bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Toll like Receptor (TLR)-4 as a Regulator of Peripheral Endogenous Opioid-Mediated Analgesia in Inflammation
Authors: Sauer Reine-Solange , Hackel Dagmar , Morschel Laura , Sahlbach Henrike , Wang Ying , Mousa Shaaban A , Roewer Norbert , Brack Alexander , Rittner Heike L 
Published: February 2014

Background: Leukocytes containing opioid peptides locally control inflammatory pain. In the early phase of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced hind paw inflammation, formyl peptides (derived e.g. from Mycobacterium butyricum) trigger the release of opioid peptides from neutrophils contributing to tonic basal antinociception. In the later phase we hypothesized that toll-like-receptor-(TLR)-4 activation of monocytes/macrophages triggers opioid peptide release and thereby stimulates peripheral opioid-dependent antinociception. Results: In Wistar rats with CFA hind paw inflammation in the later inflammatory phase (48–96 h) systemic leukocyte depletion by cyclophosphamide (CTX) or locally injected naloxone (NLX) further decreased mechanical and thermal nociceptive thresholds. In vitro β-endorphin (β-END) content increased during human monocyte differentiation as well as in anti-inflammatory CD14+CD16- or non-classical M2 macrophages. Monocytes expressing TLR4 dose-dependently released β-END after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) dependent on intracellular calcium. Despite TLR4 expression proinflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages only secreted opioid peptides in response to ionomycin, a calcium ionophore. Intraplantar injection of LPS as a TLR4 agonist into the inflamed paw elicited an immediate opioid- and dose-dependent antinociception, which was blocked by TAK-242, a small-molecule inhibitor of TLR4, or by peripheral applied NLX. In the later phase LPS lowered mechanical and thermal nociceptive thresholds. Furthermore, local peripheral TLR4 blockade worsened thermal and mechanical nociceptive pain thresholds in CFA inflammation. Conclusion: Endogenous opioids from monocytes/macrophages mediate endogenous antinociception in the late phase of inflammation. Peripheral TLR4 stimulation acts as a transient counter-regulatory mechanism for inflammatory pain in vivo, and increases the release of opioid peptides from monocytes in vitro. TLR4 antagonists as new treatments for sepsis and neuropathic pain might unexpectedly transiently enhance pain by impairing peripheral opioid analgesia.
Age-dependent defective TGF-beta1 signaling in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Redondo Santiago , Navarro-Dorado Jorge , Ramajo Marta , Medina Úrsula , Molina-Sanchez Pedro , Garces Zaady , García-Alonso Mauricio , Reguillo Fernando , Rodriguez Enrique , Andres Vicente , Tejerina Teresa 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which is deregulated in atherosclerosis; however the role of age in this process is unknown. We aimed to assess whether TGF-β1 signaling is affected by age.

Methods
Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were obtained from patients undergoing abdominal surgery. Levels of TGF-β1 were measured by ELISA in sera from 169 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The p27 expression was determined by Western blot from internal mammary arteries (IMA) obtained from CABG patients (n = 13). In VSMC from these patients undergoing abdominal surgery, secretion of TGF-β1 was determined by ELISA of cell-conditioned media.

Results
In VSMC from aged patients we observed a lower TGF-β1 secretion, measured as TGF-β1 concentration in cell conditioned medium (p < 0.001). This effect was correlated to an age-dependent decrease of p27 expression in IMA from aged CABG patients. In a similar manner, there was an age-dependent decrease of serum TGF-β1 levels in CABG patients (p = 0.0195).

Conclusions
VSMC from aged patients showed a higher degree of cellular senescence and it was associated to a lower TGF-β1 secretion and signaling.
Overproduction of valuable methoxylated flavones in induced tetraploid plants of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss
Authors: Zahedi Ali Akbar , Hosseini Bahman , Fattahi Mohammad , Dehghan Esmail , Parastar Hadi , Madani Hadi 
Published: February 2014

