bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elastin hydrolysate derived from fish enhances proliferation of human skin fibroblasts and elastin synthesis in human skin fibroblasts and improves the skin conditions
Authors: Shiratsuchi Eri , Nakaba Misako , Yamada Michio 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDRecent studies have shown that certain peptides significantly improve skin conditions, such as skin elasticity and the moisture content of the skin of healthy woman. This study aimed to investigate the effects of elastin hydrolysate on human skin. Proliferation and elastin synthesis were evaluated in human skin fibroblasts exposed to elastin hydrolysate and proryl‐glycine (Pro‐Gly), which is present in human blood after elastin hydrolysate ingestion. We also performed an ingestion test with elastin hydrolysate in humans and evaluated skin condition.RESULTSElastin hydrolysate and Pro‐Gly enhanced the proliferation of fibroblasts and elastin synthesis. Maximal proliferation response was observed at 25 ng mL−1 Pro‐Gly. Ingestion of elastin hydrolysate improved skin condition, such as elasticity, number of wrinkles, and blood flow. Elasticity improved by 4% in the elastin hydrolysate group compared with 2% in the placebo group.CONCLUSIONTherefore, elastin hydrolysate activates human skin fibroblasts and has beneficial effects on skin conditions. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Melatonin protects inner ear against radiation damage in rats
Authors: Karaer Isil , Simsek Gokce , Gul Mehmet , Bahar Leyla , Gürocak Simay , Parlakpinar Hakan , Nuransoy Ayse 
Published: May 2015

Objectives/HypothesisTo examine the effects of N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine (melatonin) on radiation‐induced inner ear damage.Study DesignAn experimental animal model.MethodsForty rats were randomized into five groups, as follows: 1) melatonin and then radiotherapy group (n = 8), which received intraperitoneal (i.p.) melatonin (5 mg/kg) followed by irradiation 30 minutes later; 2) radiotherapy and then melatonin group (n = 8), which received irradiation with i.p. melatonin (5 mg/kg) 30 minutes later; 3) melatonin group (n = 8), which received i.p. melatonin (5 mg/kg); 4) radiotherapy group (n = 8), which underwent only irradiation; 5) and the control group (n = 8), which received i.p. 0.9% NaCl. The medications and irradiation were administered for 5 days. All rats underwent the distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) test before and 10 days after the experiment. The middle ears of the rats were excised, and assessment of tissue alterations in the organs of Corti, spiral ganglions, and stria vascularis were compared among the groups.ResultsIn the radiotherapy group, the DPOAE amplitudes at frequencies of 4000 to 6000 Hz were significantly decreased when compared with the controls. The DPOAE amplitudes both in the melatonin and then radiotherapy group and the radiotherapy and then melatonin group exhibited better values than they did in the radiotherapy group. Histopathological evidence of damage to the organs of Corti, spiral ganglions, and stria vascularis damage was markedly reduced in both these two groups when compared to the radiotherapy group.ConclusionThese results indicate that melatonin may have significant ameliorative effects on cochlear damage secondary to ionizing radiation. Laryngoscope, 125:E345–E349, 2015
Comorbid diseases of IgG4‐related sialadenitis in the head and neck region
Authors: Hong Xia , Sun Zhi‐Peng , Li Wei , Chen Yan , Gao Yan , Su Jia‐Zeng , Wang Zhen , Cai Zhi‐Gang , Li Tong‐Tong , Zhang Lei , Liu Xiao‐Jing , Liu Yan‐Ying , He Jing , Li Zhan‐Guo , Yu Guang‐Yan 
Published: May 2015

