bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antinociceptive effects of sinomenine in a rat model of postoperative pain
Authors: Zhu Qing , Sun Yuehua , Mao Lina , Liu Chengpeng , Jiang Bo , Zhang Wei , Li Jun‐Xu 
Published: February 2016

Background and PurposeThis study examined the antinociceptive effects of sinomenine in a rat model of postoperative pain.Experimental ApproachMale and female rats were subjected to a surgical incision in the right hind paw, and the von Frey filament test was used to measure mechanical hypersensitivity after drug or vehicle treatment (p.o. or i.p.). Rats were treated daily with sinomenine before or after the surgery and the AUCs of the antinociceptive effects measured during a 4 h period were calculated to determine the ED50 values of sinomenine. The anti‐hyperalgesic effects of different doses of a combination of sinomenine and acetaminophen (paracetamol) were assessed in another group of rats. Dose combinations were determined by using a fixed ratio dose‐addition analysis method.Key ResultsSinomenine (5–80 mg·kg−1) produced dose‐dependent antinociceptive effects in rats that had been subjected to surgery and this effect lasted for 4 h. The potency of sinomenine, given i.p. or p.o., did not differ between male and female rats. However, sinomenine was fourfold more potent when given i.p. than p.o. The GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline blocked the antinociceptive effects of sinomenine. The antinociceptive effect of a daily treatment with sinomenine remained stable throughout the course of postoperative pain. Pretreatment with sinomenine did not alter the mechanical hypersensitivity post‐surgery. The combination of sinomenine with acetaminophen produced an infra‐additive interaction.Conclusions and ImplicationsSinomenine demonstrated significant antinociceptive activity against postoperative pain and may be a useful novel pharmacotherapy for the management of postoperative pain.
Lenalidomide and low‐dose dexamethasone in Japanese patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: A phase II study
Authors: Suzuki Kenshi , Shinagawa Atsushi , Uchida Toshiki , Taniwaki Masafumi , Hirata Hirokazu , Ishizawa Kenichi , Matsue Kosei , Ogawa Yoshiaki , Shimizu Takayuki , Otsuka Maki , Matsumoto Morio , Iida Shinsuke , Terui Yasuhito , Matsumura Itaru , Ikeda Takashi , Takezako Naoki , Ogaki Yumi , Midorikawa Shuichi , Houck Vanessa , Ervin‐Haynes Annette , Chou Takaaki 
Published: February 2016

In the FIRST trial (MM‐020), lenalidomide plus low‐dose dexamethasone (Rd) reduced the risk of disease progression or death compared with combination melphalan–prednisone–thalidomide. As the FIRST trial did not include any Japanese patients, the efficacy and safety of continuous treatment with Rd was evaluated in 26 Japanese patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) in a single‐arm, multicenter, open‐label phase II trial (MM‐025). Patients received lenalidomide on days 1–21 of each 28‐day cycle, with a starting dose of 25 mg/day (dose adjusted for renal impairment), and 40 mg/day dexamethasone (dose adjusted for age) on days 1, 8, 15 and 22 of each 28‐day cycle until disease progression or discontinuation for any reason. In the efficacy evaluable population, overall response rate was 87.5%, including 29.2% of patients who achieved a complete response/very good partial response. Median durations of response, progression‐free survival and overall survival have not been reached. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were neutropenia (23%) and anemia (19%). The efficacy and safety of Rd were consistent with data from larger studies, including the FIRST trial, thereby supporting the use of Rd continuous in Japanese patients with NDMM who are ineligible for stem cell transplantation.
No widening socioeconomic gap within a general decline in Swedish breastfeeding
Authors: Magnusson M. , Lagerberg D. , Wallby T. 
