bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis B virus infection in clustering of infection in families with unfavorable prognoses in northwest China
Authors: Yang Yuan , Jin Li , He Ying‐Li , Wang Ke , Ma Xiao‐Hua , Wang Jing , Yan Zhi , Feng Yu‐Ling , Li Yong‐Qin , Chen Tian‐Yan , Liu Hong‐Li , Zhao Ying‐Ren 
Published: August 2013

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its associated liver diseases have characteristics of familial clustering in China. However, the reasons for this are not understood fully. To address this issue, the prevalence HBV infection and the characteristics of unfavorable prognoses in clustering of infection in families in northwest China were investigated. Families with clustering of infection and unfavorable prognoses were enrolled, and general information and serum samples were collected. The clinical features and sequelae of HBV infection were compared among the blood relatives (including the first‐, second‐, and third‐degree blood relatives) and spouses using the chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test. A total of 102 clusterings of infection families with unfavorable prognoses were interviewed. In the first‐, second‐, and third‐degree blood relatives and spouses, the prevalences of cirrhosis of the liver were 29.2%, 11.9%, and 8.7%, respectively, while those of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were 21.8%, 1.4%, and 4.3%, respectively (P < 0.05). The mean ages of the onset of cirrhosis of the liver in the first‐, second‐, and third‐degree blood relatives and spouses were 57 ± 9.91, 47 ± 9.96, 38 ± 10.35, and 57 ± 8.49 years, respectively, while the mean ages of the onset of HCC were 60 ± 7.92, 49 ± 8.57, 41 ± 3.54, and 50 ± 0 years, respectively, (P < 0.05). The first‐, second‐, and third‐degree blood relatives from clustering of infection in families with unfavorable prognoses had prevalences of cirrhosis or HCC in descending order of relationship. The findings suggest that genetic factors may be associated with a familial tendency for cirrhosis of the liver and HCC. J Med. Virol. 85:1893–1899, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Uncertainty analysis of streamflow drought forecast using artificial neural networks and Monte‐Carlo simulation
Authors: Dehghani Majid , Saghafian Bahram , Nasiri Saleh Farzin , Farokhnia Ashkan , Noori Roohollah 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIn this research, two scenarios of drought forecast were studied. In the first scenario, the time series of monthly streamflow were converted into the Standardized Hydrological Drought Index (SHDI), a similar index to the well‐known Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Multi‐layer feed‐forward artificial neural network (FFANN) was trained with the SHDI time series to forecast the hydrological drought of Karoon River in southwestern Iran. In the second scenario, the time series of monthly streamflow discharge was forecasted directly and then converted to the SHDI. Principal component analysis (PCA) and forward selection (FS) techniques were applied to remove dependency of inputs and reduce the number of input variables, respectively. Moreover, uncertainty of SHDI and monthly streamflow discharge forecasts were investigated using a Monte‐Carlo simulation approach. Findings indicated that the results of the first scenario were considerably better than the second scenario and that the SHDI adequately forecasted hydrological drought. The Monte‐Carlo simulations demonstrated that all of forecasted values lie within the 95% confidence intervals.
A wavelet‐based multiple linear regression model for forecasting monthly rainfall
Authors: He Xinguang , Guan Huade , Zhang Xinping , Simmons Craig T. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTIn this article, a rainfall forecasting model using monthly historical rainfall data and climate indices is developed by incorporating the multi‐resolution analysis (MRA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) model. The monthly rainfall anomaly and large‐scale climate index time series are decomposed using MRA into a certain number of component subseries at different temporal scales. The hierarchical lag relationship between the rainfall anomaly and each potential predictor is identified by cross correlation analysis with a lag time of at least one month at different temporal scales. The components of predictor variables with known lag times are then screened with a stepwise linear regression algorithm to be selectively included into the final forecast model. This MRA‐based rainfall forecasting method is examined with 46 stations over South Australia, and compared to the traditional MLR model based on the original time series. The models are trained with data from the 1959–1995 period and then tested in the 1996–2008 period for each station. The performance is compared with observed rainfall values, and evaluated by common statistics of relative absolute error and correlation coefficient. The results show that the proposed MRA‐based model provides considerably more accurate monthly rainfall forecasts for all of the selected stations over South Australia than the traditional regression model. For the MRA‐based method, historical rainfall is consistently useful for all examined stations, while the large‐scale climate signals are only partly useful for some stations.
