bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TGF‐β Signaling in Cancer
Authors: Syed Viqar 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThe transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) is a family of structurally related proteins that comprises of TGF‐β, activins/inhibins, and bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs). Members of the TGF‐β family control numerous cellular functions including proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), and migration. The first identified member, TGF‐β is implicated in several human diseases, such as vascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, and carcinogenesis. Activation of the TGF‐β receptor by its ligands induces the phosphorylation of serine/threonine residues and triggers phosphorylation of the intracellular effectors, SMADs. Upon activation, SMAD proteins translocate to the nucleus and induce transcription of their target genes, regulating several cellular functions. TGF‐β dysregulation has been implicated in carcinogenesis. In early stages of cancer, TGF‐β exhibits tumor suppressive effects by inhibiting cell cycle progression and promoting apoptosis. However, in late stages TGF‐β exerts tumor promoting effects, increasing tumor invasiveness, and metastasis. Furthermore, the TGF‐β signaling pathway communicates with other signaling pathways in a synergistic or antagonistic manner and regulates cellular functions. Elevated TGF‐β activity has been associated with poor clinical outcome. Given the pivotal role of TGF‐β in tumor progression, this pathway is an attractive target for cancer therapy. Several therapeutic tools such as TGF‐β antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides, and small molecules inhibitors of TGF‐β receptor‐1 (TGF‐βR1) have shown immense potential to inhibit TGF‐β signaling. Finally, in the interest of developing future therapies, further studies are warranted to identify novel points of convergence of TGF‐β with other signaling pathways and oncogenic factors in the tumor microenvironment. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 1279–1287, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
It is also in our nature: Genetic influences on work characteristics and in explaining their relationships with well‐being
Authors: Li Wen‐Dong , Zhang Zhen , Song Zhaoli , Arvey Richard D. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryWork design research typically views employee work characteristics as being primarily determined by the work environment and has thus paid less attention to the possibility that the person may also influence employee work characteristics and in turn accounts for the work characteristics–well‐being relationships through selection. Challenging this conventional view, we investigated the role of a fundamental individual difference variable—people's genetic makeup—in affecting work characteristics (i.e., job demands, job control, social support at work, and job complexity) and in explaining why work characteristics relate to subjective and physical well‐being. Our findings based on a national US twin sample show sizable genetic influences on job demands, job control, and job complexity, but not on social support at work. Such genetic influences were partly attributed to genetic factors associated with core self‐evaluations. Both genetic and environmental influences accounted for the relationships between work characteristics and well‐being, but to varying degrees. The results underscore the importance of the person, in addition to the work environment, in influencing employee work characteristics and explaining the underlying nature of the relationships between employee work characteristics and their well‐being. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chondrocyte cultures from human proximal interphalangeal finger joints
Authors: Stradner Martin H. , Dreu Manuel , Angerer Hannes , Gruber Gerald , Wagner Karin , Peischler Daniela , Krischan Verena , Leithner Andreas , Anderhuber Friedrich , Graninger Winfried B. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTOsteoarthritis (OA) of the hand is a common disease resulting in pain and impaired function. The pathogenesis of hand OA (HOA) is elusive and models to study it have not been described. Chondrocyte culture has been essential to understand cartilage degeneration, which is a hallmark of OA. We investigated the feasibility of human chondrocyte culture derived from proximal interphalangeal (PIP) finger joints. Hyaline cartilage of the PIP and knee joints was obtained from human cadavers. Chondrocytes harvested up to 236 h after death of the donors were viable and expressed chondrocyte‐specific genes. Gene expression comparing chondrocytes from PIP and knee joints using Affymetrix GeneChip arrays resulted in a unique PIP‐specific gene expression pattern. Genes involved in developmental processes including the WNT pathway were differentially expressed between the joints. These findings suggest that our knowledge on chondrocyte biology derived mainly from knee and hip joints may not apply to chondrocytes of the PIP joints and some of the distinctive features of HOA may be caused by the specific properties of PIP chondrocytes. Chondrocyte culture of PIP cartilage is a novel tool to study cartilage degeneration in HOA. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1569–1575, 2016.
