage gap, and 5% in the catastrophic phase. We examine whether individuals anticipate these copayment changes and adjust their consumption in advance. We use variation in birth‐months of beneficiaries who enroll in Part D plans when they first turn 65. Birth‐months generate exogenous variation in the end‐of‐year price because those who enroll earlier in the year are more likely to reach the coverage gap than those who enroll later. We study the impact of variation in end‐of‐year price on the first three months of medication use immediately following enrollment. We use difference‐in‐differences to adjust for seasonal trends in use, by comparing our main study group with those who receive low‐income subsidies, and therefore do not face a coverage gap. We find strong evidence of anticipatory behavior, with an implied elasticity with respect to future prices ranging from −0.2 to −0.5. In addition, we find that beneficiaries modify their consumption by changing the quantity of prescriptions filled, instead of switching between brand‐name and generic drugs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geographic variation in human papillomavirus–related oropharyngeal cancer: Data from 4 multinational randomized trials
Authors: Mehanna Hisham , Franklin Natalie , Compton Natalie , Robinson Max , Powell Ned , Biswas–Baldwin Nigel , Paleri Vindh , Hartley Andrew , Fresco Lydia , Al‐Booz Hoda , Junor Elizabeth , El‐Hariry Iman , Roberts Sally , Harrington Kevin , Ang K. Kian , Dunn Janet , Woodman Ciaran
Published: January 2016

Background

There are variations in the proportions of head and neck cancers caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) between countries and regions. It is unclear if these are true variations or due to different study designs and assays.

Methods

We tested formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded diagnostic biopsies for p16 immunohistochemistry and HPV‐DNA (by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and in situ hybridization [ISH]) using validated protocols on samples from 801 patients with head and neck cancer recruited prospectively between 2006 and 2011 in 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Results

Twenty‐one percent of patients (170 of 801) showed both HPV‐DNA and p16‐positivity, detected almost exclusively in oropharyngeal cancer (55%; 15 of 302); and only 1% of the patients (5 of 499) with nonoropharyngeal cancer were HPV positive. HPV‐positive oropharyngeal cancer differed between Western and Eastern Europe (37%, 155 of 422 vs 6%, 8 of 144; p < .0001) and between Western Europe and Asia (37% vs 2%; 4 of 217; p < .0001). Other independent determinants of HPV positivity were tumor site and smoking.

Conclusion

This is the first study to establish geographic variability as an independent risk factor in HPV‐positive oropharyngeal cancer prevalence, with higher prevalence in Western Europe. © 2016 The Authors Head & Neck Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1863–E1869, 2016
PGC‐1β suppresses saturated fatty acid‐induced macrophage inflammation by inhibiting TAK1 activation
Authors: Chen Hongen , Liu Yan , Li Di , Song Jiayi , Xia Min
Published: January 2016

Inflammation of infiltrated macrophages in adipose tissue is a key contributor to the initiation of adipose insulin resistance. These macrophages are exposed to high local concentrations of free fatty acids (FFAs) and can be proinflammatory activated by saturated fatty acids (SFAs). However, the regulatory mechanisms on SFA‐induced macrophage inflammation are still elusive. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ coactivator‐1β (PGC‐1β) is a member of the PGC‐1 family of transcriptional coactivators and has been reported to play a key role in SFAs metabolism and in the regulation of inflammatory signaling. However, it remains unclear whether PGC‐1β is involved in SFA‐induced macrophage inflammation. In this study, we found that PGC‐1β expression was significantly decreased in response to palmitic acid (PA) in macrophages in a dose dependent manner. PGC‐1β inhibited PA induced TNFα, MCP‐1, and IL‐1β mRNA and protein expressions. Furthermore, PGC‐1β significantly antagonized PA induced macrophage nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) p65 and JUN N‐terminal kinase activation. Mechanistically, we revealed that TGF‐β‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and its adaptor protein TAK1 binding protein 1 (TAB1) played a dominant role in the regulatory effects of PGC‐1β. We confirmed that PGC‐1β inhibited downstream inflammatory signals via binding with TAB1 and thus preventing TAB1/TAK1 binding and TAK1 activation. Finally, we showed that PGC‐1β overexpression in PA treated macrophages improved adipocytes PI3K‐Akt insulin signaling in a paracrine fashion. Collectively, our results uncovered a novel mechanism on how macrophage inflammation induced by SFAs was regulated and suggest a potential target in the treatment of obesity induced insulin resistance. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(2):145–155, 2016
Glyoxal induced structural transition of buffalo kidney cystatin to molten globule and aggregates: Anti‐fibrillation potency of quinic acid
Authors: Shamsi Anas , Ahmed Azaj , Bano Bilqees
Published: January 2016

