bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Activated α2‐Macroglobulin Induces Mesenchymal Cellular Migration Of Raw264.7 Cells Through Low‐Density Lipoprotein Receptor‐Related Protein 1
Authors: Ferrer Darío G. , Dato Virginia Actis , Jaldín‐Fincati Javier R. , Lorenc Valeria E. , Sánchez María C. , Chiabrando Gustavo A. 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTDistinct modes of cell migration contribute to diverse types of cell movements. The mesenchymal mode is characterized by a multistep cycle of membrane protrusion, the formation of focal adhesion, and the stabilization at the leading edge associated with the degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components and with regulated extracellular proteolysis. Both α2‐Macroglobulin (α2M) and its receptor, low density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 1 (LRP1), play important roles in inflammatory processes, by controlling the extracellular activity of several proteases. The binding of the active form of α2M (α2M*) to LRP1 can also activate different signaling pathways in macrophages, thus inducing extracellular matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) activation and cellular proliferation. In the present study, we investigated whether the α2M*/LRP1 interaction induces cellular migration of the macrophage‐derived cell line, Raw264.7. By using the wound‐scratch migration assay and confocal microscopy, we demonstrate that α2M* induces LRP1‐mediated mesenchymal cellular migration. This migration exhibits the production of enlarged cellular protrusions, MT1‐MMP distribution to these leading edge protrusions, actin polymerization, focal adhesion formation, and increased intracellular LRP1/β1‐integrin colocalization. Moreover, the presence of calphostin‐C blocked the α2M*‐stimulated cellular protrusions, suggesting that the PKC activation is involved in the cellular motility of Raw264.7 cells. These findings could constitute a therapeutic target for inflammatory processes with deleterious consequences for human health, such as rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis and cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1810–1818, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An in vivo transfection system for inducible gene expression and gene silencing in murine hepatocytes
Authors: Hubner Eric K. , Lechler Christian , Kohnke‐Ertel Birgit , Zmoos Anne‐Flore , Sage Julien , Schmid Roland M. , Ehmer Ursula 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundHydrodynamic tail vein injection (HTVI) of transposon‐based integration vectors is an established system for stably transfecting mouse hepatocytes in vivo that has been successfully employed to study key questions in liver biology and cancer. Refining the vectors for transposon‐mediated hepatocyte transfection will further expand the range of applications of this technique in liver research. In the present study, we report an advanced transposon‐based system for manipulating gene expression in hepatocytes in vivo.MethodsTransposon‐based vector constructs were generated to enable the constitutive expression of inducible Cre recombinase (CreER) together with tetracycline‐inducible transgene or miR‐small hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression (Tet‐ON system). Transposon and transposase expression vectors were co‐injected into R26R‐mTmG reporter mice by HTVI. Cre‐mediated gene recombination was induced by tamoxifen, followed by the administration of doxycycline to drive tetracycline‐inducible gene or shRNA expression. Expression was visualized by immunofluorescence staining in livers of injected mice.ResultsAfter HTVI, Cre recombination by tamoxifen led to the expression of membrane‐bound green fluorescent protein in transfected hepatocytes. Activation of inducible gene or shRNA expression was detected by immunostaining in up to one‐third of transfected hepatocytes, with an efficiency dependent on the promoter driving the Tet‐ON system.ConclusionsOur vector system combines Cre‐lox mediated gene mutation with inducible gene expression or gene knockdown, respectively. It provides the opportunity for rapid and specific modification of hepatocyte gene expression and can be a useful tool for genetic screening approaches and analysis of target genes specifically in genetically engineered mouse models.
