bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro evaluation of biocompatibility of Ti–Mo–Sn–Zr superelastic alloy
Authors: Nunome Shoko , Kanetaka Hiroyasu , Kudo Tada-aki , Endoh Kazuki , Hosoda Hideki , Igarashi Kaoru 
Published: February 2015

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) including superelastic alloys have unique properties such as shape memory and superelasticity, thus they are recognized as very useful biomaterials. These properties are very advantageous for medical use, and actually the SMA wires have been widely used in medical field. However, biocompatibility of nickel-titanium (Ni–Ti) alloy, which is the only practical SMA at present, has been questioned because of its high nickel content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of a newly developed Ni-free Ti-based SMA for medical use. The newly developed SMA made of Ti–Mo–Sn–Zr system was processed into a disk of 15.1 mm in diameter. Pure titanium of the same shape was prepared as control. All the disk surfaces were polished using emery papers, #120, #400, and #600. Scanning electron microscopy and a 3D optics profiler were used to evaluate the surface of the materials. In vitro evaluations included colony examination for evaluation of the cell cytotoxicity, DNA quantification for the cell proliferation, Alamar blue assay for metabolic activity, FDA staining for the live cell imaging, and cell cycle analysis, using Chinese hamster fibroblastic V-79 cells and mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. In colony examination and DNA quantification, there was no significant difference between the Ti–Mo–Sn–Zr and the pure titanium. In FDA staining, cultured cells on the Ti–Mo–Sn–Zr alloy showed the same biocompatibility as those on the pure titanium. The present results suggest that the newly developed Ti–Mo–Sn–Zr alloy showed the high biocompatibility comparable to pure titanium and can be used as efficient biomaterial for medical use.
Association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus in Portuguese patients
Authors: Carvalho C , Marinho A , Leal B , Bettencourt A , Boleixa D , Almeida I , Farinha F , Costa P P , Vasconcelos C , Silva B M 
Published: February 2015

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease of unknown origin, in which both genetic and environmental factors are involved. One such environmental factor is vitamin D, a vital hormone that plays a specific function in the immune system homeostasis, acting through a nuclear receptor ( VDR) expressed in all immune cells. Several polymorphisms of the gene that encodes this receptor have been described. Though inconsistently, these polymorphisms have been associated with clinical manifestations and SLE development. The aim of this study was to determine the possible association between VDR gene polymorphisms (BsmI, ApaI, TaqI e FokI) and SLE susceptibility and severity, in a cohort of lupus patients from the north of Portugal. A total of 170 patients (F = 155, M = 15; age = 45 ± 13.4 years) with SLE (diagnosed according the American College of Rheumatology criteria) with at least five years of disease evolution and followed in the Autoimmune Disease Clinical Immunology Unit of Centro Hospitalar do Porto were studied. Patients and 192 ethnicity-matched controls were genotyped for BsmI (rs1544410), ApaI (rs7975232), TaqI (rs731236) and FokI (rs2228570) polymorphisms by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay. Disease severity was assessed by SLICC damage score, number of affected organs, number of severe flares and pharmacological history. SLE patients with the CT genotype of FokI polymorphism have a higher SLICC value ( p = 0.031). The same result was observed for the group of patients with the TT genotype of TaqI polymorphism ( p = 0.046). No differences were observed in VDR genotype between patients and controls. Also, we observed that the other clinical features analysed were not influenced by VDR polymorphisms. Our study confirms a possible role of VDR gene polymorphisms in SLE. A positive association was found between VDR polymorphisms and SLE severity (chronic damage). The presence of CT genotype of FokI and TT genotype of TaqI seems to confer a worse prognosis and may constitute a risk factor for higher long-term cumulative damage in SLE patients.
Caregiving, dyadic quality of life and dyadic relationships in lupus
Authors: Jolly M , Thakkar A , Mikolaitis R A , Block J A 
Published: February 2015

