bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mitogen‐inducible gene‐6 partly mediates the inhibitory effects of prenatal dexamethasone exposure on endochondral ossification in long bones of fetal rats
Authors: Zhang Xianrong , Shang‐Guan Yangfan , Ma Jing , Hu Hang , Wang Linlong , Magdalou Jacques , Chen Liaobin , Wang Hui 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackground and PurposePrenatal exposure to dexamethasone slows down fetal linear growth and bone mineralization but the regulatory mechanism remains unknown. Here we assessed how dexamethasone regulates bone development in the fetus.Experimental ApproachDexamethasone (1 mg·kg−1·day−1) was injected subcutaneously every morning in pregnant rats from gestational day (GD)9 to GD20. Fetal femurs and tibias were harvested at GD20 for histological and gene expression analysis. Femurs of 12‐week‐old female offspring were harvested for microCT (μCT) measurement. Primary chondrocytes were treated with dexamethasone (10, 50, 250 and 1000 nM).Key ResultsPrenatal dexamethasone exposure resulted in accumulation of hypertrophic chondrocytes and delayed formation of the primary ossification centre in fetal long bone. The retardation was accompanied by reduced maturation of hypertrophic chondrocytes, decreased osteoclast number and down‐regulated expression of osteocalcin and bone sialoprotein in long bone. In addition, the mitogen‐inducible gene‐6 (Mig6) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression were stimulated, and the receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) expression was repressed. Moreover, dexamethasone activated OPG and repressed RANKL expression in both primary chondrocytes and primary osteoblasts, and the knockdown of Mig6 abolished the effect of dexamethasone on OPG expression. Further, μCT measurement showed loss of bone mass in femur of 12‐week‐old offspring with prenatal dexamethasone exposure.Conclusions and ImplicationsPrenatal dexamethasone exposure delays endochondral ossification by suppressing chondrocyte maturation and osteoclast differentiation, which may be partly mediated by Mig6 activation in bone. Bone development retardation in the fetus may be associated with reduced bone mass in later life.
Functional modulation of glycine receptors by the alkaloid gelsemine
Authors: Lara Cesar O , Murath Pablo , Muñoz Braulio , Marileo Ana M , Martín Loreto San , San Martín Victoria P , Burgos Carlos F , Mariqueo Trinidad A , Aguayo Luis G , Fuentealba Jorge , Godoy Patricio , Guzman Leonardo , Yévenes Gonzalo E 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBackground and PurposeGelsemine is one of the principal alkaloids produced by the Gelsemium genus of plants belonging to the Loganiaceae family. The extracts of these plants have been used for many years, for a variety of medicinal purposes. Coincidentally, recent studies have shown that gelsemine exerts anxiolytic and analgesic effects on behavioural models. Several lines of evidence have suggested that these beneficial actions were dependent on glycine receptors, which are inhibitory neurotransmitter‐gated ion channels of the CNS. However, it is currently unknown whether gelsemine can directly modulate the function of glycine receptors.Experimental ApproachWe examined the functional effects of gelsemine on glycine receptors expressed in transfected HEK293 cells and in cultured spinal neurons by electrophysiological techniques.Key ResultsGelsemine directly modulated recombinant and native glycine receptors and exerted conformation‐specific and subunit‐selective effects. Gelsemine modulation was voltage‐independent and was associated with differential changes in the apparent affinity for glycine and in the open probability of the ion channel. In addition, the alkaloid preferentially targeted glycine receptors in spinal neurons and showed only minor effects on GABAA and AMPA receptors. Furthermore, gelsemine significantly diminished the frequency of glycinergic and glutamatergic synaptic events without altering the amplitude.Conclusions and ImplicationsOur results provide a pharmacological basis to explain, at least in part, the glycine receptor‐dependent, beneficial and toxic effects of gelsemine in animals and humans. In addition, the pharmacological profile of gelsemine may open new approaches to the development of subunit‐selective modulators of glycine receptors.