Fatigue toughness of irradiated vitamin E/UHMWPE blends
Authors: Doshi Brinda , Ward Jerel S. , Oral Ebru , Muratoglu Orhun K. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTRadiation cross‐linked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPEs) have become the standard‐of‐care in total joint replacements (TJR) in the last decade because of their superior wear resistance in comparison with previously used “conventional” gamma sterilized UHMWPE. Some first generation radiation cross‐linked UHMWPEs were stabilized against oxidation by post‐irradiation melting, which significantly reduced their fatigue crack propagation resistance or fatigue toughness. Second generation cross‐linked UHMWPEs incorporated instead an antioxidant such as vitamin E, eliminating the need for melting. In this study, we investigated the fatigue crack propagation resistance and the impact toughness of vitamin E‐blended and radiation cross‐linked UHMWPEs as a function of vitamin E concentration and radiation dose. Both properties were strongly dependent on the cross‐link density and they showed a good correlation with each other (R2 = 0.89). © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1514–1520, 2016.
Cadaveric gait simulation reproduces foot and ankle kinematics from population‐specific inputs
Authors: Baxter Josh R. , Sturnick Daniel R. , Demetracopoulos Constantine A. , Ellis Scott J. , Deland Jonathan T. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTCadaveric gait simulation allows researchers to directly investigate biomechanical consequences of surgeries using invasive measurement techniques. However, it is unclear if foot and ankle kinematics that are population‐specific are reproduced using these devices. Therefore, we assessed foot and ankle kinematics produced in a cadaveric gait simulator during the stance phase of gait in a set of five cadaveric feet. Tibial motions and ground reaction forces previously collected in vivo in a group of healthy adults were applied as inputs parameters. In vitro foot and ankle kinematics were acquired and directly compared to population‐specific in vivo kinematics of the same healthy adults from which input parameters were acquired. Analyses were completed using cross correlation to determine the similarities in kinematic profiles and joint ranges of motion were calculated to determine absolute differences in kinematics. Ankle, subtalar, and talonavicular in vitro joint kinematics were positively correlated to in vivo joint kinematics (rxy = 0.57–0.87). Further, in vivo and in vitro foot and ankle kinematics demonstrated similar amounts of within‐group variability (rxy = 0.50–0.85 and rxy = 0.72–0.76, respectively). Our findings demonstrate that cadaveric gait simulation techniques reproduce population‐specific foot and ankle kinematics, providing a valuable research tool for testing surgical treatments of foot and ankle maladies. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1663–1668, 2016.
War Experiences and General Health Among People in Bosnia‐Herzegovina and Kosovo
Authors: Ringdal Gerd Inger , Ringdal Kristen 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWar experiences may have an extensive impact on the health status of the exposed populations. This population‐based study aimed to examine the relationship between war experiences and self‐reported general health in representative sample surveys from Bosnia‐Herzegovina (n = 3,313) and Kosovo (n = 1,000). Data were collected with face‐to‐face interviews fielded in the winter of 2003–2004. Logistic regression analysis was used to compute unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs). The adjusted effects of the extensiveness of war experiences on poor health were positive in both countries, but they were statistically significant only for Bosnia‐Herzegovina: OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.00, 1.08] for Bosnia‐Herzegovina and OR = 1.03, 95% CI [0.98, 1.09] for Kosovo. The strongest observed effect was found for Kosovo only: The extensiveness of war experiences was relatively strongly related to longstanding health problems, OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.03, 1.15]. We found that war experiences may contribute to increased poorer health in the exposed populations; however, the effects 4–9 years after the war ended were modest. Hence, war experiences seemed to be more strongly related to war‐related distress and posttraumatic stress disorder than to self‐reported general health.
Stem cell approaches for vocal fold regeneration
Authors: Fishman Jonathan M. , Long Jenny , Gugatschka Markus , De Coppi Paolo , Hirano Shigeru , Hertegard Stellan , Thibeault Susan L. , Birchall Martin A. 