Points on the curve: An analysis of methods for assessing the shape of vertebrate claws
Authors: Tinius Alexander , Patrick Russell Anthony 
Published: December 2016

ABSTRACTThe form of amniote claws has been extensively investigated, often with inferences about ecological association being drawn from studies of their geometry. Various methods have been used to quantify differences in the geometry of claws, but rarely have the underlying assumptions of such methods been addressed. Here, we use one set of bird claws and apply six methods (five that have been previously used, and a new one) that are tasked with comparing their shape. In doing so, we compare the (1) ability of these methods to represent the shape of the claw; (2) validity of the assumptions made about underlying claw geometry; (3) their ability to be applied unambiguously; and (4) their ability to differentiate between predetermined functional clusters. We find that of the six methods considered only the geometric morphometric approach reveals differences in the shapes of bird claws. Our comparison shows that geometry‐based methods can provide a general estimate of the degree of curvature of claw arcs, but are unable to differentiate between shapes. Of all of the geometry‐based approaches, we conclude that the adjusted version of the Zani (2000) method is the most useful because it can be applied without ambiguity, and provides a reliable estimate of claw curvature. The three landmarks that define that method (tip and base of the claw arc, plus the intersection between said claw arc and a line drawn perpendicular from the midpoint of tip and claw base) do not all bear biological significance, but relatively clearly circumscribe the length‐to‐height ratio of the claw, which relates to its curvature. Overall, our comparisons reveal that the shape of avian claws does not differ significantly between climbing and perching birds, and that the utilization of preordained functional clusters in comparative data analysis can hinder the discovery of meaningful differences in claw shape. J. Morphol. 278:150–169, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals,Inc.
Hospital pharmacists’ perspectives on the role of key performance indicators in Australian pharmacy practice
Authors: Lloyd Georgia F. , Singh Shamsher , Barclay Peter , Goh Sue , Bajorek Beata 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundTo date, there is no national or international consensus on which key performance indicators (KPIs) should be used to measure hospital pharmacy performance.AimTo explore hospital pharmacists’ perspectives on the role of KPIs and to use their perspectives to suggest a set of KPIs for use in Australian hospital pharmacy practice.MethodsThe study comprised of two parts. Part A involved semi‐structured interviews with hospital pharmacists from major Sydney metropolitan hospitals; interviews were conducted until theme saturation was attained. Part B involved an online survey comprising Likert‐scale responses and open‐ended questions; the survey was distributed nationally to pharmacists via the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) eNewsletter and Facebook page.ResultsPart A: 19 hospital pharmacists were interviewed. Part B: 49 online surveys were received (after excluding incomplete submissions). Overall, the emergent themes identified that hospital pharmacists agreed that KPIs are a valuable tool for individual and departmental performance measurement; the use of KPIs was challenged by data collection difficulties, a lack of engagement from staff, and a lack of clarification regarding the intended use of KPIs and their relevance. The study identified a consolidated set of seven KPIs, proposed as standard measures for hospital pharmacy practice.ConclusionThere is a perceived need to develop national standardised KPIs to demonstrate the value of pharmacy services at the individual and departmental levels. However, there are challenges that will need to be addressed before the implementation of a set of consolidated KPIs that encompasses the full scope of pharmacy activities.
Evaluation of the type and structure of the imprints used on the surface of medicines
Authors: Pires Carla , Vigário Marina , Cavaco Afonso 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundDrug imprints on the surfaces of medicines could be used as accessible and economic anti‐counterfeiting measures.AimsTo identify and study the structure of different types of imprints and discuss potential problems related to their structure and/or format.MethodsIn total, 531 Portuguese package leaflets (PLs) were manually inspected to confirm and collect the description of the imprints. The number of letters, symbols or mixtures of both was quantified in each imprint. An electronic tool was used to evaluate the linguistic characteristics.ResultsOnly 7.9% of 531 PLs described imprints. Fifty‐five imprints were identified: 23 (41.8%) only formed by letters and 32 (58.2%) formed by letters, numbers or symbols. It was possible to identify 171 words.ConclusionIt seems that the imprints were not systematically used as anti‐counterfeiting measures. Experimental studies and the updating of pharmaceutical regulation on the suitability and specificities of these imprints are recommended.