Objectives/HypothesisTo further recognize the comorbid diseases of immunoglobulin G4‐related sialadenitis (IgG4‐RS) in the head and neck region and to observe the response of these conditions to immunomodulatory therapy.Study DesignRetrospective review.MethodsThe symptoms of comorbid diseases and medical histories in 51 patients (24 men, 27 women; median age, 55 years) diagnosed with IgG4‐RS were analyzed. Thirty‐six patients received immunomodulatory therapy and were followed up for 10.4 ± 5.9 months. Computed tomography (CT) examination was performed before and after therapy.ResultsRhinosinusitis occurred in 58.8% patients, and manifested with the symptoms of nasal obstruction, nasal xerosis, and hyposmia. In addition, 43.1% patients had allergic rhinitis. Lymphadenopathy was identified in 74.5% patients. Lacrimal gland swelling occurred in 78.4% patients. Extraocular muscles, otologic organs, skin and superficial soft tissue, and cranial nerves were also involved. All of the lesions were relieved after immunomodulatory therapy. The Lund‐Mackay scores decreased (9.6 ± 5.6 to 1.0 ± 2.2) according to CT analyses (P < .05). Mean CT volumes of the swollen lymph nodes and lacrimal glands decreased from 1.21 ± 0.61 cm3 to 0.59 ± 0.35 cm3 and from 2.25 ± 1.35 cm3 to 0.70 ± 0.32 cm3, respectively (P < .05) after treatment.ConclusionsIgG4‐RS could potentially develop with involvement of ocular adnexa, sinonasal cavities, ears, lymph nodes, skin and superficial soft tissue, and cranial nerves in the head and neck region. Immunomodulatory therapy could be effective in controlling both the comorbid diseases of IgG4‐RS and sialadenitis of the major salivary glands.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 125:2113–2118, 2015
Preparation of a Methylcellulose‐graft‐Methyl Methacrylate Copolymer as an Ultrafiltration Membrane Material
Authors: Ahn Hye Ryun , Tak Tae Moon , Kwon Young‐Nam 
Published: May 2015

SummaryA porous membrane was successfully prepared via the phase‐inversion process from casting solutions consisting of a methylcellulose‐graft‐methyl methacrylate (MCMMA) copolymer, N,N‐dimethylacetamide, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The copolymer MCMMA was synthesized by cerium ion‐initiated redox polymerization and then used in the preparation of ultrafiltration membranes. Successful graft copolymerization was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT‐IR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The grafting of methycellulose rendered the polymer soluble in organic solvents such as DMAc, which aided the preparation of the membrane dope solution. Membranes were fabricated with different proportions of PVP as the pore‐forming agent, and bovine serum albumin rejection and resistance of the membranes to protein solutions were investigated. Thus, a novel membrane material is proposed for fabricating ultrafiltration membranes used in water treatment.
Bioinspired Phospholipid Polymer Hydrogel System for Cellular Engineering
Authors: Ishihara Kazuhiko , Oda Haruka , Aikawa Tatsuo , Konno Tomohiro 
Published: May 2015

SummaryThe properties of the microenvironment surrounding cells are important for the control of cell functions. The polymeric cellular environment has great potential in this regard because environmental properties can be manipulated. We propose a spontaneously forming phospholipid polymer hydrogel system composed of 2 kinds of pre‐polymers to control cellular functions via hydrogel physical properties. These pre‐polymers are cytocompatible poly(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine‐co‐n‐butyl methacrylate‐co‐p‐vinylphenylboronic acid) (PMBV) and water‐soluble poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). The p‐vinylphenylboronic acid units in PMBV can react with the hydroxy groups of PVA in aqueous medium and form cross‐linkages. This spontaneously formed PMBV/PVA hydrogel can be dissociated again via the addition of sugar compounds. To alter the physical properties, we simply change the concentration or mixing ratio of the pre‐polymers. The storage modulus of the PMBV/PVA hydrogel matrix was controlled from 0.3 kPa to 2.5 kPa, which corresponds to very soft natural tissue. Cells can be encapsulated in the hydrogel. When the storage modulus of the PMBV/PVA hydrogel was above 1.0 kPa, the proliferation of encapsulated cells was suppressed and provided uniform cells in G1 phase in cell cycle progression. High G1 phase fraction (>90%) may lead to excellent differentiation efficiency, which results in great insight for stem cell engineering. The PMBV/PVA system is expected to become a key material in cellular engineering for regulating cellular function without undesirable biological events.
Potential therapeutic Mn2+ and Ni2+ complexes of new 4‐acetyl‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐pyrazoline‐5‐one phenylhydrazone Ampp‐Ph.
Authors: Idemudia Omoruyi G. , Sadimenko Alexander P. , Afolayan Anthony J. 
Published: May 2015