Published: January 2016

Objectives/HypothesisCurrent interventions in the management of vocal fold (VF) dysfunction focus on conservative and surgical approaches. However, the complex structure and precise biomechanical properties of the human VF mean that these strategies have their limitations in clinical practice and in some cases offer inadequate levels of success. Regenerative medicine is an exciting development in this field and has the potential to further enhance VF recovery beyond conventional treatments. Our aim in this review is to discuss advances in the field of regenerative medicine; that is, advances in the process of replacing, engineering, or regenerating the VF through utilization of stem cells, with the intention of restoring normal VF structure and function.Data SourcesEnglish literature (1946–2015) review.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE for cases and studies of VF tissue engineering utilizing stem cells.ResultsThe three main approaches by which regenerative medicine is currently applied to VF regeneration include cell therapy, scaffold development, and utilization of growth factors.ConclusionExciting advances have been made in stem cell biology in recent years, including use of induced pluripotent stem cells. We expect such advances to be translated into the field in the forthcoming years. Laryngoscope, 126:1865–1870, 2016
Surface Runoff Generation and Soil Loss Under Different Soil and Rainfall Properties in The Uluguru Mountains, Tanzania
Authors: Nishigaki Tomohiro , Sugihara Soh , Kilasara Method , Funakawa Shinya 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWater erosion is one of the main concerns driving land degradation in mountainous areas throughout the world, and its characteristics change widely with soil and climate conditions in different locations. To investigate the effects of soil and rainfall properties on surface runoff and soil loss, we installed runoff plots (width 0·8 m × slope length 2·4 m) enclosed by corrugated iron sheets, and evaluated water budgets for rainfall, surface runoff and soil moisture for every rainfall event over a rainy season at four sites (designated NY, TA, SO and MA) in the Uluguru Mountains of Tanzania. Two of the sites, NY and TA, were located in mountainous areas and had steep slopes and higher rainfall amounts, while the two foothill sites, SO and MA, were flatter and with coarser textures. Runoff amount was related to rainfall amount, but also to infiltration capacity. Runoff amounts in mountainous areas were higher than in foothill sites while runoff ratio was low at sites with high permeability in the surface layer, TA and MA. Sediment concentrations and soil loss were basically enhanced by high rainfall amount and intensity at mountainous sites. Soil texture also controlled the erodibility of soils; MA had twice the soil loss of SO owing to sandy soil despite similar rainfall amounts at MA and SO. Our results show that the high rainfall amounts in the mountainous areas and high susceptibility of sandy soils to erosion enhanced soil loss by water erosion in this study. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gelatin Nanoparticles with Enhanced Affinity for Calcium Phosphate
Authors: Farbod Kambiz , Diba Mani , Zinkevich Tatiana , Schmidt Stephan , Harrington Matthew J. , Kentgens Arno P. M. , Leeuwenburgh Sander C. G. 
Published: January 2016

Gelatin nanoparticles can be tuned with respect to their drug loading efficiency, degradation rate, and release kinetics, which renders these drug carriers highly suitable for a wide variety of biomedical applications. The ease of functionalization has rendered gelatin an interesting candidate material to introduce specific motifs for selective targeting to specific organs, but gelatin nanoparticles have not yet been modified to increase their affinity to mineralized tissue. By means of conjugating bone‐targeting alendronate to biocompatible gelatin nanoparticles, a simple method is developed for the preparation of gelatin nanoparticles which exhibit strong affinity to mineralized surfaces. It has been shown that the degree of alendronate functionalization can be tuned by controlling the glutaraldehyde crosslinking density, the molar ratio between alendronate and glutaraldehyde, as well as the pH of the conjugation reaction. Moreover, it has been shown that the affinity of gelatin nanoparticles to calcium phosphate increases considerably upon functionalization with alendronate. In summary, gelatin nanoparticles have been developed, which exhibit great potential for use in bone‐specific drug delivery and regenerative medicine.