Tendon gradient mineralization for tendon to bone interface integration
Authors: Qu Jin , Thoreson Andrew R. , Chen Qingshan , An Kai‐Nan , Amadio Peter C. , Zhao Chunfeng 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTendon‐to‐bone integration is a great challenge for tendon or ligament reconstruction regardless of use of autograft or allograft tendons. We mineralized the tendon, thus transforming the tendon‐to‐bone into a “bone‐to‐bone” interface for healing. Sixty dog flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons were divided randomly into five groups: (1) normal FDP tendon, (2) CaP (non‐extraction and mineralization without fetuin), (3) CaPEXT (Extraction by Na2HPO4 and mineralization without fetuin), (4) CaPFetuin (non‐extraction and mineralization with fetuin), and (5) CaPEXTFetuin (extraction and mineralization with fetuin). The calcium and phosphate content significantly increased in tendons treated with combination of extraction and fetuin compared to the other treatments. Histology also revealed a dense mineral deposition throughout the tendon outer layers and penetrated into the tendon to a depth of 200 µm in a graded manner. Compressive moduli were significantly lower in the four mineralized groups compared with normal control group. No significant differences in maximum failure strength or stiffness were found in the suture pull‐out test among all groups. Mineralization of tendon alters the interface from tendon to bone into mineralized tendon to bone, which may facilitate tendon‐to‐bone junction healing following tendon or ligament reconstruction. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1713–1719, 2013
Histological confirmation and biological significance of cartilage canals demonstrated using high field MRI in swine at predilection sites of osteochondrosis
Authors: Tóth Ferenc , Nissi Mikko J. , Zhang Jinjin , Benson Michael , Schmitter Sebastian , Ellermann Jutta M. , Carlson Cathy S. 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTCartilage canal vessels in epiphyseal cartilage have a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of osteochondrosis/osteochondritis dissecans. The present study aimed to validate high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods to visualize these vessels in young pigs. Osteochondral samples from the distal femur and distal humerus (predilection sites of osteochondrosis) of piglets were imaged post‐mortem: (1) using susceptibility‐weighted imaging (SWI) in an MRI scanner, followed by histological evaluation; and (2) after barium perfusion using µCT, followed by clearing techniques. In addition, both stifle joints of a 25‐day‐old piglet were imaged in vivo using SWI and gadolinium enhanced T1‐weighted MRI, after which distal femoral samples were harvested and evaluated using µCT and histology. Histological sections were compared to corresponding MRI slices, and three‐dimensional visualizations of vessels identified using MRI were compared to those obtained using µCT and to the cleared specimens. Vessels contained in cartilage canals were identified using MRI, both ex vivo and in vivo; their locations matched those observed in the histological sections, µCT images, and cleared specimens of barium‐perfused tissues. The ability to visualize cartilage canal blood vessels by MRI, without using a contrast agent, will allow future longitudinal studies to evaluate their role in developmental orthopedic disease. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:2006–2012, 2013
Polymorphisms in BMP4 and FGFR1 genes are associated with fracture non‐union
Authors: Guimarães João Matheus , Guimarães Isabel Cristina do Val , Duarte Maria Eugenia Leite , Vieira Thays , Vianna Verônica Fernandes , Fernandes Marco Bernardo Cury , Vieira Alexandre Rezende , Casado Priscila Ladeira 
Published: August 2013

ABSTRACTFracture healing is a complex process influenced by a multitude of factors and expression of several thousand genes. Polymorphisms in these genes can lead to an extended healing process and explain why certain patients are more susceptible to develop non‐union. A total of 16 SNPs within five genes involved in bone repair pathogenesis (FAM5C, BMP4, FGF3, FGF10, and FGFR1) were investigated in 167 patients with long bone fractures, 101 with uneventful healing, and 66 presenting aseptic non‐unions. Exclusion criteria were patients presenting pathological fractures, osteoporosis, hypertrophic and infected non‐unions, pregnancy, and children. All genetic markers were genotyped using TaqMan real‐time PCR. Chi‐square test was used to compare genotypes, allele frequencies, and haplotype differences between groups. Binary logistic regression analyzed the significance of many covariates and the incidence of non‐union. Statistical analysis revealed open fracture to be a risk factor for non‐union development (p < 0.001, OR 3.6 [1.70–7.67]). A significant association of haplotype GTAA in BMP4 (p = 0.01) and FGFR1 rs13317 (p = 0.005) with NU could be observed. Also, uneventful healing showed association with FAM5C rs1342913 (p = 0.04). Our work supported the role of BMP4 and FGFR1 in NU fracture independently of the presence of previously described risk factors. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1971–1979, 2013