Published: February 2016

SummaryAimTo study potential socioeconomic differences within the general decline in breastfeeding over time.MethodsData was collected for 51 415 infants born 2004–2010 from the databases of statistics of the Preventive Child Health Care Services in Uppsala and Orebro counties in Sweden and socioeconomic indicators from Swedish national registers. Breastfeeding data (breastfed/not breastfed) from 1 week, 4 months and 6 months of age were used as the main outcome variables. Educational level of the mother was defined as the highest level on a three‐grade scale, low, medium and high. Family type was defined as whether the mother was single or married/cohabiting. Family disposable income was divided into quartiles where quartile 1 included the 25% children in families with the lowest incomes. Analyses were conducted by logistic regression models using the methodology of generalized estimating equations (GEE). An exchangeable correlation structure was used to control for the dependence among infants with the same mother.ResultsBreastfeeding rate in Sweden has declined gradually since the late 1990s. The results indicated that overall breastfeeding rates over the study period were influenced by socioeconomic status in a gradient manner but no widening socioeconomic gap was detected. Rather the interaction analyses showed a narrowing socioeconomic gap over the study period between high and low educational level and single versus cohabiting mothers at 4 months. The narrowing socioeconomic gap between the educational level categories was also detectable at 6 months.ConclusionNo increase in socioeconomic gap was detected within the general decline in Swedish breastfeeding. However, there are reasons to maintain and strengthen the overall breastfeeding supportive measures including extended support for vulnerable groups.
Osteogain improves osteoblast adhesion, proliferation and differentiation on a bovine‐derived natural bone mineral
Authors: Miron Richard J. , Fujioka‐Kobayashi Masako , Zhang Yufeng , Caballé‐Serrano Jordi , Shirakata Yoshinori , Bosshardt Dieter D. , Buser Daniel , Sculean Anton 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe use of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) has been shown to facilitate periodontal regeneration by histologically resulting in formation of cementum, periodontal ligament and bone. Recently, a new liquid carrier system for EMD has been introduced with better physicochemical properties specifically designed for bone graft mixing (Osteogain). The aim of this study was to investigate the combination of Osteogain with a bovine‐derived natural bone mineral (NBM) on osteoblast migration, adhesion, proliferation and differentiation.Materials and MethodsUndifferentiated mouse ST2 stromal bone marrow cells were seeded onto 1)NBM particles alone or 2)NBM + Osteogain. Samples were compared for cell migration at 8 h, cell adhesion at 4 h, cell proliferation at 1, 3 and 5 days and real‐time PCR at 3 and 14 days for genes encoding runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), collagen1alpha2 (COL1a2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OCN). Furthermore, alizarin red staining was utilized to investigate the mineralization at 14 days.ResultsOsteogain significantly upregulated cell adhesion over twofold onto NBM particles and promoted cell proliferation at 3 and 5 days after seeding. Furthermore, the combination of NBM with Osteogain significantly upregulated genes encoding Runx2, ALP, COL1a2 and OCN (from 1.5‐ to 3‐fold) and increased alizarin red staining over 3 fold at 14 days when compared to NBM particles alone.ConclusionPre‐coating Osteogain onto NBM bone grafting particles significantly increased cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in vitro. Future animal studies are now necessary to further investigate the regenerative potential of Osteogain in combination with a bone grafting material prior to clinical use for bone regeneration.
Medieval Arab Contributions to Optics
Authors: Khan Sameen Ahmed 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe year 2015 was the United Nations’ International Year of Light and Light‐based Technologies. The year long activities created a forum for scientists and engineers and all others inspired by light, to interact with each other and with the public so as to learn more about the nature of light and its many applications. It was also a time to promote and celebrate the Medieval Arab contributions to optics. The year 2015 marked the 1000th anniversary of the seven volume encyclopedia on optics written by the great Arab scientist, Ibn al‐Haytham. Here, we present the Medieval Arab achievements in optical sciences and its impact on the European renaissance.
Effect of Cry1F maize on the behavior of susceptible and resistant Spodoptera frugiperda and Ostrinia nubilalis
Authors: Vélez Ana María , Alves Analiza P. , Blankenship Erin E. , Siegfried Blair D. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the behavior of pests targeted with Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) crops is important to define resistance management strategies. Particularly the study of larval movement between plants is important to determine the feasibility of refuge configurations. Exposure to Bt maize, Zea mays L. (Poaceae), has been suggested to increase larval movement in lepidopteran species but few studies have examined the potential for resistance to interact with behavioral responses to Bt toxins. Choice and no‐choice experiments were conducted with Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) to determine whether Cry1F resistance influences neonate movement. Leaf discs of Cry1F maize and the corresponding isoline were used to characterize behavioral responses. In both experiments, the location (on or off of plant tissues) and mortality of susceptible and Cry1F resistant neonates was recorded for 5 days, but the analysis of larvae location was performed until 7 h. Our results indicated no strong difference between resistant and susceptible phenotypes in S. frugiperda and O. nubilalis, although a small percentage of susceptible neonates in both species abandoned maize tissue expressing Cry1F. However, significant behavioral differences were observed between species. Ostrinia nubilalis exhibited increased movement between leaf discs, whereas S. frugiperda selected plant tissue within the first 30 min and remained on the chosen plant regardless of the presence of Cry1F. Spodoptera frugiperda reduced larval movement may have implications to refuge configuration. This study represents the first step toward understanding the effects of Cry1F resistance on Lepidoptera larval behavior. Information regarding behavioral differences between species could aid in developing better and more flexible resistance management strategies.
Zinc finger transcription factor Casz1 expression is regulated by homeodomain transcription factor Prrxl1 in embryonic spinal dorsal horn late‐born excitatory interneurons
Authors: Monteiro César B. , Midão Luís , Rebelo Sandra , Reguenga Carlos , Lima Deolinda , Monteiro Filipe A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe transcription factor Casz1 is required for proper assembly of vertebrate vasculature and heart morphogenesis as well as for temporal control of Drosophila neuroblasts and mouse retina progenitors in the generation of different cell types. Although Casz1 function in the mammalian nervous system remains largely unexplored, Casz1 is expressed in several regions of this system. Here we provide a detailed spatiotemporal characterization of Casz1 expression along mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and dorsal spinal cord development by immunochemistry. In the DRG, Casz1 is broadly expressed in sensory neurons since they are born until perinatal age. In the dorsal spinal cord, Casz1 displays a more dynamic pattern being first expressed in dorsal interneuron 1 (dI1) progenitors and their derived neurons and then in a large subset of embryonic dorsal late‐born excitatory (dILB) neurons that narrows gradually to become restricted perinatally to the inner portion. Strikingly, expression analyses using Prrxl1‐knockout mice revealed that Prrxl1, a key transcription factor in the differentiation of dILB neurons, is a positive regulator of Casz1 expression in the embryonic dorsal spinal cord but not in the DRG. By performing chromatin immunoprecipitation in the dorsal spinal cord, we identified two Prrxl1‐bound regions within Casz1 introns, suggesting that Prrxl1 directly regulates Casz1 transcription. Our work reveals that Casz1 lies downstream of Prrxl1 in the differentiation pathway of a large subset of dILB neurons and provides a framework for further studies of Casz1 in assembly of the DRG–spinal circuit.
De novo GABRA1 mutations in Ohtahara and West syndromes
Authors: Kodera Hirofumi , Ohba Chihiro , Kato Mitsuhiro , Maeda Toshiyuki , Araki Kaoru , Tajima Daisuke , Matsuo Muneaki , Hino‐Fukuyo Naomi , Kohashi Kosuke , Ishiyama Akihiko , Takeshita Saoko , Motoi Hirotaka , Kitamura Taro , Kikuchi Atsuo , Tsurusaki Yoshinori , Nakashima Mitsuko , Miyake Noriko , Sasaki Masayuki , Kure Shigeo , Haginoya Kazuhiro , Saitsu Hirotomo , Matsumoto Naomichi 
Published: February 2016

SummaryObjectiveGABRA1 mutations have been identified in patients with familial juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, sporadic childhood absence epilepsy, and idiopathic familial generalized epilepsy. In addition, de novo GABRA1 mutations were recently reported in a patient with infantile spasms and four patients with Dravet syndrome. Those reports suggest that GABRA1 mutations are associated with infantile epilepsy including early onset epileptic encephalopathies. In this study, we searched for GABRA1 mutations in patients with infantile epilepsy to investigate the phenotypic spectrum of GABRA1 mutations.MethodsIn total, 526 and 145 patients with infantile epilepsy were analyzed by whole‐exome sequencing and GABRA1‐targeted resequencing, respectively.ResultsWe identified five de novo missense GABRA1 mutations in six unrelated patients. A p.R112Q mutation in the long extracellular N‐terminus was identified in a patient with infantile epilepsy; p.P260L, p.M263T, and p.M263I in transmembrane spanning domain 1 (TM1) were identified in three unrelated patients with West syndrome and a patient with Ohtahara syndrome, respectively; and p.V287L in TM2 was identified in a patient with unclassified early onset epileptic encephalopathy. Four of these mutations have not been observed previously.SignificanceOur study suggests that de novo GABRA1 mutations can cause early onset epileptic encephalopathies, including Ohtahara syndrome and West syndrome.
Serotonin signalling is crucial in the induction of PUVA‐induced systemic suppression of delayed‐type hypersensitivity but not local apoptosis or inflammation of the skin
Authors: Wolf Peter , Byrne Scott N. , Limon‐Flores Alberto Y. , Hoefler Gerald , Ullrich Stephen E. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractPsoralen and UVA (PUVA) has immunosuppressive and proapoptotic effects, which are thought to be responsible alone or in combination for its therapeutic efficacy. However, the molecular mechanism by which PUVA mediates its effects is not well understood. Activation of the serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine, 5‐HT) pathway has been suggested to be involved in the modulation of T‐cell responses and found to mediate UVB‐induced immune suppression. In particular, the activation of the 5‐HT2A receptor has been proposed as one mechanism responsible for UV‐induced immune suppression. We therefore hypothesized that 5‐HT may play a role in PUVA‐induced effects. The model of systemic suppression of delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) to Candida albicans was used to study immune function after exposure of C3H and KITW‐Sh/W‐Sh mice to a minimal inflammatory dose of topical PUVA. The intra‐peritoneal injection of the 5‐HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin or cyproheptadine or an anti‐5‐HT antibody immediately before PUVA exposure entirely abrogated suppression of DTH but had no significant effect on inflammation, as measured by swelling and cellular infiltration of the skin, and apoptosis as determined by the number of sunburn cells in C3H mice. Importantly, the systemic injection of 5‐HT recapitulated PUVA immune suppression of DTH but did not induce inflammation or apoptosis in the skin. KITW‐Sh/W‐Sh mice (exhibiting myelopoietic abnormalities, including lack of 5‐HT‐containing mast cells) were resistant to PUVA‐induced suppression of DTH but not local skin swelling. Thus, this points towards a crucial role of 5‐HT signalling in PUVA‐induced immune suppression but not inflammation or apoptosis in situ in the skin.
Transcriptional signature induced by a metastasis‐promoting c‐Src mutant in a human breast cell line
Authors: Broecker Felix , Hardt Christopher , Herwig Ralf , Timmermann Bernd , Kerick Martin , Wunderlich Andrea , Schweiger Michal R. , Borsig Lubor , Heikenwalder Mathias , Lehrach Hans , Moelling Karin 
Published: February 2016

Deletions at the C‐terminus of the proto‐oncogene protein c‐Src kinase are found in the viral oncogene protein v‐Src as well as in some advanced human colon cancers. They are associated with increased kinase activity and cellular invasiveness. Here, we analyzed the mRNA expression signature of a constitutively active C‐terminal mutant of c‐Src, c‐Src(mt), in comparison with its wild‐type protein, c‐Src(wt), in the human non‐transformed breast epithelial cell line MCF‐10A. We demonstrated previously that the mutant altered migratory and metastatic properties. Genome‐wide transcriptome analysis revealed that c‐Src(mt) de‐regulated the expression levels of approximately 430 mRNAs whose gene products are mainly involved in the cellular processes of migration and adhesion, apoptosis and protein synthesis. 82.9% of these genes have previously been linked to cellular migration, while the others play roles in RNA transport and splicing processes, for instance. Consistent with the transcriptome data, cells expressing c‐Src(mt), but not those expressing c‐Src(wt), showed the capacity to metastasize into the lungs of mice in vivo. The mRNA expression profile of c‐Src(mt)‐expressing cells shows significant overlap with that of various primary human tumor samples, possibly reflecting elevated Src activity in some cancerous cells. Expression of c‐Src(mt) led to elevated migratory potential. We used this model system to analyze the transcriptional changes associated with an invasive cellular phenotype. These genes and pathways de‐regulated by c‐Src(mt) may provide suitable biomarkers or targets of therapeutic approaches for metastatic cells.DatabaseThis project was submitted to the National Center for Biotechnology Information BioProject under ID PRJNA288540. The Illumina RNA‐Seq reads are available in the National Center for Biotechnology Information Sequence Read Archive under study ID SRP060008 with accession numbers SRS977414 for MCF‐10A cells, SRS977717 for mock cells, SRS978053 for c‐Src(wt) cells and SRS978046 for c‐Src(mt) cells.
Very high cycle fatigue properties of high‐strength spring steel 60SiCrV7
Authors: Hui W. J. , Zhou C. , Zhang Y. J. , Zhao X. L. , Dong H. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe very high cycle fatigue properties of spring steel 60SiCrV7 for automotive suspension system with different hydrogen contents were studied by using ultrasonic fatigue testing and fatigue crack growth testing. The results show that the S–N curves exhibit continuous drop of fatigue lives and no obvious horizontal line exists. Similar fracture surface features were observed for all the specimens that failed mainly from internal inclusions with surrounding granular bright facet (GBF). Fatigue strength decreases remarkably with increasing hydrogen content. The applied stress intensity factor range at the periphery of GBF ΔKGBF is approximately proportional to 1/3 power of the square of GBF area. The average values of ΔKGBF for uncharged specimens are close to crack growth threshold ΔKth, which indicates that ΔKGBF could be regarded as the threshold value governing the beginning of stable fatigue crack propagation. The increase of hydrogen content tends to reduce ΔKGBF.
Estimation of three‐dimensional stress intensity factor for structural ‘T’ details
Authors: Shohel M. , Menzemer C. , Arthur G.A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThree‐dimensional (3D) opening mode stress intensity factors (SIFs) for structural steel‐welded ‘T’ details were investigated by the finite element method. A 3D shape‐dependent correction factor is proposed for semi‐elliptical surface cracks. The aspect ratio (a/c) of a semi‐elliptical crack plays a key role in the approximation of 3D‐SIF values, and in the present study, it was estimated for a 3D crack analysis. The estimated 3D‐SIF was determined through a correlation between the a/c ratio and the two‐dimensional SIF for semi‐elliptical cracks in the thickness direction adjacent to the web‐flange junction of a welded ‘T’. The resulting equation can be used to estimate the 3D‐SIF values from the two‐dimensional SIF without much ambiguity.
Cellulosic feedstock production on Conservation Reserve Program land: potential yields and environmental effects
Authors: LeDuc Stephen D. , Zhang Xuesong , Clark Christopher M. , Izaurralde R. César 
Published: February 2016

AbstractProducing biofuel feedstocks on current agricultural land raises questions of a ‘food‐vs.‐fuel’ trade‐off. The use of current or former Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land offers an alternative; yet the volumes of ethanol that could be produced and the potential environmental impacts of such a policy are unclear. Here, we applied the Environmental Policy Integrated Climate model to a US Department of Agriculture database of over 200 000 CRP polygons in Iowa, USA, as a case study. We simulated yields and environmental impacts of growing three cellulosic biofuel feedstocks on CRP land: (i) an Alamo‐variety switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.); (ii) a generalized mixture of C4 and C3 grasses; (iii) and no‐till corn (Zea mays L.) with residue removal. We simulated yields, soil erosion, and soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks and fluxes. We found that although no‐till corn with residue removal produced approximately 2.6–4.4 times more ethanol per area compared to switchgrass and the grass mixture, it also led to 3.9–4.5 times more erosion, 4.4–5.2 times more cumulative N loss, and a 10% reduction in total soil carbon as opposed to a 6–11% increase. Switchgrass resulted in the best environmental outcomes even when expressed on a per liter ethanol basis. Our results suggest planting no‐till corn with residue removal should only be done on low slope soils to minimize environmental concerns. Overall, this analysis provides additional information to policy makers on the potential outcome and effects of producing biofuel feedstocks on current or former conservation lands.