bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative luciferase assay for establishing reliable in vitro screening system of juvenile hormone agonists
Authors: Miyakawa Hitoshi , Iguchi Taisen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe cultured cell‐based in vitro assay using the stringency of ligand‐receptor interactions is typically useful for screening certain hormone agonists from among a very large number of molecules. However, ligands are frequently altered or modified through evolution; indeed, even in the same receptor orthologs, different ligand sensitivity profiles are considered to arise among species and/or taxa. Such ligand transition has been observed in juvenile hormone (JH), one of the most important endocrine factors in arthropods. To understand the molecular basis of ligand selectivity alteration in hormone receptors, we compared the amino acid sequences and ligand selectivity of the JH receptor, Methoprene‐tolerant (Met), among three insects (Drosophila melanogaster, Aedes aegypti and Tribolium castaneum) and one crustacean (Daphnia pulex). Compared with D. pulex, we found that the receptors of the three insects showed a higher sensitivity to JH III, which is the major innate JH ligand in insects. Furthermore, point mutation analysis in Met sequences revealed a candidate amino acid residue that is important for increasing JH sensitivity in insects. Amino acid mutations in Met may have affected changes in ligand selectivity intermittently over the course of the evolution of the JH‐signaling pathway. These findings are useful to improve the existing (developing) cultured cell‐based assay system and may shed light on the relationship between functional diversification in hormonal signaling and the molecular evolution of hormone receptors. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of designer self‐assembling nanofiber scaffolds containing anti‐cancer peptide motif on hepatoma carcinoma cells
Authors: Liu Ting , Li Pindong , Jin Honglin , Ding Qian , Zou Zhenwei , Peng Gang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNanotechnology provides a novel scope for cancer therapeutics. Nanoscale platforms could influence the survival, adhesion, and migration of cancer cells through altering the tumor microenvironments. We report here the development of an anti‐tumor material designed specifically for cancer therapy. We synthesized a 48‐amino acid peptide RADA‐KLA, which could self‐assemble into nanostructures with antitumor activities. We tested the microstructure of RADA‐KLA nanofiber scaffold using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and accessed rheological properties of the material. Then, we demonstrated the effects of RADA‐KLA nanofibers on hepatoma carcinoma cells. We found that RADA‐KLA self‐assembling peptide scaffold could induce cell death, and inhibit adhesion and migration of hepatoma carcinoma cells. Our results indicate that the designer peptide scaffold has anti‐tumor activities and could be used for cancer therapy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2329–2334, 2017.
Anti‐inflammatory coatings of hernia repair meshes: A pilot study
Authors: Gil Dmitry , Rex James , Cobb William , Reukov Vladimir , Vertegel Alexey 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe current prevalence of postoperative chronic pain from hernioplasty procedures employing polymer mesh is close to 30%. Most of the researchers agree that oxidative stress, resulting from the release of oxidants and enzymes during acute inflammatory response, is a key factor in the development of posthernioplasty complications. This results in both the decrease of the biomechanical properties and stiffening of the polymer fibers of the mesh, leading to chronic pain. Moreover, enhanced activity of inflammatory cells can lead to an excessive deposition of connective tissue around the implant. In this study polypropylene hernia repair meshes coated with vitamin E (α‐tocopherol), a known antioxidant, were prepared and characterized. The absorption isotherm of vitamin E on the mesh was characterized and a release profile study yielded a promising results, showing sustained release of the drug over a 10‐day period. An animal study was conducted, and histological analysis five weeks after implantation exhibited a reduced host tissue response for a modified mesh as compared to a plain mesh, as evidenced by a higher mature collagen to immature collagen ratio, as well as lower level of fatty infiltrates, neovascularization and fibrosis in the case of modified mesh. These results support the use of α‐tocopherol as a potential coating in attempt to reduce the extent of postoperative inflammation, and thereby improve long‐term outcomes of hernioplasty. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 589–597, 2018.