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The effect of different application timings of hyperbaric oxygen treatment on nerve regeneration in rats
Authors: Ince Bilsev , Arslan Abdullah , Dadaci Mehmet , Oltulu Pembe , Bilgen Fatma 
Published: January 2016

BackgroundThe aim of the study was to determine the effect of different application timings of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBO) on nerve regeneration in rats.Materials and MethodsA total of forty 12‐week‐old female Wistar albino rats were used. The sciatic nerve was transected. The nerve ends were then realigned and repaired using standard microsurgical techniques. Animals were randomly assigned to four groups: 1) No hyperbaric oxygen, sectioned and repaired; 2) HBO started at postoperative first hour, sectioned and repaired; 3) HBO started at postoperative first week, sectioned, and repaired; and 4) HBO started at postoperative second week, sectioned, and repaired. All rats in all groups were evaluated with gait analysis at 8 and 16 weeks postoperatively. Sciatic function index was calculated. Sciatic nerve samples were taken after gait analysis at 16th week. Foreign body reaction, the intensity of the inflammatory cells and types, repair‐associated vascular proliferation in the field, axonal vacuolar degeneration of the fibers from the cut line transition density and switching layout, and myelinization density with perineural sheath were evaluated histopathologically.ResultsAt the 16th week, group 2 demonstrated the best gait analysis results. Gait analysis was better for group 3 than groups 1 and 4 (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed among the groups in inflammation (P > 0.05). Fibrosis was statistically less in group 2 than that in other groups (P < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed among groups 1, 3, and 4 (P > 0.05).ConclusionsOur results suggest that initiating HBO early after nerve repair will make a positive impact on recovery. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:586–592, 2016.
Form of phytosterols and food matrix in which they are incorporated modulate their incorporation into mixed micelles and impact cholesterol micellarization
Authors: Gleize Béatrice , Nowicki Marion , Daval Christophe , Koutnikova Hana , Borel Patrick 
Published: January 2016

ScopeThe ability of different plant sterols/stanols (PS) mixtures, which differed in the degree of B‐ring saturation and aliphatic side chain structure and saturation, to reduce cholesterol (CH) micellarization was explored.Methods and resultsExperiments were performed using an in vitro digestion model, synthetic mixed micelles, and pure porcine pancreatic lipases. Sterols were measured by GC‐FID. The ability of PS to reduce CH micellarization was dependent on the form of PS and on the type of delivery matrix (low‐fat yogurt or olive oil). Long‐chain PS esters delivered in the yogurt matrix, and medium chain PS esters delivered in olive oil provided the greatest reduction in CH micellarization. In yogurt, the ability to impair CH micellarization was inversely related (rho = −0.41, p < 0.0005) to PS melting point. In olive oil, the more hydrophobic PS mixtures, i.e. those rich in long‐chain PS esters, had the lower ability to impair CH micellarization.ConclusionsDifferent forms of PS have a different ability to impair CH micellarization. This ability depends on the transfer efficiency of PS from the food matrix to the micelle, which in turn depends on the melting point and the hydrophobicity of PS and on the delivery food matrix.
Aspalathin, a dihydrochalcone C‐glucoside, protects H9c2 cardiomyocytes against high glucose induced shifts in substrate preference and apoptosis
Authors: Johnson Rabia , Dludla Phiwayinkosi , Joubert Elizabeth , February Faghri , Mazibuko Sithandiwe , Ghoor Samira , Muller Christo , Louw Johan 
Published: January 2016

ScopeEnergy deprivation in the myocardium is associated with impaired heart function. This study aims to investigate if aspalathin (ASP) can ameliorate hyperglycemic‐induced shift in substrate preference and protect the myocardium against cell apoptosis.Methods and resultsH9c2 cells were exposed to, either normal (5.5 mM) or high (33 mM) glucose concentrations for 48 h. Thereafter, cells exposed to 33 mM glucose were treated with metformin (1 μM) or ASP (1 μM), as well as a combination of metformin and ASP for 6 h. In vitro studies revealed that ASP improved glucose metabolism by decreasing fatty acid uptake and subsequent β‐oxidation through the decreased expression of adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase threonine 172 (pAMPK (Thr172)) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), while increasing acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expression. ASP inhibited high glucose induced loss of membrane potential in H9c2 cells as observed by an increase in 5′ ,6,6′‐tetrachloro‐1,1′,3,3′ ‐tetraethylbenzimidazolyl‐carbocyanine iodide (JC‐1) ratio (orange\red fluorescence) and decreased apoptosis by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species and DNA nick formation, while increasing glutathione, superoxide dismutase, uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), and Bcl‐2\Bax ratio.ConclusionOur study provides evidence that ASP increases glucose oxidation and modulates fatty acid utilization producing a favorable substrate shift in H9c2 cardiomyocytes exposed to high glucose. Such a favorable shift will be of importance in the protection of cardiomyocytes in the diabetic heart.