Production of d‐allulose from d‐glucose by Escherichia coli transformant cells co‐expressing d‐glucose isomerase and d‐psicose 3‐epimerase genes
Authors: Zhang Wenli , Li Hao , Jiang Bo , Zhang Tao , Mu Wanmeng 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDd‐Allulose is a novel and low‐calorie rare monosaccharide that is a C‐3 epimer of d‐fructose. Because of its excellent physiological properties and commercial potential, d‐allulose has attracted researchers' interests. Based on the Izumoring strategy, d‐allulose is converted from d‐fructose by d‐psicose 3‐epimerase (DPEase), while d‐fructose is converted from d‐glucose by d‐glucose isomerase (GIase). In this study, we created a cellular system capable of converting d‐glucose to d‐allulose in a one‐step process that co‐expressed the GIase from Acidothermus cellulolyticus and the DPEase from Dorea sp. CAG.RESULTSThe co‐expression plasmid pETDuet‐Dosp‐DPE/Acce‐GI was generated and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. The recombinant co‐expression cells exhibited maximum catalytic activity at pH 6.5 and 75 °C. These cells were thermostable at less than 60 °C. The addition of Co2+ significantly increased the catalytic activity by 10.8‐fold. When the reaction equilibrium was reached, the ratio of d‐glucose, d‐fructose and d‐allulose was approximately 6.5:7:3, respectively.CONCLUSIONA recombinant co‐expression strain that catalysed the bioconversion of d‐allulose from d‐glucose in a one‐step process was created and characterised. When adding 500 g L−1 d‐glucose as a substrate, 204.3 g L−1 d‐fructose and 89.1 g L−1 d‐allulose were produced. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Triggering the Self‐Healing Properties of Modified Bromobutyl Rubber by Intrinsically Electrical Heating
Authors: Le Hong Hai , Böhme Frank , Sallat Aladin , Wießner Sven , auf der Landwehr Maria , Reuter Uta , Stöckelhuber Klaus‐Werner , Heinrich Gert , Radusch Hans‐Joachim , Das Amit 
Published: December 2016

In this study, the development and characterization of an intrinsically self‐healable material have been reported based on bromobutyl rubber (BIIR) modified with imidazole (Im) and loaded with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcing and electrically conducting agent. The ionic imidazolium groups facilitate an ionic network, which imparts the composites a pronounced self‐healing behavior. The cation‐π bondings between modified BIIR and CNT surface improve the rubber‐filler interaction leading to a better mechanical performance and a higher electrical conductivity of the composites. It has been demonstrated that the healing process can be accelerated by applying an electrical current across a damaged surface of a test specimen owing to the Joule heating effect. The recovery of the mechanical and electrical properties of the composites is investigated under different test conditions and specifically discussed in terms of the rubber‐filler interactions and the filler dispersion. The applied scientific approach with the exploration of the unique nature of the imidazolium modified and CNT loaded BIIR may promote developments for a new class of rubber materials for different smart and technological applications.
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Contractivity results in ordered spaces. Applications to relative operator bounds and projections with norm one
Authors: Mokhtar‐Kharroubi Mustapha 
Published: December 2016

This paper provides various “contractivity” results for linear operators of the form where C are positive contractions on real ordered Banach spaces X. If A generates a positive contraction semigroup in Lebesgue spaces , we show (M. Pierre's result) that is a “contraction on the positive cone”, i.e. for all provided that . We show also that this result is not true for 1 ⩽ . We give an extension of M. Pierre's result to general ordered Banach spaces X under a suitable uniform monotony assumption on the duality map on the positive cone . We deduce from this result that, in such spaces, is a contraction on for any positive projection C with norm 1. We give also a direct proof (by E. Ricard) of this last result if additionally the norm is smooth on the positive cone. For any positive contraction C on base‐norm spaces X (e.g. in real spaces or in preduals of hermitian part of von Neumann algebras), we show that for all where N is the canonical half‐norm in X. For any positive contraction C on order‐unit spaces X (e.g. on the hermitian part of a algebra), we show that is a contraction on . Applications to relative operator bounds, ergodic projections and conditional expectations are given.