Aims Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mostly affects young women, adversely affecting their quality of life (QOL). Caregivers may experience caregiver burden (CGB), and it may lower the quality of their relationship. Herein we studied caregiving and CGB and their effects on QOL and relationships in SLE. Methods We recruited 10 dyads from the Lupus Clinic. Data collected included demographics, CGB (CGB Scale, screen for CGB), QOL (SF-36) and the quality of the dyadic relationship (Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS)). We calculated correlation coefficients for associations between (i) CGB and (ii) dyadic QOL or DAS. Results The mean (± SD) age of SLE patients was 35.2 (± 9) years and of caregivers was 37.3 (± 9.64) years. The mean (± SD, min–max) total CGB score was 9.1 (± 5.8, 0–19). The caregiver's QOL correlated strongly with some of the domains of the patient's QOL. The SLE-related CGB was associated with the caregiver's own QOL and their SLE partner's QOL. The dyadic DAS was linked to the patient's QOL. Conclusions Because (i) CGB in SLE is associated with the caregiver's own QOL and with their SLE partner's QOL, and because (ii) the dyadic DAS score is linked primarily to the patient's QOL, then to optimize patient health outcomes and to decrease CGB, focus should be not only on the patient but should include the dyadic unit. Significant findings: To optimize patient outcomes of SLE patients, focus should be on the dyadic unit. CGB in SLE is associated with the caregiver's own QOL and with the SLE partner's QOL, making it crucial to study this relationship in more detail.
Successful treatment of cerebral large vessel vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus with intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide
Authors: Kato R , Sumitomo S , Kawahata K , Fujio K , Yamamoto K 
Published: February 2015

A 39-year-old woman with a six-year history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was admitted because of a prolonged high fever, discoid rash, and multiple lymphadenopathies. She also developed pericarditis, and was treated with intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy followed by prednisolone 50 mg daily and cyclosporine 100 mg daily. Meanwhile, she had a progressive headache, and a brain MRI revealed right pons infarction, although she did not have any abnormal neurological findings. An MRA revealed obvious irregular narrowing in the basilar, right vertebral and right posterior cerebral artery. There was no evidence of antiphospholipid syndrome. We concluded that the cause of the asymptomatic brain infarction was cerebral large vessel vasculitis associated with neuropsychiatric SLE. Intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse therapy was started, and two months later, we confirmed that the irregular arterial narrowing had markedly ameliorated. Cerebral large vessel vasculitis in neuropsychiatric SLE is very rare, and a marked amelioration has not been reported to date. Here, we present a rare case of cerebral large vessel vasculitis treated successfully with a clear visual presentation.
Betaine (N,N,N-trimethylglycine) averts photochemically-induced thrombosis in pial microvesselsin vivoand platelet aggregationin vitro
Authors: Nemmar Abderrahim , Yuvaraju Priya , Beegam Sumaya , Ali Badreldin H 
Published: February 2015

Betaine (N,N,N-trimethylglycine) is an important food component with established health benefits through its homocysteine-lowering effects, and is used to lower total homocysteine concentration in plasma of patients with homocystinuria. It is well established that hyperhomocysteinemia is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke. However, the possible protective effect of betaine on coagulation events in vivo and in vitro has thus far not been studied. Betaine was given to mice at oral doses of either 10 mg/kg ( n = 6) or 40 mg/kg ( n = 6) for seven consecutive days, and control mice ( n = 6) received water only. The thrombotic occlusion time in photochemically induced thrombosis in pial arterioles was significantly delayed in mice pretreated with betaine at doses of 10 mg/kg ( P < 0.001) and 40 mg/kg ( P < 0.01). Similar effects were observed in pial venules with 10 mg/kg ( P < 0.05) and 40 mg/kg ( P < 0.05) betaine. In vitro, in whole blood samples collected from untreated mice ( n = 3–5), betaine (0.01–1 mg/mL) significantly reversed platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (5 µM). The number of circulating platelets and plasma concentration of fibrinogen in vivo were not significantly affected by betaine pretreament compared with the control group. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) in mice pretreated with betaine was significantly reduced compared with the control group. Moreover, betaine (0.01–1 mg/mL) caused a dose-dependent and significant prolongation of PT ( n = 5) and aPTT ( n = 4–6). In conclusion, our data show that betaine protected against coagulation events in vivo and in vitro and decreased LPO in plasma.
Ibrutinib enhances the antitumor immune response induced by intratumoral injection of a TLR9 ligand in mouse lymphoma
Authors: Sagiv-Barfi Idit , Kohrt Holbrook E. , Burckhardt Laura , Czerwinski Debra K. , Levy Ronald 
Published: February 2015

