bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
β₂Adrenergic Receptor Activation Suppresses Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP)‐Induced Alkaline Phosphatase Expression in Osteoblast‐Like MC3T3E1 Cells
Authors: Yamada Takayuki , Ezura Yoichi , Hayata Tadayoshi , Moriya Shuichi , Shirakawa Jumpei , Notomi Takuya , Arayal Smriti , Kawasaki Makiri , Izu Yayoi , Harada Kiyoshi , Noda Masaki 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTβ adrenergic stimulation suppresses bone formation in vivo while its actions in osteoblastic differentiation are still incompletely understood. We therefore examined the effects of β2 adrenergic stimulation on osteoblast‐like MC3T3‐E1 cells focusing on BMP‐induced alkaline phosphatase expression. Morphologically, isoproterenol treatment suppresses BMP‐induced increase in the numbers of alkaline phosphatase‐positive small foci in the cultures of MC3T3‐E1 cells. Biochemically, isoproterenol treatment suppresses BMP‐induced enzymatic activity of alkaline phosphatase in a dose‐dependent manner. Isoproterenol suppression of alkaline phosphatase activity is observed even when the cells are treated with high concentrations of BMP. With respect to cell density, isoproterenol treatment tends to suppress BMP‐induced increase in alkaline phosphatase expression more in osteoblasts cultured at higher cell density. In terms of treatment protocol, continuous isoproterenol treatment is compared to cyclic treatment. Continuous isoproterenol treatment is more suppressive against BMP‐induced increase in alkaline phosphatase expression than cyclic regimen. At molecular level, isoproterenol treatment suppresses BMP‐induced enhancement of alkaline phosphatase mRNA expression. Regarding the mode of isoproterenol action, isoproterenol suppresses BMP‐induced BRE‐luciferase activity. These data indicate that isoproterenol regulates BMP‐induced alkaline phosphatase expression in osteoblast‐like MC3T3E1 cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1144–1152, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Paragraph‐reading comprehension ability in Mandarin‐speaking children with cochlear implants
Authors: Wu Che‐Ming , Lee Li‐Ang , Chao Wei‐Chieh , Tsou Yung‐Ting , Chen Yen‐An 
Published: December 2014

Objectives1) To investigate different aspects of paragraph reading in Mandarin‐speaking students with cochlear implants (CIs) and the factors associated with unfavorable outcomes, and 2) to understand the replaceability of a paragraph‐reading test with a sentence‐reading test.Study DesignCross‐sectional, case‐controlled study.MethodsFifty‐three students with CIs (aged 11.0 ± 1.4 years) and 53 grade‐ and gender‐matched children with normal hearing (NH) participated in the study. A paragraph‐reading comprehension test was conducted. Sentence and word reading, speech perception, language skills, and child/family characteristics were examined. An unfavorable paragraph‐reading outcome was defined as a score lower than one standard deviation below the NH mean.ResultsThe CI subjects had significantly worse paragraph‐reading comprehension than did the NH controls (P = 0.017, d = 0.54). Their performance in grades 5 to 6 was not significantly higher than of those with NH in grades 2 to 4. The CI children's abilities to understand semantics (P = 0.012) and syntax (P = 0.020) significantly fell behind the NH controls in grades 2 to 4, and the lag continued in grades 5 to 6 (P = 0.039, P = 0.002, respectively). Grade and sentence reading were independently associated with unfavorable paragraph‐reading outcomes (R2 = 0.453). The optimal sensitivity and specificity of the sentence‐reading test in identifying unfavorable paragraph‐reading outcomes were 90.9% and 90.0%, respectively (area under the curve = 0.923).ConclusionsSpecialists should pay attention to CI students' development of different reading skills. Paragraph‐reading tests enable a multidimensional evaluation of reading competence. Use of sentence‐reading tests is suggested only as a tool for preliminary screening for basic reading capacities.Level of Evidence3b. Laryngoscope, 125:1449–1455, 2015
Morphological Investigation of Midblock‐Sulfonated Block Ionomers Prepared from Solvents Differing in Polarity
Authors: Mineart Kenneth P. , Jiang Xi , Jinnai Hiroshi , Takahara Atsushi , Spontak Richard J. 
Published: December 2014

Recent developments regarding charged multiblock copolymers that can form physical networks and exhibit robust mechanical properties herald new and exciting opportunities for contemporary technologies requiring amphiphilic attributes. Due to the presence of strong interactions, however, control over the phase behavior of such materials remains challenging, especially since their morphologies can be solvent‐templated. In this study, transmission electron microscopy and microtomography are employed to examine the morphological characteristics of midblock‐sulfonated pentablock ionomers prepared from solvents differing in polarity. Resultant images confirm that discrete, spherical ion‐rich microdomains form in films cast from a relatively nonpolar solvent, whereas an apparently mixed morphology with a continuous ion‐rich pathway is generated when the casting solvent is more highly polar. Detailed 3D analysis of the morphological characteristics confirms the coexistence of hexagonally‐packed nonpolar cylinders and lamellae, which facilitates the diffusion of ions and/or other polar species through the nanostructured medium.image
Role of focal adhesion kinase in oocyte‐follicle communication
Authors: McGinnis Lynda K. , Kinsey William H. 
Published: December 2014

SUMMARYGerm cells require communication with associated somatic cells for normal gametogenesis, as exemplified by an oocyte that interacts with granulosa cells via paracrine factors as well as gap junctions located at sites of contact between these two cell types. The objective of the present study was to define the mechanisms by which cell‐cell contact with the oocyte is controlled and to determine the extent that the oocyte actively participates in this association. Proline‐rich tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2), a focal adhesion kinase, was found to be activated at sites of contact between the oocyte and trans‐zonal cell processes from the surrounding granulosa cells. In order to determine the functional significance of oocyte‐derived PTK2 signaling in oocyte‐follicle communication, an oocyte‐specific Ptk2 knockout was produced through a breeding strategy pairing a floxed Ptk2‐CAT‐eGFP mouse with the Zp3‐Cre line. Since Ptk2‐null mice never develop to birth, this represents the first opportunity to define the role of PTK2 in oocyte‐follicle communication. Ablation of Ptk2 within the developing oocyte resulted in lower fertility with reduced numbers of pups, lower rates of blastocyst formation, and reduced cell numbers per blastocyst. Follicles containing Ptk2‐null oocytes exhibited reduced oocyte diameter, reduced numbers of connexin 37 and 43 foci at the oocyte surface, and impaired dye coupling between oocyte and granulosa cells. These findings are consistent with a model in which PTK2 plays a critical role in establishing or maintaining oocyte‐granulosa cell contacts that are essential for gap junction‐mediated communication between granulosa cells and the oocyte. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 90–102, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Are religious people more caring? Exploring the impact of religiosity on charitable organizations in a developing country
Authors: Arli Denni , Lasmono Hari 
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of religiosity on reasons that individuals volunteer. Additionally, this study will investigate the pro‐social attitudes towards helping others and charitable organizations. This study focuses on Indonesia where religion plays an important role in daily life. The data were derived from a convenience sampling at a large private university in Surabaya, Indonesia (N = 258). The results showed that individuals with high intrinsic and extrinsic personal religiosity were more likely to have ‘other‐oriented’ reasons when performing philanthropic activities. Nonetheless, religiosity did not influence attitudes of individuals towards helping others. This study contributes to the debate regarding the effect of religious values on pro‐social attitudes in the context of a developing country. Furthermore, the study provides social implications for researchers, policy makers and practitioners operating in a developing country. This is one of the first few studies exploring the impact of religion on attitude towards charitable organization in Indonesia.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of functional block copolymers and terpolymers containing polyglycidyl methacrylate blocks
Authors: Höhne Susanne , Uhlmann Petra 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTHere, the synthesis of triblock terpolymers using tert‐butyl acrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, and methyl methacrylate was studied in detail using atom transfer radical polymerization. Those polymers are promising candidates for irreversible linked microstructured layers on surfaces. The experiments showed that the polymerization has to be started with the acrylate and can be extended with the methacrylates. The first two steps can be done in a one pot procedure employing the method of halogen exchange. With optimized reaction conditions in the last step, the obtained terpolymers show narrow molecular weight distributions and the polymerization process is well controlled. Conducting the synthesis in the opposite direction mostly a nonuniform product was obtained as the GPC analysis showed. Further characterization was done with 1H NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry, the latter showing different glass points for the single blocks in the terpolymers if they are not too short. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 675–684
Synthesis of polyisocyanurates by thermal rearrangement of polycyanurates
Authors: Tsuchiya Kousuke , Goto Eisuke , Ishida Yoshihito , Higashihara Tomoya , Kameyama Atsushi , Ueda Mitsuru 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTPolyisocyanurates have been successfully prepared by the thermal rearrangement of polycyanurates, which were obtained from 2,4‐dichloro‐6‐methoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine and bisphenol monomers. The thermal rearrangement was carried out in the presence of a small amount of tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as a catalyst at 200 °C for 30 or 60 min in an argon atmosphere, and the degree of arrangement was greater than 95%. Transparent and amorphous polyisocyanurate films were obtained and showed a good thermal stability with a 5% weight loss temperature above 340 °C in nitrogen and the glass transition temperature above 210 °C. Films with a 10‐µm thickness exhibited an excellent transparency above 90% at 400 nm. Furthermore, the thermal rearrangement of 2,6‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐6‐methoxy‐1,3,5‐triazine to 1,3‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐methyl‐1,3,5‐triazinane‐2,4,6‐trione was investigated in detail. It was found that the complete thermal rearrangement was successfully accomplished in the presence of 2 wt % TBAB at 150 °C for 20 min in an argon atmosphere. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 692–698
Crystal structure of afadin PDZ domain–nectin‐3 complex shows the structural plasticity of the ligand‐binding site
Authors: Fujiwara Yoshie , Goda Natsuko , Tamashiro Tomonari , Narita Hirotaka , Satomura Kaori , Tenno Takeshi , Nakagawa Atsushi , Oda Masayuki , Suzuki Mamoru , Sakisaka Toshiaki , Takai Yoshimi , Hiroaki Hidekazu 
Published: December 2014

AbstractAfadin, a scaffold protein localized in adherens junctions (AJs), links nectins to the actin cytoskeleton. Nectins are the major cell adhesion molecules of AJs. At the initial stage of cell–cell junction formation, the nectin–afadin interaction plays an indispensable role in AJ biogenesis via recruiting and tethering other components. The afadin PDZ domain (AFPDZ) is responsible for binding the cytoplasmic C‐terminus of nectins. AFPDZ is a class II PDZ domain member, which prefers ligands containing a class II PDZ‐binding motif, X‐Φ‐X‐Φ (Φ, hydrophobic residues); both nectins and other physiological AFPDZ targets contain this class II motif. Here, we report the first crystal structure of the AFPDZ in complex with the nectin‐3 C‐terminal peptide containing the class II motif. We engineered the nectin‐3 C‐terminal peptide and AFPDZ to produce an AFPDZ–nectin‐3 fusion protein and succeeded in obtaining crystals of this complex as a dimer. This novel dimer interface was created by forming an antiparallel β sheet between β2 strands. A major structural change compared with the known AFPDZ structures was observed in the α2 helix. We found an approximately 2.5 Å‐wider ligand‐binding groove, which allows the PDZ to accept bulky class II ligands. Apparently, the last three amino acids of the nectin‐3 C‐terminus were sufficient to bind AFPDZ, in which the two hydrophobic residues are important.
Embedded Systems Security: A Survey of EU Research Efforts
Authors: Manifavas Charalampos , Fysarakis Konstantinos , Papanikolaou Alexandros , Papaefstathiou Ioannis 
Published: December 2014

AbstractEmbedded systems security is a recurring theme in current research efforts, brought in the limelight by the wide adoption of ubiquitous devices. Significant funding has been allocated to various European projects on this subject area, in order to investigate and overcome the various security challenges. This paper provides an overview of recent EU research efforts pertaining to embedded systems security, where several prominent security issues and the respective proposed approaches are presented. Surveying relatively recent EU research projects, the authors identify 20 such projects that focus on embedded systems security aspects. The investigated technologies are categorised using a layered approach, to facilitate the presentation of the results; the categories comprise the node, network, and middleware and overlay layers, as well as architectures, frameworks and formal validation of the security of embedded systems. From this survey, certain patterns emerge regarding the issues investigated and the technologies researchers focus on, in order to address the said issues. Finally, the existing open issues are summarised, and directions for future research are given. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toxic effects of methamidophos on paraoxonase 1 activity and on rat kidney and liver and ameliorating effects of alpha‐tocopherol
Authors: Araoud Manel , Neffeti Fadoua , Douki Wahiba , Khaled Lamia , Najjar Mohamed Fadhel , Kenani Abderraouf , Houas Zohra 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTThe role of alpha‐tocopherol on nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity induced by methamidophos (MT) was investigated in wistar rats. Animals were given via gavage, for four weeks, a low dose of MT (MT1), a high dose of MT (MT2), vitamin E (200 mg/kg of bw) or both MT2 plus vitamin E (Vit E) and control group was given distillate water. MT treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the body weight of MT2‐treated group. Moreover, MT‐treated groups had significantly lower butyrylcholinesterase (p < 0.01) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activities compared with the control group (p < 0.05). However, MT2‐treated group had significantly higher alkaline phosphatase activity compared with untreated rats (p < 0.05). Both MT‐treated groups had significantly higher urea (p < 0.01) and uric acid levels (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. However, significant low uric acid level (p < 0.05) was noted in MT2 plus vit E‐treated rats compared with MT2‐treated group. Histopathological changes in organ tissues were observed in both MT‐treated groups and MT2 plus vit E‐treated rats. However, the damage was reduced in MT2 plus vit E‐treated rats. Therefore, this study deduces that alpha‐tocopherol administration may ameliorate the adverse effects of subacute exposure to MT on rat liver and kidney and this antioxidant can protect PON1 from oxidative stress induced by this organophosphorus pesticide. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 842–854, 2016.
Quercetin protects human peripheral blood mononuclear cells from OTA‐induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and inflammation
Authors: Periasamy Ramyaa , Kalal Iravathy Goud , Krishnaswamy Rajashree , Viswanadha VijayaPadma 
Published: December 2014

ABSTRACTOchratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most abundant food‐contaminating mycotoxins world wide, and is detrimental to human and animal health. This study evaluated the protective effect of quercetin against OTA‐induced cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and inflammatory response in lymphocytes. Cytotoxicity determined by MTT assay revealed IC20 value of OTA to be 20 µM, which was restored to near control values by pretreatment with quercetin. Oxidative stress parameters such as antioxidant enzymes, LPO and PCC levels indicated that quercetin exerted a protective effect on OTA‐induced oxidative stress. Quercetin exerted an antigenotoxic effect on OTA‐induced genotoxicity, by significantly reducing the number of structural aberrations in chromosomes and comet parameters like, % olive tail moment from 2.76 ± 0.02 to 0.56 ± 0.02 and % tail DNA from 56.23 ± 2.56 to 12.36 ± 0.56 as determined by comet assay. OTA‐induced NO, TNF‐α, IL‐6, and IL‐8 were significantly reduced in the quercetin pretreated samples indicating its anti‐inflammatory role. Our results demonstrate for the first time that quercetin exerts a cytoprotective effect against OTA‐induced oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and inflammation in lymphocytes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 855–865, 2016.
A tale of three watersheds: U.S. EPA's contrasting approaches to agricultural nutrient pollution
Authors: Endres Jody M. , Walker Matthew A. 
Published: December 2014

