bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Co-treatment of TGF-β3 and BMP7 is superior in stimulating chondrocyte redifferentiation in both hypoxia and normoxia compared to single treatments
Authors: Huang Xiaobin , Zhong Leilei , Post Janine N. , Karperien Marcel 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSignaling by members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, such as TGF-β3 and BMP7, and oxygen tension play a pivotal role in chondrocyte biology. The objective of this research was to investigate the endogenous BMP7 expression in human osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage and the effect of oxygen tension on the single or combined treatment with TGF-β3 and BMP7 on OA chondrocyte redifferentiation in three dimensional (3D) pellet cultures. The results showed the expression of BMP7 and its intracellular signaling target SMAD1/5/8 was decreased in early OA, while it was increased in later stages of OA. The combined treatment with TGF-β3 and BMP7, both in normoxia and hypoxia, was more effective than TGF-β3 or BMP7 alone in redifferentiating chondrocytes. This was reflected by Alcian blue/Safranin O staining and collagen type II protein expression, as well as by gene expression. Hypoxia elevated TGF-β3 and BMP7-induced matrix formation of OA chondrocytes and alleviated the catabolic gene expression. Interestingly, cells cultured under normoxia displayed mild signs of an inflammatory stress response, which was effectively counteracted by culturing the cells under low oxygen tension. Our data underscores the important modulatory role of oxygen tension on the chondrocyte’s responsiveness to TGF-β3 and/or BMP7.
Knee Joint Tissues Effectively Separate Mixed Sized Molecules Delivered in a Single Bolus to the Heart
Authors: Ngo Lucy , Knothe Lillian E. , Knothe Tate Melissa L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe role of molecular size selectivity in the onset and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative disease of the musculoskeletal system and the most common cause of disability in aging adults, is unknown. Here we delivered a mixture of Texas-red (70 kDa), and Rhodamine-green (10 kDa) tagged, dextrans of neutral charge in a single bolus via heart injection to middle aged (8–10 months) and aged (17–19 months) Dunkin-Hartley Guinea pigs, a natural model for OA. We quantified tracer transport in serial-sectioned, cryofixed block specimens after five minutes’ circulation. A remarkable separation of the molecules was observed in serial fluorescent images of whole joint sections. The larger, 70 kDa red tracer was abundant in the marrow cavity albeit less prevalent or absent in the bone, cartilage, meniscus and other tissues of the joint. Tissues of the meniscus, ligament, and tendon exhibited abundant 10 kDa tracer; volumes of tissue containing this molecular tracer were significantly lower in older than in younger animals. Surprisingly, muscle fiber bundles exhibited little fluorescence, while their bounding fasciae fluoresced either red or green. Small caliber channels through the articular cartilage appeared to show a degree of green fluorescence not observed in the surrounding cartilage matrix. This study opens up new avenues for study of musculoskeletal physiology in health and disease as well as new strategies for drug delivery.
Crossover from Jamming to Clogging Behaviours in Heterogeneous Environments
Authors: Péter H. , Libál A. , Reichhardt C. , Reichhardt C. J. O. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractJamming describes a transition from a flowing or liquid state to a solid or rigid state in a loose assembly of particles such as grains or bubbles. In contrast, clogging describes the ceasing of the flow of particulate matter through a bottleneck. It is not clear how to distinguish jamming from clogging, nor is it known whether they are distinct phenomena or fundamentally the same. We examine an assembly of disks moving through a random obstacle array and identify a transition from clogging to jamming behavior as the disk density increases. The clogging transition has characteristics of an absorbing phase transition, with the disks evolving into a heterogeneous phase-separated clogged state after a critical diverging transient time. In contrast, jamming is a rapid process in which the disks form a homogeneous motionless packing, with a rigidity length scale that diverges as the jamming density is approached.
Role of inter-hemispheric connections in functional brain networks
Authors: Martínez J. H. , Buldú J. M. , Papo D. , Fallani F. De Vico , Chavez M. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractToday the human brain can be modeled as a graph where nodes represent different regions and links stand for statistical interactions between their activities as recorded by different neuroimaging techniques. Empirical studies have lead to the hypothesis that brain functions rely on the coordination of a scattered mosaic of functionally specialized brain regions (modules or sub-networks), forming a web-like structure of coordinated assemblies (a network of networks. NoN). The study of brain dynamics would therefore benefit from an inspection of how functional sub-networks interact between them. In this paper, we model the brain as an interconnected system composed of two specific sub-networks, the left (L) and right (R) hemispheres, which compete with each other for centrality, a topological measure of importance in a networked system. Specifically, we considered functional scalp EEG networks (SEN) derived from high-density electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings and investigated how node centrality is shaped by interhemispheric connections. Our results show that the distribution of centrality strongly depends on the number of functional connections between hemispheres and the way these connections are distributed. Additionally, we investigated the consequences of node failure on hemispherical centrality, and showed how the abundance of inter-hemispheric links favors the functional balance of centrality distribution between the hemispheres.
