bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell shape and the presentation of adhesion ligands guide smooth muscle myogenesis
Authors: Zhang Douglas , Sun Michael B. , Lee Junmin , Abdeen Amr A. , Kilian Kristopher A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe reliable generation of smooth muscle cells is important for a number of tissue engineering applications. Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising progenitor of smooth muscle, with high expression of smooth muscle markers observed in a fraction of isolated cells, which can be increased by introduction of soluble supplements that direct differentiation. Here we demonstrate a new micropatterning technique, where peptides of different ligand affinity can be microcontact printed onto an inert background, to explore MSC differentiation to smooth muscle through controlled biochemical and biophysical cues alone. Using copper‐catalyzed alkyne‐azide cycloaddition (CuAAC), we patterned our surfaces with RGD peptide ligands—both a linear peptide with low integrin affinity and a cyclic version with high integrin affinity—for the culture of MSCs in shapes with various aspect ratios. At low aspect ratio, ligand affinity is a prime determinant for smooth muscle differentiation, while at high aspect ratio, ligand affinity has less of an effect. Pathway analysis reveals a role for focal adhesion turnover, Rac1, RhoA/ROCK, and calpain during smooth muscle differentiation of MSCs in response to cell shape and the affinity of the cell adhesion interface. Controlling integrin‐ligand affinity at the biomaterials interface is important for mediating adhesion but may also prove useful for directing smooth muscle myogenesis. Peptide patterning enables the systematic investigation of single to multiple peptides derived from any protein, at different densities across a biomaterials surface, which has the potential to direct multiple MSC differentiation outcomes without the need for soluble supplements. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1212–1220, 2016.
MicroRNA Expression Signatures During Malignant Progression From Barrett's Esophagus
Authors: Bansal Ajay , Gupta Vijayalaxmi , Wang Kenneth 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThe rapid increase and poor survival of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) have led to significant efforts to promote early detection. Given that the premalignant lesion of Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the major known risk factor for EAC, multiple investigators have studied biomarker signatures that can predict malignant progression of BE to EAC. MicroRNAs, a novel class of gene regulators, are small non‐coding RNAs and have been associated with carcinogenesis. MicroRNAs are ideal biomarkers because of their remarkable stability in fixed tissues, a common method for collection of clinical specimens, and in blood either within exosomes or as microRNA‐protein complexes. Multiple studies show potential of microRNAs as tissue and blood biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of EAC but the results need confirmation in prospective studies. Although head‐to‐head comparisons are lacking, microRNA panels require less genes than messenger RNA panels for diagnosis of EAC in BE. MicroRNA diagnostic panels will need to be compared for accuracy against global measures of genome instability that were recently shown to be good predictors of progression but require sophisticated analytic techniques. Early studies on blood microRNA panels are promising but have found microRNA markers to be inconsistent among studies. MicroRNA expression in blood is different between various microRNA sub‐compartments such as exosomes and microRNA‐protein complexes and could affect blood microRNA measurements. Further standardization is needed to yield consistent results. We have summarized the current understanding of the tissue and blood microRNA signatures that may predict the development and progression of EAC. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1288–1295, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of infectious complications and timing for emergency liver transplantation in autoimmune acute liver failure
Authors: Fujiwara Keiichi , Yasui Shin , Yonemitsu Yutaka , Arai Makoto , Kanda Tatsuo , Fukuda Yoshihiro , Nakano Masayuki , Oda Shigeto , Yokosuka Osamu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBackgroundAutoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is one of major etiologies of acute liver failure (ALF), and the survival rate without liver transplantation (LT) of patients with fulminant AIH is especially poor worldwide. We investigated the clinicopathological features of infectious complications in autoimmune ALF retrospectively and tried to determine when to continue corticosteroid (CS) treatment or abandon it for LT.MethodsTwenty patients with autoimmune ALF, comprising five severe hepatitis, 13 fulminant hepatitis and two late onset hepatic failure, were analyzed.ResultsCorticosteroids were administered to 19 patients. Seventeen infectious complications were observed in 12 patients. The median (range) duration between the introduction of CS and onset of infection was 15 (10–41) days. There were no significant differences in clinicobiochemical features between patients with and without infection. Of 20 patients, eight (40%) recovered without LT, four (20%) received LT and eight (40%) died without LT. Dead or transplanted patients had more advanced liver failure on admission than recovered ones (P < 0.01).ConclusionsTwo‐week after the introduction of CS is a critical point for avoiding infectious complications. Therefore, we should have evaluated efficacy of CS and performed LT by then at the latest in case of failure to improve.
