bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous gene transfection of human bone cells using 3D mineralized alginate–chitosan macrocapsules
Authors: Green David W. , Kim Eun‐Jung , Jung Han‐Sung 
Published: January 2015

AbstractThe effectiveness of nonviral gene therapy remains uncertain because of low transfection efficiencies and high toxicities compared with viral‐based strategies. We describe a simple system for transient transfection of continuous human cell lines, with low toxicity, using mineral‐coated chitosan and alginate capsules. As proof‐of‐concept, we demonstrate transfection of Saos‐2 and MG63 human osteosarcoma continuous cell lines with gfp, LacZ reporter genes, and a Sox‐9 carrying plasmid, to illustrate expression of a functional gene with therapeutic relevance. We show that continuous cell lines transfect with significant efficiency of up to 65% possibly through the interplay between chitosan and DNA complexation and calcium/phosphate‐induced translocation into cells entrapped within the 3D polysaccharide based environment, as evidenced by an absence of transfection in unmineralized and chitosan‐free capsules. We demonstrated that our transfection system was equally effective at transfection of primary human bone marrow stromal cells. To illustrate, the Sox‐9, DNA plasmid was spontaneously expressed in primary human bone marrow stromal cells at 7 days with up to 90% efficiency in two repeats. Mineralized polysaccharide macrocapsules are gene delivery vehicles with a number of biological and practical advantages. They are highly efficient at self‐transfecting primary bone cells, with programmable spatial and temporal delivery prospects, premineralized bone‐like environments, and have no cytotoxic effects, as compared with many other nonviral systems. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 2855–2863, 2015.
Effects of maturation and aging on the pressure‐bearing region of the plantaris longus tendon of the bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
Authors: Zorel Valdenilson José , Morais Jymenez De , de Aro Andrea Aparecida , Gomes Laurecir , Esquisatto Marcelo Augusto Marretto 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTThe plantaris longus tendon (PLT) in bullfrog develops a fibrocartilage‐like tissue in the area that is functionally subject to compressive forces. The aim of this study was to analyze the modifications of the pressure‐bearing region in bullfrog PLT with different ages (7, 180, and 1,080 days after the end of metamorphosis) using histomorphometric, ultrastructural and biochemical methods. Weak basophilia and cells with a fibroblastic phenotype were observed in the compression region at 7 days of age. On the other hand, a large area of intense tissue basophilia associated with a chondroblast‐like cell population was noted at the other ages. Collagen fibers exhibited a three‐dimensional network‐like arrangement at all ages. The number of connective tissue cells increased between 7 and 180 days of age and was reduced in older animals. The 180‐day‐old animals presented a well‐developed pericellular matrix rich in proteoglycans. The mean diameter of collagen fibrils increased from 7 to 180 days and was the same at 1,080 days. Glycosaminoglycan content was higher in 7‐day‐old animals. A higher amount of hydroxyproline was observed at 180 and 1,080 days. The swelling test showed a significant increase of wet weight in 7‐day‐old animals. In conclusion, the alterations that occur in the pressure‐bearing of bullfrog PLT are the result of physiological alterations of the animal with the maturation and aging. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:797–805, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Meniscus tissue engineering using a novel combination of electrospun scaffolds and human meniscus cells embedded within an extracellular matrix hydrogel
Authors: Baek Jihye , Chen Xian , Sovani Sujata , Jin Sungho , Grogan Shawn P. , D'Lima Darryl D. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTMeniscus injury and degeneration have been linked to the development of secondary osteoarthritis (OA). Therapies that successfully repair or replace the meniscus are, therefore, likely to prevent or delay OA progression. We investigated the novel approach of building layers of aligned polylactic acid (PLA) electrospun (ES) scaffolds with human meniscus cells embedded in extracellular matrix (ECM) hydrogel to lead to formation of neotissues that resemble meniscus‐like tissue. PLA ES scaffolds with randomly oriented or aligned fibers were seeded with human meniscus cells derived from vascular or avascular regions. Cell viability, cell morphology, and gene expression profiles were monitored via confocal microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. Seeded scaffolds were used to produce multilayered constructs and were examined via histology and immunohistochemistry. Morphology and mechanical properties of PLA scaffolds (with and without cells) were influenced by fiber direction of the scaffolds. Both PLA scaffolds supported meniscus tissue formation with increased COL1A1, SOX9, and COMP, yet no difference in gene expression was found between random and aligned PLA scaffolds. Overall, ES materials, which possess mechanical strength of meniscus and can support neotissue formation, show potential for use in cell‐based meniscus regeneration strategies. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:572–583, 2015.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy improves angiogenesis and bone formation in critical sized diaphyseal defects
Authors: Grassmann JP , Schneppendahl J , Hakimi AR , Herten M , Betsch M , Lögters TT , Thelen S , Sager M , Wild M , Windolf J , Jungbluth P , Hakimi M 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBesides the use of autologous bone grafting several osteoconductive and osteoinductive methods have been reported to improve bone healing. However, persistent non‐union occurs in a considerable number of cases and compromised angiogenesis is suspected to impede bone regeneration. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) improves angiogenesis. This study evaluates the effects of HBO on bone defects treated with autologous bone grafting in a bone defect model in rabbits. Twenty‐four New‐Zealand White Rabbits were subjected to a unilateral critical sized diaphyseal radius bone defect and treated with autologous cancellous bone transplantation. The study groups were exposed to an additional HBO treatment regimen. Bone regeneration was evaluated radiologically and histologically at 3 and 6 weeks, angiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemistry at three and six weeks. The additional administration of HBO resulted in a significantly increased new bone formation and angiogenesis compared to the sole treatment with autologous bone grafting. These results were apparent after three and six weeks of treatment. The addition of HBO therapy to autologous bone grafts leads to significantly improved bone regeneration. The increase in angiogenesis observed could play a crucial role for the results observed. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:513–520, 2015.
Mechanisms of tendon injury and repair
