bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Drug‐coated balloons—the importance of packing and dosing antiproliferative drugs
Authors: Hehrlein Christoph 
Published: July 2015

Key Points

Several balloon catheters coated with paclitaxel have been shown to reduce restenosis rates in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) revealing a relatively wide therapeutic window of effective doses ranging from 2 to 3 µg/mm2 balloon surface area
Delivering lower antiproliferative drug doses to the vessel wall may not be inferior to higher drug doses provided that effective drug‐excipient formulations have been chosen
Leaving non‐flow limiting dissection in the SFA non‐stented might be an option after use of drug‐coated balloons
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation for bicuspid aortic valve stenosis
Authors: Hamdan Ashraf , Kornowski Ran 
Published: July 2015

Key Points

In Preprocedural CT, patients with BAV have larger aortic annulus perimeters, and more calcified valves compared with TAV.
In patients with BAV, self‐expandable valves were under‐expand and balloon‐expandable valves have a trend toward increased rates of postimplantation AR grade.
Self‐expandable valves have higher postprocedural gradient in BAV compared with TAV.
Nanomaterials, Autophagy, and Lupus Disease
Authors: Bianco Alberto , Muller Sylviane 
Published: July 2015

AbstractNanoscale materials hold great promise in the therapeutic field. In particular, as carriers or vectors, they help bioactive molecules reach their primary targets. Furthermore, by themselves, certain nanomaterials—regarded as protective—can modulate particular metabolic pathways that are deregulated in pathological situations. They can also synergistically improve the effects of a payload drug. These properties are the basis of their appeal. However, nanoscale materials can also have intrinsic properties that limit their use, and this is the case for certain types of nanomaterials that influence autophagy. This property can be beneficial in some pathological settings, but in others, if the autophagic flux is already accelerated, it can be deleterious. This is notably the case for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and other chronic inflammatory diseases, including certain neurological diseases. The nanomaterial–autophagy interaction therefore must be treated with caution for therapeutic molecules and peptides that require vectorization for their administration.
A virtual approach to evaluate therapies for management of multiple myeloma induced bone disease
Authors: Ji Bing , Genever Paul G. , Fagan Michael J. 
Published: July 2015

SummaryMultiple myeloma bone disease is devastating for patients and a major cause of morbidity. The disease leads to bone destruction by inhibiting osteoblast activity while stimulating osteoclast activity. Recent advances in multiple myeloma research have improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma‐induced bone disease and suggest several potential therapeutic strategies. However, the effectiveness of some potential therapeutic strategies still requires further investigation and optimization. In this paper, a recently developed mathematical model is extended to mimic and then evaluate three therapies of the disease, namely: bisphosphonates, bortezomib and TGF‐β inhibition. The model suggests that bisphosphonates and bortezomib treatments not only inhibit bone destruction, but also reduce the viability of myeloma cells. This contributes to the current debate as to whether bisphosphonate therapy has an anti‐tumour effect. On the other hand, the analyses indicate that treatments designed to inhibit TGF‐β do not reduce bone destruction, although it appears that they might reduce the viability of myeloma cells, which again contributes to the current controversy regarding the efficacy of TGF‐β inhibition in multiple myeloma‐induced bone disease. © 2015 The Authors. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Biomedical Engineering published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
An integrated mathematical model of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
Authors: Trenhago Paulo Roberto , Fernandes Luciano Gonçalves , Müller Lucas Omar , Blanco Pablo Javier , Feijóo Raúl Antonino 
Published: July 2015