Odontoblasts: Specialized hard‐tissue‐forming cells in the dentin‐pulp complex
Authors: Kawashima Nobuyuki , Okiji Takashi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractOdontoblasts are specialized cells that produce dentin and exhibit unique morphological characteristics; i.e., they extend cytoplasmic processes into dentinal tubules. While osteoblasts, which are typical hard‐tissue‐forming cells, are generated from mesenchymal stem cells during normal and pathological bone metabolism, the induction of odontoblasts only occurs once during tooth development, and odontoblasts survive throughout the lives of healthy teeth. During the differentiation of odontoblasts, signaling molecules from the inner enamel epithelium are considered necessary for the differentiation of odontoblast precursors, i.e., peripheral dental papilla cells. If odontoblasts are destroyed by severe external stimuli, such as deep caries, the differentiation of dental pulp stem cells into odontoblast‐like cells is induced. Various bioactive molecules, such as non‐collagenous proteins, might be involved in this process, although the precise mechanisms responsible for odontoblast differentiation have not been fully elucidated. Recently, our knowledge about the other functional activities of odontoblasts (apart from dentin formation) has increased. For example, it has been suggested that odontoblasts might act as nociceptive receptors, and surveillance cells that detect the invasion of exogenous pathogens. The regeneration of the dentin‐pulp complex has recently gained much attention as a promising future treatment modality that could increase the longevity of pulpless teeth. Finally, congenital dentin anomalies, which are concerned with the disturbance of odontoblast functions, are summarized.
CD123 immunohistochemistry for plasmacytoid dendritic cells is useful in the diagnosis of scarring alopecia
Authors: Fening Katherine , Parekh Viswas , McKay Kristopher 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundDistinguishing types of lymphocytic scarring alopecia is often difficult because of the overlapping features. Recently, the presence of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (PDCs) in cutaneous lupus erythematosus (LE) was demonstrated and further shown to help distinguish lupus from other dermatoses.1‐6 This study aims to determine if the presence and distribution of PDCs can aid in the diagnosis of scarring alopecia.MethodsCases of scarring alopecia due to chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CCLE), lichen planopilaris (LPP) and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) were examined histopathologically. A total of 45 total biopsies were evaluated and CD123 immunohistochemistry was performed on all samples. The relative percentage of PDCs, the presence of clusters and the distribution of CD123+ cells were noted.ResultsPDCs comprised a greater percentage of the infiltrate and were arranged in clusters in cases of CCLE vs. LPP or CCCA. In CCLE, the location of PDCs was perivascular, perifollicular, perieccrine and/or at the follicular junction. In LPP and CCCA, PDCs were mainly arranged as single, interstitial cells.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the presence and arrangement of CD123+ PDCs may assist in the diagnosis of scarring alopecia. We anticipate this will be of value in diagnosing challenging cases of highly inflammatory scarring alopecia.
Biochar: a potential route for recycling of phosphorus in agricultural residues
Authors: Dai Lichun , Li Hong , Tan Furong , Zhu Nengmin , He Mingxiong , Hu Guoquan 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPhosphorus (P) is a finite and dwindling resource, while an enormous amount of P flows to agricultural residues with increasing agricultural production. Therefore, the recycling of P in agricultural residues is critical for P sustainability in agricultural systems, which is dominated by the route of direct land application. Biochar production from agricultural residues and its subsequent land application have been suggested as solutions for waste biomass disposal, carbon sequestration, soil amendment/remediation, and crop production promotion. However, little attention has been paid to the contrasting effects of the land application of biochar vs. agricultural residues on the recycling of P accumulated in agricultural residues. Phosphorus in agricultural residues can be retained and transformed into stable forms of P in the resulting biochar. Thus, compared to agricultural residues, biochar provides lower amounts of labile P and releases its P more slowly while providing a long‐lasting P source, and the loss potential of P from biochar is reduced by low mobility of its P, indicating that biochar‐based P recycling route could substantially promote P recycling by acting as sustainable P source and diminishing the loss of P applied to soil.