SummarySchiff base of acetylpyrazolone phenylhydrazone Ampp‐Ph was synthesized from the reaction of synthesized acetylpyrazolone diketone precursor Ampp with phenylhydrazine. On reacting the isolated Schiff base in ethanol with aqueous solution of manganese or nickel chloride salts afforded the metal complexes of acetylpyrazolone phenylhydrazone. Based on elemental, analytical and spectroscopic studies a bidentate keto tautomer Schiff base forming an octahedral complex with the metal ion has been proposed. Varying antibacterial activities against selected bacterial isolates have been observed using the paper disc diffusion method at 40mg/ml. A significant free radical scavenging (antioxidant) capability against DPPH was exhibited by the synthesized compounds.
Water‐soluble polymer associated to regenerated cellulose membrane for boron removal
Authors: Rivas Bernabé L. , Sánchez Julio 
Published: May 2015

SummaryThis research presents a systematic study of boron removal from aqueous systems by means of liquid‐phase polymer‐based retention. Poly(3(N‐glucidol‐N‐methyl)‐2‐hydroxypropyl methacrylate), P(GMHP) was prepared and used to form complexes with boron, and a regenerated‐cellulose membrane was used as a complex separator. The removal experiments of boron were conducted at 1 bar of pressure by varying pH, polymer:boron molar ratio, and the presence of interfering ions. The results showed higher retention capacity for boron at pH 9.5 with P(GMHP). The optimal polymer:boron molar ratio was 40:1. The second removal tests were performed using two simulated water samples from northern Chile with the same pH and concentration of boron, arsenic, and chloride. P(GMHP) showed a maximum of 60% boron retention for these artificial water samples. Studies of boron enrichment using P(GMHP) with simulated water of Northern Chile showed that the soluble polymer reached maximum retention capacity values between 2.0 and 12.0 mg of B retained per gram of polymer.
Effect of Excipients on the Stability of Insulin Lispro
Authors: Misra Gauri P. , Janagam Dileep R. , Lowe Tao L. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryThe effects of polymers hyaluronic acid (anionic), chitosan (cationic), and Pluronic F‐127 (nonionic) on the stability of the insulin lispro in PBS (pH 7.4) solution at 37°C was investigated using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography. The results were that hyaluronic acid slightly enhanced while chitosan and Pluronic® F‐127 both decreased the stability of insulin lispro. Furthermore, the negative effect of chitosan on insulin lispro's stability was worse than that of Pluronic® F‐127. These results clearly indicate that the macromolecular structure and charge of the polymer excipients had a significant effect on the stability of insulin lispro.
Vascular Parkinsonism: Deconstructing a Syndrome
Authors: Vizcarra Joaquin A. , Lang Anthony E. , Sethi Kapil D. , Espay Alberto J. 
Published: May 2015

ABSTRACTProgressive ambulatory impairment and abnormal white matter (WM) signal on neuroimaging come together under the diagnostic umbrella of vascular parkinsonism (VaP). A critical appraisal of the literature, however, suggests that (1) no abnormal structural imaging pattern is specific to VaP; (2) there is poor correlation between brain MRI hyperintensities and microangiopathic brain disease and parkinsonism from available clinicopathologic data; (3) pure parkinsonism from vascular injury (“definite” vascular parkinsonism) consistently results from ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes involving the SN and/or nigrostriatal pathway, but sparing the striatum itself, the cortex, and the intervening WM; and (4) many cases reported as VaP may represent pseudovascular parkinsonism (e.g., Parkinson's disease or another neurodegenerative parkinsonism, such as PSP with nonspecific neuroimaging signal abnormalities), vascular pseudoparkinsonism (e.g., akinetic mutism resulting from bilateral mesial frontal strokes or apathetic depression from bilateral striatal lacunar strokes), or pseudovascular pseudoparkinsonism (e.g., higher‐level gait disorders, including normal‐pressure hydrocephalus with transependimal exudate). These syndromic designations are preferable over VaP until pathology or validated biomarkers confirm the underlying nature and relevance of the leukoaraiosis. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
A discontinuous Galerkin method with plane waves for sound‐absorbing materials
Authors: Gabard G. , Dazel O. 
Published: May 2015