Early Life Pb Exposure and its Effect on Later Life Retinal Degeneration
Authors: Modgil Shweta , Cameotra Swaranjit S. , Sharma Vijay L. , Anand Akshay 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTThe study presents the longitudinal effect of early life lead exposure on retinal ischemia. Swiss albino mice were exposed to lead acetate at two different timepoints viz. postnatal day 1–20 and at 7th week of age. These mice were then followed till 10 week of age and subjected to retinal ischemia. Retinal ischemia was induced using pterygopalatine artery ligation. The effect of prior lead exposure on ischemic insult was determined using various histological and molecular parameters. Although toxic effects of Pb are well reported, but the results in this study showed not much significant effect of early life Pb exposure on later life retinal degeneration. While retinal thickness was decreased in surgery group and 7th week Pb exposed group, PND Pb exposed mice showed retinal thickness comparable to normal control. There was no difference in TUNEL positive cells in Pb exposed group when compared to surgery group. The molecular studies revealed overexpression of BDNF and GFAP in PND Pb exposed mice reflecting more injury and inflammation. The combined results revealed that Pb exposure have mild effect on overall susceptibility to retinal damage in later life. The Pb may exert its toxic effects at longer duration and thus the toxic effects may be mapped at longer timepoints. The study provides a new dimension to the already well known toxic effects of lead which needs to be further explored. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3213–3224, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of water of crystallization on the dissolution efficiency of molten zinc chloride hydrate salts during the pre‐treatment of corncob biomass
Authors: Awosusi Ayotunde A , Ayeni Augustine , Adeleke Rasheed , Daramola Michael O 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDAgro‐wastes albeit abundant and cheap, require pre‐treatment steps tailored to overcome the characteristic recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass. In this study, zinc chloride hydrate salts were studied for their biomass deconstruction potential. The role of salts' hydration and to what degree it affects the dissolution efficiency was evaluated. Milled corn cobs from local farmlands were dissolved in the following solvent systems; ZnCl2.3H2O, ZnCl2 .4H2O, ZnCl2 .5H2O and ZnCl2 .7H2O at 70 °C for 60 mins at a biomass to solvent ratio of 1:12.RESULTSThe difference between the least and most hydrated solvent systems in terms of total released sugars as a percentage of recoverable sugar is 70.1%. The ZnCl2.4H2O solvent system extracted up to 49.1% of glucose and 95% of xylose. There were significant differences in the crystallinity indices and surface morphologies between the untreated and treated biomass.CONCLUSIONThe findings as documented contribute to current insights on the mechanisms of disintegration of lignocellulosic biomass in molten hydrate salts. The extraction of sugar components of biomass by ZnCl2.4H2O solvation was about 43% glucan and 99% xylan. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Optimized whole cell biocatalyst from acetoin to 2,3‐butanediol through coexpression of acetoin reductase with NADH regeneration systems in engineered Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Samuel Niyomukiza , Bao Teng , Zhang Xian , Yang Taowei , Xu Meijuan , Li Xin , Komera Irene , Philibert Tuyishime , Rao Zhiming 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBACKGROUND2,3‐Butanediol (2,3‐BD) has a wide range of applications in chiral molecular synthesis, biofuel additives, and in food flavor additive manufacturing. Fermentation is a favorable method for 2,3‐BD production. However, it requires much time and produces several NADH related byproducts which compete with 2,3‐BD production. Bacillus subtilis has an excellent ability for 2,3‐BD production by biocatalysis. However, its production is limited by low intracellular NADH and the reversible property of acetoin reductase (AR/2,3‐BDH). The whole cell biocatalyst process with two different NADH regeneration systems was designed for efficient production of 2,3‐BD in B. subtilis 168.RESULTSFormate dehydrogenase and glucose dehydrogenase for NADH regeneration were successfully co‐expressed with acetoin reductase in B. subtilis 168. After optimization of biocatalyst bioconversion conditions, B. subtilis 168/pMA5‐bdhA‐HpaII‐fdh yielded 74.5 g L−1 of 2, 3‐BD with 9.3 g L−1 h−1 productivity by fed batch and 115.4 g of 2,3‐BD was achieved using same batch bacterium by three repeated batch bioconversions. On the other hand, 63.7 g L−1 of 2, 3‐BD was produced with 7.92 g L−1 h−1 productivity by B. subtilis 168/pMA5‐bdhA‐HpaII‐gdh. To our knowledge, the volume productivity obtained here is the highest ever reported for biocatalysis.CONCLUSIONA higher productivity of 2,3‐BD from acetoin was achieved by whole cell biocatalysis with NADH regeneration systems in B. subtilis 168. This approach can be applied for NADH related bio‐based chemicals production to improve titer, yield and productivity. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Methods for the computation of templates from quantitative magnetic susceptibility maps (QSM): Toward improved atlas‐ and voxel‐based analyses (VBA)
Authors: Hanspach Jannis , Dwyer Michael G. , Bergsland Niels P. , Feng Xiang , Hagemeier Jesper , Bertolino Nicola , Polak Paul , Reichenbach Jürgen R. , Zivadinov Robert , Schweser Ferdinand 
Published: March 2017

PurposeTo develop and assess a method for the creation of templates for voxel‐based analysis (VBA) and atlas‐based approaches using quantitative magnetic susceptibility mapping (QSM).Materials and MethodsWe studied four strategies for the creation of magnetic susceptibility brain templates, derived as successive extensions of the conventional template generation (CONV) based on only T1‐weighted (T1w) images. One method that used only T1w images involved a minor improvement of CONV (U‐CONV). One method used only magnetic susceptibility maps as input for template generation (DIRECT), and the other two used a linear combination of susceptibility and T1w images (HYBRID) and an algorithm that directly used both image modalities (MULTI), respectively. The strategies were evaluated in a group of N = 10 healthy human subjects and semiquantitatively assessed by three experienced raters. Template quality was compared statistically via worth estimates (WEs) obtained with a log‐linear Bradley‐Terry model.ResultsThe overall quality of the templates was better for strategies including both susceptibility and T1w contrast (MULTI: WE = 0.62; HYBRID: WE = 0.21), but the best method depended on the anatomical region of interest. While methods using only one modality resulted in lower WEs, lowest overall WEs were obtained when only T1w images were used (DIRECT: WE = 0.12; U‐CONV: WE = 0.05).ConclusionTemplate generation strategies that employ only magnetic susceptibility contrast or both magnetic susceptibility and T1w contrast produce templates with the highest quality. The optimal approach depends on the anatomical structures of interest. The established approach of using only T1w images (CONV) results in reduced image quality compared to all other approaches studied.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1474–1484.
Improved field‐mapping and artifact correction in multispectral imaging
Authors: Quist Brady , Shi Xinwei , Weber Hans , Hargreaves Brian A. 
Published: March 2017

PurposeTo develop a method for improved B0 field‐map estimation, deblurring, and image combination for multispectral imaging near metal.MethodsA goodness‐of‐fit field‐map estimation technique is proposed that uses only the multispectral imaging (MSI) data to estimate the field map. Using the improved field map, a novel deblurring technique is proposed that also employs a new image combination scheme to reduce the effects of noise and other residual MSI artifacts. The proposed field‐map estimation and deblurring techniques are compared to the current methods in phantoms and/or in vivo from subjects with knee, hip, and spinal metallic implants.ResultsPhantom experiments validate that the goodness‐of‐fit field‐map estimation is less sensitive to noise and bias than the conventional center‐of‐mass technique, which reduces distortion in the deblurring methods. The new deblurring approach also is substantially less sensitive to noise and distortion than the current deblurring method, as demonstrated in phantoms and in vivo, and is able to find a good tradeoff between deblurring and distortion.ConclusionThe proposed methods not only enable field‐mapping with reduced noise sensitivity but are able to create deblurred images with less distortion and better signal‐to‐noise ratio with no additional scan time, thereby enabling improved visualization of underlying anatomy near metallic implants. Magn Reson Med 78:2022–2034, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
In vivo assessment of intracellular redox state in rat liver using hyperpolarized [1‐13C]Alanine
Authors: Park Jae Mo , Khemtong Chalermchai , Liu Shie‐Chau , Hurd Ralph E. , Spielman Daniel M. 
