bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative spatiotemporal analysis of Hox gene expression in early stages of intermediate mesoderm formation
Authors: Barak Hila , Preger‐Ben Noon Ella , Reshef Ram 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground: Hox genes are key players in AP patterning of the vertebrate body plan and are necessary for organogenesis. Several studies provide evidence for the role Hox genes play during kidney development and especially regarding metanephros initiation and formation. However, the role Hox genes play during early stages of kidney development is largely unknown. A recent study in our lab revealed the role Hoxb4 plays in conferring the competence of intermediate mesodermal cells to respond to kidney inductive signals and express early kidney regulators. Results: As a first step in understanding the role Hox genes play in setting the formation of the pronephros morphogenetic field and the expression of early regulators of kidney development, we studied in detail the expression pattern of 10 Hox genes in relation to the 6th somite axial level, the anterior sharp border of the kidney field. Despite the idea of spatial co‐linearity as exemplified in the Hox gene expression pattern in late developmental stages, a very dynamic spatio‐temporal expression of these genes was found in early stages. Conclusions: Since mesodermal patterning occurs at gastrula stages, the relevance of a “Hox code” at early stages is questioned in this study. Developmental Dynamics 241:1637–1649, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lens regenerates by means of similar processes and timeline in adults and larvae of the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster
Authors: Inoue Takeshi , Inoue Ryo , Tsutsumi Rio , Tada Kikuo , Urata Yuko , Michibayashi Chiaki , Takemura Shota , Agata Kiyokazu 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackground: It is widely accepted that juvenile animals can regenerate faster than adults. For example, in the case of lens regeneration of the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster, larvae and adults require approximately 30 and 80 days for completion of lens regeneration, respectively. However, when we carefully observed lens regeneration in C. pyrrhogaster at the cellular level using molecular markers in the present study, we found that lens regeneration during the larval stage proceeded at similar speed and by means of similar steps to those in adults. Results: We could not find any drastic difference between regeneration at these two stages, except that the size of the eyes was very different. Conclusions: Our observations suggested that larvae could regenerate a lens of the original size within a shorter time than adults because the larval lens was smaller than the adult lens, but the speed of regeneration was not faster in larvae. In addition, by repeatedly observing the regeneration in one individual transgenic newt that expressed fluorescence specifically in lens fiber cells in vivo and comparing the regeneration process at the embryonic, larval, and postmetamorphosis stages, we confirmed that the regeneration speed was the same at each of these stages in the same individual. Developmental Dynamics 241:1575–1583, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generation of a novel mouse model for the inducible depletion of macrophages in vivo
Authors: Gheryani Nabeia , Coffelt Seth B. , Gartland Alison , Rumney Robin M.H. , Kiss‐Toth Endre , Lewis Claire E. , Tozer Gillian M. , Greaves David R. , Dear T. Neil , Miller Gaynor 
Published: August 2012

AbstractMacrophages play an essential role in tissue homeostasis, innate immunity, inflammation, and wound repair. Macrophages are also essential during development, severely limiting the use of mouse models in which these cells have been constitutively deleted. Consequently, we have developed a transgenic model of inducible macrophage depletion in which macrophage‐specific induction of the cytotoxic diphtheria toxin A chain (DTA) is achieved by administration of doxycycline. Induction of the DTA protein in transgenic animals resulted in a significant 50% reduction in CD68+ macrophages of the liver, spleen, and bone over a period of 6 weeks. Pertinently, the macrophages remaining after doxycycline treatment were substantially smaller and are functionally impaired as shown by reduced inflammatory cytokine production in response to lipopolysaccharide. This inducible model of macrophage depletion can now be utilized to determine the role of macrophages in both development and animal models of chronic inflammatory diseases. genesis
51:41‐49, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Intensity of ecohydrological interactions in reclaimed Mediterranean slopes: effects of run‐off redistribution on plant performance
Authors: Espigares Tíscar , Merino‐Martín Luis , Moreno‐de las Heras Mariano , Nicolau José‐Manuel 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTWe have conducted a field experiment to ascertain the role of ecohydrological interactions between run‐off source areas and sink patches in the dynamics of artificial slopes derived from open cast coal mining in central‐eastern Spain. We analysed the effects of run‐off interruption on soil moisture, on the leaf water potential of woody species and on the herbaceous biomass in vegetation patches of three reclaimed slopes subjected to a different disturbance degree resulting from different overland flow volumes running down the slopes. Soil moisture and plant performance were seriously affected by run‐off exclusion, and this effect was more intense as level of disturbance increased. In fact, run‐off redistribution appeared to be determinant for plant performance in the more disturbed slope, whereas the presence of the shrub Genista scorpius appeared to be more determinant for plants in the less disturbed slope. Our results confirm the validity of the Trigger–Transfer–Reserve–Pulse model in artificial slopes during the aggradation process. These results point out the importance of run‐off redistribution between vegetation patches in the evolution of artificial slopes by creating fertility islands that improve the performance of vegetation. Restoration practices in drylands may thus significantly improve if a ‘run‐off expert management’ strategy is adopted. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Decreased STAT5 phosphorylation and GATA‐3 expression in NOX2‐deficient T cells: Role in T helper development
Authors: Shatynski Kristen E. , Chen Haiyan , Kwon Jaeyul , Williams Mark S. 
Published: August 2012