SummaryThis study presents a lumped model for the human cardiorespiratory system. Specifically, we incorporate a sophisticated gas dissociation and transport system to a fully integrated cardiovascular and pulmonary model. The model provides physiologically consistent predictions in terms of hemodynamic variables such as pressure, flow rate, gas partial pressures, and pH. We perform numerical simulations to evaluate the behavior of the partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide in different vascular and pulmonary compartments. For this, we design the rest condition with low oxygen requirements and carbon dioxide production and exercise conditions with high oxygen demand and carbon dioxide production. Furthermore, model sensitivity to more relevant model parameters is studied. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A protocol format for the preparation, registration and publication of systematic reviews of animal intervention studies
Authors: de Vries Rob B. M. , Hooijmans Carlijn R. , Langendam Miranda W. , van Luijk Judith , Leenaars Marlies , Ritskes‐Hoitinga Merel , Wever Kimberley E. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSystematic reviews are an important method to support evidence‐based decisions in healthcare (research). Although not yet as common as clinical systematic reviews, the number of systematic reviews of animal studies has been increasing steadily in recent years. An important method to promote high‐quality systematic reviews is to pre‐specify the review methodology in a protocol, before the conduct of the systematic review itself. In contrast to clinical systematic reviews, a standard protocol format for systematic reviews of animal studies is not yet available. Here, we present a protocol format tailored to the preparation, registration and publication of systematic reviews of animal intervention studies (i.e. systematic reviews of animal experiments studying the efficacy and/or safety of interventions intended for use in human patients). In analogy to the Cochrane review protocol, the format helps authors predefine the methodological approach of their systematic review, from research question to data synthesis. We recommend that authors prospectively complete and agree on the protocol, and register and/or publish it to allow feedback on the proposed methodology and to avoid the introduction of bias during the review process. Opportunities for obtaining feedback, and for registration and publication of review protocols are also discussed.
Cardiac stem cell treatment in myocardial infarction: protocol for a systematic review and meta‐analysis of preclinical studies
Authors: Zwetsloot P. P. , Jansen of Lorkeers S. J. , Végh A. M. D. , van Hout G. P. J. , Currie G. L. , Goumans M. J. , Chamuleau S. A. J. , Sluijter J. P. G. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCardiac‐derived stem or progenitor cells (CSCs) have emerged as a possible therapeutic intervention for myocardial infarction, potentially ameliorating the devastating effects caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart. The first human clinical trials using these myocardial‐derived cells have recently started, but scientific controversy exists regarding the efficacy and origin of some of these stem cells in preclinical animal models. Systematic review of the current literature on CSCs in ischaemic cardiomyopathy can provide useful additional information on the use of CSCs in preclinical trials. By combining all available data, we can adequately compare the different types of cells being used and possibly identify factors that influence cardiac stem cell therapy in general. This protocol provides a thorough description of the methodology that will be used in our systematic review and meta‐analysis of all preclinical animal studies involving cardiac stem cell treatment for ischaemic cardiomyopathy.
Optimal vegetation cover in the Horqin Sands, China
Authors: Mo Kangle , Cong Zhentao , Lei Huimin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractVegetation cover is an important index describing vegetation distribution, which is widely used to study vegetation dynamics. Eagleson presented an optimal vegetation cover hypothesis by the tradeoff of water supply and water demand based on strict mathematical and physical derivation. According to Eagleson's ecohydrological optimality, the positive correlation curve between canopy conductance and vegetation cover is obtained based on water demand; the negative correlation curve between canopy conductance and vegetation cover is obtained based on water supply. The optimal vegetation cover can be estimated by the cross point of these two curves. This method was applied in the Horqin Sands, China. Normalized difference vegetation index of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer dataset was used to calculate vegetation cover and the anthropological disturbance was excluded; meteorological data from three stations were used to estimate optimal vegetation cover. The vegetation cover by ecohydrological optimality (0.318) is consistent with the vegetation cover by remote sensing (0.317). The spatial map of optimal vegetation cover showed a more smooth transit in this area. Under this framework, the vegetation cover would decrease 17% with 10% precipitation decrease and it would decrease 16% with 10% air temperature decrease in this area. This method can be widely applied to determine the appropriate vegetation cover in vegetation restoration practice and to predict vegetation variation under climate change. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Insulin resistance in heart failure: differences between patients with reduced and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction
Authors: Scherbakov Nadja , Bauer Maximiliane , Sandek Anja , Szabó Tibor , Töpper Agnieszka , Jankowska Ewa A. , Springer Jochen , von Haehling Stephan , Anker Stefan D. , Lainscak Mitja , Engeli Stefan , Düngen Hans‐Dirk , Doehner Wolfram 
Published: July 2015