In our study buffalo kidney cystatin (BKC) is transformed from native conformation to amyloid fibrils when incubated with 20 mM glyoxal for a prolonged time period. These amyloid fibrils are at the heart of a number of pathological disorders. In the presence of 10 mM glyoxal, BKC retained native‐like secondary structure, decreased intrinsic and increased ANS fluorescence was observed, characteristics of molten globule state (MG), thus suggesting the occurrence of MG state at this concentration. At 20 mM glyoxal, BKC aggregates were characterized by a further decrease in ANS fluorescence attributable to internalization of hydrophobic clusters owing to protein‐protein interaction. Circular dichroism and FTIR spectroscopy further revealed the existence of β sheet structure and there was an increase in Thioflavin T fluorescence, Rayleigh light scattering, turbidity as well as red shift in congo red absorbance thus confirming the existence of aggregates. We have also studied the anti‐aggregation effect of polyol, quinic acid making use of various above mentioned biophysical assays. Our proposed work strongly favors the formation of BKC aggregates in the presence of glyoxal, which is present in higher amounts in pathological conditions owing to defective glycolysis pathway and also use of polyol as an antifibrillating agent. © 2016 IUBMB Life, 68(2):156–166, 2016
Noncausal Bayesian Vector Autoregression
Authors: Lanne Markku , Luoto Jani
Published: January 2016

We consider Bayesian analysis of the noncausal vector autoregressive model that is capable of capturing nonlinearities and effects of missing variables. Specifically, we devise a fast and reliable posterior simulator that yields the predictive distribution as a by‐product. We apply the methods to postwar US inflation and GDP growth. The noncausal model is found superior in terms of both in‐sample fit and out‐of‐sample forecasting performance over its conventional causal counterpart. Economic shocks based on the noncausal model turn out to be highly anticipated in advance. We also find the GDP growth to have predictive power for future inflation, but not vice versa. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mismatch Shocks and Unemployment During the Great Recession
Authors: Furlanetto Francesco , Groshenny Nicolas
Published: January 2016

We investigate the macroeconomic consequences of fluctuations in the effectiveness of the labor market matching process with a focus on the Great Recession. We conduct our analysis in the context of an estimated medium‐scale dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model with sticky prices and equilibrium search unemployment that features a shock to the matching efficiency (or mismatch shock). We find that this shock is not important for unemployment fluctuations in normal times. However, it plays a somewhat larger role during the Great Recession when it contributes to raise the actual unemployment rate by around 1.3 percentage points and the natural rate by around 2 percentage points. The mismatch shock is the dominant driver of the natural rate of unemployment and explains part of the recent shift of the Beveridge curve. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Real‐time endoscopic Raman spectroscopy forin vivoearly lung cancer detection
Authors: McGregor Hanna C. , Short Michael A. , McWilliams Annette , Shaipanich Tawimas , Ionescu Diana N. , Zhao Jianhua , Wang Wenbo , Chen Guannan , Lam Stephen , Zeng Haishan
Published: January 2016

Currently the most sensitive method for localizing lung cancers in central airways is autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) in combination with white light bronchoscopy (WLB). The diagnostic accuracy of WLB + AFB for high grade dysplasia (HGD) and carcinomain situis variable depending on physician's experience. When WLB + AFB are operated at high diagnostic sensitivity, the associated diagnostic specificity is low. Raman spectroscopy probes molecular vibrations and gives highly specific, fingerprint‐like spectral features and has high accuracy for tissue pathology classification. In this study we present the use of a real‐time endoscopy Raman spectroscopy system to improve the specificity. A spectrum is acquired within 1 second and clinical data are obtained from 280 tissue sites (72 HGDs/malignant lesions, 208 benign lesions/normal sites) in 80 patients. Using multivariate analyses and waveband selection methods on the Raman spectra, we have demonstrated that HGD and malignant lung lesions can be detected with high sensitivity (90%) and good specificity (65%).