Multiple liver insults synergize to accelerate experimental hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Henderson James M. , Polak Natasa , Chen Jinbiao , Roediger Ben , Weninger Wolfgang , Kench James G. , McCaughan Geoffrey W. , Zhang Hui Emma , Gorrell Mark D. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe urgent unmet need for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapies is addressed here by characterising a novel mouse model of HCC in the context of ongoing liver damage and overnutrition. Male C57Bl/6J mice were treated with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and thioacetamide (TAA), and some were provided with an atherogenic high fat diet (HFD). Inflammation, steatosis, fibrosis, 87 genes, liver lesions and intratumoural leukocyte subsets were quantified up to 24 weeks of age. Adding HFD to DEN/TAA increased fibrosis, steatosis and inflammation, and the incidence of both HCC and non-HCC dysplastic lesions. All lesions contained α-SMA positive fibroblasts. Macrophage marker F4/80 was not significantly different between treatment groups, but the macrophage-associated genes Arg-1 and Cd47 were differentially expressed. Fibrosis, cancer and cell death associated genes were upregulated in DEN/TAA/HFD livers. Fewer Kupffer cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells were in tumours compared to control liver. In conclusion, combining a hepatotoxin with an atherogenic diet produced more intrahepatic tumours, dysplastic lesions and fibrosis compared to hepatotoxin alone. This new HCC model provides a relatively rapid means of examining primary HCC and potential therapies in the context of multiple hepatotoxins including those derived from overnutrition.
Climate-driven shifts in algal-bacterial interaction of high-mountain lakes in two years spanning a decade
Authors: González-Olalla Juan Manuel , Medina-Sánchez Juan Manuel , Lozano Ismael L. , Villar-Argaiz Manuel , Carrillo Presentación 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAlgal-bacterial interactions include mutualism, commensalism, and predation. However, how multiple environmental conditions that regulate the strength and prevalence of a given interaction remains unclear. Here, we test the hypothesis that the prevailing algal-bacterial interaction shifted in two years (2005 versus 2015), due to increased temperature (T) and Saharan dust depositions in high-mountain lakes of Sierra Nevada (S Spain). Our results support the starting hypothesis that the nature of the prevailing algal-bacterial interaction shifted from a bacterivory control exerted by algae to commensalism, coinciding with a higher air and water T as well as the lower ratio sestonic nitrogen (N): phosphorous (P), related to greater aerosol inputs. Projected global change conditions in Mediterranean region could decline the functional diversity and alter the role of mixotrophy as a carbon (C) by-pass in the microbial food web, reducing the biomass-transfer efficiency up the web by increasing the number of trophic links.
A comprehensive analysis of the Korean fir (Abies koreana) genes expressed under heat stress using transcriptome analysis
Authors: Hwang Jung Eun , Kim Yun Jeong , Shin Myung Hwan , Hyun Hwa Ja , Bohnert Hans J. , Park Hyeong Cheol 
Published: July 2018

AbstractKorean fir (Abies koreana), a rare species endemic to South Korea, is sensitive to climate change. Here, we used next-generation massively parallel sequencing technology and de novo transcriptome assembly to gain a comprehensive overview of the Korean fir transcriptome under heat stress. Sequencing control and heat-treated samples of Korean fir, we obtained more than 194,872,650 clean reads from each sample. After de novo assembly and quantitative assessment, 42,056 unigenes were generated with an average length of 908 bp. In total, 6,401 differentially expressed genes were detected, of which 2,958 were up-regulated and 3,443 down-regulated, between the heat-treated and control samples. A gene ontology analysis of these unigenes revealed heat-stress-related terms, such as “response to stimulus”. Further, in depth analysis revealed 204 transcription factors and 189 Hsps as differentially expressed. Finally, 12 regulated candidate genes associated with heat stress were examined using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT–PCR). In this study, we present the first comprehensive characterisation of Korean fir subjected to heat stress using transcriptome analysis. It provides an important resource for future studies of Korean fir with the objective of identifying heat stress tolerant lines.
