bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In-vivo quantitative assessment of the therapeutic response in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography
Authors: Mitra A , Kundu-Raychaudhuri S , Abria C , Rona A , Chaudhari A J , Raychaudhuri S P 
Published: January 2017

Summary
Mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is the most commonly used animal model to investigate underlying pathogenesis of autoimmune arthritis and to demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of novel drugs in autoimmune arthritis. The conventional read-outs of CIA are clinical score and histopathology, which have several limitations, including (i) subjected to observer bias; and (ii) longitudinal therapeutic efficacy of a new drug cannot be determined. Thus, a robust, non-invasive, in-vivo drug screening tool is currently an unmet need. Here we have assessed the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG) as an in-vivo screening tool for anti-inflammatory drugs using the mouse CIA model. The radiotracer 18F-FDG and a PET scanner were employed to monitor CIA disease activity before and after murine anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α antibody (CNTO5048) therapy in the mouse CIA model. Radiotracer concentration was derived from PET images for individual limb joints and on a per-limb basis, and Spearman's correlation coefficient (ρ) was determined with clinical score and histology of the affected limbs. CNTO5048 improved arthritis efficiently, as evidenced by clinical score and histopathology. PET showed an increased uptake of 18F-FDG with the progression of the disease and a significant decrease in the post-treatment group. 18F-FDG uptake patterns showed a strong correlation with clinical score (ρ = 0·71, P &lt; 0·05) and histopathology (ρ = 0·76, P &lt; 0·05). This study demonstrates the potential of 18F-FDG PET as a tool for in-vivo drug screening for inflammatory arthritis and to monitor the therapeutic effects in a longitudinal setting.
The association between sclerostin and incident type 2 diabetes risk: a cohort study
Authors: Yu O.H.Y. , Richards B. , Berger C. , Josse R.G. , Leslie W.D. , Goltzman D. , Kaiser S.M. , Kovacs C.S. , Davison K.S. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryObjectiveTo determine whether sclerostin is associated with fasting glucose, insulin levels, insulin resistance or increased risk of incident type 2 diabetes.BackgroundType 2 diabetic patients have a higher risk of fractures. Recent studies suggest sclerostin, a regulator of osteoblast activity, is associated with diabetes.Materials and methodsSclerostin levels were obtained from 1778 individuals with no history of type 2 diabetes participating in the population‐based Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos) cohort. Participants were followed until diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, death or end of the study period (31 December 2013). The relationship of sclerostin with fasting glucose, insulin levels and homoeostatic model assessment‐insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) was studied in linear regression models. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association of sclerostin levels and the risk of incident type 2 diabetes during a mean 7·5 years of follow‐up.ResultsFasting glucose, fasting insulin levels and HOMA‐IR were weakly correlated with sclerostin levels (Spearman's correlation coefficient: 0·11, P < 0·05; −0·09, P < 0·05; and −0·07, P = 0·02, respectively). Multiple linear regression analyses confirmed a significant association between sclerostin and fasting insulin and HOMA‐IR but no significant association with fasting glucose levels. Sclerostin levels were not found to be significantly associated with the risk of incident type 2 diabetes (HR: 1·30; 95% CI: 0·37–4·57).ConclusionsWe observed an association between sclerostin levels with fasting insulin levels and HOMA‐IR, but there was no clear association with type 2 diabetes risk. Further studies are needed to understand the role of sclerostin in type 2 diabetes.
Metformin vs myoinositol: which is better in obese polycystic ovary syndrome patients? A randomized controlled crossover study
Authors: Tagliaferri Valeria , Romualdi Daniela , Immediata Valentina , De Cicco Simona , Di Florio Christian , Lanzone Antonio , Guido Maurizio 
Published: January 2017

SummaryContextDue to the central role of metabolic abnormalities in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), insulin sensitizing agents have been proposed as a feasible treatment option.ObjectiveTo investigate which is the more effective between metformin and myoinositol (MYO) on hormonal, clinical and metabolic parameters in obese patients with PCOS.Study designCrossover randomized controlled study.PatientsThirty‐four PCOS obese women (age: 25·62 ± 4·7 years; BMI: 32·55 ± 5·67 kg/m2) were randomized to receive metformin (850 mg twice a day) or MYO (1000 mg twice a day) for 6 months. After a 3 month washout, the same subjects received the other compound for the following 6 months.MeasurementsUltrasonographic pelvic examinations, hirsutism score, anthropometric and menstrual pattern evaluation, hormonal profile assays, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and lipid profile at baseline and after 6 months of treatment were performed.ResultsBoth metformin and MYO significantly reduced the insulin response to OGTT and improved insulin sensitivity. Metformin significantly decreased body weight and improved menstrual pattern and Ferriman–Gallwey score. Metformin treatment was also associated with a significant decrease in LH and oestradiol levels, androgens and anti‐müllerian hormone levels. None of these clinical and hormonal changes were observed during MYO administration.ConclusionsBoth treatments improved the glyco‐insulinaemic features of obese PCOS patients, but only metformin seems to exert a beneficial effect on the endocrine and clinical features of the syndrome.
Effects of different hierarchical hybrid micro/nanostructure surfaces on implant osseointegration
Authors: Cheng Bingkun , Niu Qiang , Cui Yajun , Jiang Wei , Zhao Yunzhuan , Kong Liang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundHierarchical hybrid micro/nanostructure implant surfaces are considered to better mimic the hierarchical structure of bone and the nanostructures substantively influence osseointegration through managing cell behaviors.PurposeTo enhance implant osseointegration for further clinical application, we evaluated the material properties and osseointegration effects of hierarchical surfaces with different nano‐morphologies, using a rat model.Materials and MethodsTwo representative surface fabrication methods, hydrofluoric (HF) acid etching combined with anodization (HF + AN) or magnetron sputtering (HF + MS), were selected. Sample material properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy, and epoxy resin docking tensile test. Implants with different surfaces were inserted into the distal femurs of rats. After 12 weeks, osseointegration was examined by microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT), histological, and biomechanical tests.ResultsTensile testing demonstrated high bonding strength at coating/implant in the HF + MS group. Micro‐CT revealed increased bone volume/total volume and significantly reduced trabecular separation in HF + MS versus other groups. Histological analysis showed significantly higher HF + MS bone‐to‐implant contact (74.78 ± 4.40%) versus HF + AN (65.11 ± 5.10%) and machined samples (56.03 ± 3.23%). The maximal HF + MS pull‐out force increased by 33.7% versus HF + AN.ConclusionsThese results indicated that HF + MS surfaces exhibited superior material property in terms of bonding strength and favorable implant osseointegration compared to other groups.
Incidence of skin and respiratory diseases among Danish hairdressing apprentices
Authors: Foss‐Skiftesvik Majken H. , Winther Lone , Johnsen Claus R. , Zachariae Claus , Johansen Jeanne D. 
Published: January 2017

SummaryBackgroundHairdressing is one of the professions with the highest risk of occupational skin and respiratory diseases. The incidence of these diseases in hairdressing apprentices has been studied only sparsely.ObjectiveTo determine the incidence of skin and respiratory diseases in hairdressing apprentices, and to explore whether hairdressing apprentices leave the trade during training because of these diseases.MethodsA 3‐year follow‐up questionnaire study was conducted among 248 hairdressing apprentices and a control group comprising 816 young adults from the general population.ResultsThe incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for contact urticaria (IRR 4.7, 95%CI: 2.6–8.6), hand eczema (IRR 1.7, 95%CI: 1.1–2.6) and rhinitis symptoms (IRR 1.6, 95%CI: 1.2–2.2) were significantly increased in the hairdressing apprentices, whereas wheezing was similar between groups. During the follow‐up period, 21.8% of the hairdressing apprentices had left the trade, and 70.3% of these had left because of health complaints. The most frequently reported reasons for leaving were musculoskeletal pain (47.4%) and skin diseases (47.4%), followed by respiratory symptoms (23.7%).ConclusionsHairdressing apprentices are at increased risk for contact urticaria, hand eczema and rhinitis symptoms compared with the general population, and a substantial proportion leave the trade because of these diseases, causing a ‘healthy worker survivor effect.’
Osteogenic differentiation potential of adipose‐derived stem cells from ovariectomized mice
Authors: Wang Lei , Huang Chenglong , Li Qing , Xu Xiaomei , Liu Lin , Huang Kui , Cai Xiaoxiao , Xiao Jingang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObjectivesOsteoporosis (OP) is a systemic disease caused by imbalance between bone resorption and bone formation, commonly resulting from post‐menopausal oestrogen deficiency. Although osteogenic differentiation potential of adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) has been demonstrated, the effect of OP on osteogenic differentiation of ASCs remains unclear. Here, our work has been designed to compare proliferative capacity and osteogenic differentiation ability of ASCs obtained from osteoporotic mice and normal control mice.Materials and methodsTwenty 14‐week‐old female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups: one, the ovariectomy (OVX) group (n=10), the other being the sham operated (Sham) group (n=10). ASCs and OP‐ASCs were obtained from subcutaneous fat of female inguinal sites. Cells were passaged three times prior to subsequent experimentation. The xCELLigence system was used to monitor cell adhesion and proliferation. Mineralized nodules of differentiated ASCs and OP‐ASCs were analysed using Alizarin red staining after osteogenic induction. Expressions of osteogenic‐specific genes including osteopontin (Opn) and runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) were assessed by real‐time PCR and expression of bone‐related proteins was detected by Western blotting.ResultsNumbers of cells in all groups increased steadily for 6 days; rate of cell proliferation in the Sham group was found to be higher than in the OVX group after 48 hours. Mineralized bone nodular structures were significantly more concentrated in the Sham group than in the OVX group by day 21, and mRNA levels of Runx2 in the OVX group were significantly lower than in the Sham group. Transcript levels of genes coding for Opn showed a similar pattern to those of Runx2. Western blot results indicated that protein expression levels of OPN and RUNX2 in the OVX group were lower than those in the Sham group, at each time point.ConclusionsThese results indicated that the proliferative capacity and osteogenic potential of ASCs were significantly impaired in osteoporotic mice compared to normal controls. However, use of autologous transplantation of modified OP‐ASCs for treatment of OP, or combination of composite scaffolds and modified OP‐ASCs for repair of osteoporotic bone defects, can overcome shortcomings of other methods.
Disruption of right posterior parietal cortex by continuous Theta Burst Stimulation alters the control of body balance in quiet stance
Authors: Kaulmann David , Hermsdörfer Joachim , Johannsen Leif 
Published: January 2017

AbstractControl of body balance relies on the integration of multiple sensory modalities. Lightly touching an earth‐fixed reference augments the control of body sway. We aimed to advance the understanding of cortical integration of an afferent signal from light fingertip contact (LT) for the stabilisation of standing body balance. Assuming that right‐hemisphere Posterior Parietal Cortex (rPPC) is involved in the integration and processing of touch for postural control, we expected that disrupting rPPC would attenuate any effects of light touch. Eleven healthy right‐handed young adults received continuous Theta Burst Stimulation over the left‐ and right‐hemisphere PPC with sham stimulation as an additional control. Before and after stimulation, sway of the blindfolded participants was assessed in Tandem‐Romberg stance with and without haptic contact. We analysed sway in terms of the variability of Centre‐of‐Pressure (CoP) rate of change as well as Detrended Fluctuation Analysis of CoP position. Light touch decreased sway variability in both directions but showed direction‐specific changes in its dynamic complexity: a positive increase in complexity in the mediolateral direction coincided with a reduction in the anteroposterior direction. rPPC disruption affected the control of body sway in two ways: first, it led to an overall decrease in sway variability irrespective of the presence of LT; second, it reduced the complexity of sway with LT at the contralateral, non‐dominant hand. We speculate that rPPC is involved in the active exploration of the postural stability state, with utilisation of LT for this purpose if available, by normally inhibiting mechanisms of postural stiffness regulation.
Modification of littoral algal assemblages by gardening caddisfly larvae
Authors: Ings Nicola L. , Grey Jonathan , King Lydia , McGowan Suzanne , Hildrew Alan G. 
Published: January 2017

Summary

Sedentary herbivores may improve the food resources available to them by ‘gardening’, and most obviously by fertilising primary producers with excreted nutrients such as nitrogen. In five English lakes, spanning a gradient of nutrient availability, we predicted that fertilisation of the larval retreat by the littoral, gallery‐building caddisfly Tinodes waeneri would result in: (a) a distinct algal assemblage from that in the background epilithon, and that (b) the difference would be greatest in the least productive lakes (where the importance of the nutrient subsidy from larvae should be greatest).

Classes of algae present in samples of galleries and epilithon were investigated using chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment analysis and diatoms were identified.

Galleries were characterised by a greater content of pigments indicative of diatoms, including fucoxanthin, than the background epilithon (which contained a higher proportion of chlorophyte algae). Redundancy analysis (RDA) of diatom counts indicated a clear separation between gallery and epilithic assemblages in all lakes, supporting hypothesis (a).

Furthermore, in agreement with hypothesis (b), the assemblage of diatoms on galleries was most similar to that of the epilithon in the more productive lakes, with the greatest divergence in Windermere and Coniston, mainly due to a much greater relative proportion of Gomphonema in the epilithon than in the galleries, suggesting that fertilisation had a greater impact where background nutrient concentrations were low. Lakes in the RDA triplot were arranged in order of productivity along axis 1, with gallery assemblages in each case located towards the more productive end relative to the epilithon.

This sedentary, retreat‐building grazer, probably in common with many other taxa with such traits in aquatic ecosystems, improves its own food resources by gardening. Larvae can modify algal assemblages in their feeding patches by weeding and fertilisation. They create new surfaces for growth of the biofilm via continually adding to the front of their silken galleries and harvesting the biofilm (dominated by diatoms) that has developed on older parts of their galleries to the rear. It is also feasible that the physical structure of the gallery (separately from the effects of nutrients) plays some role in increasing the availability of algae within the territory. This behaviour is likely to extend the range of conditions under which such species can persist, raise the carrying capacity of their habitat, and has possible wider ecosystem consequences for productivity and nutrient cycling.
Tradeoffs between fine‐scale site measurements and coarse sensory data for long‐term monitoring of pulsed wetlands
Authors: Klassen Jessica A. , Gawlik Dale E. 
Published: January 2017

Summary

As anthropogenic activities continue to impact ecosystems around the world, the ability to monitor and manage ecosystem health and function increases in importance. Despite this need for monitoring, management projects are often limited by the funding, time and personnel required to gather field data. These costs only increase when considering large dynamic ecosystems, such as pulsed wetlands, that have spatially and temporally variable habitat conditions, thus requiring frequent field measurements across the landscape.

The ability to use sensory data can drastically reduce the resources required to monitor field conditions, but can limit the scope and resolution at which data can be measured. Using the Florida Everglades as a model system because of its extensive monitoring and instrumentation network, we compared the effectiveness of large‐scale sensory models of hydrological data with models that incorporate additional fine‐scale habitat variables to account for variations in the dry season densities of small fishes and macroinvertebrates.

Since the magnitude of aquatic faunal densities during the dry season greatly affect higher trophic groups, such as wading birds and alligators, the ability to understand the drivers on fish and crayfish densities is of high importance for Everglades restoration and management plans.

We found that models using only sensory hydrological variables supported the same hypotheses as models that incorporated additional habitat variables, but the degree of fit was reduced considerably and varied depending on species group. Species more heavily dependent on water for reproduction and survival, such as fish, tended to have better fitting models than species less dependent on water, such as crayfish. Additionally, sensory‐only models were able to detect different responses between size classes of fish to the processes that drive their concentration into drying pools of water, with large fish (>2.5 cm) densities influenced more by landscape structure and small fish (<2.5 cm) densities influenced more by hydroperiod.

Our results support the use of sensory data to identify important variables affecting populations for management and restoration efforts. However, the degree to which sensory variables are able to fit species data is dependent upon the ability of sensors to measure major ecosystem drivers and the scale at which sensors can measure environmental change. Although tradeoffs exist between coarse sensory data and finer site‐specific measurements, the benefits of sensory data will increase as the scale of ecosystem management and restoration increases.
Soaring across continents: decision‐making of a soaring migrant under changing atmospheric conditions along an entire flyway
Authors: Vansteelant Wouter M. G. , Shamoun‐Baranes Judy , McLaren James , van Diermen Jan , Bouten Willem 
Published: January 2017

Thermal soaring birds reduce flight‐energy costs by alternatingly gaining altitude in thermals and gliding across the earth's surface. To find out how soaring migrants adjust their flight behaviour to dynamic atmospheric conditions across entire migration routes, we combined optimal soaring migration theory with high‐resolution GPS tracking data of migrating honey buzzards Pernis apivorus and wind data from a global numerical atmospheric model.We compared measurements of gliding air speeds to predictions based on two distinct behavioural benchmarks for thermal soaring flight. The first being a time‐optimal strategy whereby birds alter their gliding air speeds as a function of climb rates to maximize cross‐country air speed over a full climb– glide cycle (Vopt). The second a risk‐averse energy‐efficient strategy at which birds alter their gliding air speed in response to tailwinds/headwinds to maximize the distance travelled in the intended direction during each glide phase (Vbgw).Honey buzzards were gliding on average 2.05 ms– 1 slower than Vopt and 3.42 ms– 1 faster than Vbgw while they increased air speeds with climb rates and reduced air speeds in tailwinds. They adopted flexible flight strategies gliding mostly near Vbgw under poor soaring conditions and closer to Vopt in good soaring conditions.Honey buzzards most adopted a time‐optimal strategy when crossing the Sahara, and at the onset of spring migration, where and when they met with the best soaring conditions. The buzzards nevertheless glided slower than Vopt during most of their journeys, probably taking time to navigate, orientate and locate suitable thermals, especially in areas with poor thermal convection.Linking novel tracking techniques with optimal migration models clarifies the way birds balance different tradeoffs during migration.
Quantitative proteomic analysis of gingival crevicular fluids from deciduous and permanent teeth
Authors: Moriya Yumi , Obama Takashi , Aiuchi Toshihiro , Sugiyama Tomomi , Endo Yumiko , Koide Yoko , Noguchi Emiko , Ishizuka Motonori , Inoue Mitsuko , Itabe Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Matsuo 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAimGingivitis commonly progresses to periodontitis in permanent dentition but rarely in deciduous teeth. Little is known about the biochemical differences between gingiva of deciduous and permanent teeth. Here, we compared the protein profiles of gingival crevicular fluids (GCF) from the gingiva of deciduous and permanent teeth.Materials and MethodsForty children with mixed dentition (Hellman's dental age IIIA) were selected and GCF samples were collected from deciduous cuspids and central incisors in the maxilla. Pairs of GCF samples were labelled using isobaric tags to permit quantitative comparison of protein abundance in the samples using liquid chromatography‐electron spray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsSixty‐two proteins were upregulated in deciduous teeth GCF and 54 in permanent teeth GCF. In particular, neutrophil‐derived proteins, including myeloperoxidase and lactoferrin, were repeatedly higher in deciduous teeth GCF than in permanent teeth GCF. These differences were verified using ELISA (p < 0.01). In contrast, immunoglobulin components were upregulated in permanent teeth GCF.ConclusionsNeutrophil‐related proteins were enriched in deciduous teeth GCF and immunoglobulins in permanent teeth GCF. This suggests that neutrophil accumulation plays a protective role in innate immunity against bacterial infection in gingival tissue of deciduous teeth.