Absence of phagocyte NADPH oxidase (NOX2) activity causes chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), a primary immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent bacterial infections. In contrast to this innate immune deficit, CGD patients and animal models display a predisposition toward autoimmune disease and enhanced response to Helicobacter pylori and influenza virus infection. These data imply an altered, perhaps augmented, adaptive immune response in CGD. As previous data demonstrated functional NOX2 expression in T cells, our goal here was to determine if NOX2‐deficient T cells are inherently altered in their responses. Activation of purified naive CD4+ T cells from NOX2‐deficient mice led to augmented IFN‐γ and diminished IL‐4 production and an increased ratio of expression of the TH1‐specific transcription factor T‐bet versus the TH2‐specfic transcription factor GATA‐3, consistent with a TH1 skewing of naïve T cells. Selective inhibition of TCR‐induced STAT5 phosphorylation was identified as a potential mechanism for skewed T helper differentiation. Exposure to antioxidants inhibited, while pro‐oxidants augmented TH2 cytokine secretion and STAT5 phosphorylation, supporting the redox dependence of these signaling changes. These data suggest that TCR‐induced ROS generation from NOX2 activation can regulate the adaptive immune response in a T‐cell‐inherent fashion, and propose a possible role for redox signaling in T helper differentiation.
Design of nonbinary quasi‐cyclic low‐density parity‐check codes by maximising the minimum distance
Authors: Liu Lei , Zhou Wuyang , Zhou Shengli 
Published: August 2012