Assessment of fine-scale parameterizations at low latitudes of the North Pacific
Authors: Liang Chang-Rong , Shang Xiao-Dong , Qi Yong-Feng , Chen Gui-Ying , Yu Ling-Hui 
Published: July 2018

AbstractFine-scale parameterizations based on shear and stratification are widely used to study the intensity and spatial distribution of turbulent diapycnal mixing in the ocean. Two well-known fine-scale parameterizations, Gregg–Henyey–Polzin (GHP) parameterization and MacKinnon–Gregg (MG) parameterization, are assessed with the full-depth microstructure data obtained in the North Pacific. The GHP parameterization commonly used in the open ocean succeeds in reproducing the dissipation rates over smooth topography but fails to predict the turbulence over rough topography. Failure of GHP parameterization over rough topography is attributed to the deviation of internal wave spectrum from the Garrett–Munk (GM) spectrum. The internal wave field over rough topography is characterized by energetic intermediate-scale and small-scale internal waves that are not described well by the GM model. The MG parameterization that is widely used in coastal environments is found to be successful in reproducing the dissipation rates over both smooth and rough topographies. The efficacy of GHP and MG parameterizations in evaluating the dissipation rates has been assessed. The result indicates that MG parameterization predicts the magnitude and variability of the dissipation rates better than the GHP parameterization.
Modified scanning electron microscopy reveals pathological crosstalk between endothelial cells and podocytes in a murine model of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
Authors: Masum Md. Abdul , Ichii Osamu , Elewa Yaser Hosny Ali , Nakamura Teppei , Otani Yuki , Hosotani Marina , Kon Yasuhiro 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study evaluated endothelial cells and podocytes, both being primary components of the glomerular filtration barrier, in the progression of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) using modified scanning electron microscopy (mSEM) analysis. BXSB/MpJ-Yaamodel mice exhibited autoimmune-mediated MPGN characterised by elevated serum autoantibody levels, albuminuria, renal dysfunctional parameters, and decreased glomerular endothelial fenestrations (EF) and podocyte foot process (PFP) effacement with immune cell infiltration. Similar to transmission electron microscopy, mSEM revealed a series of pathological changes in basement membrane and densities of EF and PFP in BXSB/MpJ-Yaacompared with control BXSB/MpJ at different stages. Further, immunopositive area of endothelial marker (CD34), podocyte functional molecules (Nephrin, Podocin, Synaptopodin, and Wilms’ tumour 1 (WT1)), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF A) significantly decreased in the glomerulus of BXSB/MpJ-Yaacompared with BXSB at final stage. The indices of glomerular endothelial injuries (EF density and immunopositive area of CD34 and VEGF A) and podocyte injuries (PEP density and immunopositive area of podocyte functional molecules) were also significantly correlated with each other and with indices of autoimmune disease and renal dysfunction. Thus, our results elucidated the pathological crosstalk between endothelial cells and podocytes in MPGN progression and the usefulness of mSEM for glomerular pathological analysis.
Attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder is associated with allergic symptoms and low levels of hemoglobin and serotonin
Authors: Wang Liang-Jen , Yu Ya-Hui , Fu Ming-Ling , Yeh Wen-Ting , Hsu Jung-Lung , Yang Yao-Hsu , Chen Wei J. , Chiang Bor-Luen , Pan Wen-Harn 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThis study investigated whether common comorbidities or biochemical factors, such as allergic disease, anemia, inflammation, and neurotransmitters, are singly or additively associated with an increased risk of attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We recruited 216 children diagnosed with ADHD and 216 age-, sex-, height-, weight-, and class-matched controls from 31 elementary schools in Taipei, Taiwan. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to measure allergic symptoms. Fasting venous blood was collected and analyzed for complete blood count, white blood cell differential count, immunoglobulin (Ig) E level, and serotonin (5-HT) level. The results showed that symptoms of both rhinitis (OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.42–3.05) and eczema (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.02–2.88) were significantly associated with increased risk of ADHD. Children with ADHD showed considerably lower levels of hemoglobin (p = 0.001) and 5-HT (p < 0.001) and higher IgE level (p < 0.001) and eosinophil count (p = 0.001) than did control children. ADHD risk increased with the number of aforementioned biochemical risk factors present (one factor: OR = 1.87, 95% CI = 0.87–4.18; two factors: OR = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.29–6.48; three factors: OR = 4.47, 95% CI = 1.97–10.13; four factors: OR = 6.53, 95% CI = 2.43–17.57). Findings suggest that either ADHD’s etiology is multidimensional or the aforementioned conditions have shared etiology with ADHD.
