bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activation of ephrinB–EphB receptor signalling in rat spinal cord contributes to maintenance of diabetic neuropathic pain
Authors: Deng X.‐T. , Wu M.‐Z. , Xu N. , Ma P.‐C. , Song X.‐J. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundDiabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) is severe and intractable in clinic. The specific cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying DNP remain elusive and its treatment are limited. We investigated roles of EphB1 receptor in the development of DNP.MethodsDiabetic neuropathic pain was produced in male, adult, Sprague‐Dawley rats by a single i.p. streptozotocin (STZ) or alloxan. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used to analyse expression of EphB1 receptor as well as the activation of the glial cells and the pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the spinal cord. DNP manifested as mechanical allodynia, which was determined by measuring incidence of foot withdrawal in response to mechanical indentation of the hind paw by an electro von Frey filament.ResultsDiabetic neuropathic pain and high blood glucose were exhibited simultaneously in around 70% of animals that received i.p. STZ or alloxan. Phosphorylation of EphB1, activation of the astrocytes and microglial cells, and level of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α and interleukin (IL)‐1β in the spinal cord were significantly increased in rats with DNP. Spinal blocking EphB1 receptor activation in the late phase after STZ injection significantly suppressed the established mechanical allodynia as well as activation of the astrocytes and microglial cells and activity of TNF‐α and IL‐1β. However, spinal treatment of EphB1‐Fc in the early phase after STZ injection did not prevent the induction of DNP.ConclusionsEphB1 receptor activation in the spinal cord is critical to the maintenance, but not induction of diabetic pain. EphB1 receptor may be a potential target for relieving the established diabetic pain.SignificanceActivation of EphB1 receptor in the spinal cord is critical to maintaining the established diabetic neuropathic pain, but not to diabetic pain induction. Spinal blocking EphB1 receptor activation suppresses ongoing diabetic neuropathic pain.
Not all that glitters is gold: A guide to the critical interpretation of drug trials in epilepsy
Authors: Perucca Emilio , Wiebe Samuel 
Published: July 2016

SummaryClinical trials represent the best source of evidence on which to base treatment decisions. For such evidence to be utilized meaningfully, however, it is essential that results are interpreted correctly. This requires a good understanding of strengths and weaknesses of the adopted design, the clinical relevance of the outcome measures, and the many factors that could affect such outcomes. As a general rule, uncontrolled studies tend to provide misleading evidence as a result of the impact of confounders such as regression to the mean, patient‐related bias, and observer bias. On the other hand, although randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are qualitatively superior, aspects of their execution may still decrease their validity. Bias and decreased validity in RCTs may occur by chance alone (for example, treatment groups may not necessarily be balanced for important variables despite randomization) or because of specific features of the trial design. In the case of industry‐driven studies, bias often influences the outcome in favor of the sponsor's product. Factors that need to be carefully scrutinized include (1) the purpose for which the trial is conducted; (2) potential bias due to unblinding or lack of blinding; (3) the appropriateness of the control group; (4) the power of the study in detecting clinically relevant differences; (5) the extent to which eligibility criteria could affect outcomes and be representative of routine clinical practice; (6) whether the treatments being compared are used optimally in terms of dosing, duration of treatment, and other variables; (7) the appropriateness of the statistical comparisons; (8) the clinical relevance of the outcome measures and whether all key outcome information is reported (for example, responder rates in completers); and (9) potential bias in the way results are presented and discussed. This article discusses each of these aspects and illustrates the discussion with examples taken from published antiepileptic drug trials.
