bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of different sustained bone morphogenetic protein‐2 release kinetics on bone formation in poly(propylene fumarate) scaffolds
Authors: Olthof Maurits G. L. , Kempen Diederik H. R. , Herrick James L. , Yaszemski Michael J. , Dhert Wouter J. A. , Lu Lichun 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTo investigate the effect of sustained bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) release kinetics on bone formation in poly(propylene fumarate) (PPF) scaffolds, different poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres were used as delivery vehicles. All PPF scaffolds had the same 75% porous structure, while the degradation rate of the embedded PLGA microspheres was changed to tailor BMP‐2 release by varying the lactic‐to‐glycolic acid (L:G) ratio in the copolymer. Four PLGA microsphere formulations with 50/50, 65/35, 75/25, and 85/15 L:G ratios and varying in vivo degradation rates were fabricated. The in vitro and in vivo BMP‐2 release kinetics were determined by analyzing radiolabeled 125I‐BMP‐2. Biological activity of released BMP‐2 was tested using a W20‐17 cell culture model in vitro and a subcutaneous rat model in vivo. Corresponding outcome parameters were defined as capacity to increase the in vitro AP activity in weekly consecutive cell cultures over 14 weeks and the in vivo bone formation after 7 and 14 weeks. The PLGA/PPF composites showed similar biological activity and BMP‐2 release profiles in vitro. In vivo, PPF/PLGA 85:15 composite released significantly less BMP‐2 per time point in the first weeks. Micro‐CT and histological analysis after 7 and 14 weeks of implantation showed bone formation, which significantly increased over time for all composites. No significant differences were seen between the composites. Overall, the results of this study show that small differences in BMP‐2 sustained release had no significant effect on BMP‐2 osteogenic efficacy in PPF/PLGA composites. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 477–487, 2018.
Antimicrobial effect, frictional resistance, and surface roughness of stainless steel orthodontic brackets coated with nanofilms of silver and titanium oxide: a preliminary study
Authors: Ghasemi Tania , Arash Valiollah , Rabiee Sayed Mahmood , Rajabnia Ramazan , Pourzare Amirhosein , Rakhshan Vahid 
Published: February 2017

AbstractNano‐silver and nano‐titanium oxide films can be coated over brackets in order to reduce bacterial aggregation and friction. However, their antimicrobial efficacy, surface roughness, and frictional resistance are not assessed before.Fifty‐five stainless‐steel brackets were divided into 5 groups of 11 brackets each: uncoated brackets, brackets coated with 60 µm silver, 100 µm silver, 60 µm titanium, and 100 µm titanium. Coating was performed using physical vapor deposition method. For friction test, three brackets from each group were randomly selected and tested. For scanning electron microscopy and atomic‐force microscopy assessments, one and one brackets were selected from each group. For antibacterial assessment, six brackets were selected from each group. Of them, three were immediately subjected to direct contact with S. mutans. Colonies were counted 3, 6, 24, and 48 h of contact. The other three were stored in water for 3 months. Then were subjected to a similar direct contact test. Results pertaining to both subgroups were combined. Groups were compared statistically. Mean (SD) friction values of the groups 'control, silver‐60, silver‐100, titanium‐60, and titanium‐100' were 0.55 ± 0.14, 0.77 ± 0.08, 0.82 ± 0.11, 1.52 ± 0.24, and 1.57 ± 0.41 N, respectively (p = .0004, Kruskal–Wallis). Titanium frictions were significantly greater than control (p < .05), but silver groups were not (p > .05, Dunn). In the uncoated group, colony count increased exponentially within 48 h. The coated groups showed significant reductions in colony count (p < .05, two‐way‐repeated‐measures ANOVA). In conclusions, all four explained coatings reduce surface roughness and bacterial growth. Nano‐titanium films are not suitable for friction reduction. Nano‐silver results were not conclusive and need future larger studies.
mRNA destabilization improves glycemic responsiveness of transcriptionally regulated hepatic insulin gene therapy in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Thulé Peter M. , Lin Yulin , Jia Dingwu , Olson Darin E. , Tang Shiue‐Cheng , Sambanis Athanassios 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundHepatic insulin gene therapy (HIGT) employing a glucose and insulin sensitive promoter to direct insulin transcription can lower blood sugars within 2 h of an intraperitoneal glucose challenge. However, post‐challenge blood sugars frequently decline to below baseline. We hypothesize that this ‘over‐shoot’ hypoglycemia results from sustained translation of long‐lived transgene message, and that reducing pro‐insulin message half‐life will ameliorate post‐challenge hypoglycemia.MethodsWe compared pro‐insulin message content and insulin secretion from primary rat hepatocytes expressing insulin from either a standard construct (2xfur), or a construct producing a destabilized pro‐insulin message (InsTail), following exposure to stimulating or inhibitory conditions.ResultsHepatocytes transduced with a 2xfur construct accumulated pro‐insulin message, and exhibited increased insulin secretion, under conditions that both inhibit or stimulate transcription. By contrast, pro‐insulin message content remained stable in InsTail expressing cells, and insulin secretion increased less than 2xfur during prolonged stimulation. During transitions from stimulatory to inhibitory conditions, or vice versa, amounts of pro‐insulin message changed more rapidly in InsTail expressing cells than 2xfur expressing cells. Importantly, insulin secretion increased during the transition from stimulation to inhibition in 2xfur expressing cells, although it remained unchanged in InsTail expressing cells. Use of the InsTail destabilized insulin message tended to more rapidly reduce glucose induced glycemic excursions, and limit post‐load hypoglycemia in STZ‐diabetic mice in vivo.ConclusionsThe data obtained in the present study suggest that combining transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulatory strategies may reduce undesirable glycemic excursion in models of HIGT.
Tentacle structure in freshwater bryozoans
Authors: Tamberg Yuta , Shunatova Natalia 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTentacles are the main food‐gathering organs of bryozoans. The most common design is a hollow tube of extracellular matrix (ECM), covered with ten columns of epithelial cells on the outside, and a coelothelium on the inside. Nerves follow the ECM, going between the bases of some epidermal cells. The tentacle musculature includes two bundles formed by myoepithelial cells of the coelothelium. The tentacles of freshwater (phylactolaemate) bryozoans, however, differ somewhat in structure from those of marine bryozoans. Here, we describe the tentacles of three species of phylactolaemates, comparing them to gymnolaemates and stenolaemates. Phylactolaemate tentacles tend to be longer, and with more voluminous coeloms. The composition of the frontal cell row and the number of frontal nerves is variable in freshwater bryozoans, but constant in marine groups. Abfrontal cells form a continuous row in Phylactolaemata, but occur intermittently in other two classes. Phylactolaemata lack the microvillar cuticle reported in Gymnolaemata. Abfrontal sensory tufts are always composed of pairs of mono‐ and/or biciliated cells. This arrangement differs from individual abfrontal ciliary cells of other bryozoans: monociliated in Stenolaemata and monociliated and multiciliated ones in Gymnolaemata. In all three groups, however, ciliated abfrontal cells probably serve as mechanoreceptors. We confirm previously described phylactolemate traits: an unusual arrangement of two‐layered coelothelium lining the lateral sides of the tentacle and oral slits in the intertentacular membrane. As previously reported, tentacle movements involved in feeding differ between bryozoan groups, with phylactolaemates tending to have slower movements than both gymnolaemates and stenolaemates, and a narrower behavioral repertoire than gymnolaemates. The morphological and ultrastructural differences between the freshwater species we studied and marine bryozoans may be related to these functional differences. Muscle organization, tentacle and coelom size, and degree of confluence between tentacle and lophophore coeloms probably account for much of the observed behavioral variability.
Spectrophotometric versus NIR‐MIR assessments of cowpea pods for discriminating the impact of freezing
Authors: Machado Nelson , Domínguez‐Perles Raúl , Ramos Ana , Rosa Eduardo AS , Barros Ana IRNA 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDFreezing represents an important storage method for vegetal foodstuffs, such as cowpea pods, and thus the impact of this process on the chemical composition of these matrices arises as a prominent issue. In this sense, the phytochemical contents in frozen cowpea pods (i.e. at 6 and 9 months) have been compared with fresh cowpea pods material, with the samples being concomitantly assessed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), both mid‐infrared (MIR) and near infrared (NIR), aiming to evaluate the potential of these techniques as a rapid tool for the traceability of these matrices.RESULTSA decrease in phytochemical contents during freezing was observed, allowing the classification of samples according to the freezing period based on such variations. Also, MIR and NIR allowed discrimination of samples: the use of the first derivative demonstrated a better performance for this purpose, whereas the use of the normalized spectra gave the best correlations between the spectra and specific contents. In both cases, NIR displayed the best performance.CONCLUSIONFreezing of cowpea pods leads to a decrease of phytochemical contents, which can be monitored by FTIR spectroscopy, both within the MIR and NIR ranges, whereas the use of this technique, in tandem with chemometrics, constitutes a suitable methodology for the traceability of these matrices. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Impaired intracortical transmission in G2019S leucine rich‐repeat kinase Parkinson patients
Authors: Ponzo Viviana , Di Lorenzo Francesco , Brusa Livia , Schirinzi Tommaso , Battistini Stefania , Ricci Claudia , Sambucci Manolo , Caltagirone Carlo , Koch Giacomo 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTObjectives: A mutation in leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 is the most common cause of hereditary Parkinson's disease (PD), yet the neural mechanisms and the circuitry potentially involved are poorly understood.Methods: We used different transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols to explore in the primary motor cortex the activity of intracortical circuits and cortical plasticity (long‐term potentiation) in patients with the G2019S leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 gene mutation when compared with idiopathic PD patients and age‐matched healthy subjects. Paired pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation was used to investigate short intracortical inhibition and facilitation and short afferent inhibition. Intermittent theta burst stimulation, a form of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, was used to test long‐term potentiation‐like cortical plasticity. Leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 and idiopathic PD were tested both in ON and in OFF l‐dopa therapy.Results: When compared with idiopathic PD and healthy subjects, leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 PD patients showed a remarkable reduction of short intracortical inhibition in both ON and in OFF l‐dopa therapy. This reduction was paralleled by an increase of intracortical facilitation in OFF l‐dopa therapy. Leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 PD showed abnormal long‐term potentiation‐like cortical plasticity in ON l‐dopa therapy.Discussion: The motor cortex in leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 mutated PD patients is strongly disinhibited and hyperexcitable. These abnormalities could be a result of an impairment of inhibitory (gamma‐Aminobutyric acid) transmission eventually related to altered neurotransmitter release. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Physical function and muscle strength in sporadic inclusion body myositis
Authors: Jørgensen Anders N. , Aagaard Per , Nielsen Jakob L. , Christiansen Mette , Hvid Lars G. , Frandsen Ulrik , Diederichsen Louise P. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTIntroduction: In this study, self‐reported physical function, functional capacity, and isolated muscle function were investigated in sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) patients. Methods: The 36‐item Short Form (SF‐36) Health Survey and 2‐min walk test (2MWT), timed up & go test (TUG), and 30‐s chair stand performance were evaluated. In addition, patients were tested for knee extensor muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer) and leg extension power (Nottingham power rig). Results: TUG performance was the strongest predictor of self‐reported physical function (r2 = 0.56, P < 0.05). Knee extension strength and between‐limb strength asymmetry were the strongest multi‐regression indicators of TUG performance (r2 = 0.51, P < 0.05). Strength asymmetry showed the strongest single‐factor (negative) association with 2MWT performance (r2 = 0.49, P < 0.05). Discussion: TUG assessment appears to sensitively predict self‐perceived physical function in sIBM patients. Notably, between‐limb asymmetry in lower limb muscle strength had a substantial negative impact on motor tasks involving gait function. Muscle Nerve 56: E50–E58, 2017
Prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in 131 Chinese families with dystrophinopathy
Authors: Wang Huanhuan , Xu Yan , Liu Xiaoqing , Wang Lei , Jiang Wenting , Xiao Bing , Wei Wei , Chen Yingwei , Ye Weiping , Ji Xing 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe objective of this study is to report 6‐year clinical prenatal diagnosis experience of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)‐affected families evaluated at a single prenatal diagnosis center in China and establish a reliable and rational prenatal diagnosis procedure for DMD families.MethodsThe prenatal diagnosis data of 146 at‐risk pregnancies in 131 DMD families referred to our center from 2010 to 2016 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsThe mutation detection rate of the probands was greater than 99%. In the 131 families, 50 mothers showed negative results during carrier testing, and de novo exon deletions arose in 51.1% of the probands. Of the 146 pregnancies, 91 were male fetuses, 34 of which were affected. Germline mosaicism was identified three times in this cohort, and recombination of the DMD gene was detected in nine cases.ConclusionsAccurate genetic diagnosis of the proband is important for preventing recurrence in at‐risk families. The present results demonstrate the importance of considering maternal germline mosaicism in the genetic assessment. Prenatal diagnosis should be suggested to the parent with a DMD proband whether carrier testing found the causative mutation in the mother's blood or not. Finally, we have developed a prenatal diagnosis algorithm for dystrophinopathies that combines multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification, quantitative PCR, sequencing and linkage analyses. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐dimensional mass spectrometry in a linear ion trap, an in silico model
Authors: van Agthoven Maria A. , O'Connor Peter B. 
Published: February 2017

RationaleTwo‐dimensional mass spectrometry (2D MS) is a technique that correlates precursor and product ions in a sample without requiring prior ion isolation. Until now, this technique has only been implemented on Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometers. By coupling 2D MS techniques in linear ion traps (LITs) with a mass analyser with a fast duty cycle (e.g. time‐of‐flight), data‐independent tandem mass spectrometry techniques can be compatible on a liquid chromatography (LC) or gas chromatography (GC) timescale.MethodsThe feasibility of 2D MS in a LIT is explored using SIMION ion trajectory calculations.ResultsBy applying stored waveform inverse Fourier transform techniques for radial excitation on a LIT, the sizes of ion clouds were found to be modulated according to the ions' resonant frequencies in the LIT. By simulating a laser‐based fragmentation at the centre of the LIT after the radius modulation step, product ion abundances were found to be modulated according to the resonant frequency of their precursor.ConclusionsA 2D mass spectrum could be obtained using the results from the simulation. This in silico model shows the feasibility of 2D MS on a LIT. 2D MS in a LIT allows for tandem mass spectrometry without ion isolation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Research Trends in Security and DDoS in SDN
Authors: Dayal Neelam , Maity Prasenjit , Srivastava Shashank , Khondoker Rahamatullah 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSoftware‐Defined Networks (SDNs) are emerging as one of the most promising new era network technologies with its centralized and easily programmable nature. Many security issues with legacy networks could easily be resolved using SDNs central management and control; at the same time, security vulnerabilities of this technology are still the biggest concern of researchers and industries for adapting this technology.In this paper, a comprehensive review on security aspects of SDN is presented, considering how researchers are utilizing its features for providing security as well as their concerns about its security. Further, a critical comparison of existing countermeasures against SDN security including distributed denial of service (DDoS) is presented. This analysis includes the research works that have been done since the origin of OpenFlow protocol till 2015, including the contributions made by industries as well as universities towards securing the SDN framework. We have also compared our survey with existing surveys.The motivation behind this survey is to identify security concerns of SDN and ongoing research in this field. We have focused on DDoS in SDN mainly, which has not been much targeted by research surveys. By highlighting the current state of the art in this domain, we could facilitate researchers with a broad overview of advancement of research in SDN security and DDoS. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying the bias in the estimated treatment effect in randomized trials having interim analyses and a rule for early stopping for futility
Authors: Walter S. D. , Han H. , Briel M. , Guyatt G. H. 
Published: February 2017

In this paper, we consider the potential bias in the estimated treatment effect obtained from clinical trials, the protocols of which include the possibility of interim analyses and an early termination of the study for reasons of futility. In particular, by considering the conditional power at an interim analysis, we derive analytic expressions for various parameters of interest: (i) the underestimation or overestimation of the treatment effect in studies that stop for futility; (ii) the impact of the interim analyses on the estimation of treatment effect in studies that are completed, i.e. that do not stop for futility; (iii) the overall estimation bias in the estimated treatment effect in a single study with such a stopping rule; and (iv) the probability of stopping at an interim analysis.We evaluate these general expressions numerically for typical trial scenarios. Results show that the parameters of interest depend on a number of factors, including the true underlying treatment effect, the difference that the trial is designed to detect, the study power, the number of planned interim analyses and what assumption is made about future data to be observed after an interim analysis. Because the probability of stopping early is small for many practical situations, the overall bias is often small, but a more serious issue is the potential for substantial underestimation of the treatment effect in studies that actually stop for futility.We also consider these ideas using data from an illustrative trial that did stop for futility at an interim analysis. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Three Component Synthesis of 2‐Aryl‐3‐imidamide Substituted 1,2‐Dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones
Authors: Mandal Arkalekha , Patel Bhisma K. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAn efficient one‐pot three component synthesis of 2‐aryl‐3‐imidamide substituted 1,2‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones has been described herein using o‐aminobenzhydrazide, 2‐pyridine/pyrazinecarbonitrile and arylaldehydes as the coupling partners. In the resultant product the 2‐position is substituted with various aromatic or heterocyclic groups and substituents at the 3‐position are picolinimidamide, 5‐phenylpicolinimidamide and pyrazine‐2‐carboximidamide groups, thus generating an array of compounds. The present synthetic protocol is greener and superior to the existing methods.
Preventive effects of Ophiocordyceps sinensis mycelium on the liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide
Authors: Wu Yi‐Hsieng Samuel , Tseng Jung‐Kai , Chou Chung‐Hsi , Chiu Chih‐Hsien , Lin Yi‐Ling , Chen Yi‐Chen 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThioacetamide (TAA), usually used as a fungicide to control the decay of citrus products, itself is not toxic to the liver, but its intermediates are able to increase oxidative stress in livers and further cause fibrosis. Ophiocordyceps sinensis mycelium (OSM) which contains 10% polysaccharides and 0.25% adenosine decreased (P < 0.05) the lipid accumulation and increased (P < 0.05) antioxidative capacity in livers of thioacetamide (TAA) injected rats. Meanwhile, the increased (P < 0.05) liver sizes, serum alanine transaminase (AST) and aspartate transaminase (ALT) values in thioacetamide (TAA)‐injected rats were ameliorated (P < 0.05) by OSM supplementation. Moreover, the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as the tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), were also reduced (P < 0.05). The fibrosis phenomena in pathological (Masson's trichrome and H&E stainings) and immunohistochemical [α‐smooth actin (αSMA) and CD86/ED1] observations in TAA‐treated rats were reduced (P < 0.05) by OSM cotreatment. The protective effect of OSM against TAA‐induced liver inflammation/fibrosis may be via downregulations (P < 0.05) of TGF‐β pathways and NFκB which further influenced (P < 0.05) the expressions of fibrotic and inflammatory genes (i. e., αSMA, Col1α, COX2). Therefore, OSM shows preventive effects on the development of TAA‐induced hepatic fibrosis.