Sensory function assessment of the human male lower urinary tract using current perception thresholds
Authors: Knüpfer Stephanie C. , Liechti Martina D. , Gregorini Flavia , De Wachter Stefan , Kessler Thomas M. , Mehnert Ulrich 
Published: January 2016

AimsTo evaluate the feasibility and reliability of current perception threshold (CPT) measurement for sensory assessment of distinct locations in the male lower urinary tract (LUT).MethodsTwelve male subjects (>18 years) without LUT symptoms or medical comorbidities were eligible. CPTs were determined twice (interval: 7–20 days) at the bladder dome, trigone and the proximal, membranous, and distal urethra. Square wave electrical stimulation of 3 Hz/0.2 ms and 0.5 Hz/1 ms was applied using a transurethral 8F catheter placed under fluoroscopic control. Bladder volume was kept constant (60 mL) using a second 10F catheter. Repetitive measurements and reliability were assessed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).ResultsThe ANOVA revealed significant main effects for stimulation site (P = 0.008) and type of stimulation (P < 0.001) with lower CPTs for 0.5 Hz/1 ms compared to 3 Hz/0.2 ms. There was no significant effect for visit number (P = 0.061). CPTs were higher for bladder dome than for proximal (0.5 Hz/1 ms: P = 0.022; 3 Hz/0.2 ms: P = 0.022) and distal urethra (0.5 Hz/1 ms: P = 0.026; 3 Hz/0.2 ms: P = 0.030). Reliability of CPT measurements was excellent to good (ICC = 0.67–0.96) except for the bladder dome (5 Hz/1 ms: ICC = 0.45; 3 Hz/0.2 ms: ICC = 0.20) and distal urethra (3 Hz/0.2 ms: ICC = 0.57).ConclusionsCPTs can be reliably detected at different LUT locations. However, alert and compliant subjects are essential. CPTs of LUT may become a complementary assessment method providing information on responsiveness and sensitivity of afferent LUT nerves. This is especially relevant for urethral afferents, which are not covered by standard urodynamic investigations. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:469–473, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Numerical integration of rate‐independent BCC single crystal plasticity models: comparative study of two classes of numerical algorithms
Authors: Akpama Holanyo K. , Bettaieb Mohamed Ben , Abed‐Meraim Farid 
Published: January 2016

SummaryIn an incremental formulation suitable to numerical implementation, the use of rate‐independent theory of crystal plasticity essentially leads to four fundamental problems. The first is to determine the set of potentially active slip systems over a time increment. The second is to select the active slip systems among the potentially active ones. The third is to compute the slip rates (or the slip increments) for the active slip systems. And the last problem is the possible non‐uniqueness of slip rates. The purpose of this paper is to propose satisfactory responses to the aforementioned first three issues by presenting and comparing two novel numerical algorithms. The first algorithm is based on the usual return‐mapping integration scheme, while the second follows the so‐called ultimate scheme. The latter is shown to be more relevant and efficient than the former. These comparative performances are illustrated through various numerical simulations of the mechanical behavior of single crystals and polycrystalline aggregates subjected to monotonic and complex loadings. Although these algorithms are applied in this paper to body‐centered‐cubic crystal structures, they are quite general and suitable for integrating the constitutive equations for other crystal structures (e.g., face centered cubic and hexagonal close packed). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.