Fragment-based approach to calculate hydrophobicity of anionic and nonionic surfactants derived from chromatographic retention on a C18 stationary phase
Authors: Hammer Jort , Haftka Joris J.-H. , Scherpenisse Peter , Hermens Joop L.M. , de Voogt Pim W.P. 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

To predict the fate and potential effects of organic contaminants, information about their hydrophobicity is required. However, common parameters to describe the hydrophobicity of organic compounds (e.g., octanol–water partition constant [KOW]) proved to be inadequate for ionic and nonionic surfactants because of their surface-active properties. As an alternative approach to determine their hydrophobicity, the aim of the present study was therefore to measure the retention of a wide range of surfactants on a C18 stationary phase. Capacity factors in pure water (k′0) increased linearly with increasing number of carbon atoms in the surfactant structure. Fragment contribution values were determined for each structural unit with multilinear regression, and the results were consistent with the expected influence of these fragments on the hydrophobicity of surfactants. Capacity factors of reference compounds and log KOW values from the literature were used to estimate log KOW values for surfactants (log KOWHPLC). These log KOWHPLC values were also compared to log KOW values calculated with 4 computational programs: KOWWIN, Marvin calculator, SPARC, and COSMOThermX. In conclusion, capacity factors from a C18 stationary phase are found to better reflect hydrophobicity of surfactants than their KOW values. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:329–336. © 2016 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Flammability of natural plant and animal fibers: a heat release survey
Authors: Galaska Mary L. , Horrocks A. Richard , Morgan Alexander B. 
Published: July 2016

SummaryWith increased interest in sustainable materials for use in building materials and clothing, there is a renewal in the use of natural fibers (plant or animal‐based) versus synthetic fibers in a variety of applications. However, there is not as much information available on the flammability of these natural fibers especially when they are used in products where purification techniques used in conventional textile processing are not required. The literature to date suggests that all of the fibers can be grouped into two categories: cellulosic and animal, with the assumption that regardless of original species, the flammability is similar for fibers within each category. In this report, we have conducted a survey via microcombustion calorimetry to determine if all cellulose‐based and all protein‐based fibers are the same from a heat release perspective. Our findings show that this is not the case, and there are notable differences in fiber types within each genus. Further, how the natural fiber has been treated prior to use can have some dramatic effects on heat release caused by residual impurity content. The results in this paper suggest that there is more to be learned about these natural fiber types in regards to their inherent flammability. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel approach to the design of potential bioactive alkaloid anabasine conjugates using click chemistry methodology
Authors: Artyushin Oleg I. , Vinogradova Natalya M. , Sharova Elena V. , Genkina Galina K. , Brel Valery K. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAnabasine‐containing azides and acetylenes were used as building blocks in copper(I)‐catalyzed 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions with a series of acetylenes and azides via click methodology to provide a range of anabasine conjugates being potential ligands for neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
Ecosystem services in risk assessment and management
Authors: Munns Wayne R , Poulsen Veronique , Gala William R , Marshall Stuart J , Rea Anne W , Sorensen Mary T , von Stackelberg Katherine 
Published: July 2016

Abstract

The ecosystem services (ES) concept holds much promise for environmental decision making. Even so, the concept has yet to gain full traction in the decisions and policies of environmental agencies in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere. In this paper we examine the opportunities for and implications of including ES in risk assessments and the risk management decisions that they inform. We assert that use of ES will: 1) lead to more comprehensive environmental protection; 2) help to articulate the benefits of environmental decisions, policies, and actions; 3) better inform the derivation of environmental quality standards; 4) enable integration of human health and ecological risk assessment; and 5) facilitate horizontal integration of policies, regulations, and programs. We provide the technical basis and supporting rationale for each assertion, relying on examples taken from experiences in the United States and European Union. Specific recommendations are offered for use of ES in risk assessment and risk management, and issues and challenges to advancing use of ES are described together with some of the science needed to improve the value of the ES concept to environmental protection. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:62–73. © 2016 SETAC.

Key Points
The ecosystem services concept can improve environmental protection. The concept has not yet gained full traction in decisions and policies in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere. We assert that 5 aspects of risk assessment and management will be improved by considering ecosystem services more explicitly and make recommendations specific to each phase of the risk assessment and management process.