Authors: Thomopoulos Stavros , Parks William C. , Rifkin Daniel B. , Derwin Kathleen A. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTTendon disorders are common and lead to significant disability, pain, healthcare cost, and lost productivity. A wide range of injury mechanisms exist leading to tendinopathy or tendon rupture. Tears can occur in healthy tendons that are acutely overloaded (e.g., during a high speed or high impact event) or lacerated (e.g., a knife injury). Tendinitis or tendinosis can occur in tendons exposed to overuse conditions (e.g., an elite swimmer's training regimen) or intrinsic tissue degeneration (e.g., age‐related degeneration). The healing potential of a torn or pathologic tendon varies depending on anatomic location (e.g., Achilles vs. rotator cuff) and local environment (e.g., intrasynovial vs. extrasynovial). Although healing occurs to varying degrees, in general healing of repaired tendons follows the typical wound healing course, including an early inflammatory phase, followed by proliferative and remodeling phases. Numerous treatment approaches have been attempted to improve tendon healing, including growth factor‐ and cell‐based therapies and rehabilitation protocols. This review will describe the current state of knowledge of injury and repair of the three most common tendinopathies—flexor tendon lacerations, Achilles tendon rupture, and rotator cuff disorders—with a particular focus on the use of animal models for understanding tendon healing. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:832–839, 2015.
Alterations in intervertebral disc composition, matrix homeostasis and biomechanical behavior in the UCD‐T2DM rat model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Fields Aaron J. , Berg‐Johansen Britta , Metz Lionel N. , Miller Stephanie , La Brandan , Liebenberg Ellen C. , Coughlin Dezba G. , Graham James L. , Stanhope Kimber L. , Havel Peter J. , Lotz Jeffrey C. 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTType 2 diabetes (T2D) adversely affects many tissues, and the greater incidence of discogenic low back pain among diabetic patients suggests that the intervertebral disc is affected too. Using a rat model of polygenic obese T2D, we demonstrate that diabetes compromises several aspects of disc composition, matrix homeostasis, and biomechanical behavior. Coccygeal motion segments were harvested from 6‐month‐old lean Sprague‐Dawley rats, obese Sprague‐Dawley rats, and diabetic obese UCD‐T2DM rats (diabetic for 69 ± 7 days). Findings indicated that diabetes but not obesity reduced disc glycosaminoglycan and water contents, and these degenerative changes correlated with increased vertebral endplate thickness and decreased endplate porosity, and with higher levels of the advanced glycation end‐product (AGE) pentosidine. Consistent with their diminished glycosaminoglycan and water contents and their higher AGE levels, discs from diabetic rats were stiffer and exhibited less creep when compressed. At the matrix level, elevated expression of hypoxia‐inducible genes and catabolic markers in the discs from diabetic rats coincided with increased oxidative stress and greater interactions between AGEs and one of their receptors (RAGE). Taken together, these findings indicate that endplate sclerosis, increased oxidative stress, and AGE/RAGE‐mediated interactions could be important factors for explaining the greater incidence of disc pathology in T2D. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:738–746, 2015.
Culture temperature affects redifferentiation and cartilaginous extracellular matrix formation in dedifferentiated human chondrocytes
Authors: Ito Akira , Aoyama Tomoki , Iijima Hirotaka , Tajino Junichi , Nagai Momoko , Yamaguchi Shoki , Zhang Xiangkai , Kuroki Hiroshi 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTTo date, there have been few studies on how temperature affects the phenotype and metabolism of human chondrocytes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of culture temperature on chondrocyte redifferentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation using dedifferentiated mature human chondrocytes in vitro. Dedifferentiated chondrocytes were cultured in a pellet culture system for up to 21 days. The pellets were randomly divided into three groups with different culture temperature (32, 37, and 41°C). Chondrocyte redifferentiation and ECM formation were evaluated by wet weight, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), histological, and biochemical analyses. The results showed that the wet weight and the mRNA expressions of collagen type II A1 and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein at 37°C were higher than the corresponding values at 32°C. The histological and biochemical analyses revealed that the syntheses of type II collagen and proteoglycan were promoted at 37°C compared to those at 32°C, whereas they were considerably inhibited at 41°C. In conclusion, the results obtained herein indicated that temperature affects chondrocyte redifferentiation and ECM formation, and modulation of temperature might thus represent an advantageous means to regulate the phenotype and biosynthetic activity of chondrocytes. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:633–639, 2015.
Low voltage fast response display using dual π‐cells with quarter‐wave thickness
Authors: Cheng HsienHui , Bhowmik Achintya , Bos Philip. J. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractIn this paper, a design for a fast response display consisting of dual π‐cells is investigated. The thickness of each liquid crystal cell layer is only half of a single LC cell device with the same retardation change, which results in about one quarter of the response time for a single π‐cell device. While this result is obviously anticipated, an additional advantage is that a good viewing angle can be achieved by using negative C plates, which allows a lower cost device with a more uniform black state across the area of the display than the case of a single cell compensated by a discotic compensator. We also propose a solution to solve parallax issue from two‐layer structure of liquid crystal cell, and it opens a window of opportunity for a device with two‐layer structure.
Aging and availability of binocular disparity and pictorial depth cues in 3D graphics contents
Authors: Kihara Ken , Fujisaki Hirotaka , Ohtsuka Sakuichi , Miyao Masaru , Shimamura Jun , Arai Hiroyuki , Taniguchi Yukinobu 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSome stereoblind observers do not perceive depth of 3D stimuli that depends on binocular disparity. These individuals, who have no disabilities, comprise over 5% of the general population. In addition, 17–30% of nonstereoblind young and young–middle people do not use disparity information in certain 3D environments, a phenomenon known as pseudo‐stereoblindness. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between aging and the proportion of pseudo‐stereoblindness in the general population. In an experiment, 134 nonstereoblind participants, ranging in age from 17 to 83 years, judged subjective depth of 3D stimuli containing binocular disparity and pictorial depth cues. Results showed that the proportion of pseudo‐stereoblindness among young (17–24 years old) and young–middle aged observers (25–39 years old) was 29%, in both cases. However, the proportion of pseudo‐stereoblind observers increased in older populations: 65% and 82% in the middle (40–54 years old) and senior (55–83 years old) age groups, respectively. These results suggest that a number of people, especially in elderly populations, have trouble perceiving depth from binocular disparity in 3D graphic contents despite their essential ability to use disparity information.
Distance estimation of near‐field visual objects in stereoscopic displays
Authors: Lin Chiuhsiang Joe , Woldegiorgis Bereket H. , Caesaron Dino 
Published: January 2015

AbstractStereoscopic displays have a promising future because of recent advancements and popularity of handheld devices and maturing head mounted displays. Gesture interaction such as pointing, selection, pinching, and manipulation are now possible in the current virtual environments, where accurate distance judgment is required. In this paper, we address the perception of exocentric distance in stereoscopic displays under two target orientations: horizontal and vertical. Three parallax conditions (on screen, 5 cm from screen, and 10 cm from screen) were considered, where the screen was fixed at a distance of 100 cm from the observer. Four levels of center‐to‐center distance between 10 and 50 cm were employed. The perceptual matching task revealed underestimation in all conditions. The overall judgment of exocentric distance was only about 80% of the actual. We also found a main effect of distance and interaction between layout and distance to be significant. The two important findings of this study are that underestimation of exocentric distance increases as the separation between virtual targets increases and that in vertical orientation, accuracy increases with closer targets. However, the main effects of layout and parallax on accuracy of judgment were not significant. Engineering implications of the results are also discussed in this paper.
Prenatal Caffey disease (prenatal cortical hyperostosis): severe forms with favorable outcome
Authors: Hoen Nathalie , Cagneaux Maud , Combourieu Danièle , Cordier Marie‐Pierre , Massardier Jérôme , Lacalm Audrey , Gaucherand Pascal , Guibaud Laurent , Massoud Mona 
Published: January 2015

What's already known about this topic?

The severe form of prenatal cortical hyperostosis affects fetuses before 35 weeks of gestation (WG) causing severe bone injuries, fetal hydrops, and polyhydramnios. It is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, many pregnancies are terminated. The mild form usually occurs later, with milder bone lesions and a better prognosis.What does this study add?

Even the severe form may have a favorable outcome because the disease may resolve. Computed Tomography (CT) scan of the fetus with 3D reconstruction of the bones is of a great help to visualize hyperostosis.
Changing tides: ecological and historical perspectives on fish cognition
Authors: Patton B. Wren , Braithwaite Victoria A. 
Published: January 2015

The capacity for specialization and radiation make fish an excellent group in which to investigate the depth and variety of animal cognition. Even though early observations of fish using tools predates the discovery of tool use in chimpanzees, fish cognition has historically been somewhat overlooked. However, a recent surge of interest is now providing a wealth of material on which to draw examples, and this has required a selective approach to choosing the research described below. Our goal is to illustrate the necessity for basing cognitive investigations on the ecological and evolutionary context of the species at hand. We also seek to illustrate the importance of ecology and the environment in honing a range of sensory systems that allow fish to glean information and support informed decision‐making. The various environments and challenges with which fish interact require equally varied cognitive skills, and the solutions that fish have developed are truly impressive. Similarly, we illustrate how common ecological problems will frequently produce common cognitive solutions. Below, we focus on four topics: spatial learning and memory, avoiding predators and catching prey, communication, and innovation. These are used to illustrate how both simple and sophisticated cognitive processes underpin much of the adaptive behavioral flexibility exhibited throughout fish phylogeny. Never before has the field had such a wide array of interdisciplinary techniques available to access both cognitive and mechanistic processes underpinning fish behavior. This capacity comes at a critical time to predict and manage fish populations in an era of unprecedented global change.WIREs Cogn Sci2015, 6:159–176. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1337This article is categorized under:Cognitive Biology > Evolutionary Roots of CognitionNeuroscience > BehaviorNeuroscience > Cognition
Ablation for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Systematic Review of Clinical Efficacy and Prognostic Factors
Authors: Thomasset S. C. , Dennison A. R. , Garcea G. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) typically recurs following primary treatment. The primary objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ablative therapies for recurrent HCC. The secondary objective was to identify any factors associated with prognosis following ablation for recurrent disease.MethodsA systematic search of the literature published between January 2000 and December 2013 was undertaken using the PubMed, Medline and Scopus databases. Reference lists from selected studies were manually searched to ensure complete capture of any relevant data.ResultsA total of 19 studies were included in the review. The median age of patients undergoing ablation for recurrent HCC was 58 years (range 52–69 years) and 85 % of patients had cirrhosis (range 56–100 %). HCC recurred as a single nodule in 79 % of those treated with ablation (range 46–100 %). There were few significant complications associated with any form of ablation. Sufficient data were only available to allow analysis of survival outcomes following radiofrequency ablation (RFA). After RFA the median, 1, 3 and 5‐year survivals were 84 % (73–99 %), 51 % (42–84 %) and 40 % (28–83 %), respectively. The only factor consistently associated with overall survival following ablation for recurrence was the alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) level.ConclusionComparable survival figures from previously published systematic reviews suggest that hepatic resection is the most effective treatment for recurrent HCC. However, ablation can be a safe and effective option for the majority of patients with recurrent disease who are unsuitable for surgery. Elevated levels of AFP suggest a poorer prognosis following ablation.
Lipids in hepatic glycogen storage diseases: pathophysiology, monitoring of dietary management and future directions
Authors: Derks Terry G. J. , van Rijn Margreet 
Published: January 2015

AbstractHepatic glycogen storage diseases (GSD) underscore the intimate relationship between carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The hyperlipidemias in hepatic GSD reflect perturbed intracellular metabolism, providing biomarkers in blood to monitor dietary management. In different types of GSD, hyperlipidemias are of a different origin. Hypertriglyceridemia is most prominent in GSD type Ia and associated with long‐term outcome morbidity, like pancreatitis and hepatic adenomas. In the ketotic subtypes of GSD, hypertriglyceridemia reflects the age‐dependent fasting intolerance, secondary lipolysis and increased mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation. The role of high protein diets is established for ketotic types of GSD, but non‐traditional dietary interventions (like medium‐chain triglycerides and the ketogenic diet) in hepatic GSD are still controversial and necessitate further studies. Patients with these rare inherited disorders of carbohydrate metabolism meet several criteria of the metabolic syndrome, therefore close monitoring for cardiovascular diseases in ageing GSD patients may be justified.