Artefakte in der Dermatologie – erkennen und dann?
Authors: Rapp G. 
Published: July 2018

ZusammenfassungSelbstverletzendes Verhalten, welches verschiedene Aspekte beinhaltet, wird als nichtsuizidales, (fast immer) bewusstes Verhalten mit direktem Schaden an der Haut beschrieben. Selbstverletzungen sind ein häufiges Phänomen unter Jugendlichen, insbesondere während der Pubertät. Jedoch auch unter Erwachsenen ist die Prävalenz des selbstverletzenden Verhaltens höher als angenommen. Dermatologen sehen sich somit regelmäßig mit diesen Krankheitsbildern konfrontiert und sollten sich des schweren psychologischen Leids, das meist hinter dem Verhalten steckt, bewusst sein. Eine reine Behandlung der Haut wird dem Leid nicht gerecht. Die Basis der Behandlung stellt die Arzt-Patient-Beziehung dar. Oft ist ein multidisziplinärer Ansatz für die Behandlung der verschiedenen Arten des selbstverletzenden Verhaltens notwendig.
Rehabilitation von Menschen mit einer peripheren arteriellen Verschlusskrankheit im Kontext aktueller Leitlinien. Eine Analyse auf Basis von Routinedaten
Authors: Falk Johannes , Haaf Hans-Günter , Brünger Martin 
Published: July 2018

Zusammenfassung
Ziel der Studie Die Arbeit untersucht die Versorgungssituation von Patienten mit peripherer arterieller Verschlusskrankheit (PAVK) in der medizinischen Rehabilitation im Kontext aktueller Leitlinien.
Methodik Alle 2014 in der Trägerschaft der Rentenversicherung abgeschlossenen Rehabilitationen mit Erstdiagnose PAVK (ICD-10: I70.2) wurden analysiert. Soziodemografische und sozialmedizinische Merkmale sowie das Leistungsgeschehen wurden ausgewertet und aktuellen Leitlinienempfehlungen gegenübergestellt.
Ergebnisse In die Analyse gingen 1289 Rehabilitanden mit PAVK ein (mittleres Alter 56,1 Jahre; 78,3% Männer). Sozialmedizinische Parameter skizzieren eine Kohorte mit hoher Krankheitslast und schlechter Erwerbs- und Überlebensprognose. Während einerseits evidenzbasierte Therapieleistungen (u. a. Gehtraining 58%, Gefäßtraining 63%, spezifische PAVK-Schulung 64%) nur bei etwas mehr als der Hälfte der Rehabilitanden durchgeführt wurden, fanden sich für andere Leistungen Hinweise auf Übererfüllung (z. B. für Massagen).
Schlussfolgerung Die Ergebnisse legen ein insgesamt hohes Versorgungsniveau von Patienten mit PAVK in der Rehabilitation nahe. Die schlechte sozialmedizinische Prognose und die teilweise nur geringe Erfüllung von Leitlinienempfehlungen lassen jedoch Verbesserungspotenzial erkennen. Die Entwicklung spezifischer Empfehlungen für die Rehabilitation bei PAVK könnte daher sinnvoll sein.
Crossreactivity of Antibodies Directed against Cardiolipin, DNA, Endothelial Cells and Blood Platelets
Authors: Hasselaar Paula , Derksen Ronald H W M , Blokzijl Laya , Groot Philip G de 
Published: July 2018

SummaryThe interrelationship of antibodies directed against cardiolipin (CL), double stranded DNA (dsDNA), endothelial cells (EC) and blood platelets was investigated. IgG fractions, reactive with these antigens, were isolated from the plasmas from 8 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and tested for crossreactivity with anionic phospholipids (CL, phosphatidylserine, phos-phatidylinositol), zwitterionic phospholipids (phosphatidyl-ethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine), dsDNA, EC and platelets by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and for lupus anticoagulant (LAC) activity with a coagulation assay.Our results demonstrate the frequent occurrence of crossreactivity between antibodies to anionic phospholipids, EC and platelets. Crossreactivities between these antibodies and antibodies to dsDNA or zwitterionic phospholipids are exceptional. LAC activity was found in the anti-CL, anti-EC and anti-platelet fractions of only one patient. These findings support the hypothesis that subpopulations of antibodies directed against negatively charged phospholipids can bind to EC and blood platelets, which may have implications for the pathogenetic potential of antiphospholipid antibodies.