SummaryPoro‐elastic materials are commonly used for passive control of noise and vibration and are key to reducing noise emissions in many engineering applications, including the aerospace, automotive and energy industries. More efficient computational models are required to further optimise the use of such materials. In this paper, we present a discontinuous Galerkin method (DGM) with plane waves for poro‐elastic materials using the Biot theory solved in the frequency domain. This approach offers significant gains in computational efficiency and is simple to implement (costly numerical quadratures of highly oscillatory integrals are not needed). It is shown that the Biot equations can be easily cast as a set of conservation equations suitable for the formulation of the wave‐based DGM. A key contribution is a general formulation of boundary conditions as well as coupling conditions between different propagation media. This is particularly important when modelling porous materials as they are generally coupled with other media, such as the surround fluid or an elastic structure. The validation of the method is described first for a simple wave propagating through a porous material, and then for the scattering of an acoustic wave by a porous cylinder. The accuracy, conditioning and computational cost of the method are assessed, and comparison with the standard finite element method is included. It is found that the benefits of the wave‐based DGM are fully realised for the Biot equations and that the numerical model is able to accurately capture both the oscillations and the rapid attenuation of the waves in the porous material. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthetic pheromones as a management technique – dispensers reduce Linepithema humile activity in a commercial vineyard
Authors: Westermann Fabian L , Bell Vaughn A , Suckling David M , Lester Philip J 
Published: May 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDInvasive ants, such as the Argentine ant, have often been reported to facilitate honeydew‐producing hemipteran pests such as mealybugs, which can be vectors of plant pathogens. Synthetic pheromones may offer a target‐specific method to control such ants and consequently lower the abundance of honeydew‐producing pests. Here we report the results of a trial to suppress Argentine ants in grapevines using ant pheromone dispensers.RESULTSCompared with untreated controls, we observed a significant drop in Argentine ant activity on the ground, irrespective of whether pheromone dispensers were placed at ground level, within the canopy or in both locations. Ant counts in the canopy confirmed that Argentine ant abundance was reduced under the influence of the pheromone dispenser placed at ground level compared with untreated controls. However, placing dispensers only in the canopy did not reduce the numbers of ants within the canopy compared with untreated controls.CONCLUSIONOur results showed that pheromone dispensers can significantly reduce Argentine ant foraging in grapevines if they are positioned appropriately. This technique could potentially reduce the abundance of associated mealybugs and potentially attendant virus vectoring areawide. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Autoimmune disease leading to pulmonary AL amyloidosis and pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Ellender Claire M. , McLean Catriona , Williams Trevor J. , Snell Gregory I. , Whitford Helen M. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA 33‐year‐old woman with past history of Sjögren's syndrome and systemic lupus erythematosus presented with dyspnea and syncope secondary to pulmonary hypertension. After progressive symptoms over 4 years, she received bilateral lung transplantation. Histopathology of the explanted lungs showed isolated pulmonary amyloid light‐chain amyloidosis and pulmonary cysts. No evidence of systemic amyloidosis was found at the time of transplantation. Seven years post lung transplantation, she remains well with no evidence of systemic amyloidosis recurrence.
The effects of silver coating on friction coefficient and shear bond strength of steel orthodontic brackets
Authors: Arash Valiollah , Anoush Keivan , Rabiee Sayed Mahmood , Rahmatei Manuchehr , Tavanafar Saeid 
Published: May 2015

SummaryAims of the present study was to measure frictional resistance between silver coated brackets and different types of arch wires, and shear bond strength of these brackets to the tooth. In an experimental clinical research 28 orthodontic brackets (standard, 22 slots) were coated with silver ions using electroplate method. Six brackets (coated: 3, uncoated: 3) were evaluated with Scanning Electron Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. The amount of friction in 15 coated brackets was measured with three different kinds of arch wires (0.019 × 0.025‐in stainless steel [SS], 0.018‐in stainless steel [SS], 0.018‐in Nickel‐Titanium [Ni‐Ti]) and compared with 15 uncoated steel brackets. In addition, shear bond strength values were compared between 10 brackets with silver coating and 10 regular brackets. Universal testing machine was used to measure shear bond strength and the amount of friction between the wires and brackets. SPSS 18 was used for data analysis with t‐test. SEM and AFM results showed deposition of a uniform layer of silver, measuring 8–10 μm in thickness on bracket surfaces. Silver coating led to higher frictional forces in all the three types of arch wires, which was statistically significant in 0.019 × 0.025‐in SS and 0.018‐in Ni‐Ti, but it did not change the shear bond strength significantly. Silver coating with electroplating method did not affect the bond strength of the bracket to enamel; in addition, it was not an effective method for decreasing friction in sliding mechanics. SCANNING 37:294–299, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Thermal Aggregation of Hen Egg White Proteins in the Presence of Salts
Authors: Iwashita Kazuki , Inoue Naoto , Handa Akihiro , Shiraki Kentaro 
Published: May 2015