Genotypic variation in foliar nutrient concentrations, δ13C, and chlorophyll fluorescence in relation to tree growth of radiata pine clones in a serpentine soil
Authors: Xue Jianming , Clinton Peter W. , Davis Murray R. , Siddiqui Tahir , Beets Peter N. , Leckie Alan C. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThis study investigated the genotypic variation in foliar nutrient concentrations, isotopic signature (δ13C), and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) and tree growth of 40 radiata pine clones grown on a New Zealand serpentine soil, and the relationships between growth and physiological traits of these clones from improved and unimproved groups. Genotypic variation in growth and physiological traits existed within (i.e., clonal) and between groups, with larger variation among clones. The clonal repeatabilities were greater for foliar nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), boron (B) concentrations, δ13C, and Ca : Mg ratio (0.35–0.64) than for growth traits (0.14–0.27) and other physiological traits (0.08–0.24). Significant phenotypic correlations were found between growth traits and foliar phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulfur (S), iron (Fe), and K : Mg and Ca : Mg ratios and Fv/Fm (positive), and foliar Mg (negative). This study indicates that the trees on this serpentine soil generally suffered from multiple nutrient deficiencies and imbalances and the clonal variation in growth performance was more related to their capabilities of acclimation to nutrient than water stresses. Overall, the clones that absorbed more P, K, S, and Fe and less Mg from the soil grew better on this serpentine soil. For unimproved clones, the most limiting nutrients for tree growth were foliar K and Fe, while for improved clones it was foliar K.
Essential oil and volatile emissions of basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaves exposed to NaCl or Na2SO4 salinity
Authors: Tarchoune Imen , Baâtour Olfa , Harrathi Jamel , Cioni Pier Luigi , Lachaâl Mokhtar , Flamini Guido , Ouerghi Zeineb 
Published: August 2013

AbstractThe volatile compounds emitted by living leaves of basil (Ocimum basilicum L. cv. Genovese) plants under saline conditions were investigated by means of headspace–solid phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Furthermore, the composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of the leaves was studied. Plants were grown for 15 d without salt or with an equimolar concentration of Na+ in the form of Na2SO4 (25 mM) and NaCl (50 mM), after which the growth, the essential oil, and the volatile constituents of the leaves were determined. Fifty‐four components were identified belonging to different chemical classes. Under control conditions, the essential oil was rich in linalool (45.9%), 1,8‐cineole (16.7%), eugenol (10.3%), trans‐α‐bergamotene, and epi‐α‐cadinol (4.9%). The main volatiles detected in the headspace of leaves of untreated basil plants were linalool (29.8%), followed by 1,8‐cineole (19.2%), trans‐α‐bergamotene (10.0%), and eugenol (7.0%). Under saline conditions, leaf growth was more depressed by 25 mM Na2SO4 than 50 mM NaCl, and essential oil concentration increased by 22% in the NaCl, but decreased by 18% in the Na2SO4 treatment, respectively. Both salts caused some changes in the essential oil and composition of volatile compounds. Most prominent was a strong negative correlation between eugenol and methyleugenol proportions, which may indicate an enhancement of the O‐methyltransferase activity. In comparison to the essential oil, the composition of volatiles showed some variations in their emission profile under both salts, the most important was an increase of eugenol. It is therefore concluded that the decrease of eugenol occurring in basil essential oil caused by both salts could be due to the enhancement of the eugenol O‐methyltransferase activity, an enzyme that accepts eugenol as substrate, generating methyl eugenol, and also to the increase of the eugenol emission as shown by the SPME profile.