Elucidating the Role of Protandim and 6‐Gingerol in Protection Against Osteoarthritis
Authors: Abusarah Jamilah , Benabdoune Houda , Shi Qin , Lussier Bertrand , Martel‐Pelletier Johanne , Malo Michel , Fernandes Julio C. , de Souza Fátima Pereira , Fahmi Hassan , Benderdour Mohamed 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTProtandim and 6‐gingerol, two potent nutraceuticals, have been shown to decrease free radicals production through enhancing endogenous antioxidant enzymes. In this study, we evaluated the effects of these products on the expression of different factors involved in osteoarthritis (OA) process. Human OA chondrocytes were treated with 1 ng/ml IL‐1β in the presence or absence of protandim (0–10 μg/ml) or 6‐gingerol (0–10 μM). OA was induced surgically in mice by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM). The animals were treated weekly with an intraarticular injection of 10 μl of vehicle or protandim (10 μg/ml) for 8 weeks. Sham‐operated mice served as controls. In vitro, we demonstrated that protandim and 6‐gingerol preserve cell viability and mitochondrial metabolism and prevented 4‐hydroxynonenal (HNE)‐induced cell mortality. They activated Nrf2 transcription factor, abolished IL‐1β‐induced NO, PGE2, MMP‐13, and HNE production as well as IL‐β‐induced GSTA4‐4 down‐regulation. Nrf2 overexpression reduced IL‐1β‐induced HNE and MMP‐13 as well as IL‐1β‐induced GSTA4‐4 down‐regulation. Nrf2 knockdown following siRNA transfection abolished protandim protection against oxidative stress and catabolism. The activation of MAPK and NF‐κB by IL‐1β was not affected by 6‐gingerol. In vivo, we observed that Nrf2 and GSTA4‐4 expression was significantly lower in OA cartilage from humans and mice compared to normal controls. Interestingly, protandim administration reduced OA score in DMM mice. Altogether, our data indicate that protandim and 6‐gingerol are essential in preserving cartilage and abolishing a number of factors known to be involved in OA pathogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1003–1013, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combined treatment, based on lysomustine administration with mesenchymal stem cells expressing cytosine deaminase therapy, leads to pronounced murine Lewis lung carcinoma growth inhibition
Authors: Krassikova Lyudmila S. , Karshieva Saida S. , Cheglakov Ivan B. , Belyavsky Alexander V. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundThe combination of stem cell‐based gene therapy with chemotherapy comprises an advantageous strategy that results in a reduction of system toxicity effects and an improvement in the general efficacy of treatment. In the present study, we estimated the efficacy of adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT‐MSCs) expressing cytosine deaminase (CDA) combined with lysomustine chemotherapy in mice bearing late stage Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC).MethodsAdipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were transfected with non‐insert plasmid construct transiently expressing fused cytosine deaminase‐uracil phosphoribosyltransferase protein (CDA/UPRT) or the same construct fused with Herpes Simplex Virus Type1 tegument protein VP22 (CDA/UPRT/VP22). Systemic administration of 5‐fluorocytosine (5FC) and lysomustine was implemented after a single intratumoral injection of transfected AT‐MSCs.ResultsWe demonstrated that direct intratumoral transplantation of AT‐MSCs expressing CDA/UPRT or CDA/UPRT/VP22 followed by systemic administration of 5FC resulted in a significant tumor growth inhibition. There was a 56% reduction in tumor volume in mice treated by AT‐MSCs‐CDA/UPRT + 5FC or with AT‐MSCs‐CDA/UPRT/VP22 + 5FC compared to control animals grafted with lung carcinoma alone. Transplantation of AT‐MSCs‐CDA/UPRT + 5FC and AT‐MSCs‐CDA/UPRT/VP22 + 5FC prolonged the life span of mice bearing LLC by 27% and 31%, respectively. Co‐administration of lysomustine and AT‐MSCs‐CDA/UPRT + 5FC led to tumor growth inhibition (by 86%) and life span extension (by 60%) compared to the control group.ConclusionsOur data indicate that a combination CDA/UPRT‐expressing AT‐MSCs with lysomustine has a superior antitumor effect in the murine lung carcinoma model compared to monotherapies with transfected AT‐MSCs or lysomustine alone, possibly because of a synergistic effect of the combination therapy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The petrosal bone and bony labyrinth of early to middle Miocene European deer (Mammalia, Cervidae) reveal their phylogeny