AimsInsulin resistance (IR) is a characteristic feature of heart failure (HF) pathophysiology that affects symptoms and mortality. Differences in the pathophysiological profile of IR in HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) are not characterized in detail. The aim of this study was to evaluate features of IR in HFpEF vs. HFrEF.Methods and resultsWe included 18 patients with HFrEF (EF 30 ± 11%, body mass index (BMI) 26.5 ± 3.3 kg/m2), 22 HFpEF patients (EF 63 ± 7%, BMI 28.6 ± 4.8 kg/m2), and 20 healthy controls of similar age, all without diabetes mellitus. Patients were in stable ambulatory condition and on stable medical regimens for HF. IR was assessed at fasting steady state by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index and within the physiological range of insulin–glucose interactions by the short insulin sensitivity test (SIST). Fasting‐state IR was observed in HFpEF and in HFrEF in comparison with controls (HOMA 1.9, interquartile range (IQR) 1.5–3.6 vs. HOMA 3.1, IQR 1.4–3.7 vs. controls 1.2, IQR 1.8–0.9, respectively; analysis of variance P < 0.001), but no statistical difference was observed between HFpEF and HFrEF. The dynamic test over the physiological range of insulin–glucose interactions revealed a more severe IR in HFrEF as compared with HFpEF. Thus, glucose levels remained the highest in HFrEF (76 (64–89) mg/dL) at the end of the SIST compared with HFpEF and controls (68 (58–79) and 56 (44–66) mg/dL, respectively, P < 0.001).ConclusionIR is present in non‐diabetic patients with HFpEF and HFrEF. However, distinct differences in the insulin sensitivity characteristics in HFpEF and HFrEF become apparent by more advanced testing. Patients with HFrEF showed more severe IR.
Verbal Versus Figural Fluency Tests in Currently Ill and Weight Restored Anorexia Nervosa Patients
Authors: Heled Eyal , Hoofien Dan , Bachar Eytan , Ebstein Richard P. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractFluency tests allow domain‐specific assessment of verbal and non‐verbal executive functions (EF) comparison and also enable utilizing of both quantitative and qualitative scoring methods. Thirty‐five currently ill anorexia nervosa patients (PANs), 33 weight‐restored patients (WRAN) and 47 healthy controls (HCs) were administered the word fluency test and the five‐point test. Results show that WRANs tended to perseverate more than HCs in the verbal‐fluency test. In addition, PANs produced significantly less correct figures and perseverated more than HCs and WRANs; HCs used more strategy methods than PANs and WRANs. Additionally, a positive correlation was found in the HC group between the total number of words in the verbal phonemic test and the number of designs produced and the number of correct designs. No such correlations were found in both anorexia groups. In conclusion, there is a differentiation between verbal and non‐verbal EF in PANs and WRANs, showing a deficiency in the non‐verbal domain. These findings may contribute to our understanding of the cognitive nature of the disorder. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Sweet sorghum ideotypes: genetic improvement of the biofuel syndrome
Authors: Anami Sylvester Elikana , Zhang Li‐Min , Xia Yan , Zhang Yu‐Miao , Liu Zhi‐Quan , Jing Hai‐Chun 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCompared to other potential feedstocks such as sugarcane, sugar beet, maize, and watermelon, sweet sorghum possesses higher levels of directly fermentable reducing sugars within the culm and the ability to accumulate high biomass under low‐input production systems. In addition, it is tolerant to drought and has more efficient utilization of solar radiation and nitrogen‐based fertilizers than maize and sugar cane on marginal lands that are not optimal for food production. These collectively make sweet sorghum to be considered with huge potential as a biofuel crop. Novel phenotypes generated during plant domestication and continued crop improvements via artificial selection constitute the domestication syndrome (Am. J. Bot., 101, 2014, 1711). Here, we draw an analogy and introduce the term the biofuel syndrome to refer to a suite of sweet sorghum traits, such as plant architecture (root, leave, and stem), flowering time and maturity as well as biomass bioconversion efficiency, that are associated with biofuel production and distinguish it from grain and forage sorghum traits. We discuss the biofuel syndrome amenable for targeted genetic modulation and what is currently known about the genetics and genomics of these traits as a potential route to optimize sweet sorghum for biofuel production. Continuous availability of sweet sorghum, transport and storing much mass and minimizing the postharvest loss of fermentable sugars are fundamental to exploiting sweet sorghum as a bioenergy crop. Due to the relatively short history of sweet sorghum breeding, we consider the development of ideotypes adapting to various phenological requirements to maximize the rapid deployment of sweet sorghum for biofuel production.
Cytochrome P450 induction response in tethered spheroids as a three‐dimensional human hepatocyte in vitro model
Authors: Xia Lei , Hong Xin , Sakban Rashidah Binte , Qu Yinghua , Singh Nisha Hari , McMillian Michael , Dallas Shannon , Silva Jose , Sensenhauser Carlo , Zhao Sylvia , Lim Heng Keang , Yu Hanry 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCytochrome P450 (CYP) induction is a key risk factor of clinical drug–drug interactions that has to be mitigated in the early phases of drug discovery. Three‐dimensional (3D) cultures of hepatocytes in vitro have recently emerged as a potentially better platform to recapitulate the in vivo liver structure and to maintain long‐term hepatic functions as compared with conventional two‐dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures. However, the majority of published studies on 3D hepatocyte models use rat hepatocytes and the response to CYP inducers between rodents and humans is distinct. In the present study, we constructed tethered spheroids on RGD/galactose‐conjugated membranes as an in vitro 3D model using cryopreserved human hepatocytes. CYP3A4 mRNA expression in the tethered spheroids was induced to a significantly greater extent than those in the collagen sandwich cultures, indicating the transcriptional regulation was more sensitive to the CYP inducers in the 3D model. Induction of CYP1A2, CYP2B6 and CYP3A4 activities in the tethered spheroids were comparable to, if not higher than that observed in the collagen sandwich cultures. The membrane‐based model is readily integrated into multi‐well plates for higher‐throughput drug testing applications, which might be an alternative model to screen the CYP induction potential in vitro with more physiological relevance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multilevel analysis of elastic morphology: The mantis shrimp's spring
Authors: Rosario M. V. , Patek S. N. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTSpring systems, whether natural or engineered, are composed of compliant and rigid regions. Biological springs are often similar to monolithic structures that distribute compliance and rigidity across the whole system. For example, to confer different amounts of compliance in distinct regions within a single structure, biological systems typically vary regional morphology through thickening or elongation. Here, we analyze the monolithic spring in mantis shrimp (Stomatopoda) raptorial appendages to rapidly acquire or process prey. We quantified the shape of cross‐sections of the merus segment of the raptorial appendage. We also examined specific regions of the merus that are hypothesized to either store elastic energy or provide structural support to permit energy storage in other regions of the system. We found that while all mantis shrimp contain thicker ventral bars in distal cross‐sections, differences in thickness are more pronounced in high‐impact “smasher” mantis shrimp than in the slower‐striking “spearer” mantis shrimp. We also found that spearer cross‐sections are more circular while those of smashers are more eccentric with elongation along the dorso‐ventral axis. The results suggest that the regional thickening of ventral bars provides structural support for resisting spring compression and also reduces flexural stiffness along the system's long axis. This multilevel morphological analysis offers a foundation for understanding the evolution and mechanics of monolithic systems in biology. J. Morphol. 276:1123–1135, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Mechanistic Study on the Oxidative Degradation of Dibenzazepine Derivatives by Manganese(III) Complexes in Acidic Sulfate Media
Authors: Wiśniewska Joanna , Wrzeszcz Grzegorz 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThe oxidative degradation of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) was studied in the presence of a large excess of the oxidizing agent manganese(III) and its reduced form manganese(II) sulfate in acidic media. The products were detected and identified using UV–vis, ESI‐MS, IR, and EPR methods. The mechanism of the reaction was studied for the following two classes of TCA: 10,11‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenz[b, f]azepines and dibenz[b, f]azepines. The oxidative degradation between dibenz[b, f]azepines and the manganese(III) ions resulted in the formation of substituted acridine with the same substituent as in the origin dibenz[b, f]azepine derivative. The pseudo–first‐order rate constants (kobs) were determined for the degradation process. The dependences of the observed rate constants on the [MnIII] with a zero intercept were linear. The reaction between 10,11‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenz[b, f]azepines, and the manganese(III) sulfate ion resulted in oxidative dehydrogenation, which proceeded via the formation of the following two intermediates: a free organic radical and a dimer. Further oxidation of the second intermediate led to a positively charged radical dimer as the single final product. Linear dependences of the pseudo–first‐order rate constants (kobs) on the [MnIII] with a zero intercept were established for the degradation of 10,11‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenz[b, f]azepines. The observed rate constants were dependent on the [H+] and independent of the [TCA] within the excess concentration range of the manganese(III) complexes used in the isolation method. The radical product of the degradation of 10,11‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenz[b, f]azepines was not stable in the aqueous solution and was subsequently transformed to a nonradical dimer in the next slower step. The observed rate constants were independent of the [MnIII], independent of the [H+] and increased slightly with increasing TCA concentrations when TCA was used in excess. The mechanistic consequences of all of these results are discussed.
Effect of recurrent onabotulinum toxin a injection into the salivary glands: An ultrasound measurement
Authors: Cardona Isabel , Saint‐Martin Christine , Daniel Sam J. 
Published: July 2015

