bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Epicardium is required for sarcomeric maturation and cardiomyocyte growth in the ventricular compact layer mediated by transforming growth factor β and fibroblast growth factor before the onset of coronary circulation
Authors: Takahashi Makiko , Yamagishi Toshiyuki , Narematsu Mayu , Kamimura Tatsuya , Kai Masatake , Nakajima Yuji 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe epicardium, which is derived from the proepicardial organ (PE) as the third epithelial layer of the developing heart, is crucial for ventricular morphogenesis. An epicardial deficiency leads to a thin compact layer for the developing ventricle; however, the mechanisms leading to the impaired development of the compact layer are not well understood. Using chick embryonic hearts, we produced epicardium‐deficient hearts by surgical ablation or blockade of the migration of PE and examined the mechanisms underlying a thin compact myocardium. Sarcomeric maturation (distance between Z‐lines) and cardiomyocyte growth (size) were affected in the thin compact myocardium of epicardium‐deficient ventricles, in which the amounts of phospho‐smad2 and phospho‐ERK as well as expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)β2 and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)2 were reduced. TGFβ and FGF were required for the maturation of sarcomeres and growth of cardiomyocytes in cultured ventricles. In ovo co‐transfection of dominant negative (dN)‐Alk5 (dN‐TGFβ receptor I) and dN‐FGF receptor 1 to ventricles caused a thin compact myocardium. Our results suggest that immature sarcomeres and small cardiomyocytes are the causative architectures of an epicardium‐deficient thin compact layer and also that epicardium‐dependent signaling mediated by TGFβ and FGF plays a role in the development of the ventricular compact layer before the onset of coronary circulation.
Submaximal adenosine‐induced coronary hyperaemia with 12 h caffeine abstinence: implications for clinical adenosine perfusion imaging tests
Authors: Carlsson Marcus , Jögi Jonas , Markenroth Bloch Karin , Hedén Bo , Ekelund Ulf , Ståhlberg Freddy , Arheden Håkan 
Published: January 2014

SummaryBackgroundAdenosine is widely used as a vasodilator agent in myocardial perfusion imaging. Caffeine inhibits the effect, but the time of caffeine abstinence needed is under discussion and varies from 12 to 24 h. Therefore, our aim was to examine whether the time of caffeine abstinence affects the hyperaemic response using quantification of coronary sinus flow (CSF) with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) during adenosine infusion.MethodsHealthy individuals (n = 16, eight females, age 41 ± 3 years) underwent two CMR examinations with 12 and 24 h of caffeine abstinence. CSF was quantified with phase‐contrast velocity mapping (PC‐)CMR during adenosine infusion (140 μg kg−1 min−1) and rest and the CSF reserve between adenosine and rest was calculated. Myocardial perfusion (MP) was calculated as CSF × heart rate/left ventricular mass. Cardiac output (CO) was quantified using PC‐CMR of the ascending aorta.ResultsThe CSF reserve was lower after 12 h abstinence compared to 24 h (4·31 ± 0·57 versus 5·32 ± 0·76, P = 0·03). In six of 16 subjects (38%), CSF reserve was >30% higher with longer caffeine abstinence. MP during adenosine was lower after 12 h compared to 24 h caffeine abstinence (3·59 ± 0·37 versus 4·23 ± 0·28 ml min−1g−1; P = 0·046). The increase in CO during adenosine between the two occasions did not differ (55 ± 7% and 55 ± 6%, P = 0·11). Interobserver variability for CSF/heartbeat was −0·05 ± 1·00 ml.ConclusionsHyperaemia during adenosine is lower in some patients with 12 h of caffeine abstinence compared to 24 h. Longer caffeine abstinence, that is 24 h, is of value before pharmacological stress testing as the individual response is not known and the individual variation is large.