Solutions to nutrient pollution in America's most significant watersheds have eluded the Clean Water Act since its inception. Although the Act places primary responsibility on states to address agricultural runoff of nitrogen and phosphorus, the states have failed to implement effective remedies, evidenced by widespread hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico, impaired waterways in Florida, and a declining fishing industry in the Chesapeake Bay. The U.S. administration's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has taken three very different approaches within the Mississippi, the Chesapeake, and Floridian watersheds, all aimed at pressing the states to embrace numeric water quality criteria for these pollutants. The three approaches have stimulated litigation that should help clarify the level of discretion the EPA has in deciding how to work with states in implementing nutrient reduction strategies, versus federalized water quality criteria. Further, the suits illustrate the political and cultural clashes that have produced inaction on this problem. They expose the complex institutional, stakeholder, and scientific challenges that both the U.S EPA and the states face in adopting and implementing numeric criteria for waterways. Success in actually remediating the watersheds ultimately will depend not on lawsuits compelling federal action, but on forces outside the courtroom that pressure agricultural producers and other nonpoint sources to assess their role in nutrient pollution and implement best practices that lead to measurable results. We highlight these realities by examining the issues in the three lawsuits and explaining the role of the U.S. EPA, which is caught in the middle of a clash between conservation interests and politically and culturally powerful polluter interests. WIREs Water 2015, 2:47–54. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1060This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Planning Water
Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented
Science of Water > Water Quality
Biomechanical Comparison of Double Grasping Repair versus Cross-Locked Cruciate Flexor Tendon Repair
Authors: Dwyer C. Liam , Dominy D. Dean , Cooney Timothy E. , Englund Richard , Gordon Leonard , Lubahn John D. 
Published: December 2014

Purpose This study was conducted to compare the in vitro biomechanical properties of tensile strength and gap resistance of a double grasping loop (DGL) flexor tendon repair with the established four-strand cross-locked cruciate (CLC) flexor tendon repair, both with an interlocking horizontal mattress (IHM) epitendinous suture. The hypothesis is that the DGL-IHM method which utilizes two looped core sutures, grasping and locking loops, and a single intralesional knot will have greater strength and increased gap resistance than the CLC-IHM method. Methods Forty porcine tendons were evenly assigned to either the DGL-IHM or CLC-IHM group. The tendon repair strength, 2-mm gap force and load to failure, was measured under a constant rate of distraction. The stiffness of tendon repair was calculated and the method of repair failure was analyzed. Results The CLC-IHM group exhibited a statistically significant greater resistance to gapping, a statistically significant higher load to 2-mm gapping (62.0 N), and load to failure (99.7 N) than the DGL-IHM group (37.1 N and 75.1 N, respectively). Ninety percent of CLC-IHM failures were a result of knot failure whereas 30 % of the DGL-IHM group exhibited knot failure. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the CLC-IHM flexor tendon repair method better resists gapping and has a greater tensile strength compared to the experimental DGL-IHM method. The authors believe that while the DGL-IHM provides double the number of sutures at the repair site per needle pass, this configuration does not adequately secure the loop suture to the tendon, resulting in a high percentage of suture pullout and inability to tolerate loads as high as those of the CLC-IHM group.
Low‐Temperature Chemical Synthesis of High‐Purity Diacylglycerols (DAG) from Monoacylglycerols (MAG)
Authors: Pazdur Łukasz , Geuens Jeroen , Sels Hannes , Tavernier Serge M. F. 
Published: December 2014

AbstractA chemical method was developed for low‐temperature synthesis of DAG from MAG followed by an easy purification procedure in order to obtain high‐purity DAG. Solvent‐assisted and solvent‐free reaction conditions were used, combined with different catalysts (sodium methoxide, p‐toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid, and sulfuric acid). All reactions were performed at 35 and 70 °C. By increasing both acidity and polarity of the catalyst the equilibrium shifts towards the formation of DAG. When using sulfuric acid in solvent‐assisted condition at 70 °C, 88 % conversion was obtained after 20 min of reaction (77 % w/w DAG in the reaction mixture after evaporation of the solvent). After purifying by means of column chromatography, 96 % pure DAG were obtained. The overall yield of DAG was 81 %.