Association Between Accelerated Multimorbidity and Age‐Related Cognitive Decline in Older Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging Participants without Dementia
Authors: Fabbri Elisa , An Yang , Zoli Marco , Tanaka Toshiko , Simonsick Eleanor M. , Kitner‐Triolo Melissa H. , Studenski Stephanie A. , Resnick Susan M. , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: May 2016

ObjectivesTo explore the association between rate of physical health deterioration, operationalized as rising multimorbidity overtime, and longitudinal decline in cognitive function in older adults without dementia.DesignLongitudinal (Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)).SettingCommunity.ParticipantsBLSA participants aged 65 and older followed for an average of 3 years and free of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at baseline and follow‐up (N = 756).MeasurementsStandardized neurocognitive tests evaluating mental status, memory, executive function, processing speed, and verbal fluency were administered. Multimorbidity was assessed at each visit as number of diagnosed chronic diseases from a predefined list. Faster accumulation of chronic diseases was defined as upper quartile of rate of change in number of diseases over time (≥0.25 diseases/year).ResultsFaster accumulation of chronic diseases was significantly associated with greater rate of decline on the Category (P = .01) and Letter (P = .01) Fluency Tests. Similar trends were also found for the Trail‐Making Test Parts A (P = .08) and B (P = .07); no association was found with rate of change in visual and verbal memory.ConclusionAlthough further investigations are required to validate the results and fully understand the underlying mechanisms, these findings suggest that accelerated deterioration of physical health is associated with accelerated decline with aging in specific cognitive domains in older adults without dementia.
Assessment of Glioma Response to Radiotherapy Using Multiple MRI Biomarkers with Manual and Semiautomated Segmentation Algorithms
Authors: Yu Yang , Lee Dong‐Hoon , Peng Shin‐Lei , Zhang Kai , Zhang Yi , Jiang Shanshan , Zhao Xuna , Heo Hye‐Young , Wang Xiangyang , Chen Min , Lu Hanzhang , Li Haiyun , Zhou Jinyuan 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTBACKGROUND AND PURPOSEMultimodality magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide complementary information in the assessment of brain tumors. We aimed to segment tumor in amide proton transfer–weighted (APTw) images and to investigate multiparametric MRI biomarkers for the assessment of glioma response to radiotherapy. For tumor extraction, we evaluated a semiautomated segmentation method based on region of interest (ROI) results by comparing it with the manual segmentation method.METHODSThirteen nude rats injected with U87 tumor cells were irradiated by an 8‐Gy radiation dose. All MRI scans were performed on a 4.7‐T animal scanner preradiation, and at day 1, day 4, and day 8 postradiation. Two experts performed manual and semiautomated methods to extract tumor ROIs on APTw images. Multimodality MRI signals of the tumors, including structural (T2 and T1), functional (apparent diffusion coefficient and blood flow), and molecular (APTw and magnetization transfer ratio or MTR), were calculated and compared quantitatively.RESULTSThe semiautomated method provided more reliable tumor extraction results on APTw images than the manual segmentation, in less time. A considerable increase in the ADC intensities of the tumor was observed during the postradiation. A steady decrease in the blood flow values and in the APTw signal intensities were found after radiotherapy.CONCLUSIONSThe semiautomated method of tumor extraction showed greater efficiency and stability than the manual method. Apparent diffusion coefficient, blood flow, and APTw are all useful biomarkers in assessing glioma response to radiotherapy.
Self‐concordance strategies as a necessary condition for self‐management
Authors: Unsworth Kerrie L. , Mason Claire M. 
Published: May 2016

Self‐management is often seen as a panacea to problems encountered in autonomous working conditions in today's organizations. However, we theorize that these strategies, such as goal‐setting and self‐rewards, will not be effective when used in isolation. Instead, we hypothesize that self‐concordance strategies (i.e., self‐regulatory strategies that help to align daily tasks with a person's goals, identities, and values) will need to be used alongside self‐management strategies to achieve the highest levels of performance and creativity. We tested this hypothesis in two complementary studies. The first study revealed that the quality of individual student assignments (judged by external raters) was improved when self‐management strategies were used in conjunction with self‐concordance strategies but not when self‐management strategies were used on their own. The second study utilized a training intervention in a workplace setting and again found that those participants who reported increases in the use of both self‐management and self‐concordance strategies showed improvements in self‐reported creativity but those who increased only self‐management strategies did not. Our results suggest that self‐concordance strategies should be incorporated alongside the traditional elements of self‐management training (goal‐setting, self‐rewards, self‐observation, and cues) to maximize performance and creativity.Practitioner points

Self‐management training and the use of self‐management skills are common across organizations and practitioners, but are less well suited to creative work or performance on complex tasks as they rely on controlled motivation alone.

Self‐concordance strategies (that help to align one's day‐to‐day tasks with one's values, identities, and goals) are required in addition to self‐management strategies to achieve higher levels of performance and creativity.

Self‐concordance strategies include focusing on the tasks that are most closely aligned with one's identities and values, changing one's tasks to be more aligned with identities and values, and thinking about the purpose of one's tasks and how they help to achieve longer term goals, identities, and values.
Assessment of the amount of tooth wear on dental casts and intra‐oral photographs
Authors: Wetselaar P. , Wetselaar‐Glas M. J. M. , Koutris M. , Visscher C. M. , Lobbezoo F. 
Published: May 2016

SummaryTooth wear is a multifactorial condition, leading to the loss of dental hard tissues. Many grading scales are available to assess the amount of tooth wear, one of which is the tooth wear evaluation system (TWES). A grading scale can be used chairside, on casts and on photographs. The aim was to test whether the grading scales of the TWES, used on casts and on photographs, resulted in comparable scores. In addition, it was tested whether these scales can be used to assess tooth wear reliably on photographs. Of 75 tooth wear patients, sets of casts and series of photographs were obtained and graded. Comparison of the grading on casts and on photographs revealed equal median values and percentiles for both occlusal/incisal grading and non‐occlusal/non‐incisal grading. The grading on casts and on photographs showed a high correlation for the occlusal/incisal grading and a low correlation for the non‐occlusal/non‐incisal grading (Spearman's rho = 0·74 and rho = 0·47; P < 0·001). Concerning the grading on photographs, the interexaminer reliability was fair‐to‐good (ICC = 0·41 to ICC = 0·55) while the intra‐examiner reliability was fair‐to‐good to excellent (ICC = 0·68 to ICC = 0·86) for the occlusal/incisal grading. For the non‐occlusal/non‐incisal grading, the interexaminer reliability was poor to fair‐to‐good (ICC = 0·22 to ICC = 0·59), while the intra‐examiner reliability was fair‐to‐good to excellent (ICC = 0·64 to ICC = 0·82). It was concluded that the scores obtained with the grading scales of the TWES on casts and on photographs are comparable. The grading scales can be used in a reliable way on photographs, which is especially the case for occlusal/incisal grading.
Lactate dehydrogenase as a biomarker in oral cancer and oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Kallalli Basavaraj N. , Rawson Kamala , Muzammil  , Singh Ankur , Awati Mohammed Arif , Shivhare Peeyush 
Published: May 2016

BackgroundOral cancer is the commonest cause of death in the Indian population, with a mortality rate of 0.3 million deaths per year. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a potentially malignant disorder that has a high prevalence rate in India. It has been found that serum lactate dehydrogenase levels are increased in potentially malignant and malignant disorders. There are very few data on the application of salivary LDH in the detection of such disorders.Aims and ObjectivesThe estimation of LDH levels in saliva as diagnostic markers, using a noninvasive method in patients with OSMF, oral cancer, and in the controls.MethodsA total of 60 subjects with the age range of 20–70 years were selected from the Department of Oral Medicine & Radiology and were grouped into three groups. Twenty‐five subjects with clinically diagnosed OSMF (Group I), 25 subjects with histopathologically diagnosed oral cancer (Group II), and 10 subjects as control (Group III). Five milliliters of unstimulated whole saliva was aseptically collected. Following which, the collected saliva was centrifuged and then analyzed by ERBA‐CHEM 5 semi auto‐analyzer. The values obtained were statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t‐test using the SPSS software version 22. P‐value < 0.05‐ was taken as significant.ResultsThe mean LDH levels were Group I 608.28 ± 30.22, Group II 630.96 ± 39.80, and Group III 182.21 ± 34.85. The P‐value obtained was 0.0009 for both Group I and Group II which was highly significant.ConclusionSalivary LDH levels were consistently higher in OSMF and oral cancer; hence, it could be a future biomarker.