Abstract
Hen egg white contains more than 40 kinds of proteins with concentrations reaching 100 mg/mL. Highly concentrated protein mixtures are common in the food industry, but the effects of a crowded environment containing salts on protein stability and aggregation have only been investigated using pure protein solutions. Here, we investigated the thermal aggregation of hen egg white protein (EWP) at various concentrations in the presence of inorganic salts by solubility measurements and SDS-PAGE. EWP at 1 mg/mL formed aggregates with increasing temperature above 55 °C; the aggregation temperatures increased in the presence of inorganic salt with the Hofmeister series. Namely, the chaotrope 0.5 M NaSCN completely suppressed the thermal aggregation of 1 mg/mL EWP. As the protein concentration increased, NaSCN unexpectedly enhanced the protein aggregation; the aggregation temperature of 10 and 100 mg/mL EWP solutions were dramatically decreased at 62 and 47 °C, respectively. This decrease in aggregation temperatures due to the chaotrope was described by the excluded volume effect, based on a comparative experiment using Ficoll 70 as a neutral crowder. By contrast, the kosmotrope Na2SO4 did not affect the aggregation temperature at concentrations from 1 to 100 mg/mL EWPs. The unexpected fact that a chaotrope rather enhanced the protein aggregation at high concentration provides new insight into the aggregation phenomena with the Hofmeister effect as well as the crude state of highly concentrated proteins.
The Effects of Volitional Preemptive Abdominal Contraction on Postural Control Responses in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Nagar Vittal R. , Sawyer Steven F. , James C. Roger , Brismée Jean‐Michel , Hooper Troy L. , Sizer Phillip S. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the effect of volitional preemptive abdominal contraction by using an abdominal bracing maneuver (ABM) on postural control responses.DesignA within‐subjects, repeated‐measure, experimental design.SettingLaboratory.ParticipantsSixty‐five healthy subjects between 18 and 50 years of age.MethodsSubjects performed ABM alternating with No‐ABM during 2 rounds of 2 Neurocom computed dynamic posturography tests: the Motor Control Test (MCT) and conditions 1 (eyes open), 2 (eyes closed), and 5 (eyes closed, sway‐referenced support) of the Sensory Organization Test (SOT).Main Outcome Measurements(1) MCT Response Latency (milliseconds) and Response Scaling (magnitude of active postural correction) and (2) SOT Equilibrium Scores and 2‐Dimensional Sway (°/second), and SOT Movement Strategy, which measure postural sway and movement strategies (ankle versus hip strategy), respectively.ResultsThe use of ABM (versus No‐ABM) produced: (1) a small but statistically significant decrease in SOT Equilibrium Score for condition 2 (−1.0%; P = .004); (2) an increase in SOT 2‐Dimensional Sway (°/second) during conditions 1 (16.9%; P = .0001) and 2 (15.0%; P = .0001); (3) a small decrease in SOT Movement Strategy scores during condition 1 (−0.5%; P = .001) and condition 2 (−1.0%; P = .017); and (4) a reduction of MCT Response Latency by 3 milliseconds (−2.1%; P = .005) and reduction of Response Scaling by 0.33°/second (−9.2%; P = .001).ConclusionIndividuals can incorporate the ABM without substantively altering postural control. Although selected SOT and MCT scores exhibited small decreases in postural response integrity, those outcomes did not reflect functionally meaningful changes. These findings can enhance clinicians' confidence in prescribing the ABM as a means to protectively stabilize the spine and potentially prevent injury in healthy subjects without concern for reducing postural control, especially during more complex postural perturbations that introduce sensory conflict.