Extrinsic Activation of Human Blood Coagulation Factors IX and X
Authors: Bom V J J , Reinalda-Poot J H , Cupers R , Bertina R M 
Published: July 2018

SummaryWe studied activation of human coagulation factors IX and X by factor VIIa in the presence of calcium ions, phospholipid (phosphatidylserine/phosphatidylcholine, 50/50, mol/mol) and purified tissue factor apoprotein. Activation of factor IX and factor X was found to occur without a measurable lag-phase and hence initial rates of factor IXa and factor Xa formation could be determined. Like previously observed for the activation of factor X, the activation of factor IX was saturable with respect to factor VIIa, tissue factor apoprotein and phospholipid. The results suggested that in the presence of a Ca2+ ions the same ternary complex of factor VIIa-tissue factor apoprolein-phospholipid is responsible for the activation of factor IX and factor X. Roth the apparent Km of 22 nM-factor IX and the apparent Kcat of 28 min−1 were about 3-fold lower than the coiicsponding parameters of factor X activation by this complex. Hence, the catalytic efficiency (Kcat/Km) of factor IX and factor X activation was about equal. However, the two substrates inhibited the activation of each other by competition for the same catalytic sites. The apparent Kinh of factor IX for inhibition of extrinsic factor X activation is 30 nM. The apparent Kinh of factor X for inhibition of extrinsic factor IX activation is 116 nM. From these kinetic data it was calculated that at plasma concentration of factors IX and X, the rate of extrinsic factor IX activation would be half the rate of factor X activation. These relative rates of extrinsic factor IX and factor X activation in combination with previously reported kinetic data on the activation of factor X by factor IXa in the presence of factor VIIIa provide support for the concept that at low levels of tissue factor, factor IXa formation might play an important role in the extiinsic pathway of coagulation in vivo.
Neutralization of Enoxaparine-lnduced Bleeding by Protamine Sulfate
Authors: Van Ryn-McKenna J , Cai L , Ofosu F A , Hirsh J , Buchanan M R 
Published: July 2018

SummaryIt has been suggested that protamine sulfate is a poor antidote for the bleeding side-effeets of low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) in vivo, since protamine sulfate does not completely neutralize the anti-factor Xa activity of LMWHs in vitro or ex vivo. Therefore, we performed experiments to compare directly the abilities of protamine sulfate to neutralize the anticoagulant activities of the LMWH, enoxaparine, and unfractionated heparin ex vivo, with its ability to neutralize the bleeding side-effeets of both compounds in vivo. Bleeding was measured as the amount of blood lost from 5 cuts made in rabbits ears before and after treatment with enoxaparine or unfractionated heparin ± protamine sulfate. Plasma anti-factor Xa and anti-thrombin activities ex vivo, were measured chromogenically. Doses of 400 and 1,500 anti-factor Xa U/kg of heparin and enoxaparine, respectively, were required to enhance blood loss to the same extent. Protamine sulfate completely neutralized blood loss induced by both compounds, but did not neutralize the anti-factor Xa nor antithrombin activities ex vivo. We conclude that protamine sulfate is an effective antidote for the bleeding side-effeets of enoxaparine and unfractionated heparin, despite its inability to completely neutralize their anticoagulant activities.
Dose-Response Studies on the Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Lipids and Haemostasis
Authors: Berg Schmidt E , Varming K , Ernst E , Madsen P , Dyerberg J 
Published: July 2018

SummaryWe have studied the dose-response effects of dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA’s) on lipids and haemostasis. Ten healthy males were each given 1.3 g,4 g or 9 g of n-3 PUFA’s daily for 6-week periods. Bleeding time, HDL-cholesterol and plasminogen activator inhibitor increased with the dose of n-3 PUFA. Plasma fibrinogen and triglyceride levels were reduced in a dose-dependent fashion.After ingestion of 1.3 g of n-3 PUFA’s plasma fibrinogen decreased from 9 to 7 μmol/l and HDL-cholesterol increased from 1.2 to 1.3 mmol/l. The bleeding time was prolonged from 5 to 6.5 min while triglyceride levels decreased from 1.2 to 0.9 mmol/l after ingestion of 4 g of n-3 PUFA’s. Dietary supplementation with the highest daily dose (9 g) reduced plasma levels of triglycerides, fibrinogen and von Willebrand factor, while bleeding time, plasminogen activator antigen, plasminogen activator inhibitor and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol increased.