Key Points
The combination of intratumoral CpG with systemic ibrutinib results in complete and permanent regression of both local and distant tumors. The antitumor effect of the combination is T-cell dependent.
Crucial role for the VWF A1 domain in binding to type IV collagen
Authors: Flood Veronica H. , Schlauderaff Abraham C. , Haberichter Sandra L. , Slobodianuk Tricia L. , Jacobi Paula M. , Bellissimo Daniel B. , Christopherson Pamela A. , Friedman Kenneth D. , Gill Joan Cox , Hoffmann Raymond G. , Montgomery Robert R. ,   the Zimmerman Program Investigators
Published: February 2015

Key PointsCollagen 4 binds to the VWF A1 domain, and this binding is reduced or abrogated by select VWF A1 domain sequence variations. Platelet binding to collagen 4 under flow conditions is dependent on the presence of VWF.
The Use of Tissue Plasminogen Activator as Continuous Infusion into an Arteriovenous Hemodialysis Access in the Hemodialysis Unit: A Case Series
Authors: van der Merwe Elene , Luscombe Rick , Kiaii Mercedeh 
Published: February 2015

Background: Thrombolytics such as tissue plasminogen activator are often used by interventional radiologists in the radiology suite to salvage thrombosed hemodialysis arteriovenous fistulae. Thrombolytics are also commonly used in dialysis facilities as a dialysis catheter lock solution or as an infusion into a dialysis catheter when dysfunctional. However, the use of tissue plasminogen activator as a continuous infusion into an arteriovenous fistula in the dialysis facility to treat clot burden is not commonly done. Objective: The aim of our case series is to demonstrate the successful use of tissue plasminogen activator to decrease clot burden in an arteriovenous fistula in the dialysis unit. Design: Observational case series. Setting: An outpatient dialysis facility in a tertiary care hospital. Patients: Three non- consecutive patients were diagnosed with an acute thrombosed arteriovenous fistula either on physical exam or by imaging. Measurements: A thrombosed fistula as well as successful resolution of clot was illustrated by either physical exam, fistulogram or ultrasound. A functioning fistula demonstrated successful continuation of dialysis and adequate access flow measurements in follow up. Method: This is a case series that describes the technique of using an infusion of tissue plasminogen activator into an arteriovenous fistula on the dialysis unit by vascular access nurses to treat or diminish clot burden. Results: We have described three separate cases where treatments with tissue plasminogen activator infusions on the dialysis unit resulted in objective evidence of decrease in clot burden on ultrasound or fistulogram. Limitations: The small numbers of our case series requires that the results need to be verified in a larger study. Inclusion and exclusion criteria need to be defined before widespread application of this technique. Conclusions: To our knowledge this small case series is the first to describe the procedure whereby low dose tissue plasminogen activator is directly infused into the fistula by the vascular access nurse in the dialysis unit during dialysis and not in the interventional suite. This provides additional information to the existing literature that there is an alternative option for dialysis units to diminish clot burden until a more permanent solution is established through angioplasty.
Validating a Scoring Tool to Predict Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) following Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Wong Brian , St. Onge Jennifer , Korkola Stephen , Prasad Bhanu 
Published: February 2015