Polysaccharides from Liriopes Radix ameliorates hyperglycemia via various potential mechanisms in diabetic rats
Authors: Xiao Zuo‐qi , Wang Yong‐long , Gan Su‐ran , Chen Jia‐chun 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDLiriopes Radix, which is regarded as both drug and healthy diet, is drunk as tea and used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes. Based on our previous studies, investigated the hypoglycemic effects and explored the mechanisms of total polysaccharides from Liriope spicata var. prolifera (Liriopes Radix) in a diabetic rat model.RESULTSTLSP reduced hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. The oral glucose tolerance test showed that TLSP could improve the glucose tolerance of diabetic rats. Damage to liver and pancreas tissue was inhibited after treatment with TLSP. Moreover, TLSP increased glycogen content, glucokinase (GK) and glycogen synthetase (GS) activities, and suppressed the elevation of glucose‐6‐phosphatase (G6Pase) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP) activities in liver. Compared with the diabetic control group, GK and GS mRNA expression were significantly elevated, while G6Pase and GP mRNA expression were decreased in TLSP groups. In addition, TLSP could inhibit glycogen synthase kinase‐3β expression and increase insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate‐1, phosphoinositide 3‐kinase, protein kinase B and glucose transport protein‐4 expression in liver.CONCLUSIONTLSP showed hypoglycemic function. Improvement of glucose metabolism and insulin‐signaling transduction were possible mechanisms. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Graphene‐Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites and Their Improved Strain Sensing Properties
Authors: Eswaraiah Varrla , Jyothirmayee Aravind S. S. , Balasubramaniam Krishnan , Ramaprabhu Sundara 
Published: August 2013

Functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is essential for the dispersion of CNTs in polymer matrices due to their inherence. However, conventional functional groups are insulating in nature, thereby destroying the basic structure of the CNTs and their electrical conductivity due to the harsh and long‐period acid treatments. Hence, a new method of functionalization is essential. In this article, a poly(vinyliedene fluoride) (PVDF) composite comprising graphene wrapped CNTs as a conducting filler is described. A strain‐gauge factor of ≈20 at low strain levels (0.1%) is with a 3 wt% graphene wrapped CNT hybrid in PVDF, which overwhelms conventional metal foil strain gauges as well as functionalized CNT or functionalized graphene based polymer composites for strain sensing.
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Endoplasmic reticulum stress in adipose tissue determines postprandial lipoprotein metabolism in metabolic syndrome patients
Authors: Camargo Antonio , Meneses Maria E. , Rangel‐Zuñiga Oriol A. , Perez‐Martinez Pablo , Marin Carmen , Delgado‐Lista Javier , Paniagua Juan A. , Tinahones Francisco J. , Roche Helen , Malagon Maria M. , Perez‐Jimenez Francisco , Lopez‐Miranda Jose 
Published: August 2013

ScopeOur aim was to ascertain whether the quality and quantity of fat in the diet may influence the ER stress at the postprandial state in adipose tissue by analyzing the gene expression of chaperones, folding enzymes, and activators of the UPR.Methods and resultsA randomized, controlled trial conducted within the LIPGENE study assigned 39 MetS patients to one of four diets: high‐SFA (HSFA; 38% energy (E) from fat, 16% E as SFA), high MUFA (HMUFA; 38% E from fat, 20% E as MUFA), and two low‐fat, high‐complex carbohydrate (LFHCC; 28% E from fat) diets supplemented with 1.24 g/day of long‐chain n‐3 PUFA or placebo for 12 wk each. A fat challenge reflecting the same fatty acid composition as the original diets was conducted post intervention. sXBP‐1 is induced in the postprandial state irrespective of the diet consumed (p < 0.001). BiP increases postprandially after consumption of diets HMUFA (p = 0.006), LFHCC (p = 0.028), and LFHCC n‐3 (p = 0.028). Postprandial mRNA expression levels of CRL, CNX, PDIA3, and GSTP1 in AT did not differ between the different types of diets.ConclusionOur results suggest that upregulation of the unfolded protein response at the postprandial state may represent an adaptive mechanism to counteract diet‐induced stress.