ABSTRACTIn this paper, we propose a construction method of nonbinary quasi‐cyclic low‐density parity‐check (QC‐LDPC) codes. The shift offset values of the circulant permutation submatrices are selected not only by maximising the girth but also by maximising the minimum distance upper bound. The proposed method provides a more rational optimisation way than only maximising the girth.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lymph node metastasis between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle in clinically node‐positive papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Sun Guohua , Wang Yu , Zhu Yongxue , Wang Yulong , Xu Kuan , Wei Wenjun , Li Hui , Lu Zhongwu , Ji Qinghai 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBackgroundThere have been few reports on lymph node metastasis between sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscle (originally LNSS) in clinically node positive (cN+) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Therefore, our objective was to investigate the significance of LNSS metastasis.MethodsA total of 115 patients with cN+ PTC underwent a neck dissection with LNSS, as a separate pathologic specimen to be analyzed for the correlation between LNSS and sex, age, tumor size, tumor site, initial or reoperative treatment, lateral cervical lymph nodes, and central compartment metastasis.ResultsThe positive rate of LNSS was 22.6%. LNSS metastasis was correlated with a primary site in the inferior pole, the lateral nodal metastasis, level III and level IV nodal metastasis, but not with other clinical parameters.ConclusionIn cN+ PTC, especially a primary site in the inferior pole, level III and/or level IV metastasis, attention should be given to excising the nodal tissue in LNSS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013
Examination of a physically based, high‐resolution, distributed Arctic temperature‐index melt model, on Midtre Lovénbreen, Svalbard
Authors: Irvine‐Fynn T. D. L. , Hanna E. , Barrand N. E. , Porter P. R. , Kohler J. , Hodson A. J. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractImprovements in our ability to model runoff from glaciers remain an important scientific goal. This paper describes a new temperature‐radiation‐index glacier melt model specifically enhanced for use in High‐Arctic environments, utilising high temporal and spatial resolution datasets while retaining relatively modest data requirements. The model employs several physically constrained parameters and was tuned using a lidar‐derived surface elevation model of Midtre Lovénbreen, meteorological data from sites spanning ~70% of the glacier's area‐altitude distribution and periodic ablation surveys during the 2005 melt season. The model explained 80% of the variance in observed ablation across the glacier, an improvement of ~40% on a simplified energy balance model (EBM), yet equivalent to the performance of a full EBM employed at the same location. Model performance was assessed further by comparing potential and measured runoff from the catchment and through application to an earlier (2004) melt season. The additive model form and consideration of a priori parameters for the Arctic locality were shown to be beneficial, with a planimetry correction eliminating systematic errors in potential runoff. Further parameterisations defining modelled incident radiation failed to yield significant improvements to model output. Our results suggest that such enhanced melt models may perform well for singular melt seasons, yet are highly sensitive to the choice of lapse rates, and their transferability to different locations and seasons may be limited. While modelling ablation requires detailed consideration of the transition between snow and ice melt, our study suggests that description of the ratio between radiative and turbulent heat fluxes may provide a useful step towards dynamic parameterisation of melt factors in temperature‐index models. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bulk physicochemical, interconnectivity, and mechanical properties of calcium phosphate cements–fibrin glue composites for bone substitute applications
Authors: Lopez‐Heredia M. A. , Pattipeilohy J. , Hsu S. , Grykien M. , van der Weijden B. , Leeuwenburgh S. C. G. , Salmon P. , Wolke J. G. C. , Jansen J. A. 
Published: August 2012

AbstractCalcium phosphate cements (CPCs) and fibrin glue (FG) are used for surgical applications. Their combination is promising to create bone substitutes able to promote cell attachment and bone remodeling. This study proposes a novel approach to create CPC‐FG composites by simultaneous CPC setting and FG fibrinogenesis. CPC‐FG composites were obtained by mixing CPC powders, i.e. α‐tricalcium phosphate, dicalcium phosphate anhydrous and precipitated hydroxyapatite, with FG powder components, i.e. fibrinogen and thrombin, and a 2% Na2HPO4 solution. To study the effect of FG quantity and fibrinogenesis kinetics, long and fast setting FGs were evaluated in amounts of 0.125, 0.250, and 0.500 mL on CPC‐FG composites. Physicochemical, interconnectivity, and mechanical properties were measured. Scanning electron microscopy, Micro‐computed tomography (μ‐CT), X‐ray diffraction, and Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyzed morphology, structure, crystallographic, and chemical composition, respectively. FG fibrinogenesis was performed within the CPC. FTIR confirmed this and its interfacial bonding with CPC. μ‐CT confirmed a good FG distribution. FG addition affected the CPC when compared with pristine CPC. Adding FG to CPC changed their morphology, density, porosity, setting, cohesion, injectability, interconnectivity, crystallographic and chemical composition and mechanical properties. Moreover, 0.500 mL of long setting FG modified the observed fracture behavior of the CPC‐FG. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Proliferation and harvest of human mesenchymal stem cells using new thermoresponsive nanocomposite gels
Authors: Kotobuki Noriko , Murata Kazutaka , Haraguchi Kazutoshi 
Published: August 2012