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Influence of internal pore architecture on biological and mechanical properties of three‐dimensional fiber deposited scaffolds for bone regeneration
Authors: Ostrowska Barbara , Di Luca Andrea , Moroni Lorenzo , Swieszkowski Wojciech
Published: January 2016

Fused deposition modeling has been used to fabricate three‐dimensional (3D) scaffolds for tissue engineering applications, because it allows to tailor their pore network. Despite the proven flexibility in doing so, a limited amount of studies have been performed to evaluate whether specific pore shapes have an influence on cell activity and tissue formation. Our study aimed at investigating the influence of internal pore architecture on the biological and mechanical properties of 3D scaffolds seeded with mesenchymal stromal cells. Polycaprolactone scaffolds with six different geometries were fabricated. The 3D samples were manufactured with different lay‐down pattern of the fibers by varying the layer deposition angle from 0°/15°/30°, to 0°/30°/60°, 0°/45°/90°, 0°/60°/120°, 0°/75°/150°, and 0°/90°/180°. The scaffolds were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and micro computed tomographical analysis and displayed a fully interconnected pore network. Cell proliferation and differentiation toward the osteogenic lineage were evaluated by DNA, alkaline phosphatase activity, and polymerase chain reaction. The obtained scaffolds had structures with open porosity (50%–60%) and interconnected pores ranging from 380 to 400 µm. Changing the angle deposition affected significantly the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. With increasing the angle deposition between successive layers, the elastic modulus increased as well. Cellular studies also showed influence of the internal architecture on cell adhesion and proliferation within the 3D construct, yet limited influence on cell differentiation was observed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 991–1001, 2016.
Cell‐secreted extracellular matrix formation and differentiation of adipose‐derived stem cells in 3D alginate scaffolds with tunable properties
Authors: Guneta Vipra , Loh Qiu Li , Choong Cleo
Published: January 2016

Three dimensional (3D) alginate scaffolds with tunable mechanical and structural properties are explored for investigating the effect of the scaffold properties on stem cell behavior and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation. Varying concentrations of crosslinker (20 − 60%) are used to tune the stiffness, porosity, and the pore sizes of the scaffolds post‐fabrication. Enhanced cell proliferation and adipogenesis occur in scaffolds with 3.52 ± 0.59 kPa stiffness, 87.54 ± 18.33% porosity and 68.33 ± 0.88 μm pore size. On the other hand, cells in scaffolds with stiffness greater than 11.61 ± 1.74 kPa, porosity less than 71.98 ± 6.25%, and pore size less than 64.15 ± 4.34 μm preferentially undergo osteogenesis. When cultured in differentiation media, adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) undergoing terminal adipogenesis in 20% firming buffer (FB) scaffolds and osteogenesis in 40% and 60% FB scaffolds show the highest secretion of collagen as compared to other groups of scaffolds. Overall, this study demonstrates the three‐way relationship between 3D scaffolds, ECM composition, and stem cell differentiation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1090–1101, 2016.
Graphene and its nanostructure derivatives for use in bone tissue engineering: Recent advances
Authors: Shadjou Nasrin , Hasanzadeh Mohammad
Published: January 2016

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine represent areas of increasing interest because of the major progress in cell and organ transplantation, as well as advances in materials science and engineering. Tissue‐engineered bone constructs have the potential to alleviate the demand arising from the shortage of suitable autograft and allograft materials for augmenting bone healing. Graphene and its derivatives have attracted much interest for applications in bone tissue engineering. For this purpose, this review focuses on more recent advances in tissue engineering based on graphene‐biomaterials from 2013 to May 2015. The purpose of this article was to give a general description of studies of nanostructured graphene derivatives for bone tissue engineering. In this review, we highlight how graphene family nanomaterials are being exploited for bone tissue engineering. Firstly, the main requirements for bone tissue engineering were discussed. Then, the mechanism by which graphene based materials promote new bone formation was explained, following which the current research status of main types of nanostructured scaffolds for bone tissue engineering was reviewed and discussed. In addition, graphene‐based bioactive glass, as a potential drug/growth factor carrier, was reviewed which includes the composition‐structure‐drug delivery relationship and the functional effect on the tissue‐stimulation properties. Also, the effect of structural and textural properties of graphene based materials on development of new biomaterials for production of bone implants and bone cements were discussed. Finally, the present review intends to provide the reader an overview of the current state of the graphene based biomaterials in bone tissue engineering, its limitations and hopes as well as the future research trends for this exciting field of science. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1250–1275, 2016.
Binding of human coronary artery endothelial cells to plasma‐treated titanium dioxide nanotubes of different diameters
Authors: Flašker Ajda , Kulkarni Mukta , Mrak‐Poljšak Katjuša , Junkar Ita , Čučnik Saša , Žigon Polona , Mazare Anca , Schmuki Patrik , Iglič Aleš , Sodin‐Semrl Snezna
Published: January 2016