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased risk of mortality. Preoperative risk scores can identify patients at risk for AKI and facilitate preventive strategies. Currently, validated risk scores are used to predict AKI requiring dialysis (AKI-D); less is known about whether these tools predict less severe forms of AKI. Objective: To evaluate the Cleveland Clinic scoring tool in predicting both AKI-D and less severe stages of AKI in patients after cardiac surgery in a Canadian tertiary care center. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Setting: Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region (RQHR) from 2007 to 2011. Patients: Patients who underwent cardiac surgery and developed postoperative kidney injury (n = 2316). Measurements: Data on risk factors for AKI and outcomes of cardiac surgery were collected from a retrospective chart review. Methods: The primary outcome was AKI, defined as Stage 1 (increase in serum creatinine 1.5–1.9 × baseline within 5 days), Stage 2 (increase 2.0–2.9 × baseline), or Stage 3 (increase 3.0 × baseline or more OR initiation of dialysis during hospital stay). We assessed the performance of a modified version of the Cleveland Clinic tool using receiver operating curve analyses. Results: The incidence of AKI was 6.1% (Stage 1), 2.6% (Stage 2), and 5.8% (Stage 3). The area under the curve (AUC) for the Cleveland score was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.56 to 0.65; p < 0.001) for Stage 1, 0.61 (95% CI: 0.54 to 0.68; p < 0.01) for Stage 2, and 0.78 (95% CI: 0.74 to 0.82; p < 0.001) for Stage 3. Greater level of risk on the Cleveland tool was associated with a higher risk of Stage 3 AKI. Limitations: Lack of prospective validation. Conclusions: The modified Cleveland Clinic tool was valid in identifying patients with severe stages of AKI but did not have strong discrimination for early AKI stages.
Development of a new approach for targeted gene editing in primordial germ cells using TALENs inXenopus
Authors: Nakajima Keisuke , Yaoita Yoshio 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTA gene of interest can be efficiently modified using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) (Christian et al., 2010;Li et al., 2011). However, if a target gene is essential for development, growth and fertility, use of TALENs with high mutagenic activity in F0 frogs could result in developmental disorders or sterility, which would reduce the number of F1 progeny and make F1 phenotypical analysis difficult. We used the 3′ untranslated region of DEADSouth gene (DS-3′) of Xenopus tropicalis to solve this problem, because the addition of the DS-3′ to mRNA is known to induce primordial germ cell (PGC)-specific expression and reduce the stability in somatic cells of mRNA in Xenopus laevis. At first, we inserted the X. tropicalis DS-3′ downstream of the EGFP termination codon and confirmed that the EGFP expression was specifically detected in PGCs for three weeks. Therefore, we inserted the DS-3′ downstream of the termination codon of the TALEN coding sequence. The tyrosinase gene was selected as the target gene for TALEN because the bi-allelic mutation of this gene is easily discernible by the albino phenotype. When fertilized eggs were microinjected with TALEN mRNAs fused to the DS-3′, their sperm and oocytes had a high rate (84–100%) of target-gene modification in contrast to the lower rate (0–45%) of nucleotide alteration observed in somatic cells.
Dynamin regulates metaphase furrow formation and plasma membrane compartmentalization in the syncytial Drosophila embryo
Authors: Rikhy Richa , Mavrakis Manos , Lippincott-Schwartz Jennifer 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT
The successive nuclear division cycles in the syncytial Drosophila embryo are accompanied by ingression and regression of plasma membrane furrows, which surround individual nuclei at the embryo periphery, playing a central role in embryo compartmentalization prior to cellularization. Here, we demonstrate that cell cycle changes in dynamin localization and activity at the plasma membrane (PM) regulate metaphase furrow formation and PM organization in the syncytial embryo. Dynamin was localized on short PM furrows during interphase, mediating endocytosis of PM components. Dynamin redistributed off ingressed PM furrows in metaphase, correlating with stabilized PM components and the associated actin regulatory machinery on long furrows. Acute inhibition of dynamin in the temperature sensitive shibire mutant embryo resulted in morphogenetic consequences in the syncytial division cycle. These included inhibition of metaphase furrow ingression, randomization of proteins normally polarized to intercap PM and disruption of the diffusion barrier separating PM domains above nuclei. Based on these findings, we propose that cell cycle changes in dynamin orchestrate recruitment of actin regulatory machinery for PM furrow dynamics during the early mitotic cycles in the Drosophila embryo.
An ancestral role in peroxisome assembly is retained by the divisional peroxin Pex11 in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Chang Jinlan , Klute Mary J. , Tower Robert J. , Mast Fred D. , Dacks Joel B. , Rachubinski Richard A. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT
The peroxin Pex11 has a recognized role in peroxisome division. Pex11p remodels and elongates peroxisomal membranes prior to the recruitment of dynamin-related GTPases that act in membrane scission to divide peroxisomes. We performed a comprehensive comparative genomics survey to understand the significance of the evolution of the Pex11 protein family in yeast and other eukaryotes. Pex11p is highly conserved and ancestral, and has undergone numerous lineage-specific duplications, whereas other Pex11 protein family members are fungal-specific innovations. Functional characterization of the in-silico-predicted Pex11 protein family members of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, i.e. Pex11p, Pex11Cp and Pex11/25p, demonstrated that Pex11Cp and Pex11/25p have a role in the regulation of peroxisome size and number characteristic of Pex11 protein family members. Unexpectedly, deletion of PEX11 in Y. lipolytica produces cells that lack morphologically identifiable peroxisomes, mislocalize peroxisomal matrix proteins and preferentially degrade peroxisomal membrane proteins, i.e. they exhibit the classical pex mutant phenotype, which has not been observed previously in cells deleted for the PEX11 gene. Our results are consistent with an unprecedented role for Pex11p in de novo peroxisome assembly.
Local VE-cadherin mechanotransduction triggers long-ranged remodeling of endothelial monolayers
Authors: Barry Adrienne K. , Wang Ning , Leckband Deborah E. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT
In this study, we present results demonstrating that mechanotransduction by vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin, also known as CDH5) complexes in endothelial cells triggers local cytoskeletal remodeling, and also activates global signals that alter peripheral intercellular junctions and disrupt cell–cell contacts far from the site of force application. Prior studies have documented the impact of actomyosin contractile forces on adherens junction remodeling, but the role of VE-cadherin in force sensation and its ability to influence endothelial cell and tissue mechanics globally have not been demonstrated. Using mechanical manipulation of VE-cadherin bonds and confocal imaging, we demonstrate VE-cadherin-based mechanotransduction. We then demonstrate that it requires homophilic VE-cadherin ligation, an intact actomyosin cytoskeleton, Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. VE-cadherin-mediated mechanotransduction triggered local actin and vinculin recruitment, as well as global signals that altered focal adhesions and disrupted peripheral intercellular junctions. Confocal imaging revealed that VE-cadherin-specific changes appear to propagate across cell junctions to disrupt distant inter-endothelial junctions. These results demonstrate the central role of VE-cadherin adhesions and the actomyosin cytoskeleton within an integrated, mechanosensitive network that both induces local cytoskeletal remodeling at the site of force application and regulates the global integrity of endothelial tissues.
The multivesicular body is the major internal site of prion conversion
Authors: Yim Yang-In , Park Bum-Chan , Yadavalli Rajgopal , Zhao Xiaohong , Eisenberg Evan , Greene Lois E. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACT
The conversion of the properly folded prion protein, PrPc, to its misfolded amyloid form, PrPsc, occurs as the two proteins traffic along the endocytic pathway and PrPc is exposed to PrPsc. To determine the specific site of prion conversion, we knocked down various proteins in the endocytic pathway including Rab7a, Tsg101 and Hrs (also known as HGS). PrPsc was markedly reduced in two chronically infected cell lines by preventing the maturation of the multivesicular body, a process that begins in the early endosome and ends with the sorting of cargo to the lysosome. By contrast, knocking down proteins in the retromer complex, which diverts cargo away from the multivesicular body caused an increase in PrPsc levels. These results suggest that the multivesicular body is the major site for intracellular conversion of PrPc to PrPsc.
Jizi and contemporary ink art: ‘Re-Chineseness’ and unification with nature
Authors: Brubaker David A. 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Can Chinese ink-wash painters make art that is contemporary? Can contemporary art be made by accepting traditional Chinese aesthetics as an influence? Some contemporary Chinese artists hope to find some principles from Chinese aesthetics so that they can make global art that is authentically Chinese. To evaluate such questions and searches, some ink-wash paintings by Jizi are selected as test cases for the application of an experimental cross-cultural interpretation of Jing Hao’s aesthetic of qiyun/rhythmic vitality and authentic images. The results suggest that Jizi does express specifically Chinese thinking about self in unification with nature, others and universe in a way that can be appreciated by individuals in audiences around the world.