AbstractFor tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, stem cells should be effectively cultured in vitro. New thermoresponsive nanocomposite gels (MD‐NC gels), consisting of inorganic clay (hectorite) and copolymers composed of hydrophobic 2‐methoxyethyl acrylate (MEA) and hydrophilic N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) units, could be applied in cell culture and cell harvesting without trypsinization, specifically using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The composition of the MD‐NC gel (the ratio of the two monomer types and the clay content) was found to determine its swelling properties in the culture medium, thermosensitivity, protein adsorption, and cell attachment and proliferation. Various kinds of human cells, including MSCs, osteoblast (HOS) cells, fibroblast (NHDF) cells, and epithelial cells could be effectively cultured on MD‐NC gels. In particular, on an MD10‐NC2 gel with relatively low DMAA and clay content, the cells could be harvested by decreasing the temperature, either as a cell sheet (MSCs or NHDF cells) or as a population of suspension cells (HOS cells). Further, it was found that the MD10‐NC2 gel is suitable for stem cell differentiation. Because of their thermosensitivity, controllable modulus, and surface properties, MD‐NC gels are promising cell culture substrates useful for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Effects of microtopographic patterns on platelet adhesion and activation on titanium oxide surfaces
Authors: Ding Yonghui , Leng Yang , Huang Nan , Yang Ping , Lu Xiong , Ge Xiang , Ren Fuzeng , Wang Kefeng , Lei Lijuan , Guo Xiang 
Published: August 2012

AbstractThis study systematically investigated the effects of microtopographic patterns of titanium oxide on platelet adhesion and activation in order to reveal the mechanisms of interactions between platelet and surface topography. Periodic arrays of groove and pillar patterns with dimensions ranging from submicron to several micrometers were fabricated by photolithography and deep reactive‐ion etching on silicon substrates, followed by the sputter deposition of titanium oxide (TiO2). Platelet adhesion and activation on TiO2 patterned surfaces were evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and GMP‐140 assays, respectively. The morphology of adherent platelets was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the microtopographic patterns were able to effectively manipulate the platelet response by varying geometry and size of patterns. A groove pattern resulted in much higher levels of platelet adhesion and activation than a pillar pattern. The study revealed that a difference in pattern size led to two distinctive modes of platelet adhesion: the “bridging” mode in which platelets can bridge over spacing between adjacent patterns when spacing size is smaller than 1.5 μm; and the “full‐contact” mode in which platelets cannot bridge but fully contact the entire surface when spacing size is larger than 3 μm. Our analysis indicates good correlations between platelet behavior and hydrophobicity/wetting anisotropy in “bridging” mode, and effective surface contact area in “full‐contact” mode. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 2013:101A:622–632.
Impact of short‐term perfusion on cell retention for 3D bioconstruct development
Authors: Liu Dan , Chua Chee‐Kai , Leong Kah‐Fai 
Published: August 2012

AbstractPerfusion culture is a commonly used dynamic culture technique in tissue engineering for promoting higher cell number growth. Under perfusion culture, the cell number could be co‐influenced by cell detachment and cell proliferation. However, previous studies have mainly focused on the perfusion effects on cell proliferation but largely ignored the aspect of cell detachment. This work demonstrates that perfusion as small as 2.3 mL/min have induced cell loss compared with static culture even for a culture period of 12 minutes Both perfusion rate and direction have influenced the cell retention in the construct. In general, higher perfusion rates have caused more cell loss, largely due to the induced higher flow shear. The influence of perfusion directions on cell retention has been closely related to cell distribution in the construct. The study shows that cell retention is an important aspect that is worth more research attention and should be considered for cell number analysis in 3D construct development. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 101A: 647–652, 2013.
Vertical inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway for the treatment of osteoarthritis
Authors: Chen Jiezhong , Crawford Ross , Xiao Yin 
Published: August 2012

AbstractOsteoarthritis is characterized by degenerative alterations of articular cartilage including both the degradation of extracellular matrix and the death of chondrocytes. The PI3K/Akt pathway has been demonstrated to involve in both processes. Inhibition of its downstream target NF‐kB reduces the degradation of extracellular matrix via decreased production of matrix metalloproteinases while inhibition of mTOR increased autophagy to reduce chondrocyte death. However, mTOR feedback inhibits the activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway and inhibition of mTOR could result in increased activity of the PI3K/Akt/NF‐kB pathway. We proposed that the use of dual inhibitors of PI3K and mTOR could be a promising approach to more efficiently inhibit the PI3K/Akt pathway than rapamycin or PI3K inhibitor alone and produce better treatment outcome. J. Cell. Biochem. 114: 245–249, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of Participation in a Mindfulness Program for Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Kearney David J. , McDermott Kelly , Malte Carol , Martinez Michelle , Simpson Tracy L. 
Published: August 2012