AbstractBackgroundPloidy manipulation is considered an efficient method to increase production potential of medicinally important compounds.Dracocephalum kotschyiBoiss. is an endangered medicinal plant of Iran. Various concentrations of colchicine (0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.50% w/v) were applied to shoot apical meristems ofD. kotschyiseedlings in two and four-leaf stages to induce tetraploidy.ResultsAccording to the results, 0.5% (w/v) of colchicine can be effective for polyploidy induction inD. kotschyi. Putative tetraploids were selected by morphological and microscopic characteristics and their ploidy level was confirmed by flow cytometry analysis and chromosome counting. The chromosome number of original diploid plant was confirmed to be 2n = 2× = 20 whereas that of the tetraploid plant was 2n = 4× = 40. Tetraploid and mixoploid plants showed different morphological, physiological and microscopic characteristics from those of diploid counterparts. The total content of flavonoids was increased from 1583.28 in diploids to 1890.07 (μg/g DW) in stable tetraploids.ConclusionHigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC–DAD) confirmed over accumulation of methoxylated hydroxyflavones in solid tetraploid plants ofD. kotschyi.
Intra-articular injection of micronized dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane attenuates osteoarthritis development
Authors: Willett Nick J , Thote Tanushree , Lin Angela SP , Moran Shamus , Raji Yazdan , Sridaran Sanjay , Stevens Hazel Y , Guldberg Robert E 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Introduction
Micronized dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane (μ-dHACM) is derived from donated human placentae and has anti-inflammatory, low immunogenic and anti-fibrotic properties. The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess the efficacy of μ-dHACM as a disease modifying intervention in a rat model of osteoarthritis (OA). It was hypothesized that intra-articular injection of μ-dHACM would attenuate OA progression.

Methods
Lewis rats underwent medial meniscal transection (MMT) surgery to induce OA. Twenty four hours post-surgery, μ-dHACM or saline was injected intra-articularly into the rat joint. Naïve rats also received μ-dHACM injections. Microstructural changes in the tibial articular cartilage were assessed using equilibrium partitioning of an ionic contrast agent (EPIC-μCT) at 21 days post-surgery. The joint was also evaluated histologically and synovial fluid was analyzed for inflammatory markers at 3 and 21 days post-surgery.

Results
There was no measured baseline effect of μ-dHACM on cartilage in naïve animals. Histological staining of treated joints showed presence of μ-dHACM in the synovium along with local hypercellularity at 3 and 21 days post-surgery. In MMT animals, development of cartilage lesions at 21 days was prevented and number of partial erosions was significantly reduced by treatment with μ-dHACM. EPIC-μCT analysis quantitatively showed that μ-dHACM reduced proteoglycan loss in MMT animals.

Conclusions
μ-dHACM is rapidly sequestered in the synovial membrane following intra-articular injection and attenuates cartilage degradation in a rat OA model. These data suggest that intra-articular delivery of μ-dHACM may have a therapeutic effect on OA development.
Introduction to this special section: 4D
Authors: Goodway Bill 
Published: February 2014

Time lapse is defined as a technique in which exposures are taken at fewer intervals than usual so that on playback, a naturally slow process may be viewed at an accelerated pace. In our seismic parlance, 4D time lapse monitoring is a series of snapshots of changes induced in the earth, taken over periods of days to years. So what is the potential impact of seismic 4D time lapse in the oil and gas (O&G) industry? Following the doomsday prediction of having passed various “peak oil” peaks, Figure 1 clearly demonstrates the O&G industry's motivation to recover from 25% to 60% more hydrocarbons beyond primary production.
Endocrine regulation of carbonate precipitate formation in marine fish intestine by Stanniocalcin and PTHrP
Authors: Gregório Silvia F. , Carvalho Edison S.M. , Campinho Marco A. , Power Deborah M. , Canario Adelino V.M. , Fuentes Juan 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
In marine fish, high epithelial bicarbonate secretion by the intestine generates luminal carbonate precipitates of divalent cations that play a key role in water and ion homeostasis. In vitro studies highlight the involvement of the calciotropic hormones PTHrP (Parathyroid hormone related protein) and stanniocalcin (STC) in the regulation of epithelial bicarbonate transport. The present study tests the hypothesis that calciotropic hormones have a regulatory role in carbonate precipitate formation in vivo. To test this hypothesis sea bream (Sparus aurata ) juveniles received single intraperitoneal injections of piscine PTHrP(1-34), the PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonist PTHrP(7-34), purified sea bream STC or were passively immunized with polyclonal rabbit antisera raised against sea bream STC (STCAb). Endocrine effects on the expression of the basolateral sodium bicarbonate co-transporter (Slc4a4.A), the apical anion exchangers (Slc26a6.A and Slc26a3.B) and the V-type proton pump beta subunit (Atp6v1b) in the anterior intestine were evaluated. In keeping with their calciotropic nature the hypocalcemic factors PTHrP(7-34) and STC up-regulated gene expression of all transporters. In contrast, the hypercalcemic factor PTHrP(1-34) and STC antibodies down-regulated transporters involved in the bicarbonate secretion cascade. Changes in intestine luminal precipitate contents provoked by calcaemic endocrine factors validated these results. 24 hours post-injection either PTHrP(1-34) or immunization with STCAb reduced the content of carbonate precipitates in the intestine of the sea bream. In contrast, the PTH/PTHrP receptor antagonist PTHrP(7-34) increased not only the precipitated fraction, but also the concentration of HCO3- equivalents in the intestinal fluid. These results confirm the hypothesis that calciotropic hormones have a regulatory role in carbonate precipitate formation in vivo in the intestine of marine fish. Furthermore, they illustrate for the first time in fish the counter-acting effect of PTHrP and STC and reveal an unexpected contribution of calcemic factors to acid-base balance.
Increased homeothermy during reproduction in a basal placental mammal
Authors: Levesque Danielle L. , Lovegrove Barry G. 
Published: February 2014