Controlled Supramolecular Architecture Transformation from Homopolymer to Copolymer through Competitive Self‐Sorting Method
Authors: Li Hui , Fan Xiaodong , Min Xin , Qian Yongchao , Tian Wei 
Published: December 2016

Supramolecular copolymers can not only enrich the diversity of the polymer backbone but also exhibit certain special and improved properties compared with supramolecular homopolymers. However, the synthesis procedure of supramolecular copolymers is relatively complicated and time‐consuming. Herein, a simple transformation from an AB2‐based supramolecular hyperbranched homopolymer to an AB2+CD2‐based supramolecular hyperbranched alternating copolymer by the “competitive self‐sorting” strategy is reported. After adding CD2 monomer, which bears a competitive neutral guest moiety (TAPN) and two receptive benzo‐21‐crown‐7 host moieties (B21C7), to the as‐prepared AB2‐type supramolecular hyperbranched homopolymer constructed by the self‐assembly of dialkylammonium salt (DAAS, A group)‐functionalized pillar[5]arene (MeP5, B groups) monomers, the initial homopolymer structure is disrupted and then reassemble into a new supramolecular hyperbranched alternating copolymer based on the competitive self‐sorting interaction between MeP5‐TAPN and B21C7‐DAAS. This study supplies a convenient approach to directly transform supramolecular homopolymers into supramolecular copolymers.
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How Do I Treat Cervical Dystonia With Botulinum Toxin by Using Ultrasound?
Authors: Jost Wolfgang H. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe therapy of cervical dystonia with botulinum toxin was established in the late 1980s. It is accepted as the therapy of choice, and the good results have been confirmed in many studies. In the last decade, tremendous developments have influenced our clinical work, and it seems that this will also influence the clinical outcome positively. Such developments include: first, the more anatomically based view and classification of cervical dystonia; second, the use of sonography to visualize the muscles and inject more precisely; and, third, the awareness that the action of the muscles involved is not physiological, but dysfunctional. Now it is time to combine the classification, the use of sonography and the new pathofunctional approach, to obtain the best clinical results.
A 12‐week intervention with nonivamide, a TRPV1 agonist, prevents a dietary‐induced body fat gain and increases peripheral serotonin in moderately overweight subjects
Authors: Hochkogler Christina M. , Lieder Barbara , Rust Petra , Berry David , Meier Samuel M. , Pignitter Marc , Riva Alessandra , Leitinger Alina , Bruk Anne , Wagner Simone , Hans Joachim , Widder Sabine , Ley Jakob P. , Krammer Gerhard E. , Somoza Veronika 
Published: December 2016

ScopeA bolus administration of 0.15 mg nonivamide has previously been demonstrated to reduce energy intake in moderately overweight men. This 12‐week intervention investigated whether a daily consumption of nonivamide in a protein‐based product formulation promotes a reduction in body weight in healthy overweight subjects and affects outcome measures associated with mechanisms regulating food intake, e.g. plasma concentrations of (an)orexigenic hormones, energy substrates as well as changes in fecal microbiota.Methods and resultsNineteen overweight subjects were randomly assigned to either a control (C) or a nonivamide (NV) group. Changes in the body composition and plasma concentrations of satiating hormones were determined at fasting and 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after a glucose load. Participants were instructed to consume 0.15 mg nonivamide per day in 450 mL of a milk shake additionally to their habitual diet. After treatment, a group difference in body fat mass change (–0.61 ± 0.36% in NV and +1.36 ± 0.38% in C) and an increase in postprandial plasma serotonin were demonstrated. Plasma metabolome and fecal microbiome read outs were not affected.ConclusionsA daily intake of 0.15 mg nonivamide helps to support to maintain a healthy body composition.
Narrow‐leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) β‐conglutin proteins modulate the insulin signaling pathway as potential type 2 diabetes treatment and inflammatory‐related disease amelioration
Authors: Lima‐Cabello Elena , Alche Victor , Foley Rhonda C. , Andrikopoulos Sofianos , Morahan Grant , Singh Karam B. , Alche Juan D. , Jimenez‐Lopez Jose C. 