Taurine improves obesity‐induced inflammatory responses and modulates the unbalanced phenotype of adipose tissue macrophages
Authors: Lin Shan , Hirai Shizuka , Yamaguchi Yuko , Goto Tsuyoshi , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Tani Fumito , Mutoh Chikako , Sakurai Takanobu , Murakami Shigeru , Yu Rina , Kawada Teruo 
Published: August 2013

ScopeIt is increasingly accepted that chronic inflammation is a feature of obesity. Obesity‐induced inflammation triggers enhanced recruitment of macrophages into the adipose tissue. Depending on their phenotype, macrophages can be designated either as pro‐inflammatory M1 macrophages or anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages. We have therefore investigated the effects of taurine, a sulfated amino acid that is abundant in seafood, on obesity‐related inflammation.Methods and resultsIn high‐fat diet fed C57BL/6J mice, taurine treatment reduced the infiltration of macrophages and promoted an M2‐like phenotype of macrophages in adipose tissues. In addition, taurine decreased the production of inflammatory cytokines, and suppressed the development of hyperglycemia in diet‐induced obese mice. Moreover, in vitro experiments that involved bone marrow derived macrophages indicated that taurine treatment induced alternative M2 macrophage activation, and its chloride, taurine chloramines, inhibited classical M1 macrophage activation.ConclusionOur findings indicate that taurine treatment attenuates the infiltration of adipose tissue by macrophages and modulates the phenotype of macrophages, which suggest that taurine is a valuable food constituent with a potential to attenuate chronic inflammation in adipose tissue and improve obesity‐related insulin resistance.
The single‐nucleotide polymorphism (GPX4c718t) in the glutathione peroxidase 4 gene influences endothelial cell function: Interaction with selenium and fatty acids
Authors: Crosley Lynne K. , Bashir Shabina , Nicol Fergus , Arthur John R. , Hesketh John E. , Sneddon Alan A. 
Published: August 2013

ScopeSelenium (Se) is incorporated into selenoproteins as selenocysteine, which requires structures in the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of selenoprotein mRNAs. The functional consequences of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within the 3′‐UTR of the selenoprotein GPX4 gene (GPX4c718t) was assessed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and monocytes from human volunteers.Methods and resultsHUVEC and monocytes homozygous for the T‐ or C‐variant of the GPX4c718t SNP were assessed for monocyte–endothelial cell adhesion, expression of VCAM‐1 and sensitivity to oxidative challenge. Interaction of the SNP with Se and different PUFA and effects on selenoprotein expression were also investigated. HUVEC and monocytes homozygous for the T‐variant showed elevated adhesion levels compared to cells of the C‐variant. This effect was modified by Se and PUFA. HUVEC homozygous for the T‐variant showed elevated levels of VCAM‐1 protein in the presence of arachidonic acid, were more sensitive to oxidative challenge and showed Se‐dependant changes in lipid peroxide levels and expression of additional selenoproteins.ConclusionThese findings demonstrate functional effects of the GPX4c718t SNP in endothelial cells and may suggest that individuals with the TT genotype have impaired endothelial function and are at greater risk of vascular disease compared to individuals with the CC genotype.
Dynamic crack propagation in elastoplastic thin‐walled structures: Modelling and validation
Authors: Mostofizadeh S. , Fagerström M. , Larsson R. 
Published: August 2013

SUMMARYIn this paper, a method to analyse and predict crack propagation in thin‐walled structures subjected to large plastic deformations when loaded at high strain rates—such as impact and/or blast—has been proposed. To represent the crack propagation independently of the finite element discretisation, an extended finite element method based shell formulation has been employed. More precisely, an underlying 7‐parameter shell model formulation with extensible directors has been extended by locally introducing an additional displacement field, representing the displacement discontinuity independently of the mesh. Of special concern in the paper has been to find a proper balance between, level of detail and accuracy when representing the physics of the problem and, on the other hand, computational efficiency and robustness. To promote computational efficiency, an explicit time step scheme has been employed, which however has been discovered to generate unphysical oscillations in the response upon crack propagation. Therefore, special focus has been placed to investigate these oscillations as well as to find proper remedies. The paper is concluded with three numerical examples to verify and validate the proposed model.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.