AbstractHomeothermic endothermy, the maintenance of a high and stable body temperature (Tb) using heat produced by elevated metabolism, is energetically expensive. There is increasing evidence that the earliest endotherms were heterotherms that, rather than maintaining strict homeothermy, allowed Tb to fluctuate with large variations between active and rest-phase Tb. The high level of homeothermy observed in modern mammals is therefore likely to have evolved from an ancestral heterothermic state. One of the hypotheses for the evolution of endothermy is that homeothermy allows for greater energetic output during reproduction (Parental Care Model). We tested this hypothesis by measuring metabolic rates over a range of ambient temperatures in both reproductive and non-reproductive Greater hedgehog tenrecs (Setifer setosus), a physiologically primitive mammal from Madagascar. Tenrecs have some of the lowest metabolic rates and highest levels of Tb variability of any mammal and are therefore good models of the ancestral eutherian state. During pregnancy and lactation there was an increase in metabolism and Tb below the thermoneutral zone, accompanied by a decrease in Tb variability. The lower critical limit of the thermoneutral zone was estimated at ~25°C. However, whereas increases in resting metabolism were substantial below 20°C (up to 150% higher during reproduction), daytime rest-phase ambient temperatures at the study site rarely reached equivalent low levels. Thus, S. setosus provide an example for how relatively low-cost increases in homeothermy could have led to substantial increases in fitness by allowing for the faster production of young. The mechanisms necessary for increases in thermogenesis during reproduction would have further benefited the development of homeothermy in mammals.
Essential timing of orthopaedic treatment in children with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome arthrochalasia type: a case report
Authors: van Rooij Maarten J. , Staal Heleen , Klaassens Merel , Van Rhijn Lodewijk , Stumpel Connie T.R.M. 
Published: February 2014