Twenty‐four hour variation in heart rate variability indices derived from fractional differintegration
Authors: Lewis Michael J. , McNarry Melitta A. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryAssuming that RR time‐series behave as a fractionally differintegrated Gaussian process, García‐González et al. (2003) recently proposed new indices for quantifying variability and structure in RR data. One of these was the ‘fractional noise quantifier’ (fnQ), measuring the departure of an RR time‐series from a monofractal structure (i.e. a measure of its multifractality). Sixty‐nine participants (aged = 34·5 ± 12·4 years, body mass index (BMI) = 23·9 ± 2·9 kg m−2, maximal oxygen uptake rate (O2peak) = 42·4 ± 10·9 ml min−1 kg−1, 39 males) provided continuous beat‐to‐beat ECG recordings for a 24‐h period. Fractional differintegration was used to quantify fnQ, and heart rate variability was calculated in the time domain. All variables were evaluated during consecutive 1‐h periods and also during four 6‐h blocks corresponding to morning, afternoon, evening and night periods. Apart from RR, circadian trends in all variables were independent of gender (P = 0·11–0·59). Apart from fnQ, all variables exhibited circadian variation (0·0005<P<0·012). Although fnQ was statistically uniform during the 24‐h period, it showed a trend towards elevated values during evening and night. The main finding of this study was that fnQ was elevated by around 10% during the evening and night, although this was not statistically significant. This suggests that the structure of RR time‐series in healthy individuals is most strongly ‘multifractal’ during evening and night periods. fnQ appears to be a plausible surrogate measure of multifractality in RR time‐series.
Individual Distinctiveness in the Fine Structural Features and Repertoire Characteristics of the Songs of White‐eared Ground‐sparrows
Authors: Sandoval Luis , Méndez Carolina , Mennill Daniel J. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractCommunication between social animals is often more effective when signals facilitate individual recognition. Two critical requirements for individual recognition are the occurrence of characteristics that are unique to each individual, and the consistency of these characteristics through time. In some animals, characteristics of acoustic signals are known to vary over time due to changes in a variety of factors, including physiological and environmental features. Such temporal variation requires careful evaluation when exploring the individual distinctiveness of animal signals. In this study, we evaluate individual distinctiveness in the songs of male white‐eared ground‐sparrows Melozone leucotis and the persistence of distinctive characteristics over time. We collected focal recordings from populations of banded ground‐sparrows during two consecutive breeding seasons, including multiple recording sessions within each breeding season. We evaluated individual distinctiveness in fine structural acoustic features of songs. We also extended our analysis to repertoire characteristics, focusing on whether the relative frequency of song type use may provide cues to individual identity. We found that each male white‐eared ground‐sparrow sang individually distinctive songs, although their fine structural features varied between recording sessions. We found the frequency with which males sang different song types was also individually distinctive, and this feature varied little between recording sessions. Receivers may be able to use these distinctive characteristics to differentiate individuals over extended time periods; this may be especially important for species that engage in long‐term social interactions, such as tropical birds that defend territories against rival conspecific animals throughout the year.
Natural single amino acid polymorphism (F19Y) in human galectin‐8: detection of structural alterations and increased growth‐regulatory activity on tumor cells
Authors: Ruiz Federico M. , Scholz Barbara A. , Buzamet Eliza , Kopitz Jürgen , André Sabine , Menéndez Margarita , Romero Antonio , Solís Dolores , Gabius Hans‐Joachim 
Published: January 2014

Natural amino acid substitution by single‐site nucleotide polymorphism can become a valuable tool for structure–activity correlations, especially if evidence for association to disease parameters exists. Focusing on the F19Y change in human galectin‐8, connected clinically to rheumatoid arthritis, we here initiate the study of consequences of a single‐site substitution in the carbohydrate recognition domain of this family of cellular effectors. We apply a strategically combined set of structural and cell biological techniques for comparing properties of the wild‐type and variant proteins. The overall hydrodynamic behavior of the full‐length protein and of the separate N‐domain is not noticeably altered, but displacements in the F0 β‐strand of the β‐sandwich fold in the N‐domain are induced, as evidenced by protein crystallography. Analysis of thermal stability by circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed perceptible differences for the full‐length proteins, pointing to an impact of the substitution beyond the N‐domain. In addition, small differences in thermodynamic parameters of carbohydrate binding are detected. On the level of two types of tumor cells, characteristics of binding appeared rather similar. In further comparison of the influence on proliferation, the variant proved to be more active as growth regulator in the six tested lines of neuroblastoma, erythroleukemia and colon adenocarcinoma. The seemingly subtle structural change identified here thus has functional implications in vitro, encouraging further analysis in autoimmune regulation and, in a broad context, in work with other natural single‐site variants, using the documented combined strategy.DatabaseThe atomic coordinates and structure factors (codes 4BMB, 4BME) have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank
Multicentre, randomized, open‐label study of on‐demand treatment with two prophylaxis regimens of recombinant coagulation factor IX in haemophilia B subjects
Authors: Valentino L. A. , Rusen L. , Elezovic I. , Smith L. M. , Korth‐Bradley J. M. , Rendo P. 