Published: December 2016

ScopeWe have investigated the potential use of β‐conglutin protein isoforms from narrow‐leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) as a diabetes treatment.Methods and resultsWe produced purified recombinant β1‐, β2‐, β3‐, β4‐, and β6‐conglutin proteins and showed that β1, β3, and β6 could bind to insulin. To assess β‐conglutin proteins modulatory effect on insulin activation meditated kinases, whole blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures from type 2 diabetes (T2D) and healthy control subjects (C) were incubated with conglutin proteins. The treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from T2D patients with β1, β3, and β6 proteins increased up to threefold mRNA and protein levels of genes important in insulin signaling pathways, namely insulin receptor substrate 1/p85/AKT/glucose transporter type 4. This was accompanied by a comparable fold‐change decrease in the mRNA expression level of pro‐inflammatory genes (iNOS and IL‐1β) and proteins compared to healthy controls. The β2 and β4 isoforms had no effect on the insulin signaling pathway. However, these β‐conglutin proteins elicited pro‐inflammatory effects since levels of mRNA and proteins of inducible nitric oxide synthase and IL 1 beta were increased.ConclusionOur results raise the possibility of using these particular β‐conglutin proteins in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, as well as their potential as anti‐inflammatory molecules.
Arthritis management in primary care – A study of physiotherapists' current practice, educational needs and adherence to national guidelines
Authors: Andersson Siv Folkhammar , Bergman Stefan , Henriksson Elisabet Welin , Bremander Ann 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBackgroundWith an increasing number of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in primary care, our aim was to investigate arthritis‐related practice in physiotherapy and to study adherence to evidence‐based care.MethodsSeventy physiotherapists (PTs) working in primary care were emailed a questionnaire to investigate current practice and the number of roles assumed by PTs, the degree of confidence, educational needs and adherence to national guidelines in managing patients with OA or RA. Interventions supported by national guidelines were compared with reports of treatment modalities in the questionnaire.ResultsSixty‐four (91%) PTs responded, and they reported a higher degree of confidence in assessment, treatment and education of patients with OA than for those with RA (p < 0.001). The total number of roles assumed by the PTs was higher in the management of OA than for RA (p < 0.001). PTs who assumed a greater number of roles also reported a stronger degree of confidence in assessing OA (p = 0.036). Those who assumed fewer roles also reported less confidence in RA treatment (p = 0.045). Recommendations in the guidelines were followed by the majority of PTs for eight of 11 treatment modalities in OA and for six of six in RA.ConclusionsPTs reported a lower degree of confidence and the assumption of fewer roles in managing patients with RA compared with OA. There was good adherence to the national guidelines for almost all the treatment modalities listed. Even so, the results indicate a need for education, especially in chronic inflammatory arthritis care.
A monolithic hybrid finite element strategy for nonlinear thermoelasticity
Authors: Jog C. S. , Gautam G. S. J. 
Published: December 2016

SummaryThis work deals with the formulation and implementation of a mixed finite element formulation for nonlinear thermoelasticity. In the literature, a ‘consistent’ mixed formulation to reduce spurious oscillations in thermal stresses has been developed which involves the use of a temperature interpolation that is one order lower than the displacement interpolation functions. However, such a strategy would require a very fine mesh in problems where thermal gradients are high. In order to reduce the computational cost, we propose a new hybrid formulation for both the mechanical and thermal parts of the stress tensor, that not only overcomes membrane, shear, and volumetric locking but also eliminates thermal stress oscillations, even with the use of a coarse mesh. For transient problems, a new energy‐momentum conserving time stepping scheme is also proposed so that linear and angular momenta and energy are conserved exactly in the fully discrete hybrid framework in the absence of loading and dissipation. Several examples for the St. Venant–Kirchhoff and Ogden material models where the solutions are compared against either analytical or other numerical strategies show the efficacy of the developed procedure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.