Objective: This case report presents the orthopaedic impact of arthrochalasia-type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) (former type VIIA and B) in a young girl.Methods: The characteristics of EDSs are skin abnormalities and tissue fragility with orthopaedic consequences including joint hypermobility and dislocations. In EDS arthrochalasia type (former type VIIA and B) severe general hypotonia and congenital bilateral hip dislocation are distinctive symptoms. This type of EDS is less common than other types and just a few cases have been reported.Results: This report describes a case of a 3-year old girl with EDS arthrochalasia type and bilateral high hip dislocation, spontaneous shoulder dislocation and scoliosis as orthopaedic consequences.Conclusions: Orthopaedic consequences in these cases can be severe so conservative or surgical treatment will be necessary to reduce disability in later life. Timing of either conservative or surgical intervention is essential. According to the literature, most conservative treatments fail. Also, surgical treatment is rarely effective in most of the cases. Both conservative and surgical treatment should be considered carefully in the treatment of EDS arthrochalasia type, each of which has pros and cons. The best treatment depends on the prognosis and current situation of the child.
Radio behind bars – The Polish case
Authors: Doliwa Urszula 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
There are as many as 157 closed-circuit prison radio stations across Poland. However, as they are almost completely cut off from the world outside, awareness of how they work, what content they broadcast and what role they fulfill is rather limited. This article seeks to address this lack of information. The goal is to characterize such radio stations, the programmes they offer and the role they play in prisons. The article also examines prison radio as a form of community broadcasting. Moreover, special attention is paid to the rehabilitative function of involvement in a radio production process. The main research materials are interviews with representatives of prison radio stations, a one-week programme sample from the prison in Olsztyn, the programmes submitted to the prison radio contest and a visit to the radio station in the predetention centre in Olsztyn.
The top skin-associated genes: a comparative analysis of human and mouse skin transcriptomes
Authors: Gerber Peter Arne , Buhren Bettina Alexandra , Schrumpf Holger , Homey Bernhard , Zlotnik Albert , Hevezi Peter 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
The mouse represents a key model system for the study of the physiology and biochemistry of skin. Comparison of skin between mouse and human is critical for interpretation and application of data from mouse experiments to human disease. Here, we review the current knowledge on structure and immunology of mouse and human skin. Moreover, we present a systematic comparison of human and mouse skin transcriptomes. To this end, we have recently used a genome-wide database of human gene expression to identify genes highly expressed in skin, with no, or limited expression elsewhere – human skin-associated genes (hSAGs). Analysis of our set of hSAGs allowed us to generate a comprehensive molecular characterization of healthy human skin. Here, we used a similar database to generate a list of mouse skin-associated genes (mSAGs). A comparative analysis between the top human (n=666) and mouse (n=873) skin-associated genes (SAGs) revealed a total of only 30.2% identity between the two lists. The majority of shared genes encode proteins that participate in structural and barrier functions. Analysis of the top functional annotation terms revealed an overlap for morphogenesis, cell adhesion, structure, and signal transduction. The results of this analysis, discussed in the context of published data, illustrate the diversity between the molecular make up of skin of both species and grants a probable explanation, why results generated in murine in vivo models often fail to translate into the human.
Upregulation of the thioredoxin-dependent redox system during differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells to adipocytes
Authors: Rajalin Ann-Marie , Micoogullari Mustafa , Sies Helmut , Steinbrenner Holger 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
Hydrogen peroxide acts as a signaling molecule in early adipogenesis. In differentiating adipocytes, elevated hydrogen peroxide generation is balanced through induction of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and peroxiredoxins. Thioredoxin reductases (TrxR) and glutathione peroxidases (GPx) are selenoenzymes that constitute part of the major thiol-dependent antioxidant systems in cells. Here we show that the protein levels of cytoplasmic/nuclear TrxR1 and mitochondrial TrxR2 increase in the course of adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells together with the TrxR2 substrate thioredoxin 2 (Trx2), resulting in elevated TrxR activity in mature adipocytes. Gene and protein expression of the GPx isoenzyme GPx4 was also stimulated during adipogenesis. Chronic exposure of 3T3-L1 cells to the anti-adipogenic factors tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) or rapamycin during differentiation suppressed TrxR1 and Trx2 upregulation, concomitantly with inhibition of adipogenesis and lipogenesis. In contrast, TNF-α or rapamycin did not affect expression of TrxRs and their Trx substrates in mature adipocytes. These results indicate that upregulation of the thioredoxin-dependent redox system is linked to the development of an adipocyte phenotype.
Testing New Reactive Power Control of DERs by Real-Time Simulation
Authors: Di Fazio Anna Rita , Fusco Giuseppe , Russo Mario 
Published: February 2014

Abstract
In the smart grid paradigm, the reactive power control of distributed energy resources (DERs) plays a key role improving the voltage profile in the distribution systems. This topic has been addressed by previous papers in which the Optimal Set-Point Design (OSPD) of DER reactive control, based on a decentralized approach, has been developed. The OSPD determines the set point of a reactive power closed-loop regulation scheme according to an optimization strategy. After briefly recalling the OSPD procedure, the article presents validation studies aiming at testing the effectiveness of the OSPD. The validation is based on a hardware-in-the-loop real-time simulation facility. In particular, an experimental setup has been arranged and presented, in which the system is simulated using the real-time digital simulator (RTDS), while the OSPD has been implemented on a PC in the LabView environment. The OSPD has been developed by considering two different optimization objectives, namely the feeder voltage profile optimization and the distribution losses minimization. The achieved results are then presented and also compared with the ones obtained a classical regulation scheme.
Protective effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of rosemary on H2O2-induced oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes by comet assay
Authors: Razavi-Azarkhiavi Kamal , Behravan Javad , Mosaffa Fatemeh , Sehatbakhsh Samira , Shirani Kobra , Karimi Gholamreza 
Published: February 2014

Abstract

Background: Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) possesses various pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anti-tumorigenesis and anti-mutagenesis activities. In this study, we investigated the possible protective effects of ethanol and aqueous extracts of rosemary on human lymphocyte DNA damage induced by H2O2. The extent of DNA lesions was measured using comet assay.