Published: March 2017

PurposeThe intracellular lactate to pyruvate concentration ratio is a commonly used tissue assay biomarker of redox, being proportional to free cytosolic [NADH]/[NAD+]. In this study, we assessed the use of hyperpolarized [1‐13C]alanine and the subsequent detection of the intracellular products of [1‐13C]pyruvate and [1‐13C]lactate as a useful substrate for assessing redox levels in the liver in vivo.MethodsAnimal experiments were conducted to measure in vivo metabolism at baseline and after ethanol infusion. A solution of 80‐mM hyperpolarized [1‐13C]alanine was injected intravenously at baseline (n = 8) and 45 min after ethanol infusion (n = 4), immediately followed by the dynamic acquisition of 13C MRS spectra.ResultsIn vivo rat liver spectra showed peaks from [1‐13C] alanine and the products of [1‐13C]lactate, [1‐13C]pyruvate, and 13C‐bicarbonate. A significantly increased 13C‐lactate/13C‐pyruvate ratio was observed after ethanol infusion (8.46 ± 0.58 at baseline versus 13.58 ± 0.69 after ethanol infusion; P < 0.001) consistent with the increased NADH produced by liver metabolism of ethanol to acetaldehyde and then acetate. A decrease in 13C‐bicarbonate production was also noted, potentially reflecting ethanol‐induced mitochondrial redox changes.ConclusionA method to measure in vivo tissue redox using hyperpolarized [1‐13C]alanine is presented, with the validity of the proposed 13C‐pyruvate/13C‐lactate metric tested using an ethanol challenge to alter liver redox state. Magn Reson Med 77:1741–1748, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Concentration‐dependent linkage of dietary methionine restriction to the components of its metabolic phenotype
Authors: Forney Laura A. , Wanders Desiree , Stone Kirsten P. , Pierse Alicia , Gettys Thomas W. 
Published: March 2017

ObjectiveRestricting dietary methionine to 0.17% produces a series of physiological responses through coordinated transcriptional effects in liver and adipose tissue. The goal of the present work was to determine the threshold concentrations above and below 0.17% at which the beneficial responses to 0.17% dietary methionine are preserved.MethodsDiets were formulated to restrict methionine to different degrees, followed by evaluation of the transcriptional and physiological responses to the different diets.ResultsRestriction of dietary methionine to 0.25%, but not 0.34%, was partially effective in reproducing the metabolic phenotype produced by restriction of methionine to 0.17%, while restriction of methionine to 0.12% reproduced the responses produced by restriction to 0.17% but failed to support growth and caused excessive weight loss. Restriction beyond 0.12% initiated responses characteristic of essential amino acid deprivation including food aversion and rapid weight loss.ConclusionsRestriction of dietary methionine to levels above 0.25% was without effect, while restriction to levels below 0.12% produced responses characteristic of essential amino acid deprivation. In addition, although restriction of dietary methionine to 0.12% did not evoke essential amino acid deprivation responses, it provided insufficient methionine to support growth. The ideal range of dietary methionine restriction was from 0.17% to 0.25%.
Copper and cobalt nanoparticles containing poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) hydrogel composites for rapid reduction of 4‐nitrophenol and fast removal of malachite green from aqueous medium
Authors: Naseer Fehmida , Ajmal Muhammad , Bibi Fouzia , Farooqi Zahoor H. , Siddiq Muhammad 
Published: March 2017

Poly(acrylic acid‐co‐acrylamide) (p(AAc‐co‐AAm)) hydrogels were synthesized and used as templates for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles. Metal nanoparticles were prepared by in situ reduction of Cu(II) and Co(II) ions. The metal nanoparticles inside the hydrogel were visualized by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Thermal properties of the bare hydrogel and hydrogel composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The prepared p(AAc‐co‐AAm)‐M (M = Co and Cu) composites were used as catalysts for the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol (4‐NP) and as adsorbent for the removal of malachite green (MG) from aqueous medium. The effects of temperature and the amount of catalyst were also investigated on the reduction of 4‐NP and various thermodynamic parameters such as activation enthalpy (ΔH#), activation entropy (ΔS#), and activation Gibb's energy (ΔG#) were calculated. The reusability of the composites up to four consecutive cycles was also investigated. Additionally, the effect of amount of adsorbent and concentration of adsorbate (MG) on the adsorption of MG was studied. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin adsorption isotherms were applied and adsorption kinetic parameters were calculated. The adsorption kinetics was also studied, and it was found that adsorption of MG by p(AAc‐co‐AAm) hydrogel followed the pseudo second‐order kinetics. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:3187–3198, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Shared decision‐making and providing information among newly diagnosed patients with hematological malignancies and their informal caregivers: Not “one‐size‐fits‐all”
Authors: Rood J.A.J. , Nauta I.H. , Witte B.I. , Stam F. , van Zuuren F.J. , Manenschijn A. , Huijgens P.C. , Verdonck‐de Leeuw I.M. , Zweegman S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo optimize personalized medicine for patients with hematological malignancies (HM), we find that knowledge on patient preferences with regard to information provision and shared decision‐making (SDM) is of the utmost importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the SDM preference and the satisfaction with and need for information among newly diagnosed HM patients and their informal caregivers, in relation to sociodemographic and clinical factors, cognitive coping style, and health related quality of life.MethodsNewly diagnosed patients and their caregivers were asked to complete the Hematology Information Needs Questionnaire, the Information Satisfaction Questionnaire, and the Threatening Medical Situations Inventory. Medical records were consulted to retrieve sociodemographic and clinical factors and comorbidity by means of the ACE‐27.ResultsQuestionnaires were completed by 138 patients and 95 caregivers. Shared decision‐making was preferred by the majority of patients (75%) and caregivers (88%), especially patients treated with curative intent (OR = 2.7, P = .041), and patients (OR = 1.2, P < .001) and caregivers (OR = 1.2, P = .001) with a higher monitoring cognitive coping style (MCCS). Among patients, total need for information was related to MCCS (P = .012), and need for specific information was related to MCCS and several clinical factors. Importantly, dissatisfaction with the information they received was reported by a third of the patients and caregivers, especially patients who wanted SDM (χ2 = 7.3, P = .007), and patients with a higher MCCS (OR = 0.94, P = .038).ConclusionThe majority of HM patients want to be involved in SDM, but the received information is not sufficient. Patient‐tailored information is urgently needed, to improve SDM.
A decade of pediatric tracheostomies: Indications, outcomes, and long‐term prognosis
Authors: McPherson Mona L. , Shekerdemian Lara , Goldsworthy Michelle , Minard Charles G. , Nelson Cynthia S. , Stein Fernando , Graf Jeanine M. 
Published: March 2017

SummaryObjectiveTo define the mortality and long‐term outcomes of children undergoing tracheostomy.DesignRetrospective chart and Texas Department of Health Bureau of Vital Statistics review of patients admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit who underwent a tracheostomy between 2001 and 2011. Mortality and decannulation rates were compared based on tracheostomy indication and age.SubjectsA total of 426 patients admitted to a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in a large tertiary children's hospital.ResultsThe median patient age was 1.5 years (3 days–24 years). Primary indications for tracheostomy included (a) airway obstruction, (b) congenital neurologic disease, (c) acquired neurologic disease, (d) congenital respiratory disease, and (e) acquired respiratory disease. Overall, 98 patients (23%) died during the study period, and 75th percentile survival time was 5.9 years (95%CI: 3–8). Patients undergoing a tracheostomy for airway obstruction were the least likely to die; while patients with acquired neurologic disease were most likely to die. A total of 163 patients (38%) were decannulated, and 50% were decannulated at 1.2 years (95%CI: 0.9–1.5). Patients with congenital neurologic disease were the least likely to undergo decannulation. Over half of the patients were discharged from the hospital requiring some form of mechanical respiratory support in addition to their tracheostomy.ConclusionsIn this largest cohort of long‐term follow‐up to date, we have shown the overall risk of mortality varied according to the indication for the tracheostomy. We were unable to determine exact causes of death. The likelihood of being decannulated also correlates with the underlying indication for the tracheostomy.Pediatr Pulmonol. 2017; 52:946–953.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.