Objectives/HypothesisOnabotulinum toxin A (OBTXA) injection is a well‐established therapeutic option for the management of drooling. Many of the children treated undertake repeated injections every 3 to 6 months. We aimed to assess quantitative salivary gland changes via ultrasound imaging after intraglandular injection of OBTXA for sialorrhea treatment in children, as a method that suggests permanent changes in glandular size can cause a decrease in functionality or atrophy.Study DesignCase‐control study.MethodsThe parotid and submandibular glands of 22 patients with sialorrhea with previous repetitive OBTXA treatments were measured via ultrasound. These were compared with a control group of 38 healthy children.ResultsA total of 60 patients were included in the study (38 boys, 22 females). Body mass index, sex, and age were defined as confounders. The mean age was 7 years (standard deviation [SD] ±2.3 years) and 9 years (SD ±3.8 years) for treatment and control groups, respectively. There were no postinjection complications. We found significant decrease in the size dimensions (surface area and depth) of both submandibular glands and one parotid gland in the treatment group (P < .05). Significant smaller anterior‐posterior dimension of the submandibular glands (P < .01) was also found.ConclusionsThe chronic use of intraglandular OBTXA reduced the size of the salivary glands measured ultrasonographically. Results were correlated with clinical outcomes. Pathological studies should be done to correlate whether ultrasound changes result in atrophy or apoptosis of the glands.Level of Evidence3b Laryngoscope, 125:E328–E332, 2015