Methods: Blood samples were taken from healthy volunteers and lymphocytes were isolated. The lymphocytes were then incubated in aqueous and ethanol extract of rosemary (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 and 2.5 mg/mL) and H2O2 (50, 100 and 200 mM). Lymphocytes were also incubated with a combination of H2O2 (100 mM) with either 1 or 2.5 mg/mL of both extracts for 30 min at 4°C.

Results: Our findings showed that H2O2 treatment led to a significant concentrate-dependent DNA damage in human lymphocyte when compared to respective controls (p<0.001). The DNA damage which was initially occurred as the result of 100 µM H2O2 (Percentage tail DNA 55.1%) was inhibited due to the ethanol extract of rosemary at the doses tested (percentage tail DNA 4.7% and 4.03%). However, the aqueous extract has no effects on H2O2 genotoxicity.

Conclusions: We suggest that antioxidant constituents in ethanol extract of rosemary can prevent human lymphocytes oxidative DNA damage which is due to its free radical scavenging activity.
Signalanalyse für Ultraschall-Clamp-on-Systeme
Authors: Wöckel Sebastian , Steinmann Ulrike , Auge Jörg 
Published: February 2014

Zusammenfassung
Die Methode der Signalanalyse für nicht-invasive Ultraschallsysteme auf
Basis der linearen Modellierung und der mathematischen Optimierung wird
erläutert.
Quasistatisch-resonanter Mikroscanner zur adaptiven
Auflösungssteuerung einer 3D ToF-Kamera
Authors: Sandner Thilo , Grasshoff Thomas , Schrödter Richard , Schwarzenberg Markus 
Published: February 2014

Zusammenfassung
Um zukünftig eine aktive, teilautonome Interaktion
von Robotern mit ihrer Umgebung zu gewährleisten, werden neuartige
3D-Sensoren benötigt, die eine hinreichend genaue Erfassung ihrer
Umgebung in Echtzeit ermöglichen und sich durch hohe Robustheit und
Miniaturisierung auszeichnen. Laserscanner ermöglichen zwar eine
präzise und robuste Entfernungsmessung über große Entfernungen
sind aber bzgl. ihrer Messrate auf etwa 1 MVoxel/s begrenzt. In diesem
Beitrag wird eine neuartige MEMS basierte 3D-Kamera vorgestellt, die durch
den Einsatz von quasistatisch-resonanten Mikroscannern eine schnelle und
situationsbezogene Steuerung der Scanbewegung und somit in Analogie zum
menschlichen Auge eine adaptive Anpassung der räumlichen Auflösung
im Scanbereich ermöglicht.
Lokalisation im Maninka (West-Mande)
Authors: Tröbs Holger 
Published: February 2014

AbstractThe structure of localizing expressions in Maninka is described within a universal conceptual framework developed by LEHMANN ( 1 9 9 2 ) . A key element, which appears in the linguistic manifestation of local situations, is the local relator (syntactically an adposition) which designates a local relation between the localized object and the local reference object. It is shown that in Maninka postpositions designate only spatial regions of the reference object (e.g. proximity, interior), whereas the local orientation (towards/away from/along the reference object) is expressed either by the verb root itself, i.e. is contained in the lexical information of the verb, or - in cases where the verb does not incorporate orientation - by a separate orientation verb.The semantics and syntax of the relational preverbs that are formally identical to the respective postpositions is described in terms of changes in transitivity. A conceptual link between the semantics of the postpositions and that of the relational preverbs is established. The preverbal position of the original postpositions is explained in the context of a grammaticalization chain leading from the compounding of postpositions (derived from relational nouns like body-parts and landmarks) with the verb root to the emergence of derivational prefixes.