Nanoscale topography in improving vascular response in vitro was established previously on various titanium surfaces. In the present study different surface nanotopographies that is different diameters of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes (NTs) were fabricated by electrochemical anodization and conditioned with highly reactive gaseous oxygen plasma. The morphology of different diameter NTs was studied by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, while changes in chemical composition on the surface before and after plasma treatment were determined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Performance of human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) on those conditioned surfaces was studied in regard to cell proliferation, released IL‐6 protein and immunofluorescence microscopy (IFM). We show that HCAEC function is dependent on the diameter of the TiO2 NTs, functioning far less optimally when bound to 100 nm TiO2 NTs as compared to Ti foil, 15 nm NTs or 50 nm NTs. There were improved, morphological cell shape changes, observed with IFM, between HCAEC growing on oxygen‐rich plasma‐treated versus nontreated 100 nm NTs. These endothelialized conditioned Ti nanosurfaces could elucidate optimization conditions necessary for vascular implants in coronary arteries. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1113–1120, 2016.
Enhanced osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3‐E1 cells on grid‐topographic surface and evidence for involvement of YAP mediator
Authors: Zhang Yingying , Gong He , Sun Yan , Huang Yan , Fan Yubo
Published: January 2016

Numerous studies have shown that surface topography can promote cell–substrate associations and deeply influence cell fate. The intracellular mechanism or how micro‐ or nano‐patterned extracellular signal is ultimately linked to activity of nuclear transcription factors remains unknown. It has been reported that Yes‐associated protein (YAP) can respond to extracellular matrix microenvironment signals, thus regulates stem cell differentiation process. We propose that YAP may play a role in mediating the topography induced cell differentiation. To this end, we fabricated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) micropatterns with grid topology (GT) (3 μm pattern width, 2 μm pattern interval length, 7 μm pattern height); nonpatterned PDMS substrates were used as the planar controls. The MC3T3‐E1 cells were then cultured on these surfaces, respectively, in osteogenic inducing medium. Cell differentiation in terms of osteogenesis related gene expression, protein levels, alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization was assessed. It was shown that the cells on GT surfaces had stronger osteogenesis capacity. In addition, expression level of YAP was increased when MC3T3‐E1 cells grew on GT substrates, which was similar to the levels of osteogenic differentiation markers. It was also shown that YAP knockdown attenuated GT substrates‐induced MC3T3‐E1 differentiation, which reduced the osteogenic differentiation effect of the GT substrates. Collectively, our findings indicate that GT substrates‐induced MC3T3‐E1 differentiation may be associated with YAP. This paper provides new target points for transcriptional mechanism research of microenvironment induced cell differentiation and a useful approach to obtain more biofunctionalization scaffolds for tissue engineering. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1143–1152, 2016.
Fabrication of intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar mineralized collagen/apatite scaffolds with a hierarchical structure
Authors: Hu Changmin , Zilm Michael , Wei Mei
Published: January 2016

A biomimetic collagen‐apatite (Col‐Ap) scaffold resembling the composition and structure of natural bone from the nanoscale to the macroscale has been successfully prepared for bone tissue engineering. We have developed a bottom‐up approach to fabricate hierarchically biomimetic Col‐Ap scaffolds with both intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar mineralization. To achieve intrafibrillar mineralization, polyacrylic acid (PAA) was used as a sequestrating analog of noncollagenous proteins (NCPs) to form a fluidic amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) nanoprecursor through attraction of calcium and phosphate ions. Sodium tripolyphosphate was used as a templating analog to regulate orderly deposition of apatite within collagen fibrils. Both X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy suggest that the mineral phase was apatite. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and selected area electron diffraction confirmed that hierarchical collagen‐Ap scaffolds were produced with both intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar mineralization. Biomimetic Col‐Ap scaffolds with both intrafibrillar and extrafibrillar mineralization (IE‐Col‐Ap) were compared with Col‐Ap scaffolds with extrafibrillar mineralization only (E‐Col‐Ap) as well as pure collagen scaffolds in vitro for cellular proliferation using MC3T3‐E1 cells. Pure collagen scaffolds had the highest rate of proliferation, while there was no statistically significant difference between IE‐Col‐Ap and E‐Col‐Ap scaffolds. Thus, the bottom‐up biomimetic fabrication approach has rendered a group of promising Col‐Ap scaffolds, which bear high resemblance to natural bone in terms of composition and structure. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1153–1161, 2016.
Saos‐2 cell‐mediated mineralization on collagen gels: Effect of densification and bioglass incorporation
Authors: Liu Gengbo , Pastakia Meet , Fenn Michael B. , Kishore Vipuil
Published: January 2016

Plastic compression is a collagen densification process that has been widely used for the development of mechanically robust collagen‐based materials. Incorporation of bioglass within plastically compressed collagen gels has been shown to mimic the microstructural properties of native bone and enhance in vitro cell‐mediated mineralization. The current study seeks to decouple the effects of collagen densification and bioglass incorporation to understand the interplay between collagen packing density and presence of bioglass on cell‐mediated mineralization. Saos‐2 cell‐mediated mineralization was assessed as a measure of the osteoconductivity of four different collagen gels: (1) uncompressed collagen gel (UC), (2) bioglass incorporated uncompressed collagen gel (UC + BG), (3) plastically compressed collagen gel (PC), and (4) bioglass incorporated plastically compressed collagen gel (PC + BG). The results indicated that collagen densification enhanced mineralization as shown by SEM, increased alkaline phosphatase activity and produced significantly higher amounts of mineralized nodules on PC gels compared to UC gels. Further, the amount of nodule formation on PC gels was significantly higher compared to UC + BG gels indicating that increase in matrix stiffness due to collagen densification had a greater effect on cell‐mediated mineralization compared to bioglass incorporation into loosely packed UC gels. Incorporation of bioglass into PC gels further enhanced mineralization as evidenced by significantly larger nodule size and higher amount of mineralization on PC + BG gels compared to PC gels. In conclusion, collagen densification via plastic compression improves the osteoconductivity of collagen gels. Further, incorporation of bioglass within PC gels has an additive effect and further enhances the osteoconductivity of collagen gels. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1121–1134, 2016.
Effect of carbodiimide‐derivatized hyaluronic acid gelatin on preventing postsurgical intra‐abdominal adhesion formation and promoting healing in a rat model
Authors: Yuan Fang , Lin Long‐Xiang , Zhang Hui‐Hui , Huang Dan , Sun Yu‐Long
Published: January 2016

Adhesions often occur after abdominal surgery. It could cause chronic pelvic pain, intestinal obstruction, and infertility. A hydrogel biomaterial, carbodiimide‐derivatized hyaluronic acid gelatin (cd‐HA gelatin), has been successfully used to reduce adhesion formation after flexor tendon grafting. This study investigated the efficacy of cd‐HA gelatin in preventing postsurgical peritoneal adhesions in a rat model. The surgical traumas were created on the underlying muscle of the abdominal wall and the serosal layer of the cecum. The wounds were covered with or without cd‐HA gelatin. Animals were euthanized at day 14 after surgery. Adhesion formation was assessed with adhesion degree and adhesion breaking strength. The healing of abdominal wall was evaluated with biomechanical testing and histological analysis. The adhesions occurred in all rats (n = 12) without cd‐HA gelatin treatment. The application of cd‐HA gelatin significantly reduced the adhesion rate from 100% to 58%. The decrease of adhesion breaking strength also manifested that cd‐HA gelatin could reduce postsurgical intra‐abdominal adhesion formation. Moreover, it was found that cd‐HA gelatin was a safe material and could promote tissue healing. The cd‐HA gelatin hydrogel could reduce the formation of intra‐abdominal adhesions without adversely effects on wound healing. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1175–1181, 2016.
Parathyroid Hormone and the Use of Diuretics and Calcium-Channel Blockers: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Zaheer Sarah , de Boer Ian , Allison Matthew , Brown Jenifer M , Psaty Bruce M , Robinson-Cohen Cassianne , Ix Joachim H , Kestenbaum Bryan , Siscovick David , Vaidya Anand
Published: January 2016

Thiazide diuretic (TZ) use is associated with higher bone mineral density, whereas loop diuretic (LD) use is associated with lower bone density and incident fracture. Dihydropyridine-sensitive calcium channels are expressed on parathyroid cells and may play a role in parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulation. The potential for diuretics and calcium-channel blockers (CCBs) to modulate PTH and calcium homeostasis may represent a mechanism by which they influence skeletal outcomes. We hypothesized that the use of LD and dihydropyridine CCBs is associated with higher PTH, and TZ use is associated with lower PTH. We conducted cross-sectional analyses of participants treated for hypertension in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis who did not have primary hyperparathyroidism or chronic kidney disease (n = 1888). We used adjusted regression models to evaluate the independent association between TZ, LD, and CCB medication classes and PTH. TZ use was associated with lower PTH when compared with non-TZ use (44.4 versus 46.9 pg/mL, p = 0.02), whereas the use of LD and CCBs was associated with higher PTH when compared with non-users of each medication class (LD: 60.7 versus 45.5 pg/mL, p < 0.0001; CCB: 49.5 versus. 44.4 pg/mL, p < 0.0001). Adjusted regression models confirmed independent associations between TZ use and lower PTH (β = –3.2 pg/mL, p = 0.0007), and LD or CCB use and higher PTH (LD: β = +12.0 pg/mL, p < 0.0001; CCB: +3.7 pg/mL, p < 0.0001). Among CCB users, the use of dihydropyridines was independently associated with higher PTH (β = +5.0 pg/mL, p < 0.0001), whereas non-dihydropyridine use was not (β = +0.58 pg/mL, p = 0.68). We conclude that in a large community-based cohort with normal kidney function, TZ use is associated with lower PTH, whereas LD and dihydropyridine CCB use is associated with higher PTH. These associations may provide a mechanistic explanation linking use of these medications to the development of skeletal outcomes. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Evidence for a Role for Nanoporosity and Pyridinoline Content in Human Mild Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Authors: Paschalis Eleftherios P , Gamsjaeger Sonja , Fratzl-Zelman Nadja , Roschger Paul , Masic Admir , Brozek Wolfgang , Hassler Norbert , Glorieux Francis H , Rauch Frank , Klaushofer Klaus , Fratzl Peter
Published: January 2016

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous connective tissue disorder characterized by bone fragility that arises from decreased bone mass and abnormalities in bone material quality. OI type I represents the milder form of the disease and according to the original Sillence classification is characterized by minimal skeletal deformities and near-normal stature. Raman microspectroscopy is a vibrational spectroscopic technique that allows the determination of bone material properties in bone biopsy blocks with a spatial resolution of ∼1 µm, as a function of tissue age. In the present study, we used Raman microspectroscopy to evaluate bone material quality in transiliac bone biopsies from children with a mild form of OI, either attributable to collagen haploinsufficiency OI type I (OI-Quant; n = 11) or aberrant collagen structure (OI-Qual; n = 5), as a function of tissue age, and compared it against the previously published values established in a cohort of biopsies from healthy children (n = 54, ages 1 to 23 years). The results indicated significant differences in bone material compositional characteristics between OI-Quant patients and healthy controls, whereas fewer were evident in the OI-Qual patients. Differences in both subgroups of OI compared with healthy children were evident for nanoporosity, mineral maturity/crystallinity as determined by maxima of the v1PO4 Raman band, and pyridinoline (albeit in different direction) content. These alterations in bone material compositional properties most likely contribute to the bone fragility characterizing this disease. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Integrative Analysis of Genomics and Transcriptome Data to Identify Potential Functional Genes of BMDs in Females
Authors: Chen Yuan-Cheng , Guo Yan-Fang , He Hao , Lin Xu , Wang Xia-Fang , Zhou Rou , Li Wen-Ting , Pan Dao-Yan , Shen Jie , Deng Hong-Wen
Published: January 2016

Osteoporosis is known to be highly heritable. However, to date, the findings from more than 20 genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have explained less than 6% of genetic risks. Studies suggest that the missing heritability data may be because of joint effects among genes. To identify novel heritability for osteoporosis, we performed a system-level study on bone mineral density (BMD) by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), using the largest GWAS data set for BMD in the field, Genetic Factors for Osteoporosis Consortium (GEFOS-2), and a transcriptomic gene expression data set generated from transiliac bone biopsies in women. A weighted gene coexpression network was generated for 1574 genes with GWAS nominal evidence of association (p ≤ 0.05) based on dissimilarity measurement on the expression data. Twelve distinct gene modules were identified, and four modules showed nominally significant associations with BMD (p ≤ 0.05), but only one module, the yellow module, demonstrated a good correlation between module membership (MM) and gene significance (GS), suggesting that the yellow module serves an important biological role in bone regulation. Interestingly, through characterization of module content and topology, the yellow module was found to be significantly enriched with contractile fiber part (GO:044449), which is widely recognized as having a close relationship between muscle and bone. Furthermore, detailed submodule analyses of important candidate genes (HOMER1, SPTBN1) by all edges within the yellow module implied significant enrichment of functional connections between bone and cytoskeletal protein binding. Our study yielded novel information from system genetics analyses of GWAS data jointly with transcriptomic data. The findings highlighted a module and several genes in the model as playing important roles in the regulation of bone mass in females, which may yield novel insights into the genetic basis of osteoporosis. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Investigation on the Interaction of Hydroxyethyl Starch 130/0.4 (Voluven) and Serum Albumin for Pharmacokinetic and Toxicological Implications
Authors: Zhang Jianzhong , Huang Shaoyan , Han Yongbin , Wang Chenghai , Shao Wei , Fu Zhijian
Published: January 2016

The interaction of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (Voluven) with human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated by fluorescence (steady state and synchronous), Fourier transforms infrared (FT‐IR), and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Analysis of the fluorescence quenching data of HSA by Voluven using the Stern–Volmer method revealed the formation of 1:1 ground‐state complex. Evaluation of binding parameters and binding energy indicated that the binding reaction was exothermic. On the basis of fluorescence measurements, it was concluded that electrostatic forces play a crucial role in stabilizing the complex. The binding distance was calculated by using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) theory. The conformational changes of HSA were obtained qualitatively as well as quantitatively using synchronous fluorescence, FT‐IR, and CD. The HSA underwent partial unfolding in the presence of Voluven.
A Population Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Model Predicts Favorable HDL Cholesterol Changes Over the First 5 Years in Children Treated With Current Efavirenz‐Based Regimens
Authors: Homkham Nontiya , Cressey Tim R. , Ingsrisawang Lily , Bouazza Naïm , Ngampiyaskul Chaiwat , Hongsiriwon Suchat , Srirojana Sakulrat , Kanjanavanit Suparat , Bhakeecheep Sorakij , Coeur Sophie Le , Salvadori Nicolas , Treluyer Jean Marc , Jourdain Gonzague , Urien Saik
Published: January 2016

Efavirenz use is associated with changes in cholesterol concentrations, but it is unclear whether this effect is related to drug concentrations. Using efavirenz and cholesterol plasma concentrations measured in 87 antiretroviral‐naive children in Thailand, we assessed indirect response models to describe the evolution of high‐ and low‐density lipoprotein (HDL, LDL) cholesterol concentrations in relation to efavirenz plasma concentrations over time where efavirenz was assumed to either stimulate cholesterol production or inhibit its elimination. Simulations of cholesterol evolution for children with different average efavirenz concentrations (Cav) according to their assumed status of “fast” or “slow” metabolizers of efavirenz were performed. At treatment initiation, children's median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 8 years (5 to 10), body mass index z‐score 0.01 (–1.05 to 1.44), HDL 31 mg/dL (24 to 44), and LDL 83 mg/dL (69 to 100). Median (IQR) efavirenz Cav was 1.7 mg/L (1.3 to 2.1) during the period of observation. The best model describing the evolution of HDL and LDL cholesterol concentrations over time assumed that efavirenz inhibited their elimination. HDL concentrations increase over 5 years, whereas LDL concentrations increased only during the first 4 months and then returned to baseline levels afterward. Simulations predicted that, after 3 years, HDL would increase to 63 mg/dL in “fast” metabolizers and 97 mg/dL in “slow” metabolizers of efavirenz. The population pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic (PK‐PD) model shows that favorable HDL cholesterol changes can be expected in children with current efavirenz dosing guidelines over 5 years of treatment.
Valorisation of heavy metals enriched tobacco biomass through slow pyrolysis and steam activation
Authors: Gonsalvesh Lenia , Yperman Jan , Carleer Robert , Mench Michel , Herzig Rolf , Vangronsveld Jaco
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

The disposal of metal‐enriched plant biomass is an important and still unresolved issue associated with phytoextraction. Therefore, the aim of this study was to valorise these contaminated biomasses into valuable products, i.e. bio‐chars and activated carbons (ACs), through slow pyrolysis followed by steam activation. The effects of pyrolysis/steam activation on metal availability in the chars/ACs were also evaluated. In addition, Cr(VI) adsorption by these ACs in aqueous solutions was studied.

RESULTS

Relevant chars/ACs yields were obtained due to applied thermochemical treatments. Leachability of heavy metals from those products was limited indicating that they may be safely applied as adsorption media. Prepared ACs demonstrated good Cr(VI) adsorption capacities occurring through a ‘coupled adsorption–reduction’ mechanism. It was found that Cr(VI) removal strongly depended on pH of Cr(VI) solutions and was higher for ACs activated at 800 °C. Among applied isotherm adsorption models, i.e. Langmuir and Freundlich, a better fit was obtained with the Langmuir model corresponding to monolayer coverage sorption of Cr(VI) on ACs surface.

CONCLUSIONS

Heavy metals enriched biomass can be successfully valorised through slow pyrolysis/steam activation into value added products, i.e. ACs that can be used as efficient and safe adsorbents for Cr(VI) removal. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
A multifunctional contrast dye for morphological research
Authors: Xia Qian , Feng Yuanbo , Yin Ting , Liu Yewei , Liang Sayuan , Liu Jianjun , Tong Linjun , Huang Gang , Yu Jie , Jiang Yansheng , Himmelreich Uwe , Oyen Raymond , Ni Yicheng
Published: January 2016

Objectives

We sought to devise and test a multifunctional contrast dye agent for X‐ray based digital radiography (DR) or computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and colored staining in ex vivo validation part of animal experiments. Materials and Methods: The custom‐formulated contrast dye namely red iodized oil (RIO) was prepared by solubilizing a lipophilic dye Oil Red O in iodized poppy seed oil (Lipiodol or LPD) followed by physicochemical characterizations. To explore and test the utility of RIO, normal rats (n = 10) and rabbits (n = 10) with myocardial infarction (MI) were euthanized by overdose of pentobarbital for infusion of RIO through catheterization. The bodies and/or excised organs including heart, liver, spleen, kidneys, pancreas, and intestines of the rats and rabbits were imaged at clinical mammography, CT and MRI units. These images were qualitatively studied and quantitatively analyzed using Wilcoxon Rank test with a P value < 0.05 being considered of a statistically significant difference. Imaging findings were verified by histomorphology. Results: All experimental procedures were carried out successfully with the use of RIO. T1 and T2 relaxation time was 234.2 ± 2.6 ms and 141.9 ± 3.0 ms for RIO, close to that of native LPD. Proton (1H) NMR spectroscopy revealed almost identical profiles between RIO and native LPD. The clinical mammography unit, 128‐slice CT scanner and 3.0T MRI magnet were well adapted for the animal experiments. Combined use of RIO with DR, MRI, CT and histology enabled microangiography of the organs, 3D visualization of rat pancreas, validation of in vivo cardiac quantification of MI and cause determination of the rabbit death after coronary occlusion. RIO appeared as red droplets and vacuoles in vessels by frozen and paraffin sections. Image analysis showed the superiority of DR images, which provided better overall image quality (4.35 ± 0.49) for all analyzed liver vessel segments. MRI images revealed moderate to good overall image quality ratings (3.45 ± 0.52). Comparing the signal intensities of vessel and liver with different MRI sequences, all P values were <0.01. Conclusions: RIO proved to be a multifunctional contrast dye, which could be applied as an imaging biomarker for tissue vascularity or blood perfusion, for visualization of organ anatomy and for ex vivo validation of in vivo animal experiments. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:111–121, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nuclear AgNOR protein enhancement in nucleoplasms of peripheral blood lymphocytes of babies/children with down syndrome
Authors: Imamoglu Nalan , Eroz Recep , Canatan Halit , Demirtas Halil , Saatci Çetin
Published: January 2016

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most common chromosomal disorders. The factors contributing to the mental retardation together with other defects in this syndrome have not been fully explained. Individuals with DS have extra rRNA gene family since they carry an extra chromosome 21. The few reports available are on the relationship between the nucleolus organizer regions (NORs) and DS phenotype. The in vivo regulation of NORs expression on the extra chromosome 21 is not completely understood. Previous studies have shown that nucleoli of lymphocytes from infants (mostly neonates) with DS contain more in vivo and in vitro nucleolar AgNOR proteins when compared with healthy infants. The objective of this study is to compare the in vivo nuclear AgNOR protein level in nucleoplasms (also called as karyoplasm) of nonstimulated peripheral blood lymphocytes from babies/children with DS and healthy controls. Peripheral blood samples obtained from 20 babies/children with DS and 20 matched healthy controls were smeared on clean glass slides and then AgNOR staining was performed. The AgNOR protein level in nucleoplasms of lymphocytes from both groups was calculated using a computer program. Nearly 100 interphase nuclei per individual were analysed. Average nuclear AgNOR protein levels in nucleoplasms of lymphocytes from babies/children with DS were found to be significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.001). On the basis of our present results, we propose that the increase of nuclear AgNOR protein in in vivo conditions may contribute to the formation of DS phenotypes. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:133–139, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.