Published: January 2014

SummaryFew randomized studies have reported on the use of factor IX (FIX) for secondary prophylaxis in haemophilia B patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two secondary prophylaxis regimens of recombinant coagulation FIX, nonacog alfa, compared with on‐demand therapy. Male subjects aged 6–65 years with severe or moderately severe haemophilia B (FIX:C ≤ 2, n = 50) and ≥12 bleeding episodes (including ≥6 haemarthroses episodes) within 12 months of study participation were enrolled in this multicentre, randomized, open‐label, four‐period crossover trial. The primary measure was the annualized bleeding rate (ABR) of two prophylactic regimens vs. on‐demand therapy. In the intent‐to‐treat group, mean ABR values were 35.1, 2.6 and 4.6 for the first on‐demand period, the 50 IU kg−1 twice‐weekly period, and the 100 IU kg−1 once‐weekly period respectively. Differences in ABR between the first on‐demand period and both prophylaxis regimens were significant (P < 0.0001); no significant differences were observed between prophylaxis regimens (P = 0.22). Seven serious adverse events occurred in five subjects, none related to study drug. Results demonstrated that secondary prophylaxis therapy with nonacog alfa 50 IU kg−1 twice weekly or 100 IU kg−1 once weekly reduced ABR by 89.4% relative to on‐demand treatment. Both prophylaxis regimens demonstrated favourable safety profiles in subjects with haemophilia B.
Management of Bilateral Patellar Luxation in an Alpaca
Authors: Abuja Gustavo A. , Kowaleski Michael P. , García‐López José M. 
Published: January 2014

ObjectiveTo report surgical management bilateral lateral patellar luxation in a mature alpaca using a combination of trochlear wedge recession (TWR), tibial tuberosity transposition (TTT), and joint capsule imbrication.Study DesignClinical case report.Animals9‐year‐old castrated male Alpaca.MethodsBilateral, grade III/IV, lateral patellar luxation was identified by palpation, lameness examination and confirmed with radiography and ultrasonography. Surgical procedures were staged, with the left stifle treated first. Bilateral TWR, TTT, and joint capsule imbrication were performed. Outcome was assessed by radiography and follow up lameness examinations.ResultsAn immediate improvement in weight bearing occurred after surgery of the left hind limb. Five months after initial surgery, right hind limb patella luxation was corrected. After surgery on the 2nd limb, the alpaca had progressive improvement in weight bearing during hospitalization. At 12 months, there were no signs of lameness and the alpaca had resumed normal activities.ConclusionsFor bilateral lateral patellar luxation, a combination of TWR, TTT, and joint capsule imbrication resulted in excellent long‐term outcome.
Sulcus fluid bone marker levels and the outcome of surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis
Authors: Wohlfahrt Johan C. , Aass Anne M. , Granfeldt Finn , Lyngstadaas Ståle P. , Reseland Janne E. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractAimTo analyse change in selected bone markers in peri‐implant sulcus fluid (PISF) sampled before treatment and after 12 months and test correlation with change in disease progression.Materials and MethodsPeri‐implant sulcus fluid was sampled from 32 patients in a randomized, clinical study comparing peri‐implant defect re‐construction with or without porous titanium granules. Matrix metalloproteinase 8 levels were measured using the Quantikine Human Total MMP‐8 (DMP800) ELISA. Multianalyte profiling of the level of bone markers [interleukin‐6, osteprotegerin (OPG), osteocalcin, leptin, osteopontin, parathyroid hormone, tumour necrosis factor‐α, adiponectin and insulin] was performed by Luminex using Human Bone Panel IB. Changes in bone marker levels were compared and correlation with clinical findings was tested.ResultsNo differences in clinical parameter or bone marker levels between test and control group were found. When comparing bone marker levels irrespective of treatment allocation between baseline and 12 months, a significant reduction in total protein, matrix metalloproteinase ‐8, interleukin‐6, OPG, leptin and adiponectin were demonstrated. Positive correlations were found between the reduction in interleukin‐6 (r = 0.43), insulin (r = 0.38) and matrix metalloproteinase‐8 (r = 0.47) concentration, and probing pocket depth reduction.ConclusionPeri‐implantitis surgical treatment induced some reduction of the studied bone markers. Conclusive evidence for correlation between change in bone marker concentrations with disease resolution was not found.