Noninvasive measurement of renal oxygen extraction fraction under the influence of respiratory challenge
Authors: Wang Chengyan , Zhang Rui , Wang Rui , Jiang Li , Zhang Xiaodong , Wang He , Zhao Kai , Jin Lixin , Zhang Jue , Wang Xiaoying , Fang Jing 
Published: January 2016

PurposeTo demonstrate the feasibility of using a susceptibility‐based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for measuring renal oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) changes under the influence of carbogen (97% O2, 3% CO2) breathing.Materials and MethodsEight New Zealand White rabbits were included in this study with local animal care committee approval. For OEF measurement, an asymmetric spin echo (ASE) sequence was used to acquire source images and a susceptibility model was utilized for OEF estimation at 3.0T. Within‐session and between‐day tests were conducted to evaluate the reproducibility of this OEF measurement. OEF changes were measured under respiratory challenge with alternated air and carbogen (97% O2, 3% CO2) breathing. For comparison, blood samples were collected for the measurement of pO2.ResultsThe within‐session coefficients of variation (CVs) of renal OEF measurements were 6.62% in cortex and 5.92% in medulla, while between‐day CVs were 7.52% in cortex and 8.03% in medulla. Under carbogen breathing, renal OEFs decreased significantly from 0.32 ± 0.03 to 0.28 ± 0.02 (P < 0.01) in cortex, and from 0.34 ± 0.04 to 0.31 ± 0.03 (P < 0.01) in medulla. No statistical difference of relative OEF change was seen between cortex and medulla (P = 0.93). In addition, negative correlation between renal OEF and blood pO2 was found (r = 0.68 (P < 0.05) in cortex, and r = 0.64 (P < 0.05) in medulla).ConclusionThis study demonstrates the feasibility of using a susceptibility‐based OEF measurement method for the evaluation of renal oxygenation changes induced by carbogen breathing. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:230–237.
Diagnostic performance of MRI for prediction of candidates for local excision of rectal cancer (ypT0‐1N0) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy
Authors: Kim Jun Gon , Song Kyoung Doo , Kim Seong Hyun , Kim Hee Cheol , Huh Jung Wook 
Published: January 2016

PurposeTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of rectal MRI in predicting candidates for local excision (LE; ypT0‐1N0) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) in patients with rectal cancer.Materials and MethodsThe institutional review board approved our retrospective study and waived informed consent. Inclusion criteria were as follows: patients with pathologically confirmed mid to lower rectal cancer (cT3NxM0 before neoadjuvant CRT) who underwent neoadjuvant CRT and had MRI performed at 3T before and after neoadjuvant CRT. A total of 168 patients met the study criteria between 2011 and 2012. Two observers independently assessed tumor and nodal stages on MR images obtained after neoadjuvant CRT. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy for identifying a candidate for LE (ypT0‐1N0) were calculated. Interobserver agreement was assessed with kappa value. Predictive factors for ypT0‐1N0 were evaluated by logistic regression models.ResultsMRI had relatively high accuracy, specificity, and NPV (85.9%, 93.8%, and 88.9% for observer 1 and 85.3%, 96.1%, and 86.6% for observer 2), moderate PPV (71.4% and 76.2%), and relatively low sensitivity (57.1% and 45.7%) for predicting ypT0‐1N0. The interobserver agreement was fair (kappa value = 0.593). Carcinoembryonic antigen levels after neoadjuvant CRT and the maximal extramural depth of tumor spread were significant predictors of ypT0‐1N0 (P = 0.037 and 0.017, respectively).ConclusionMRI after neoadjuvant CRT can predict a candidate for LE (ypT0‐1N0) after neoadjuvant CRT with moderate PPV and relatively high NPV. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:471–477.