Authors: Mennecart Bastien , Rössner Gertrud E. , Métais Grégoire , DeMiguel Daniel , Schulz Georg , Müller Bert , Costeur Loïc 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTDeer (Cervidae) have a long evolutionary history dating back to the Early Miocene, around 19 million years ago. The best known fossils to document this history belong to European taxa, which all bear cranial appendages more or less similar to today's deer antlers. Despite the good fossil record, relationships of the earliest stem deer and earliest crown deer are much debated. This hampers precise calibration against the independent evidence of the fossil record in molecular clock analyses. While much has been written on the Early and Middle Miocene deer, only two phylogenetic analyses have been performed on these taxa to date mostly based on cranial appendage characters. Because the petrosal bone and bony labyrinth have been shown to be relevant for phylogeny in ruminants, we describe for the first time these elements for four iconic early cervids from Europe (Procervulus dichotomus, Heteroprox larteti, Dicrocerus elegans and Euprox furcatus) and include them in a phylogenetic analysis based on the ear region exclusively. The analysis recovered E. furcatus in a sister position to the living red deer (Cervus elaphus). Further, it placed D. elegans in a sister position to Euprox + Cervus and a clade Procervulinae that includes P. dichotomus and H. larteti, in sister position to all other deer. The inclusion of E. furcatus in crown Cervidae, which was previously suggested based on antler morphology, cannot be ruled out here but needs a more comprehensive comparison to other crown deer to be confirmed. J. Morphol. 277:1329–1338, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Community pharmacy staff motivations and barriers to working with mental health consumers
Authors: Knox Kathy , Hattingh Laetitia , Wheeler Amanda J. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBackgroundMental health is an Australian national priority area, yet evidence indicates pharmacy staff members focus more frequently on other chronic diseases. A need was identified to facilitate community pharmacy staff engagement with mental health initiatives.AimThis study explored community pharmacy staff motivations and barriers to working with mental health consumers and carers.MethodA questionnaire assessing baseline attitudes, knowledge and skills towards mental illness was completed by 791 community pharmacy staff members. Participants rated their agreement with statements regarding factors that motivate them (11 items) or present a barrier to working with mental health consumers and carers (12 items) on a 7‐point Likert scale. Qualitative comments were invited.ResultsIn total, 465 pharmacists (58.8%) and 326 support staff (41.2%) completed the questionnaire. Statements reflecting motivations were strongly endorsed: 83% of participants agreed that they were motivated to work with mental health consumers and carers, and 96% agreed that community pharmacists are integral members of the healthcare team. The most frequently endorsed barriers related to lack of training to assist people and belief that consumers feel ashamed about their illness. Themes that emerged from qualitative comments identified staff skills and knowledge as both motivators and barriers.ConclusionThe findings identified that both pharmacists and pharmacy support staff required more training, confidence and practical strategies to support best practice in meeting the needs and expectations of mental health consumers and carers.
Array‐fed dual‐polarized wideband fabry–perot antenna based on metasurface
Authors: Qin Fan , Gao Steven , Wei Gao , Luo Qi , Xu Jiadong 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTA high gain dual‐polarized wideband Fabry–Perot (FP) antenna fed by 1 × 2 antenna array is proposed. A metasurface consisting of patch and mesh array is employed as a partially reflective surface, which produces a reflection phase with a positive slope over a wideband frequency range for increasing antenna's gain bandwidth. To obtain dual polarizations and further improve the gain of antenna, a 1 × 2 patch array coupled by two orthogonal slots is designed as the feed of the FP antenna. A prototype is fabricated and measured. The measured results demonstrate that this proposed antenna has a 3‐dB gain bandwidth of 22.2% in both polarizations. The peak gain of 15.7 dBi and 15.2 dBi is obtained at two polarization ports, respectively. Within the 3‐dB gain bandwidth, good impedance matching with high isolation over 35 dB between the two ports is achieved as well. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2316–2321, 2016
Design of a millimeter‐wave wideband bandpass filter with novel‐slotted substrate integrated waveguide
Authors: Dong Kaida , Mo Jingyan , He Yuhong , Ma Zhewang , Yang Xuexia 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTA millimeter‐wave (mmW) wideband band‐pass filter (WBF) is proposed and designed by using novel‐slotted unites etched on the metal planes of SIW cavities in this paper. The novel‐slotted SIW cavity consists of two pairs of same size dumbbell slots etched on both the top and bottom metal planes of the SIW, which acts as a shunt resonator. And there is 90‐degree angle rotated between the novel‐slotted unites on top and bottom planes. The novel‐slotted SIW unit can be used to control the transmission zero and the cutoff frequency at upside. Finally, a five‐order millimeter‐wave wideband band‐pass filter is proposed and fabricated. The measured results show that the filter achieves insertion loss of −1.54 dB at 32.5 GHz, return loss of better than 12.5dB and 3dB fractional bandwidth (FBW) of 34.6%. A good agreement between simulated and measured results verifies the validity of this design methodology. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2406–2410, 2016
Wideband bandpass filter with multiple transmission zeros and compact size
Authors: Deng Kuan , Feng Wenjie 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTA compact wideband bandpass filter with multiple transmission zeros is proposed in this paper. Three transmission zeros in the upper stopband can be realized by different open/shorted stubs. The bandwidths of the bandpass filter can be adjusted easily by changing the characteristic impedance of the open/shorted stubs. A bandpass filter with 3‐dB fractional bandwidth of 110% (0.51 − 1.76 GHz) is fabricated and measured. Good agreement can be observed between simulated and measured performances. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2452–2456, 2016
An ENG metamaterial based wideband electromagnetic cloak
Authors: Sunbeam Islam Sikder , Rashed Iqbal Faruque Mohammd , Tariqul Islam Mohammad 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTMetamaterial‐based single layer rectangular cloaking operation in the epsilon‐negative (ENG) region is experimentally demonstrated. In this study, a new metamaterial unit cell is presented that exhibits epsilon‐negative property in the C‐band of microwave regime. The metamaterial was then utilized in designing a single layer rectangular cloak that hides a metal cylinder in the ENG region of the metamaterial. The cloak provides less than one normalized total scattering width for the cloaked object. The proposed cloaking operation was experimentally demonstrated over a 500 MHz area in the C‐band region of microwave spectra. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:2522–2525, 2016
Myostatin inhibitor ACE‐031 treatment of ambulatory boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Results of a randomized, placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Campbell Craig , McMillan Hugh J. , Mah Jean K. , Tarnopolsky Mark , Selby Kathryn , McClure Ty , Wilson Dawn M. , Sherman Matthew L. , Escolar Diana , Attie Kenneth M. 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTIntroduction: ACE‐031 is a fusion protein of activin receptor type IIB and IgG1‐Fc, which binds myostatin and related ligands. It aims to disrupt the inhibitory effect on muscle development and provide potential therapy for myopathies like Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Methods: ACE‐031 was administered subcutaneously every 2–4 weeks to DMD boys in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, ascending‐dose trial. The primary objective was safety evaluation. Secondary objectives included characterization of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Results: ACE‐031 was not associated with serious or severe adverse events. The study was stopped after the second dosing regimen due to potential safety concerns of epistaxis and telangiectasias. A trend for maintenance of the 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) distance in the ACE‐031 groups compared with a decline in the placebo group (not statistically significant) was noted, as was a trend for increased lean body mass and bone mineral density (BMD) and reduced fat mass. Conclusion: ACE‐031 use demonstrated trends for pharmacodynamic effects on lean mass, fat mass, BMD, and 6MWT. Non–muscle‐related adverse events contributed to the decision to discontinue the study. Myostatin inhibition is a promising therapeutic approach for DMD. Muscle Nerve 55: 458–464, 2017