Species diversity and distribution of lepidopteran stem borers in South Africa and Mozambique
Authors: Moolman J. , Van den Berg J. , Conlong D. , Cugala D. , Siebert S. , Le Ru B. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractCountry‐wide surveys of lepidopteran stem borers in wild host plants were undertaken between 2006 and 2009 in South Africa and 2005 and 2010 in Mozambique. A total of 4438 larvae were collected from 65 wild host plants in South Africa and 1920 larvae from 30 wild host plants in Mozambique. In South Africa and Mozambique, 50 and 39 stem borer species were recovered, respectively, with four new species and two new genera among noctuids. Less than 5% of the total number of species collected are considered to be economically important in Africa. These species were Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Noctuidae), Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Crambidae) and Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Noctuidae). Data from this study and others in East Africa on the very low abundance of stem borers in wild host plants question the putative role of wild host plants as reservoir for stem borer pests. One new host plant family (Prioniaceae), as well as 24 and 13 wild hosts from South Africa and Mozambique respectively, was added to the list of known hosts in Africa.
Entomopathogenic nematodes fail to parasitize the woolly apple aphid Eriosoma lanigerum as their symbiotic bacteria are suppressed
Authors: Berkvens N. , Van Vaerenbergh J. , Maes M. , Beliën T. , Viaene N. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThe restriction of effective insecticides has facilitated the woolly apple aphid (WAA) Eriosoma lanigerum to become a major pest in apple orchards in Western Europe. It has also promoted alternative control strategies such as the use of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). We evaluated the control capacity of six commercially available EPN, viz. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, Heterorhabditis megidis, Steinernema carpocapsae, Steinernema feltiae, Steinernema glaseri and Steinernema kraussei. We assessed the potential of these EPN to colonize and parasitize E. lanigerum in an in vitro multiwell test. Only S. carpocapsae caused higher mortality (20–40%) than the control treatment (water). However, the mortality observed with S. carpocapsae was found to be a test artefact and not induced by its specific entomopathogenic activity. A similar mortality range was recorded when applying the non‐entomopathogenic nematode Pratylenchus thornei in the same multiwell test set‐up. This result warrants careful interpretation of parasitism in these artificial test conditions. The failure of EPN activity was supported in further experiments by frequently finding S. carpocapsae inside living WAA. The presence of the EPN had no effect on aphid reproduction as numbers of ‘large’ embryos in EPN‐colonized and non‐colonized females were similar. In addition, the dauer juveniles did not recover in E. lanigerum reflecting that S. carpocapsae could not develop inside the WAA. We further demonstrated that growth of the EPN‐symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus nematophila and Photorhabdus luminescens is inhibited by the body fluid of the WAA, and we speculate that this antibacterial activity is the cause of the unsuccessful parasitization of the WAA by the EPN. This antibiosis inside the body of E. lanigerum would prevent production of the endotoxins by the bacterial symbionts that are essential for entomopathogenicity and insect control.
Survey Reveals Urban Consumers' Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding the Use of Wax on Apples
Authors: Cliff M.A. , Li J.B. , Stanich K. 