ObjectiveTo assess outcomes associated with Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) for veterans with PTSD.MethodsForty‐seven veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; 37 male, 32 Caucasian) were randomized to treatment as usual (TAU; n = 22), or MBSR plus TAU (n = 25). PTSD, depression, and mental health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) were assessed at baseline, posttreatment, and 4‐month follow‐up. Standardized effect sizes and the proportion with clinically meaningful changes in outcomes were calculated.ResultsIntention‐to‐treat analyses found no reliable effects of MBSR on PTSD or depression. Mental HRQOL improved posttreatment but there was no reliable effect at 4 months. At 4‐month follow‐up, more veterans randomized to MBSR had clinically meaningful change in mental HRQOL, and in both mental HRQOL and PTSD symptoms. Completer analyses (≥ 4 classes attended) showed medium to large between group effect sizes for depression, mental HRQOL, and mindfulness skills.ConclusionsAdditional studies are warranted to assess MBSR for veterans with PTSD.
Adsorption and separation of rhenium(VII) using N‐methylimidazolium functionalized strong basic anion exchange resin
Authors: Jia Min , Cui Hongmin , Jin Weiqun , Zhu Lili , Liu Yu , Chen Ji 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Rhenium is a rare and valuable metal coexisting with molybdenum in molybdenite and sulfide copper ores and is hard to separate. Methods such as solvent extraction, ion exchange, adsorption, precipitation, etc. have been used to separate and purify Re(VII), and resin ion exchange has been widely investigated and used owing to its convenient operation and relatively low‐cost. The main challenge comes from the preparation of resins having high performance and stability. In an earlier study, an N‐methylimidazolium functionalized strong basic anion exchange resin was successfully synthesized and used for Cr(IV) extraction. This paper, reports on further synthesis and application of this resin for adsorption and separation of Re(VII) and Mo(VI), especially from copper arsenic filter cake.RESULTS: At pH 6.25, Re(VII) and Mo(VI) can be effectively separated with the N‐methylimidazolium functionalized strong basic anion exchange resin, giving a Re(VII) recovery of up to 93.3%, but only 5.1% for Mo(VI). When using the copper arsenic filter cake sample 89.1% Re(VII) recovery was achieved.CONCLUSION: The N‐methylimidazolium functionalized strong basic anion exchange resin exhibited high selectivity and recovery for Re(VII) in a mixed system. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
An evaluation of the application of a TiO2/ Cu(II)/solar simulated radiation system for selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol derivatives
Authors: Marotta Raffaele , Di Somma Ilaria , Spasiano Danilo , Andreozzi Roberto , Caprio Vincenzo 
Published: August 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: The conversion of hydroxybenzyl alcohols, nitro‐benzyl alcohol and methoxybenzyl alcohols into the corresponding aldehydes is attempted in aqueous solution by Cu(II) (which reduces to Cu(0)), at room temperature, under acidic and deaerated conditions, using TiO2 solar simulated light photocatalysis.RESULTS: Under the experimental conditions adopted, the yields of the corresponding hydroxyaldehydes, when Cu(II) was completely reduced to Cu(0), were 21.6% for 4‐hydroxybenzaldehyde, 11.5% for 3‐hydroxybenzaldehyde and 20.2% for 2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde.Higher conversions of 2‐methoxybenzyl alcohol and 4‐methoxybenzyl alcohol were recorded relative to unsubstituted benzyl alcohol. A selectivity of 5.2%, at 50% conversion of the substrate, was observed for the oxidation of 4‐nitrobenzyl alcohol to 4‐nitrobenzaldehyde. For high degrees of aromatic alcohols conversion, oxidation of the generated aldehydes to the corresponding benzoic acid derivatives is observed.CONCLUSION: The introduction of substituents into the aromatic alcohols structure changes the photocatalytic oxidation rate and product selectivities with respect to that previously observed for unsubstituted benzyl alcohol. In particular, the presence of both electron donating (hydroxy, methoxy groups) and electron withdrawing (nitrogroup) groups on the aromatic ring of the substrate causes a detrimental effect on the selectivity of the process with respect to the case of benzyl alcohol. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry