bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Initial hydro‐geomorphic development and rill network evolution in an artificial catchment
Authors: Schneider Anna , Gerke Horst H. , Maurer Thomas , Nenov Rossen 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTThe formation of erosion rills and gullies is a critical step in land surface development, but possibilities to study initial unaffected surface development under natural conditions and with well‐defined initial and boundary conditions are rare. The objective of this study was to characterize rill network development from ’point zero’ in the artificially‐created catchment ‘Hühnerwasser’. To ensure unaffected development, the study was largely restricted to the analysis of remotely‐sensed data. We analyzed a series of photogrammetry‐based digital elevation models (DEMs) for 10 points in time, over a period of five years and beginning with the initial state. The evolving erosion rill network was quantitatively described based on mapping from aerial photographs. DEMs and rill network maps were combined to specifically analyze the development of morphometry for different parts of the network and to characterize energy dissipation and connectivity. The restriction to remote‐sensing data did not allow for analyzing specific processes governing rill network development, nevertheless, two major development phases could be characterized. We observed a phase of growth of the rill network along with variations in drainage patterns during the first two years of development and a subsequent phase of reduction of its area along with comparably stable patterns. Region‐specific analysis of morphometry indicates that, besides effects of changing sediment characteristics and vegetation cover development, locally evolving hydro‐geomorphic feedback cycles influenced this development. Results show an increasing similarity of overall statistical characteristics (e.g. drainage density) for two parts of the catchment, but a persistent influence of initial conditions on specific rill geometry. The observed development towards higher orderliness and increased connectivity is consistent with experiments and concepts on drainage network evolution across scales; however, we did not observe major influences of rill piracy and cross grading or a reduction of energy dissipation with network development. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Free fatty acids repress small heterodimer partner (SHP) activation and adiponectin counteracts bile acid-induced liver injury in superobese patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Authors: Bechmann Lars P. , Kocabayoglu Peri , Sowa Jan-Peter , Sydor Svenja , Best Jan , Schlattjan Martin , Beilfuss Anja , Schmitt Johannes , Hannivoort Rebekka A. , Kilicarslan Alpaslan , Rust Christian , Berr Frieder , Tschopp Oliver , Gerken Guido , Friedman Scott L. , Geier Andreas , Canbay Ali 
Published: January 2013

Abstract

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease in industrialized countries and may proceed to steatohepatitis (NASH). Apoptosis and free fatty acid (FFA)-induced lipotoxicity are important features of NASH pathogenesis. We have shown a hepatoprotective effect of adiponectin in steatotic livers of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients and recent data links bile acid (BA) metabolism to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. The aim of this study was to identify potential interactions between BA and FFA metabolism in NAFLD. Liver biopsies and serum samples from 113 morbidly obese patients receiving bariatric surgery, healthy individuals, and moderately obese NAFLD patients were studied. Serum FFA, BA, and M30 were increased in NASH versus simple steatosis, while adiponectin was significantly decreased. The NAFLD activity score (NAS) score correlated with BA levels and reversely with adiponectin. Adiponectin reversely correlated with CD95/Fas messenger RNA (mRNA) and hepatocellular apoptosis. The BA transporter high-affinity Na+/taurocholate cotransporter (NTCP) and the BA synthesizing enzyme cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) were significantly up-regulated in obese patients and hepatoma cells exposed to FFA. Up-regulation of NTCP and CYP7A1 indicate failure to activate small heterodimer partner (SHP) upon farnesoid X receptor (FXR) stimulation by increasing BA concentrations. In line with the NAS score, adiponectin levels were reversely correlated with BA levels. Adiponectin correlated with NTCP and affects Cyp7A1 expression both

in vivo

and

in vitro

.

Conclusion:

BA synthesis and serum BA levels correlated with disease severity in NAFLD, while adiponectin is reversely correlated. FFA exposure prevented SHP-mediated repression of NTCP and Cyp7A1 expression, which lead to increased BA synthesis and uptake. In NASH, BA accumulation induced hepatocyte cell death and late FXR activation failed to prevent hepatocyte injury due to decreased adiponectin levels. Early treatment with FXR ligands and/or adiponectin-receptor agonists might prevent NASH.
Cross–diffusion effects on mixed convection from an exponentially stretching surface in non–Darcy porous medium
Authors: Srinivasacharya D. , RamReddy Ch. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe Soret and Dufour effects on mixed convection flow and heat and mass transfers from an exponentially stretching surface in a quiescent fluid–saturated non–Darcy porous medium is studied. Stretching velocity, wall temperature, and wall concentration are assumed to have specific exponential function forms. The governing partial differential equations are transformed into ordinary differential equations using similarity transformations and then solved numerically using an implicit finite difference scheme known as the Keller–box method. The present results are found to be in excellent agreement with previously published work on various special cases of the problem. The influence of buoyancy, Soret and Dufour numbers, and Darcy and non–Darcy parameters on the convective transport in the boundary layer region is analyzed. Also, the numerical values of the skin friction, heat, and mass transfer coefficients for different values of governing parameters are also tabulated. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj). DOI 10.1002/htj.21032
Smads and cell fate: Distinct roles in specification, development, and tumorigenesis in the testis
Authors: Itman Catherine , Loveland Kate L. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAccording to the World Health Organization, a fertile man typically has a sperm count of 15 million per milliliter of semen. This spermatogenic capacity is determined by appropriate specification, proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of somatic and germ cells, events that begin during fetal development and continue throughout adulthood. These processes are orchestrated by the integration of signaling inputs from hormones and growth factors, including those of several transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily ligands. This review summarizes current knowledge of the Smad proteins, which serve functions central to fertility by transducing TGFβ superfamily ligand signals in the testis. The importance of regulated Smad expression and differential utilization in signal transduction for fine‐tuning cellular responses to ligands is discussed. We evaluate how primary cell culture studies and analyses of genetically modified mice have revealed distinct roles for specific Smads in primordial germ cell lineage specification, in determining the pace of testicular development and in controlling testicular tumorigenesis. This review also addresses the new insights gained from examining heterozygous mice that exhibit intriguing gene‐dosage effects, outcomes that provide a new understanding of how TGFβ superfamily ligands influence testis development and function. Finally, we consider the growing understanding that Smads mediate cross‐talk with hormones to play a central role in determining male fertility and reproductive health. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(2)85–97, 2013.
Structural insights into cofactor recognition of yeast mitochondria 3‐oxoacyl‐ACP reductase OAR1
Authors: Zhang YuJie , Ning FangKun , Li Xu , Teng MaiKun 
Published: January 2013

Abstract3‐Oxoacyl‐(acyl‐carrier‐protein) reductase (OAR1 or FabG, EC.1.1.1.100) is responsible for the first reductive step in fatty acid biosynthesis using Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate (NADPH) as a cofactor. Recent studies suggest there is a fatty acid synthetase II pathway that consists of a series of separate enzymes in yeast mitochondrion. Here, we present the crystal structure of the yeast mitochondria OAR1 (ymtOAR1) alone in apo‐form at 2.60 Å and complexed with NADPH at 2.10 Å resolution. Unlike the reported tetrameric OARs, ymtOAR1 forms a homodimer due to the different fold. The enzyme generates conformational changes upon NADPH binding to the active site. Moreover, two different cofactor‐binding patterns are observed from two forms of complex crystals, and structural analysis implies the adenine end of cofactor may recognize enzyme prior to nicotinaminde end. Additionally, biochemical studies suggest Arg14 is important for cofactor recognition of ymtOAR1. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(2)154–162, 2013.
Characterization of catalytic activity and structure of selenocysteine‐containing hGSTZ1c‐1c based on site‐directed mutagenesis and computational analysis
Authors: Yu Yang , Song Jian , Song Yang , Guo Xiao , Han Yiding , Wei Jingyan 
Published: January 2013

AbstractHuman glutathione transferase zeta 1c‐1c (hGSTZ1c‐1c) is one of the glutathione transferase isoenzymes and considered to be a protein scaffold to imitate glutathione peroxidase (GPX) owing to the natural binding site of glutathione (GSH). In this report, several residues near GSH were mutated to selenocysteine (Sec) or cysteine (Cys) residues and the impacts of the substitutions on different activities were discussed. Mutations of Ser‐14 or/and Ser‐15 to Cys or Sec residues resulted in dramatic loss of catalytic activity of hGSTZ1c‐1c with chlorofluoroacetic acid as substrate, which indicated the importance of the hydroxyl groups in Ser‐14 and Ser‐15. And subsequent study by molecular modeling suggested that Ser‐15 was probably involved in catalysis, while Ser‐14 may play a crucial role in binding and orientation of GSH and possibly had a synergistic effect with Ser‐15 in catalysis. On the contrary, the result of converting Cys‐16 to Ser indicated its trivial role in catalysis. The investigations of the selenocysteine‐containing hGSTZ1c‐1c (seleno‐hGSTZ1c‐1c) and the mutant S17C implied that the substitutions of multi‐Sec for Cys residues at position 16, 137, and 205 could lead to subtle change in the structure of the protein molecule and concomitant change in catalytic activity as a direct result. This finding provides overwhelming evidence that the protein scaffold containing fewer cysteines should be chosen for imitating GPX using cysteine auxotrophic strain system to avoid unexpected structural changes. © 2013 IUBMB Life, 65(2)163–170, 2013
Goal-directed treatment of osteoporosis
Authors: Cummings Steven R , Cosman Felicia , Eastell Richard , Reid Ian R , Mehta Mona , Lewiecki E Michael 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
Drug treatment for osteoporosis typically begins with an oral bisphosphonate, regardless of initial bone mineral density (BMD) or fracture risk, and decisions to continue or change treatment are often based on evidence of response to treatment based on changes in BMD, bone turnover markers, and occurrence of fractures. This pattern differs from preventive therapy for other conditions, such as hypertension, where treatment is based on achieving a goal. We propose that a goal be established to guide treatments to reduce fracture risk. The goal could be a certain risk of fracture or level of BMD. Goal-directed treatment would individualize the initial choice of treatment based on the probability that alternatives would achieve the patient's goal. In contrast to changing treatments based on years of use or failure to respond, the patient's BMD and risk would be reassessed periodically and decisions to stop or change treatment would be based on achieving or maximizing the chance of reaching an acceptable level of fracture risk or BMD. The acceptance of goal-directed treatment and application to practice will require a consensus on a number of issues about goals along with models of fracture risk while on treatment and probabilities of achieving goals. The result could be more rational and effective use of the expanding array of treatments for osteoporosis. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Premenopausal and postmenopausal differences in bone microstructure and mechanical competence in Chinese-American and white women
Authors: Walker Marcella D , Liu X Sherry , Zhou Bin , Agarwal Shivani , Liu George , McMahon Donald J , Bilezikian John P , Guo X Edward 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACT

Compared to white women, premenopausal Chinese-American women have more plate-like trabecular (Tb) bone. It is unclear whether these findings are relevant to postmenopausal women and if there are racial differences in the deterioration of bone microarchitecture with aging. We applied individual trabecula segmentation and finite element analysis to high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography images in premenopausal and postmenopausal Chinese-American and white women to quantify within-race age-related differences in Tb plate-versus-rod microarchitecture and bone stiffness. Race–menopause status interactions were assessed. Comparisons between races within menopause status were adjusted for age, height and weight. Comparisons between premenopausal and postmenopausal women were adjusted for height and weight. Adjusted analyses at the radius indicated that premenopausal Chinese-Americans had a higher plate bone volume fraction (pBV/TV), Tb plate-to-rod ratio (P-R ratio), and greater plate-plate junction densities (P-P Junc.D) versus white women (all p &lt; 0.01), resulting in 27% higher Tb stiffness (p &lt; 0.05). Greater cortical thickness and density (Ct.Th and Dcort) and more Tb plates led to 19% greater whole bone stiffness (p &lt; 0.05). Postmenopausal Chinese-Americans had similar pBV/TV and P-P Junc.D, yet a higher P-R ratio versus white women. Postmenopausal Chinese-American versus white women had greater Ct.Th, Dcort, and relatively intact Tb plates, resulting in similar Tb stiffness but 12% greater whole bone stiffness (p &lt; 0.05). In both races, Ct.Th and Dcort were lower in postmenopausal versus premenopausal women and there were no differences between races. Tb plate parameters were also lower in postmenopausal versus premenopausal women, but age-related differences in pBV/TV, P-R ratio, and P-P Junc D were greater (p &lt; 0.05) in Chinese-Americans versus white women. There are advantages in cortical and Tb bone in premenopausal Chinese-American women. Within-race cross-sectional differences between premenopausal and postmenopausal women suggest greater loss of plate-like Tb bone with aging in Chinese-Americans, though thicker cortices and more plate-like Tb bone persists.
INVESTING AND REINVESTING IN SOCIAL CAPITAL: THE SPILL‐OVER EFFECTS OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN SELF‐HELP GROUPS
Authors: Knowles Gordon , Luke Belinda , Barraket Jo 
Published: January 2013

AbstractSocial capital is considered fundamental to microfinance programmes adopting a self‐help group (SHG) model and in facilitating community development. This report examines the collective benefits of social capital facilitated through SHGs within the broader (local) community. Findings highlight that social capital initially developed within SHGs resulted in a number of collaborative community projects. Although these projects developed tangible community assets, they also created social value through the underlying processes of joint activity and collaboration. This ‘spill‐over’ of social capital reflects a re‐investment of social capital generated from microfinance programmes, with important implications for collective poverty alleviation initiatives. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Orthogonal organic and aqueous‐based washes of tissue sections to enhance protein sensitivity by MALDI imaging mass spectrometry
Authors: Thomas Aurélien , Patterson Nathan Heath , Laveaux Charbonneau Jade , Chaurand Pierre 
Published: January 2013

Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is an emergent and innovative approach for measuring the composition, abundance and regioselectivity of molecules within an investigated area of fixed dimension. Although providing unprecedented molecular information compared with conventional MS techniques, enhancement of protein signature by IMS is still necessary and challenging. This paper demonstrates the combination of conventional organic washes with an optimized aqueous‐based buffer for tissue section preparation before matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) IMS of proteins.Based on a 500 mM ammonium formate in water–acetonitrile (9:1; v/v, 0.1% trifluororacetic acid, 0.1% Triton) solution, this buffer wash has shown to significantly enhance protein signature by profiling and IMS (~fourfold) when used after organic washes (70% EtOH followed by 90% EtOH), improving the quality and number of ion images obtained from mouse kidney and a 14‐day mouse fetus whole‐body tissue sections, while maintaining a similar reproducibility with conventional tissue rinsing. Even if some protein losses were observed, the data mining has demonstrated that it was primarily low abundant signals and that the number of new peaks found is greater with the described procedure. The proposed buffer has thus demonstrated to be of high efficiency for tissue section preparation providing novel and complementary information for direct on‐tissue MALDI analysis compared with solely conventional organic rinsing. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
From the operating room to the courtroom
Authors: Svider Peter F. , Keeley Brieze R. , Zumba Osvaldo , Mauro Andrew C. , Setzen Michael , Eloy Jean Anderson 
Published: January 2013

Objectives/HypothesisMalpractice litigation has increased in recent decades, contributing to higher health‐care costs. Characterization of complications leading to litigation is of special interest to practitioners of facial plastic surgery procedures because of the higher proportion of elective cases relative to other subspecialties. In this analysis, we comprehensively examine malpractice litigation in facial plastic surgery procedures and characterize factors important in determining legal responsibility, as this information may be of great interest and use to practitioners in several specialties.Study DesignRetrospective analysis.MethodsThe Westlaw legal database was examined for court records pertaining to facial plastic surgery procedures. The term “medical malpractice” was searched in combination with numerous procedures obtained from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery website.ResultsOf the 88 cases included, 62.5% were decided in the physician's favor, 9.1% were resolved with an out‐of‐court settlement, and 28.4% ended in a jury awarding damages for malpractice. The mean settlement was $577,437 and mean jury award was $352,341. The most litigated procedures were blepharoplasties and rhinoplasties. Alleged lack of informed consent was noted in 38.6% of cases; other common complaints were excessive scarring/disfigurement, functional considerations, and postoperative pain.ConclusionsThis analysis characterized factors in determining legal responsibility in facial plastic surgery cases. Several factors were identified as potential targets for minimizing liability. Informed consent was the most reported entity in these malpractice suits. This finding emphasizes the importance of open communication between physicians and their patients regarding expectations as well as documentation of specific risks, benefits, and alternatives. Laryngoscope, 123:1849–1853, 2013
A new strategy for edible vegetable oil production
Authors: Turkay Selma , Gurbuz Hale 
Published: January 2013

AbstractConsumer preference has changed rapidly from refined oils towards virgin oils in recent years. Virgin oils are edible vegetable oils obtained by mechanical procedures, such as expelling or pressing from oil seeds, and are consumed without being refined. Such oils are considered as specialty oils, because only small and medium size mills produce them in small amounts for gourmet and health markets from very different oil seeds. To meet consumer demands, bulk production of virgin oils should be accomplished from commodity oil seeds, such as rapeseeds, at reasonable prices. For this purpose two challenges have to be solved: production of high quality oil seeds, and production of virgin oils with a higher oil yield. In this article we focus on the pre‐treatment processes of oil seeds to increase oil yield, and describe a new alternative process, ultrasound‐assisted alcoholic treatment of oil seeds.
Successful Application of an Ionic Liquid Carrying the Fluoride Counter‐ion in Biomacromolecular Chemistry: Microwave‐Assisted Acylation of Cellulose in the Presence of 1‐Allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium Fluoride/DMSO Mixtures
Authors: Casarano Romeu , El Seoud Omar A. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe use of ionic liquids with fluoride anion (IL‐F) is challenging because of side reactions. Neat 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium fluoride (AlMeImF) is used as a solvent in microwave‐assisted acylation of cellulose. The results are disappointing due to side reactions in the IL proper, and F–‐mediated hydrolysis of the produced ester. A dramatic improvement is observed, when AlMeImF/DMSO mixture is employed. The results are comparable to those obtained when pure 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride is employed. FTIR spectroscopy shows that dissolving a carboxylic acid anhydride in IL‐F leads to the formation of acyl fluoride. Thus ILs are far from being “spectator” solvents. The new approach (use of IL‐F/DMSO) is attractive because of its efficiency, low cost, and applicability to the derivatization of any polymer. magnified image
A Serum‐Tolerant Hydroxyl‐Modified Polyethylenimine as Versatile Carriers of pDNA/siRNA
Authors: Dong Xuan , Lin Lin , Chen Jie , Guo Zhaopei , Tian Huayu , Li Yuce , Wei Yen , Chen Xuesi 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe polyethylenimine (PEI) derivatives (PTn) are prepared by treating PEI25k with Tris(hydroxymethyl) acrylamidomethane via the Michael addition. These PTns can effectively condense nucleic acids into nanosized particles with positive surface charges. The PTns show lower cytotoxicity and better serum‐resistant capacity than PEI25k. Specially, the transfection efficiency of PT26/DNA is 29‐fold higher than that of PEI25k in HeLa cells in serum‐containing medium. The PTn/siRNA complexes show superior knockdown effect in CT26 cells in serum‐containing medium. In addition, flow cytometry analysis shows that the PTns can efficiently mediate the entry of nucleic acids into the cell. Thus, PTns are potentially applicable as non‐viral carriers of nucleic acids and warrant further development for use in gene therapy. magnified image