Published: January 2014

AbstractThis research explored consumers' awareness, attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of wax on apples, using a survey consisting of five demographic questions, 14 apple wax questions and five apple wax information statements. Consumers responded to queries regarding the use and nature of wax coatings, as well as any health and environmental concerns. They identified their preferred apple treatment (unwaxed, waxed, either) four times throughout the survey, after being presented with information. Consumers' responses were evaluated according to their demographics (age, gender and ethnicity). Statistical analyses (frequency plots, analysis of variance) were used to evaluate data from the two largest ethnic subgroups of consumers (European, Asian) (n = 781). On average, consumers lacked knowledge and information about apple waxing. Interestingly, 84% of consumers initially stated they preferred unwaxed apples. While some 40% of consumers changed their preferences once additional information was provided, another 42.3% of consumers did not.Practical ApplicationsThis research successfully documented the attitudes and beliefs of urban consumers toward the use of wax on apples. It suggested some consumers might be more willing to accept waxed apples, if additional information (brochure or leaflet) was available, while others would not. As such, the research provided industry with objective information to assess the appropriateness of their marketing/retailing practices in order to meet the needs of their consumers.
Evaluation of Fracture Resistance in Aqueous Environment under Dynamic Loading of Lithium Disilicate Restorative Systems for Posterior Applications. Part 2
Authors: Dhima Matilda , Carr Alan B. , Salinas Thomas J. , Lohse Christine , Berglund Lawrence , Nan Kai‐An 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPurposeThe goals of part 2 of the study presented here were 1) to assess whether there is a difference in failure mode of different thicknesses (2.0, 1.5, 1.0, and 0.5 mm) of anatomically standardized full contour monolithic lithium disilicate restorations for posterior teeth, and 2) to assess if there is a difference among various crown thicknesses when these restorations are subjected to dynamic load forces common for posterior teeth.Materials and MethodsFour groups (n = 10), each with a different thickness of anatomically appropriate all‐ceramic crowns, were to be tested as established from the statistical analysis of the preliminary phase. Group 1: 2.0 mm; group 2: 1.5 mm; group 3: 1.0 mm; group 4: 0.5 mm. The specimens were adhesively luted to the corresponding die, and underwent dynamic cyclic loading (380 to 390 N) completely submerged in an aqueous environment until a failure was noted by graphic recording and continuous monitoring.ResultsThere was a statistically significant difference of the fatigue cycles to failure among four groups (p < 0.001; Kruskal‐Wallis test). The mean number of cycles to fail for 2.0 mm specimens was 17 times more than the mean number of cycles to fail for 1.0 mm specimens and 1.5 times more than the mean number of cycles to fail for 1.5 mm specimens. The 0.5 mm specimens failed with one cycle of loading. A qualitative characteristic noted among the 2.0 mm specimens was wear of the area of indenter contact followed by shearing of the material and/or crack propagation.ConclusionBased on the findings of this study, it may be reasonable to consider a crown thickness of 1.5 mm or greater for clinical applications of milled monolithic lithium disilicate crowns for posterior single teeth.
Effects of Differing Thickness and Mechanical Properties of Cement on the Stress Levels and Distributions in a Three‐Unit Zirconia Fixed Prosthesis by FEA
Authors: Wimmer Timea , Erdelt Kurt‐Jürgen , Raith Stefan , Schneider Jörg Markus , Stawarczyk Bogna , Beuer Florian 
Published: January 2014

AbstractPurposeThis study analyzed the impact of cement layer thickness (CLT) and Young's modulus of the cement on the stress distribution in a three‐unit zirconia fixed dental prosthesis (FDP) and in the bonding interfaces by means of finite element method.Materials and MethodsA 3D finite element model was created from a stylized three‐unit FDP‐cement‐tooth/socket system. The pulp and the periodontal ligament were not modeled. Two CLTs (50 and 150 μm) and two values of Young's modulus of the cement (4.9 for simulation of resin cement, 20.1 GPa for glass ionomer cement) were evaluated. A 500 N static vertical load was applied at the central fossa of the pontic to calculate maximum displacement in the framework and maximum principal stresses in both framework and bonding interfaces.ResultsThe simulated results showed that the Young's modulus affected stress occurrence only in the cement interface. Lower moduli were associated with less stress. The thickness of the cement layer influenced the maximum principal stress in both the FDP and in the cement layer itself. Thicker cement layers led to higher stresses in the framework but lower stresses in the cement layer. Maximum displacement was less dependent of the investigated variables. During all trials, the location of the maximum principal stress did not change. Maximum stress concentrations were observed at the lower embrasures of the connector areas and in the bonding layer at the cervical margin of the preparation.ConclusionsChoosing cements with a preferably low Young's modulus in combination with a CLT as small as possible might increase the clinical survival rate.