Computational postprocessing quantification of small bowel motility using magnetic resonance images in clinical practice: An initial experience
Authors: Åkerman André , Månsson Sven , Fork Frans‐Thomas , Leander Peter , Ekberg Olle , Taylor Stuart , Menys Alex , Ohlsson Bodil 
Published: January 2016

PurposeTo study the feasibility and to gauge the potential clinical impact of quantifying small bowel motility using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a larger population with a spectra of gastrointestinal conditions with impaired small bowel motility.Materials and MethodsData were gathered retrospectively from a cohort of 127 patients undergoing MR enterography (1.5 Tesla) in 2011. Cine motility sequences were processed with validated motility analysis software and a parametric motility map was generated. Regions of interests were drawn in the jejunum, ileum, and terminal ileum, and Jacobian standard deviation mean motility index' score (MIS) was calculated. Patients were divided into Crohn's disease (CD), ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and healthy subjects.ResultsIn CD, terminal ileum motility was lower in comparison to healthy subjects (mean difference: ‐0.1052 arbitrary units, 95% confidence interval: ‐0.1981–‐0.0122, P = 0.018). Subgrouping of CD showed that the difference was recognized in patients with disease limited to the small bowel (mean difference: ‐0.1440 arbitrary units, 95% confidence interval: −0.2491–‐0.0389, P = 0.002). Visible dysmotility of terminal ileum on MRI reflected a reduced MIS compared with normal motility (0.22 ± 0.09 and 0.33 ± 0.15 arbitrary units, respectively, P = 0.043). Motility correlated negatively between ileum and age (P = 0.021), and between terminal ileum and C‐reactive protein in ulcerative colitis (P = 0.031).ConclusionMotility quantitation revealed a significant difference in motility of terminal ileum in patients with small bowel CD compared with healthy subjects, concording with visible dysmotility and inflammatory changes. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:277–287.
A Visual Representation to Quantitate, Diagnose, and Improve Creativity in Insight Problem Solving
Authors: McCaffrey Tony 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA new visual representation for insight problems permits 22 new quantitative measures; which leads to a detailed diagnosis of a person's (or team's) creative weaknesses; which then leads to prescribing targeted, effective counter‐techniques for each weakness. Currently, only two measures are consistently used for insight problem solving: the number of problems solved and the time to solve the problems. These coarse measurements do not reveal the intricate dynamics of solving insight problems. Furthermore, four commonly used creativity measures (i.e.,fluency,originality,flexibility, andelaboration) are often not applied to insight problems. This new visualization permits the easy application of all four creativity measures. I challenge creativity researchers to help determine which of the 22 proposed quantitative measures are the most diagnostic for insight problem solving in isolation and, in a weighted linear combination, which might yield an effective quotient (i.e., overall measure) of insight problem solving ability.
Effect of phytosanitary irradiation and methyl bromide fumigation on the physical, sensory, and microbiological quality of blueberries and sweet cherries
Authors: Thang Karen , Au Kimberlee , Rakovski Cyril , Prakash Anuradha 
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUNDThe objective of this study was to determine whether irradiation could serve as a suitable phytosanitary treatment alternative to methyl bromide (MB) fumigation for blueberries and sweet cherry and also to determine the effect of phytosanitary irradiation treatment on survival of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes on these fruit. ‘Bluecrop’ blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) and ‘Sweetheart’ cherries (Prunus avium) were irradiated at 0.4 kGy or fumigated with methyl bromide and evaluated for quality attributes during storage.RESULTSIrradiation caused an immediate decrease in firmness of both fruit without further significant change during storage. Fumigated fruit, in contrast, softened by 11–14% during storage. Irradiation did not adversely affect blueberry and cherry shelf‐life. MB fumigation did not impact blueberry and cherry quality attributes initially; however, fumigated fruit exhibited greater damage and mold growth than the control and irradiated samples during storage. Irradiation at 400 Gy resulted in a ∼1 log CFU g−1 reduction in Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes counts, indicating that this treatment cannot significantly enhance safety.CONCLUSIONThis study indicates that irradiation at a target dose of 0.4 kGy for phytosanitary treatment does not negatively impact blueberry and cherry quality and can serve as an alternative to methyl bromide fumigation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Extraction and characterization of triglycerides from coffeeweed and switchgrass seeds as potential feedstocks for biodiesel production
Authors: Armah‐Agyeman Grace , Gyamerah Michael , Biney Paul O , Woldesenbet Selamawit 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDAlthough switchgrass has been developed as a biofuel feedstock and its potential for bioethanol and bio‐oil from fast pyrolysis reported in the literature, the use of the seeds of switchgrass as a source of triglycerides for biodiesel production has not been reported. Similarly, the potential for extracting triglycerides from coffeeweed (an invasive plant of no current economic value) needs to be investigated to ascertain its potential economic use for biodiesel production.RESULTSThe results show that coffeeweed and switchgrass seeds contain known triglycerides which are 983 and 1000 g kg−1 respectively of the fatty acids found in edible vegetable oils such as sunflower, corn and soybean oils. In addition, the triglyceride yields of 53–67 g kg−1 of the seed samples are in the range of commercial oil‐producing seeds such as corn (42 g kg−1).CONCLUSIONThe results also indicate that the two non‐edible oils could be used as substitutes for edible oil for biodiesel production. In addition, the use of seeds of switchgrass for non‐edible oil production (as a feedstock for the production of biodiesel) further increases the total biofuel yield when switchgrass is cultivated for use as energy feedstock for pyrolysis oil and biodiesel production. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Negative pressure wound therapy for the management of flaps with venous congestion
Authors: Qiu Shan Shan , Hsu Chung‐Chen , Hanna Steven Alexander , Chen Sirena Hsin‐Yu , Cheong Chon‐Fok , Lin Chih‐Hung , Chang Tommy Nai‐Jen 
Published: January 2016

PurposeThe aim of this report is to evaluate the utility of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for rescuing flaps with venous congestion not attributable to a mechanical etiology and that cannot be surgically salvaged.Patients and methodsA total of 12 patients suffered from partial or total flap congestion after pedicle or free‐flap reconstruction was included. All patients underwent NPWT between 3 and 10 days postoperatively.ResultsAll congested flaps survived after the application of NPWT. Nine patients suffered partial flap loss and this was addressed through debridement of the devitalized tissue and primary closure. Three patients required blood transfusions during the course of their management. All patients presented complete coverage of the defects without further problems in the flaps after the treatment.ConclusionNPWT may be considered an alternative management strategy for flaps, which has undergone venous congestion not due to a mechanical cause. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:467–473, 2016.
Remission And relapse of myasthenia gravis on long‐term azathioprine: An ambispective study
Authors: Gupta Anirban , Goyal Vinay , Srivastava Achal Kumar , Shukla Garima , Behari Madhuri 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Azathioprine (AZA) is commonly used in myasthenia gravis (MG). Treatment may be prolonged, entailing significant risks and avoidable costs. Methods: We reviewed remission, relapse, and side‐effect profiles in MG patients on AZA during treatment and after tapering off. We conducted an ambispective study and analyzed remission, relapse rates, and side‐effect profiles in 117 MG patients on AZA. Results: Thirty‐nine patients (33.3%) achieved remission, and 36 (30.8%) achieved complete stable remission (CSR), with a 33% relapse rate. No AZA side effects were seen in 95 (81%) patients. Only duration of disease of >10 years (odds ratio 9.5, 95% confidence interval 2.4–36.9, P = 0.001) was significantly associated with remission. Conclusions: AZA is well tolerated by MG patients, and about 30% go into CSR on long‐term AZA. Muscle Nerve, 2016 Muscle Nerve 54: 405–412, 2016
Ephaptic transmission from type ii afferents to static γ and β efferents causes complex repetitive discharge: An hypothesis
Authors: Partanen Juhani V. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTIntroductionComplex repetitive discharges (CRDs) are thought to result from depolarization of a single denervated muscle fiber, followed by ephaptic spread to adjacent fibers. This leads to cyclic spread of the depolarization to produce a recurrent discharge. Another explanation is suggested.MethodsCRDs were recorded with single and multiple electromyographic needles longitudinal to muscle fibers in 39 neuropathy patients.ResultsThe mean frequency of CRDs was 26 Hz, mean number of negative spikes was 5.4, and blocking of spikes occurred in 53% of CRDs. In multi‐needle recordings most CRDs were local, but propagation of the discharge was sometimes observed.ConclusionsThe prevailing hypothesis of CRDs cannot explain local CRDs. Type II afferents of bag2 and chain fibers branch widely in the juxtaequatorial region of muscle spindles where they may intermingle with motor terminals. Ephaptic transmission from type II afferents to static γ and β efferents may cause CRDs and fix the CRD frequency. Muscle Nerve 53: 508–512, 2016
Dynamics of rotor formation in uniformly stratified two‐dimensional flow over a mountain
Authors: Sachsperger Johannes , Serafin Stefano , Grubišić Vanda 
Published: January 2016

The coupling between mountain waves in the free atmosphere and rotors in the boundary layer is investigated using a two‐dimensional numerical model and linear wave theory. Uniformly stratified flow past a single mountain is examined.Depending on background stratification and mountain width, different wave regimes are simulated, from weakly to strongly nonlinear and from hydrostatic to non‐hydrostatic. Acting in conjunction with surface friction, mountain waves cause the boundary layer to separate from the ground, causing the development of atmospheric rotors in the majority of the simulated flows.The rotors with largest vertical extent and strongest reverse flow near the ground are found to develop when the wave field is nonlinear and moderately non‐hydrostatic, in line with linear theory predictions showing that the largest wave amplitudes develop in such conditions. In contrast, in near‐hydrostatic flows boundary‐layer rotors form even if the wave amplitude predicted by linear theory is relatively small. In such cases, rotors appear to be decoupled from the wave field aloft by low‐level wave breaking. In fact, rotor formation is caused by short‐wavelength modes propagating horizontally along an elevated and stably stratified jet below the neutrally stratified wave‐breaking region. Once formed, atmospheric rotors trigger non‐hydrostatic wave modes that can penetrate through the finite‐depth neutral layer above the jet and propagate into the free atmosphere.In all simulated cases, non‐hydrostatic effects—i.e. sharp vertical accelerations—appear to be essential for rotor formation, regardless of the degree of hydrostaticity in the primary wave field.
Carboxylate Coordination Assisted Aggregation for Quasi‐Tetrahedral and Partial‐Dicubane [Cu4] Coordination Clusters
Authors: Mahapatra Tufan Singha , Bauzá Antonio , Dutta Debodyuti , Mishra Sabyashachi , Frontera Antonio , Ray Debashis 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe reaction of three copper(II) carboxylate (R = Me, Ph and H in RCO2−) salts in MeOH with H3L resulted three [Cu4] aggregates: [Cu4(μ4‐O)(μ‐H2L)2(μ1,3‐O2CCH3)4] (1), [Cu4(μ4‐O)(μ‐H2L)2(μ1,3‐O2CPh)(PhCO2)3]⋅H2O (2⋅H2O), and [Cu4(μ3‐OH)2(μ‐H2L)2(μ1,1‐HCO2)2(HCO2)2]⋅2H2O (3⋅2H2O). Three different carboxylate groups showing varying coordination modes were responsible for the self‐aggregation of two ligand bound [Cu2(H2L)]3+ units. The [Cu4O] and [Cu4(OH)2] cores were generated from water‐derived oxido and hydroxido nucleating groups to provide quasi‐tetrahedral and partial‐dicubane topologies. In complexes 1 and 2⋅2H2O the μ1,3 bridging mode of the carboxylate bridges were responsible for the entrapment of μ4‐O unit, whereas μ1,1 bridge by formato groups resulted in trapping of two μ3‐OH units in complex 3⋅2H2O. Complex 3⋅2H2O is the first reported example of a μ1,1‐formato bridged [Cu4] aggregate. Long range van der Waals forces, in presence of hydrogen bonding interactions, also play significant role in the [Cu4] aggregation process. These have been analyzed by DFT calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis.