bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Inhibition and Angiotensin AT1 Receptor Blockade Downregulate Angiotensin‐Converting Enzyme Expression and Attenuate Renal Injury in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Motawi Tarek K. , El‐Maraghy Shohda A. , Senousy Mahmoud A. 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTAngiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) is upregulated in the diabetic kidney and contributes to renal injury. This study investigates the possible beneficial effects of the ACE inhibitor (ACEI), enalapril and the AT1 receptor blocker (ARB), valsartan, on renal ACE expression, renal structure, and function in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: control, STZ‐diabetic rats, and STZ‐diabetic rats treated with either enalapril (10 mg/kg/day) or valsartan (50 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Enalapril and valsartan reduced renal ACE mRNA and protein expression, Na+/K+‐ATPase activity, oxidative stress, and serum transforming growth factor‐β1 levels compared to the diabetic group. Both treatments normalized renal nitrate/nitrite levels and ameliorated the observed histopathological changes. In conclusion, ACE downregulation by ACEI and ARB indicates that angiotensin II upregulates ACE through AT1 receptor. Prevention of diabetes‐induced changes in ACE expression and Na+/K+‐ATPase activity could be a new explanation of the renoprotective effects of ACEIs and ARBs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:378‐387, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21500
Hydrocolonic sonography: A complete colorectal evaluation technique with preliminary results
Authors: Siripongsakun Surachate , Charoenvisal Luxanapun , Pantongrag‐Brown Linda , Dusitanond Navara , Siripongpreeda Bunchorn 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundHydrocolonic ultrasound (HUS) is a low‐cost imaging modality as compared with standard colonoscopy. However, HUS is not popular in the clinical setting due to its somewhat complicated technique of examination and inability to visualize the rectum. We developed a technique to overcome these limitations.MethodsTen patients with cancer‐suggestive symptoms and 70 asymptomatic patients were included in this study. All patients underwent HUS, with the technique described herein, before colonoscopy on the same day. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated.ResultsThere were 30 men and 50 women with a mean age of 60.9 ± 7.3 (SD) years. Thirteen polyps with a size ≥0.6 cm (four lesions size 0.6 to 0.9 cm and nine lesions size ≥1 cm) were detected by colonoscopy. The detection rate of lesions by HUS was 25% for polyps size 0.6–0.9 cm and 89% for lesions size ≥1 cm in size. Three lesions were missed in the sigmoid colon, one in the transverse colon, and one in the rectum.ConclusionsHUS is a low‐cost and noninvasive procedure for colorectal study. This technique has the potential to be used for the detection of colorectal cancer and polyps. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 41:402–407, 2013
Transoral sonographic diagnosis of submandibular duct calculi
Authors: Cho Woojin , Lim Dohyoung , Park Hachoon 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTWe present a case of submandibular duct calculi diagnosed using transoral sonography. Sonography is the first‐line imaging modality of salivary gland calculi. However, it is performed via a transcutaneous approach, which is limited in identifying small salivary duct calculi. Using an intraoral transducer, transoral sonography can visualize the submandibular duct and detect the presence of small calculi, thus overcoming the limitations of transcutaneous sonography. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:125–128, 2014
Sugarcane cell wall structure and lignin distribution investigated by confocal and electron microscopy
Authors: Sant'Anna Celso , Costa Lilian T. , Abud Yuri , Biancatto Lucas , Miguens Flávio Costa , de Souza Wanderley 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTLignocellulosic plant cell wall is considered a potential source for second generation biofuels. The plant cell wall is a highly complex structure mainly composed of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin that form a network of crosslinked fibers. The structural organization of the sugarcane cell wall has not been previously analyzed in detail, and this analysis is a prerequisite for further studies on the recalcitrance and deconstruction of its biomass. In this work, cellulose and lignin localization were investigated by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In addition, the internode sugarcane cell wall structural organization was analyzed by electron microscopy. Internode stem anatomy showed a typical monocot structure consisting of epidermis, hypoderm, and vascular bundles scattered throughout ground parenchyma tissue and surrounded by sclerenchyma fibers. Confocal images of safranin labeled sugarcane showed that lignin distribution was predominant in the vessel elements, cell wall corners (CC), and middle lamella (ML), while cellulose‐rich cell walls were randomly distributed in the ML and organized in the other cell wall layers. KMnO4 cytochemistry revealed that lignin was predominantly distributed in secondary cell walls, ML and CC. Cell wall sublayers (S1, S2, and S3) were identified and measured by transmission electron microscopy. Our results provide insights that may help further understanding of sugarcane cell wall organization, which is crucial for the research and technology of plant‐based biofuel production. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:829–834, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MRT letter: Micro‐ to nanoscale sample collection for high throughput microscopy
Authors: Cheong Brandon Huey‐Ping , Liew Oi Wah , Wah NG Tuck 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTIn high throughput microscopy, it is often assumed that the objects under investigation are fixed spatially. In addition, it is also presumed that the objects are sufficiently populated, otherwise there will be need to search through vast tracks of field of views before any recording can be done. The ability to collect objects at one location in the hydrated state is thus desirable and this is a challenge when the density of target objects in a sample is very low. In this work, we report that the generation of a squeezing flow from a circular coverslip compressing on suspensions is able to collect particulate (microbeads, fluorescent nanobeads and live algal cells) and non‐particulate (EGFP) objects at the rim region of the coverslip. With a coverslip of 13 mm diameter, volumes between 2 µL and 4 µL were found to completely fill the coverslip without breaching the rims. Sample compression speeds between 100 µm/s and 1000 µm/s did not have any effect on object collection outcomes. In effect, the simple placement of coverslips on top the drop of sample by hand without a motorized translator was found to produce similar collection outcomes. Quantitative measurements confirmed that all the objects investigated were displaced and relocated at the rim regions to a very high degree. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:767–773, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new automatic contact point detection algorithm for AFM force curves
Authors: BenÍtez Rafael , Moreno‐flores Susana , BolÓs Vicente J. , Toca‐Herrera JosÉ Luis 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTA new method for estimating the contact point in AFM force curves, based on a local regression algorithm, is presented. The main advantage of this method is that can be easily implemented as a computer algorithm and used for a fully automatic detection of the contact points in the approach force curves on living cells. The estimated contact points have been compared to those obtained by other published methods, which were applied either for materials with an elastic response to indentation forces or for experiments at high loading rates. We have found that the differences in the values of the contact points estimated with three different methods were not statistically significant and thus the algorithm is reliable. Also, we test the convenience of the algorithm for batch‐processing by computing the contact points of a force curve map of 625 (25×25) curves. Microsc. Res. Tech. 76:870–876, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of purine catabolic pathway genes in coelacanths
Authors: Forconi Mariko , Biscotti Maria Assunta , Barucca Marco , Buonocore Francesco , De moro Gianluca , Fausto Anna Maria , Gerdol Marco , Pallavicini Alberto , Scapigliati Giuseppe , Schartl Manfred , Olmo Ettore , Canapa Adriana 
Published: June 2013

ABSTRACTCoelacanths are a critically valuable species to explore the gene changes that took place in the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life. One interesting and biologically relevant feature of the genus Latimeria is ureotelism. However not all urea is excreted from the body; in fact high concentrations are retained in plasma and seem to be involved in osmoregulation. The purine catabolic pathway, which leads to urea production in Latimeria, has progressively lost some steps, reflecting an enzyme loss during diversification of terrestrial species. We report the results of analyses of the liver and testis transcriptomes of the Indonesian coelacanth Latimeria menadoensis and of the genome of Latimeria chalumnae, which has recently been fully sequenced in the framework of the coelacanth genome project. We describe five genes, uricase, 5‐hydroxyisourate hydrolase, parahox neighbor B, allantoinase, and allantoicase, each coding for one of the five enzymes involved in urate degradation to urea, and report the identification of a putative second form of 5‐hydroxyisourate hydrolase that is characteristic of the genus Latimeria. The present data also highlight the activity of the complete purine pathway in the coelacanth liver and suggest its involvement in the maintenance of high plasma urea concentrations. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 322B: 334–341, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuropeptide Y modulates fracture healing through Y1 receptor signaling
Authors: Sousa Daniela M. , McDonald Michelle M. , Mikulec Kathy , Peacock Lauren , Herzog Herbert , Lamghari Meriem , Little David G. , Baldock Paul A. 
Published: June 2013

AbstractNeuropeptide Y acting via it's Y1 receptor represents a powerful pathway in the control of bone mass. The global or osteoblast‐specific Y1 receptor deletion induces pronounced bone anabolic effects in mice. However, the contribution of Y1 receptor deletion in bone repair/healing remained to be clarified. Therefore, in this study we characterized the role of Y1 receptor deletion in fracture healing. Closed tibial fractures were generated in germline (Y1−/−) and osteoblastic‐specific Y1 receptor knockout mice. The progression of tibial repair monitored from 1‐ until 6‐weeks post‐fracture demonstrated that in Y1−/− mice there is a delay in fracture repair, as seen by a decrease in bone callus volume and callus strength. Moreover, the histological features included elevated avascular and cartilage area and consequently delayed cartilage removal, and hence impaired union. Interestingly, this delay in bone repair was not related directly to Y1 receptors expressed by mature osteoblasts. These findings suggest that the global absence of the Y1 receptor delays fracture healing, through impairing the early phases of fracture repair to achieve bony union. The data acquired on the role of Y1 receptor signaling disruption in bone regeneration is critical for the design of future therapeutic strategies. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1570–1578, 2013
Is systematic identification of all four parathyroid glands necessary during total thyroidectomy?: A prospective study
Authors: Sheahan Patrick , Mehanna Rania , Basheeth Naveed , Murphy Matthew S. 
Published: June 2013

Objectives/HypothesisRoutine identification of all four parathyroid glands has been advocated as a means of reducing rates of postoperative hypocalcemia and inadvertent parathyroidectomy. The object of the present study was to investigate whether identification of more parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy performed by capsular dissection technique had any impact on incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia and unintentional parathyroid resection.Study DesignProspective cohort study of consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy by capsular dissection technique over a 3‐year period. Exclusion criteria included performance of concomitant central neck dissection, hyperparathyroidism, revision surgery, and invasive cancer.MethodsThe number of parathyroid glands identified intraoperatively was recorded. No effort was made to find glands that were not obviously apparent during the course of dissection. Patients were not placed on routine calcium supplementation.ResultsThe final study population consisted of 126 patients. The mean number of parathyroid glands identified was 2.3. The incidence of biochemical (any postoperative calcium <2 mmol/L) and clinical hypocalcemia was 22.2% and 10.3%, respectively. Patients in group A (0–2 parathyroids identified) had a significantly lower incidence of clinical hypocalcemia than patients in group B (3–4 parathyroids identified) (3.2% vs. 17.1%, P = .02). The differences in biochemical hypocalcemia were not significant (16.1% vs. 28.1%, P = .13). The incidence of inadvertent parathyroidectomy was 9.5%. There was no difference between the groups in incidence of inadvertent parathyroidectomy (9.7% vs. 9.4%, P = 1.0).ConclusionsRoutine identification of all four parathyroid glands is not necessary in thyroidectomy performed using capsular dissection technique.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 123:2324–2328, 2013
Ambit‐Tautomer: An Open Source Tool for Tautomer Generation
Authors: Kochev Nikolay T. , Paskaleva Vesselina H. , Jeliazkova Nina 
Published: June 2013

AbstractWe present a new open source tool for automatic generation of all tautomeric forms of a given organic compound. Ambit‐Tautomer is a part of the open source software package Ambit2. It implements three tautomer generation algorithms: combinatorial method, improved combinatorial method and incremental depth‐first search algorithm. All algorithms utilize a set of fully customizable rules for tautomeric transformations. The predefined knowledge base covers 1–3, 1–5 and 1–7 proton tautomeric shifts. Some typical supported tautomerism rules are keto‐enol, imin‐amin, nitroso‐oxime, azo‐hydrazone, thioketo‐thioenol, thionitroso‐thiooxime, amidine‐imidine, diazoamino‐diazoamino, thioamide‐iminothiol and nitrosamine‐diazohydroxide. Ambit‐Tautomer uses a simple energy based system for tautomer ranking implemented by a set of empirically derived rules. A fine‐grained output control is achieved by a set of post‐generation filters. We performed an exhaustive comparison of the Ambit‐Tautomer Incremental algorithm against several other software packages which offer tautomer generation: ChemAxon Marvin, Molecular Networks MN.TAUTOMER, ACDLabs, CACTVS and the CDK implementation of the algorithm, based on the mobile H atoms listed in the InChI. According to the presented test results, Ambit‐Tautomer’s performance is either comparable to or better than the competing algorithms. Ambit‐Tautomer module is available for download as a Java library, a command line application, a demo web page or OpenTox API compatible Web service.
A Large‐Scale Empirical Evaluation of Cross‐Validation and External Test Set Validation in (Q)SAR
Authors: Gütlein Martin , Helma Christoph , Karwath Andreas , Kramer Stefan 
Published: June 2013

Abstract(Q)SAR model validation is essential to ensure the quality of inferred models and to indicate future model predictivity on unseen compounds. Proper validation is also one of the requirements of regulatory authorities in order to accept the (Q)SAR model, and to approve its use in real world scenarios as alternative testing method. However, at the same time, the question of how to validate a (Q)SAR model, in particular whether to employ variants of cross‐validation or external test set validation, is still under discussion. In this paper, we empirically compare a k‐fold cross‐validation with external test set validation. To this end we introduce a workflow allowing to realistically simulate the common problem setting of building predictive models for relatively small datasets. The workflow allows to apply the built and validated models on large amounts of unseen data, and to compare the performance of the different validation approaches. The experimental results indicate that cross‐validation produces higher performant (Q)SAR models than external test set validation, reduces the variance of the results, while at the same time underestimates the performance on unseen compounds. The experimental results reported in this paper suggest that, contrary to current conception in the community, cross‐validation may play a significant role in evaluating the predictivity of (Q)SAR models.
Distribution of grape seed flavanols and their metabolites in pregnant rats and their fetuses
Authors: Arola‐Arnal Anna , Oms‐Oliu Gemma , Crescenti Anna , del Bas Josep Maria , Ras Maria Rosa , Arola Lluís , Caimari Antoni 
Published: June 2013

ScopePolyphenols have been demonstrated to provide health benefits affecting cellular and physiological processes. This study aims to evaluate the bioavailability and distribution of grape seed flavanol compounds during pregnancy and whether fetuses could be exposed to these compounds.Methods and resultsThe distribution of flavanols and their metabolites in rat plasma, liver, white adipose tissue, brain, amniotic fluid, placenta, and fetuses after 1 and 2 h of an acute intake of a grape seed proanthocyanidin extract was examined by LC‐ESI‐TOF/MS. Flavanols and their metabolites were widely distributed in both pregnant and nonpregnant rat plasma and tissues. In liver, the conjugated forms of flavanols were less available in pregnant than nonpregnant rats. Flavanol metabolites were abundant in maternal placenta but detected at low levels in fetuses and amniotic fluid.ConclusionFlavanol metabolization appears to be less active in the liver during pregnancy. Moreover, data indicated that transport across the placenta is not efficient and for flavanols and their metabolites, the placenta seems to act as a barrier. However, these compounds target the fetus and are excreted in the amniotic fluid.
High‐order plate bending analysis based on the scaled boundary finite element method
Authors: Man H. , Song C. , Xiang T. , Gao W. , Tin‐Loi F. 
Published: June 2013

SUMMARYThis paper presents a technique for plate bending analysis based on the scaled boundary FEM. The proposed technique is formulated directly from the three‐dimensional governing equations. The in‐plane dimensions of the plate are modelled by two‐dimensional finite elements. The solution along the thickness is expressed analytically as a Padé expansion by using the scaled boundary FEM. A simple and highly efficient procedure to construct the stiffness matrix of a thin to moderately thick plate element is devised. Furthermore, the use of high‐order spectral elements allows the proposed technique to accurately handle plates with curved boundaries and leads to high accuracy and convergence rate. Five plate bending problems are presented with results showing high computational efficiency. No numerical locking arises. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Benchmark Study of the Performance of Density Functional Theory for Bond Activations with (Ni,Pd)‐Based Transition‐Metal Catalysts
Authors: Steinmetz Marc , Grimme Stefan 
Published: June 2013

AbstractThe performance of 23 density functionals, including one LDA, four GGAs, three meta‐GGAs, three hybrid GGAs, eight hybrid meta‐GGAs, and ten double‐hybrid functionals, was investigated for the computation of activation energies of various covalent main‐group single bonds by four catalysts: Pd, PdCl−, PdCl2, and Ni (all in the singlet state). A reactant complex, the barrier, and reaction energy were considered, leading to 164 energy data points for statistical analysis. Extended Gaussian AO basis sets were used in all calculations. The best functional for the complete benchmark set relative to estimated CCSD(T)/CBS reference data is PBE0‐D3, with an MAD value of 1.1 kcal mol−1 followed by PW6B95‐D3, the double hybrid PWPB95‐D3, and B3LYP‐D3 (1.9 kcal mol−1 each). The other tested hybrid meta‐GGAs perform less well (M06‐HF: 7.0 kcal mol−1; M06‐2X: 6.3 kcal mol−1; M06: 4.9 kcal mol−1) for the investigated reactions. In the Ni case, some double hybrids show larger errors due to partial breakdown of the perturbative treatment for the correlation energy in cases with difficult electronic structures (partial multi‐reference character). Only double hybrids either with very low amounts of perturbative correlation (e.g., PBE0‐DH) or that use the opposite‐spin correlation component only (e.g., PWPB95) seem to be more robust. We also investigated the effect of the D3 dispersion correction. While the barriers are not affected by this correction, significant and mostly positive results were observed for reaction energies. Furthermore, six very recently proposed double‐hybrid functionals were analyzed regarding the influence of the amount of Fock exchange as well as the type of perturbative correlation treatment. According to these results, double hybrids with <50–60 % of exact exchange and ∼30 % perturbative correlation perform best.
Testicular sex cord stromal tumors: Analysis of patients from the MAKEI study
Authors: Hofmann M. , Schlegel P.G. , Hippert F. , Schmidt P. , von‐Schweinitz D. , Leuschner I. , Göbel U. , Calaminus G. , Schneider D.T. ,   for the MAKEI study group
Published: June 2013

AbstractBackgroundIn children and adolescents, testicular sex cord stromal tumors (TSCSTs) are rare. There is only limited information available regarding their clinical presentation, biology, and prognosis.MethodsBetween 1993 and 2009, 42 patients were prospectively reported to the cooperative MAHO and MAKEI studies on childhood germ cell tumors. Based on standardized documentation, data on epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic features, histopathological differentiation, therapy, and follow‐up were evaluated.ResultsDuring the study period, a gradual increase of the documentation of these rare tumors was observed. Palpable, indolent testicular swelling was the most common clinical finding. In three patients, retention of the testis was observed. Two patients showed sexual precocity, and one patient showed a 45X/46XY mosaic. Juvenile granulosa cell tumors (n = 16) and Sertoli cell tumor (n = 15) were the leading histopathological subtypes. The first were commonly diagnosed during the first weeks of life (median age: 6(0–162) days, the latter during infancy (median 7(0–14) months, P < 0.05). Other histological diagnoses included Leydig cell and Large Cell Calcifying Sertoli cell tumors (both n = 3) and not‐otherwise‐specified TSCSTs (n = 5), which were diagnosed during childhood and adolescence. All tumors were limited to the testis; there were no metastases. Treatment was surgical, only. After a median follow‐up of 3.8 years, no relapse was observed.ConclusionsDiagnosis and therapy of testicular tumors should be planned in accordance with the recommendations of the respective childhood germ cell tumor protocols. High inguinal orchiectomy is safe and constitutes definitive therapy. Diagnostic work‐up and follow‐up should also consider potentially associated tumor predisposition syndromes. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:1651–1655. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.