bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of a calcified cartilage connecting zone by GDF‐5‐augmented fibrin hydrogel in a novel layered ectopic in vivo model
Authors: Diederichs Solvig , Renz Yvonne , Hagmann Sébastien , Lotz Benedict , Seebach Elisabeth , Richter Wiltrud 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTissue engineering approaches for reconstructing full‐depth cartilage defects need to comprise a zone of calcified cartilage to tightly anchor cartilage constructs into the subchondral bone. Here, we investigated whether growth and differentiation factor‐5‐(GDF‐5)‐augmented fibrin hydrogel can induce a calcified cartilage‐layer in vitro that seamlessly connects cartilage‐relevant biomaterials with bone tissue. Human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were embedded in fibrin hydrogel and subjected to chondrogenesis with TGF‐β with or without GDF‐5 before constructs were implanted subcutaneously into SCID mice. A novel layered ectopic in vivo model was developed and GDF‐5‐augmented fibrin with BMSCs was used to glue hydrogel and collagen constructs onto bone disks to investigate formation of a calcified cartilage connecting zone. GDF‐5 significantly enhanced ALP activity during in vitro chondrogenesis while ACAN and COL2A1 mRNA, proteoglycan‐, collagen‐type‐II‐ and collagen‐type‐X‐deposition remained similar to controls. Pellets pretreated with GDF‐5 mineralized faster in vivo and formed more ectopic bone. In the novel layered ectopic model, GDF‐5 strongly supported calcified cartilage formation that seamlessly connected with the bone. Pro‐chondrogenic and pro‐hypertrophic activity makes GDF‐5‐augmented fibrin an attractive bioactive hydrogel with high potential to stimulate a calcified cartilage connecting zone in situ that might promote integration of cartilage scaffolds with bone. Thus, GDF‐5‐augmented fibrin hydrogel promises to overcome poor fixation of biomaterials in cartilage defects facilitating their long‐term regeneration. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2214–2224, 2018.
In vitro study on the deterioration of polypropylene hernia repair meshes
Authors: Gil Dmitry , Rex James , Reukov Vladimir , Vertegel Alexey 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDespite the relative safety of the procedure, hernia repairs are often associated with chronic post‐operative pain. Although this complication has been linked among others to mesh deterioration, details of the processes that lead this deterioration are still unknown. This work aims to bridge this gap by analyzing the chemical, physical and structural alterations in hernia repair meshes exposed to oxidative stress in vitro. Here, we developed a methodology to characterize effect of oxidation stress on structure and properties of polymeric hernia repair meshes. It was shown that structural changes in polypropylene meshes exposed to oxidative stress may involve formation of cross‐links between the polymer chains, chain scissions, and hydrogen bonds between the carboxyl groups, which are formed in the material during the oxidation. These effects result in mesh stiffening, ultimately leading to chronic post‐operative pain. Moreover, we demonstrated that Composix meshes are more vulnerable to the oxidative stress when compared with UltraPro meshes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2225–2234, 2018.
Genetically Determined Later Puberty Impacts Lowered Bone Mineral Density in Childhood and Adulthood
Authors: Cousminer Diana L , Mitchell Jonathan A , Chesi Alessandra , Roy Sani M , Kalkwarf Heidi J , Lappe Joan M , Gilsanz Vicente , Oberfield Sharon E , Shepherd John A , Kelly Andrea , McCormack Shana E , Voight Benjamin F , Zemel Babette S , Grant Struan FA 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACT

Later puberty associates with lower areal bone mineral density (aBMD), and both are risk factors for osteoporosis. However, the association between puberty timing–associated genetic variants and aBMD during development, and the causal relationship between puberty timing and aBMD, remain uncharacterized. We constructed sex-specific polygenic risk scores (GRS) consisting of 333 genetic variants associated with later puberty in European-descent children in the Bone Mineral Density in Childhood Study (BMDCS), consisting of a longitudinal cohort with up to seven assessments (n = 933) and a cross-sectional cohort (n = 486). These GRS were tested for associations with age- and sex-specific aBMD Z-scores at the lumbar spine (LS), femoral neck (FN), total hip, and distal radius, accounting for clinical covariates using sex-stratified linear mixed models. The causal relationship between puberty timing and aBMD was tested in the BMDCS and in publicly available adult data (GEFOS consortium) using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). The puberty-delaying GRS was associated with later puberty and lower LS-aBMD in the BMDCS in both sexes (combined beta ± SE = –0.078 ± 0.024; p = 0.0010). In the MR framework, the puberty-delaying genetic instrument also supported a causal association with lower LS-aBMD and FN-aBMD in adults of both sexes. Our results suggest that pubertal timing is causal for diminished aBMD in a skeletal site- and sex-specific manner that tracks throughout life, potentially impacting later risk for osteoporosis, which should be tested in future studies. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Biodegradation of polyethylene via complete solubilization by the action of Pseudomonas fluorescens, biosurfactant produced by Bacillus licheniformis and anionic surfactant
Authors: Mukherjee Shritama , RoyChaudhuri Uttam , Kundu Patit P 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDLong hydrocarbon (∼CH2) chain, absence of polar bonds and highly hydrophobic nature of polyethylene, make it one of most difficult environmental pollutants to degrade. In the present study, commercially available polyethylenes were treated with biosurfactant produced by Bacillus licheniformis, anionic surfactant and bacterially treated with Pseudomonas fluorescens in different combinations to achieve higher biodegradation.RESULTSPolyethylene was slightly oxidized by P. fluorescens in the first month and the oxidation of polyethylene induced by the biosurfactant during the second month was enhanced by the presence of lower amounts of carbonyl groups as observed in FTIR analysis. During the third month, highly oxidized polyethylene was entirely solubilized by the action of 10% SDS forming two‐layered liquid consisting of yellow oil‐like liquid as upper layer and an aqueous colourless lower layer. Biodegradable aliphatic acids, alcohols and short hydrocarbon molecules of 10–30 carbon chains were identified by GC–MS analysis in the aqueous solution. Weight loss of 7.13 ± 0.05% was also observed in polyethylene samples which were treated with SDS in the first month, then bacterially treated with P. fluorescens in the second month and finally treated with biosurfactant in the third month.CONCLUSIONSPolyethylene became biodegradable after complete solubilization in water by treating consecutively with Pseudomonas fluorescens in the first month, then with biosurfactant in the second month and finally treating with 10% sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) at 60 °C for the third month. Simultaneous treatment of polyethylene with P. fluorescens, surfactant and biosurfactant has a tremendous effect on the oxidation and biodegradation of polyethylene. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Geometric morphometric analysis as a proxy to evaluate age‐related change in molar shape variation of low‐crowned Notoungulata (Mammalia)
Authors: Scarano Alejo C. , Vera Bárbara 
Published: October 2017

AbstractShape and age variation in dentition of Paleogene extinct native South American ungulates (Notoungulata) has been traditionally described using qualitative and quantitative approaches, and has played a controversial role in the systematics of several groups. Such is the case of the Notopithecidae, a group of notoungulates with low‐crowned teeth, known from the middle Eocene of Patagonia (Argentina). In this group, as well as in other contemporary families, extreme morphological changes associated to increasing dental wear were originally assumed to represent taxonomic differences; thus, dozens of species were erected, clearly reflecting the difficulty of defining discrete characters. In this contribution, a total of 89 upper molars and 91 lower molars were analyzed distributed in two factors, wear and species; three species of notopithecids were considered as study case, Notopithecus adapinus, Antepithecus brachystephanus, and Transpithecus obtentus, based on the large and well‐identified sample of upper and lower molars for each species. We have coupled geometric morphometric analyses with traditional comparative methods to get a better understanding and interpretation of both the changes in tooth shape contour and the link between shape and ontogeny. In addition, we evaluate the utility of this approach to identify which changes are strictly wear‐related and also test the qualitative characteristics used for diagnosing and differentiating notopithecid species. Our study yielded consistent results when applying independent geometric morphometric analyses on complex structures such as brachydont molar teeth. The landmark data is highly congruent with alternative sources of evidence, such as morphological studies using discrete characters. In notopithecid species, wear is the main factor affecting molar shape, followed by species (in lower molars) and allometry; in addition, lower teeth morphology is more definitive in separating species than upper molars, a fact that entails a key point for systematic studies of Paleogene brachydont notoungulates.
Supraphysiological loading induces osteocyte‐mediated osteoclastogenesis in a novel in vitro model for bone implant loosening
Authors: Fahlgren Anna , Bratengeier Cornelia , Semeins Cornelis M. , Klein‐Nulend Jenneke , Bakker Astrid D. 
Published: October 2017

ABSTRACTWe aimed to develop an in vitro model for bone implant loosening, allowing analysis of biophysical and biological parameters contributing to mechanical instability‐induced osteoclast differentiation and peri‐implant bone loss. MLO‐Y4‐osteocytes were mechanically stimulated for 1 h by fluid shear stress using regimes simulating: (i) supraphysiological loading in the peri‐prosthetic interface (2.9 ± 2.9 Pa, 1 Hz, square wave); (ii) physiologic loading in the cortical bone (0.7 ± 0.7 Pa, 5 Hz, sinusoidal wave); and (iii) stress shielding. Cellular morphological parameters, membrane‐bound RANKL expression, gene expression influencing osteoclast differentiation, nitric oxide release and caspase 3/7‐activity were determined. Either Mouse bone marrow cells were cultured on top of loaded osteocytes or osteocyte‐conditioned medium was added to bone marrow cells. Osteoclast differentiation was assessed after 6 days. We found that osteocytes subjected to supraphysiological loading showed similar morphology and caspase 3/7‐activity compared to simulated physiological loading or stress shielding. Supraphysiological stimulation of osteocytes enhanced osteoclast differentiation by 1.9‐fold compared to physiological loading when cell‐to‐cell contact was permitted. In addition, it enhanced the number of osteoclasts using conditioned medium by 1.7‐fold, membrane‐bound RANKL by 3.3‐fold, and nitric oxide production by 3.2‐fold. The stimulatory effect of supraphysiological loading on membrane‐bound RANKL and nitric oxide production was higher than that achieved by stress shielding. In conclusion, the in vitro model developed recapitulated the catabolic biological situation in the peri‐prosthetic interface during instability that is associated with osteoclast differentiation and enhanced RANKL expression. The model thus provides a platform for pre‐clinical testing of pharmacological interventions with potential to stop instability‐induced bone implant loosening. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1425–1434, 2018.
Temperature variation in the home setting: implications for continuous ambulatory infusions
Authors: Sluggett Janet K. , Sharley Nicholas A. , Reynolds Karen J. , Sluggett Andrew J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundHome infusion therapy is being increasingly utilised. Little is known about variation in the temperature of the infusion solution in the home and its effect on drug stability.AimTo investigate temperature changes over a 24‐h period during usual daily activities and assess the effect of ice packs on infusion solution temperature during storage at 25°C or 32°C.MethodSix healthy volunteers (without intravenous access) wore a waist pouch containing an elastomeric infuser for 24 h during autumn and recorded their daily activities. Infusion solution temperature and ambient temperature were measured every 10 min. In a separate experiment, an infuser was placed inside a waist pouch containing ice packs and ambient temperature was maintained at 25°C or 32°C for 24 h. Ice packs were replaced eight‐hourly. The procedure was repeated twice at each temperature.ResultsThe mean temperature of the infusion solutions worn by volunteers ranged from 22.7°C (±3.5) to 27.9°C (±5.6), and the cumulative time exceeding 25°C ranged 6–20 h. The infusers stored in waist pouches with ice packs usually maintained a solution temperature below 20°C when stored at 25°C. Infusers stored at 32°C maintained a solution temperature greater than 20°C for up to 11 h.ConclusionInfusion solutions may reach temperatures above 30°C in the home which should be considered when assessing patient suitability for home therapy. There is a need to assess drug stability at high temperatures and determine if exposure to high temperatures has a negative impact on therapeutic outcomes.
Using e‐learning and lightning presentations to communicate medication‐related problems
Authors: Teoh Stephanie W. K. , Lebedevs Tamara 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe aim of the project was to engage clinical staff with site‐specific, targeted education including lightning presentations, using combined information collated from clinical incidents and pharmacists' intervention data. A self‐directed learning presentation titled ‘Reflective Learning on Medication Related Problems (MRPs) at King Edward Memorial Hospital' was disseminated to all clinical staff in October 2015 by email and in‐service presentation on various wards. The presentation featured 10‐year data on pharmacist interventions at King Edward Memorial Hospital, highlighting organisational common MRPs and tips to prevent these errors. The staff members were invited to complete a satisfaction survey. A total of 82 responses were received. Staff appreciated the presentation and agreed that the site‐specific clinical incident data made them more aware of MRPs at a local level. Subsequently, the Medication Safety Review Group, Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee and the Pharmacy initiated a series of lightning presentations, highlighting one MRP in each module. They contained concise, easy to understand, practical information. They focused on: clinical incidents data followed by pharmacist intervention data, the consequence of the MRP, and practical advice to prevent the MRP in future practice. The lightning presentations have received positive staff feedback on the innovative strategy in disseminating information. The presentations have been converted to e‐learning packages on the hospital education hub. The innovative means of addressing MRPs using interdisciplinary collaboration to deliver lightning presentations was well received by the staff members and demonstrated great staff satisfaction by utilising targeted, site‐specific education.
A cationic β‐cyclodextrin as a dynamic coating for the separation of proteins in capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Quirino Joselito P. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA cationic cyclodextrin was used as dynamic coating for the capillary electrophoresis of a model mixture of proteins (i.e., ubiquitin, α‐lactoglobulin, cytochrome‐c, and myoglobin) as positively charged species in a fused silica capillary. An interesting feature of the coating is that by simple adjustment of the concentration of cyclodextrin added into the background electrolyte, a neutral or positively charged surface, which was beneficial in preventing protein adsorption at the inner capillary wall surface, was obtained. This is the first demonstration of a dynamic coating that yielded a neutral surface for protein separations in capillary electrophoresis. Based on electro‐osmotic flow measurements, addition of 0.05 to 0.10 mg/mL quaternary β‐cyclodextrin in a low pH electrolyte resulted in a neutral or positive surface (undetectable to very slow anodic electro‐osmotic flow). The coating approach afforded the electrophoretic separation of the mixture of proteins at positive polarity with good repeatability and separation performance.
Rapid preparation of methyltrimethoxy‐modified magnetic mesoporous silica as an effective solid‐phase extraction adsorbent
Authors: Qin Shi‐Bin , Fan Yu‐Han , Li Xiao‐Shui , Zhang Yuan , Qi Shi‐Hua 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA time‐saving method was applied to synthesize methyltrimethoxy‐modified magnetic mesoporous silica with or without p‐toluenesulfonic acid as the catalyst for magnetic solid‐phase extraction. The synthesized materials were systematically characterized. Results demonstrated that methyltrimethoxy modified magnetic mesoporous silica with p‐toluenesulfonic acid as the catalyst has a relatively smaller aperture and extreme hydrophobicity (water contact angle of 135°). To evaluate the feasibility of these prepared materials as effective adsorbents, it was combined with gas chromatography and electron capture detection to determine 26 polychlorinated biphenyls in environmental water. The result revealed that methyltrimethoxy modified magnetic mesoporous silica with p‐toluenesulfonic acid as the catalyst had the best extraction efficiency and recovery. Under the optimized extracted conditions, the proposed method showed good linearity within the concentration range of 5 to 200 ng/L with correlation coefficients of 0.9969 to 0.9999. The limits of detection and quantification based on signal‐to‐noise ratios of 3 and 10 were in the range of 0.16 to 0.91 and 0.52 to 3.0 ng/L, respectively. The polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations in environmental water samples were successfully determined using the developed method. PCB008 and PCB110 were 4.05 and 8.52 ng/L in Red‐Star lake water (Hubei Province, China), respectively.
Twenty‐four Segment Transverse Ventricular Fractional Shortening: A New Technique to Evaluate Fetal Cardiac Function
Authors: DeVore Greggory R. , Klas Berthold , Satou Gary , Sklansky Mark 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivesBecause of various fetal and maternal disease states, this study was conducted to evaluate the fractional shortening of 24 transverse segments distributed from the base to the apex of the ventricular chambers.MethodsTwo hundred control fetuses were examined between 20 and 40 weeks' gestation. The transverse displacement of the ventricular endocardium during the cardiac cycle was computed by using offline software. From the output of the analysis, 24 end‐diastolic and end‐systolic segments were measured from the base (segment 1) to the apex (segment 24) of the right and left ventricles, and the fractional shortening was computed: [(end‐diastolic length – end‐systolic length)/end‐diastolic length] × 100. Examples of fetal cardiovascular abnormalities were selected to demonstrate the utility of this technique.ResultsThe fractional shortening for each segment was independent of gestational age and fetal biometric measurements. There was no significant difference in fractional shortening for segments 1 to 5 between the right and left ventricles. However, the fractional shortening of the left ventricle was significantly greater (P < .0001) than that of the right ventricle for segments 6 to 24, suggesting that the mid and apical segments of the left ventricle have increased displacement toward the center of the chamber compared to the right ventricle. Fetuses with various cardiac structural abnormalities had abnormal fractional shortening values.ConclusionsThe fractional shortening of 24 segments of the right and left ventricles provides a comprehensive method to examine the contractility of the ventricular chambers.
Nose blowing after endoscopic sinus surgery does not adversely affect outcomes
Authors: Ayoub Noel , Chitsuthipakorn Wirach , Nayak Jayakar V. , Patel Zara M. , Hwang Peter H. 
Published: October 2017

ObjectivePatients frequently are advised to abstain from nose blowing following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), despite a lack of evidence supporting this recommendation. This randomized study assessed whether nose blowing in the first postoperative week affects subjective and objective clinical outcomes.MethodsForty patients undergoing ESS were randomized into an interventional arm in which patients blew their nose at least twice daily for the first 7 postoperative days, or a control arm in which patients refrained from nose blowing. All patients were allowed to blow their nose after 7 days. The frequency and degree of epistaxis was documented by daily diary and visual analog scale (VAS). At 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively, Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) and Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test‐22 (SNOT‐22) were collected, and endoscopies were recorded for blinded Lund‐Kennedy scale scoring.ResultsThere were no differences between the two groups in terms of frequency and duration of bleeding events, VAS epistaxis scores, SNOT‐22 scores, and NOSE scores at every postoperative timepoint. Lund‐Kennedy scores also were similar at the 1‐week (P = 0.0762) and 4‐week (P = 0.2340) postoperative visits, but the nose‐blowing group had improved nasal discharge subscores at the first (P = 0.0075) and second (P = 0.0298) postoperative visits.ConclusionNose blowing after ESS does not appear to measurably improve symptoms of nasal congestion or general sinonasal quality of life, nor does it seem to adversely affect the frequency or severity of postoperative epistaxis during the first postoperative week. Judicious nose blowing may be permissible immediately after uncomplicated ESS.Level of Evidence1b. Laryngoscope, 128:1268–1273, 2018