Aligned olivine in the Springwater pallasite
Authors: Fowler‐Gerace Neva A. , Tait Kimberly T. , Moser Desmond E. , Barker Ivan , Tian Bob Y. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe mechanism by which olivine grains became embedded within iron‐nickel alloy in pallasite meteorites continues to be a matter of scientific debate. Geochemical and textural observations have failed to fully elucidate the origin and history of the olivine crystals; however, little research attention has been devoted to their crystallographic orientations within the metal matrix. Using electron backscatter diffraction, we have collected crystallographic orientation data for 296 crystals within ∼65 cm2 sample surface from Springwater. Though no global crystallographic preferred orientation exists, very low misorientations are observed among [100] axes of olivine crystals within specific texturally defined domains. Combined with a thorough characterization of large‐scale Springwater textures, the definitively nonrandom spatial distribution of olivine orientations provides clues regarding the nature of the olivine's initial formation environment as well as the sequence of events subsequent to metal incorporation.
Recovery of entire shocked samples in a range of pressure from ~100 GPa to Hugoniot elastic limit
Authors: Nagaki Keita , Kadono Toshihiko , Sakaiya Tatsuhiro , Kondo Tadashi , Kurosawa Kosuke , Hironaka Yoichiro , Shigemori Keisuke , Arakawa Masahiko 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe carried out laser shock experiments and wholly recovered shocked olivine and quartz samples. We investigated the petrographic features based on optical micrographs of sliced samples and found that each recovered sample comprises three regions, I (optically dark), II (opaque), and III (transparent). Scanning electron microscopy combined with electron backscattered diffraction shows that there are no crystal features in the region I; the materials in the region I have once melted. Moreover, numerical calculations performed with the iSALE shock physics code suggest that the boundary between regions II and III corresponds to Hugoniot elastic limit (HEL). Thus, we succeeded in the recovery of the entire shocked samples experienced over a wide range of pressures from HEL (~10 GPa) to melting pressure (~100 GPa) in a hierarchical order.
In hip osteoarthritis, Nordic Walking is superior to strength training and home‐based exercise for improving function
Authors: Bieler T. , Siersma V. , Magnusson S. P. , Kjaer M. , Christensen H. E. , Beyer N. 
Published: May 2016

This observer‐blinded, randomized controlled trial compared the short‐ and long‐term effects of 4 months of supervised strength training (ST) in a local fitness center, supervised Nordic Walking (NW) in a local park, and unsupervised home‐based exercise (HBE, control) on functional performance in 60+‐year‐old persons (n = 152) with hip osteoarthritis (OA) not awaiting hip replacement. Functional performance [i.e., 30‐s chair stand test (primary outcome), timed stair climbing, and 6‐min walk test] and self‐reported outcomes (i.e., physical function, pain, physical activity level, self‐efficacy, and health‐related quality of life) were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 12 months. Based on intention‐to‐treat‐analyses improvements [mean (95% CI)] after intervention in number of chair stands were equal in all three groups at 4 months [ST: 0.9 (0.2–1.6), NW: 1.9 (0.8–3.0), HBE: 1.1 (0.1–2.0)] but greater in the NW group [1.4 (0.02–2.8)] than in the ST group at 12 months. Generally, improvements in functional performance were greater (P < 0.001–P < 0.03) after NW compared with HBE and ST at all follow‐up time points. Furthermore, NW was superior (P < 0.01) to HBE for improving vigorous physical activity and to both ST and HBE for improving (P < 0.01) mental health. These data suggest that NW is the recommended exercise modality compared with ST and HBE.