bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long Noncoding RNAs Expression Profile of the Developing Mouse Heart
Authors: Zhu Jin Gai , Shen Ya Hui , Liu Hai Lang , Liu Ming , Shen Ya Qing , Kong Xiang Qing , Song Gui Xian , Qian Ling Mei 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a sub‐group of noncoding RNAs that are longer than 200 nucleotides. The characterization of lncRNAs and their acceptance as crucial regulators of numerous developmental and biological pathways have suggested that the lncRNA study has gradually become one of the hot topics in the field of RNA biology. Many lncRNAs show spatially and temporally restricted expression patterns during embryogenesis and organogenesis. This study aimed to characterize the lncRNA profile of the fetal mouse heart at three key time points (embryonic day E11.5, E14.5, and E18.5) in its development, by performing a microarray lncRNAs screen. Gene Ontology analysis and ingenuity pathway analysis showed some significant gene functions and pathways were altered in heart development process. We compared lncRNAs profile between the three points (E14.5 vs. E11.5 [early development]; E18.5 vs. E14.5 [later development]). A total of 1,237 lncRNAs were found to have consistent fold changes (>2.0) between the three time points. Among them, 20 dysregulated lncRNAs were randomly selected and confirmed by real‐time qRT‐PCR. Additionally, bioinformatics analysis of AK011347 suggested it may be involved in heart development through the target gene Map3k7. In summary, this study identified differentially expressed lncRNAs in the three time points studied, and these lncRNAs may provide a new clue of mechanism of normal heart development. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 910–918, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transfection With Follicular Dendritic Cell Secreted Protein to Affect Phenotype Expression of Human Periodontal Ligament Cells
Authors: Xiang Lin , Ma Li , He Yao , Wei Na , Gong Ping 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTFollicular dendritic cell secreted protein (FDC‐SP), has been found to inhibit osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) in recent studies. Based on these findings, we further investigate its effect on phenotype expression of hPDLCs in the present study, aiming to contribute to a better understanding of the biological functions governing FDC‐SP‐induced hPDLC differentiation. hPDLCs were firstly identified with immunocytochemical staining, followed by transfection with FDC‐SP lentiviral vector. Western blot analysis was used to confirm the expression of FDC‐SP. Then the influence of FDC‐SP transfection on hPDLC proliferation, osteogenic and fibrogenic phenotype expression was evaluated at the mRNA and protein level. Procollagen type I c‐peptide production was measured and alizarin red staining was then conducted to demonstrate effect of FDC‐SP on functional differentiation. We found that hPDLCs could be successfully transfected with FDC‐SP. Cell proliferation and cell cycle tests indicated that transfection with FDC‐SP did not affect hPDLC proliferation. Moreover, according to real‐time PCR and Western blot results, expression levels of type 1 collagen alpha 1, type 1 collagen alpha 2 and type 3 collagen were upregulated while that of osteocalcin, osteopontin, and bone sialoprotein were downregulated in FDC‐SP transfected cells. In addition, hPDLCs overexpressing FDC‐SP exhibited higher PIP production than the controls. Our findings demonstrate that transfection with FDC‐SP has negligible adverse effect on proliferation of hPDLCs and imply the biological function of FDC‐SP as a fibroblastic phenotype stabilizer by inhibiting hPDLCs differentiation into mineralized tissue‐forming cells, thus regulating regeneration in periodontal tissue engineering. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 940–948, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Locally instilled tumor necrosis factor α antisense oligonucleotide contributes to inhibition of TH2‐driven pulmonary fibrosis via induced CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells
Authors: Luo Yi , Wang Min , Pang Zhonghua , Jiang Fengtao , Chen Jiangning , Zhang Junfeng 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundAnti‐tumor necrosis factor α therapeutics has the potential to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis. However, the systemic administration of anti‐tumor necrosis factor α agents has brought about contradictory results and frequent adverse effects, such as infections, immunogenicity and malignancies, amongst others. In the present study, we attempted the local administration of tumor necrosis factor α antisense oligonucleotide and evaluated the treatment effects on pulmonary fibrosis in a bleomycin‐induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model.MethodsFlow cytometry for regulatory T cells, reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction for crucial gene expression, western blotting for crucial protein products, immunofluorescent analysis for TH2 cells and myofibroblasts, as well as histology analysis for pathological examination, were used.ResultsBy local administration of tumor necrosis factor α antisense oligonucleotide, we investigated whether tumor necrosis factor α expression in epithelial cells was significantly inhibited and extracellular matrix overexpression was dramatically reduced. These treatment effects were associated with induced regulatory T cells, reduced TH2 cells and generally decreased TH2‐type cytokine expression. Systemic immunosuppression was not triggered by local antisense oligonucleotide administration because the proportion of regulatory T cells in the blood, thymus or spleen was not affected.ConclusionsThese findings demonstrate that local administration of tumor necrosis factor α antisense oligonucleotide contributes to anti‐fibrotic action via a sustained up‐regulated level of regulatory T cells, which inhibits TH2‐biased responses, pro‐fibrotic mediator production and extracellular matrix deposition, with no systemic immunosupression associated with systemically induced regulatory T cells. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Incremental Validity of a Short Form of the Ideational Behavior Scale and Usefulness of Distractor, Contraindicative, and Lie Scales
Authors: Runco Mark A. , Walczyk Jeffrey John , Acar Selcuk , Cowger Ernest L. , Simundson Melissa , Tripp Sunny 
Published: December 2013

AbstractThis article describes an empirical refinement of the Runco Ideational Behavior Scale (RIBS). The RIBS seems to be associated with divergent thinking, and the potential for creative thinking, but it was possible that its validity could be improved. With this in mind, three new scales were developed and the unique benefit (or “incremental validity”) of each was assessed. The three validity scales contained (a) distractor items, (b) contraindicative items, or (c) items constituting a lie scale. Step‐wise analyses using the three validity scales indicated very little incremental validity: They were interpreted in the light of psychometric theory, which suggests that their contribution may have been on a behavioral rather than on a statistical level. One additional analysis explored the possibility that a short form could be constructed. The short form of the RIBS was highly correlated with the long form (r = .94). Thus, most decisions made by the short form will be entirely compatible with decisions that would have been reached using the long form. A second significant result was that the RIBS was highly correlated with a check list of creative activities, supporting its concurrent validity.
Evaluation of the effects of systemic treatment with a sclerostin neutralizing antibody on bone repair in a rat femoral defect model
Authors: Alaee Farhang , Virk Mandeep S. , Tang Hezhen , Sugiyama Osamu , Adams Douglas J. , Stolina Marina , Dwyer Denise , Ominsky Michael S. , Ke Hua Zhu , Lieberman Jay R. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTSystemic administration of a sclerostin neutralizing antibody (Scl‐Ab) has been shown to enhance fracture callus density and strength in several animal models. In order to further evaluate the potential of Scl‐Ab to improve healing in a bone defect model, we evaluated Scl‐Ab in a 3 mm femoral defect in young male outbred rats. Scl‐Ab was given either continuously for 6 or 12 weeks after surgery or with 2 weeks of delay for 10 weeks. Bone formation was assessed by radiographs, µ‐CT, and histology. Complete bony union was achieved in only a few defects after 12 weeks of healing (Scl‐Ab treated 5/30, vehicle treated 1/15). µ‐CT evaluation demonstrated a significant increase in the BV/TV in the defect in the delayed treatment group (65%, p < 0.05), but a non‐significant increase in the continuous group (35%, p = 0.11) compared to control. However, both regimens induced an anabolic response in the bone proximal and distal to the defect and in the un‐operated femurs. We demonstrate that treatment with Scl‐Ab can enhance bone repair in a bone defect and in the surrounding host bone, but lacks the osteoinductive activity to heal it. This agent seems to be most effective in bone repair scenarios where there is cortical integrity. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:197–203, 2014.
T2* MR relaxometry and ligament volume are associated with the structural properties of the healing ACL
Authors: Biercevicz Alison M. , Murray Martha M. , Walsh Edward G. , Miranda Danny L. , Machan Jason T. , Fleming Braden C. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTOur objective was to develop a non‐invasive magnetic resonance (MR) method to predict the structural properties of a healing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) using volume and T2* relaxation time. We also compared our T2*‐based structural property prediction model to a previous model utilizing signal intensity, an acquisition‐dependent variable. Surgical ACL transection followed by no treatment (i.e., natural healing) or bio‐enhanced ACL repair was performed in a porcine model. After 52 weeks of healing, high‐resolution MR images of the ACL tissue were collected. From these images, ligament volumes and T2* maps were established. The structural properties of the ligaments were determined via tensile testing. Using the T2* histogram profile, each ligament voxel was binned based on its T2* value into four discrete tissue sub‐volumes defined by specific T2* intervals. The linear combination of the ligament sub‐volumes binned by T2* value significantly predicted maximum load, yield load, and linear stiffness (R2 = 0.92, 0.82, 0.88; p < 0.001) and were similar to the previous signal intensity based method. In conclusion, the T2* technique offers a highly predictive methodology that is a first step towards the development of a method that can be used to assess ligament healing across scanners, studies, and institutions. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:492–499, 2014.
Spatially explicit modeling of lesser prairie‐chicken lek density in Texas
Authors: Timmer Jennifer M. , Butler Matthew J. , Ballard Warren B. , Boal Clint W. , Whitlaw Heather A. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTAs with many other grassland birds, lesser prairie‐chickens (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) have experienced population declines in the Southern Great Plains. Currently they are proposed for federal protection under the Endangered Species Act. In addition to a history of land‐uses that have resulted in habitat loss, lesser prairie‐chickens now face a new potential disturbance from energy development. We estimated lek density in the occupied lesser prairie‐chicken range of Texas, USA, and modeled anthropogenic and vegetative landscape features associated with lek density. We used an aerial line‐transect survey method to count lesser prairie‐chicken leks in spring 2010 and 2011 and surveyed 208 randomly selected 51.84‐km2blocks. We divided each survey block into 12.96‐km2quadrats and summarized landscape variables within each quadrat. We then used hierarchical distance‐sampling models to examine the relationship between lek density and anthropogenic and vegetative landscape features and predict how lek density may change in response to changes on the landscape, such as an increase in energy development. Our best models indicated lek density was related to percent grassland, region (i.e., the northeast or southwest region of the Texas Panhandle), total percentage of grassland and shrubland, paved road density, and active oil and gas well density. Predicted lek density peaked at 0.39 leks/12.96 km2(SE = 0.09) and 2.05 leks/12.96 km2(SE = 0.56) in the northeast and southwest region of the Texas Panhandle, respectively, which corresponds to approximately 88% and 44% grassland in the northeast and southwest region. Lek density increased with an increase in total percentage of grassland and shrubland and was greatest in areas with lower densities of paved roads and lower densities of active oil and gas wells. We used the 2 most competitive models to predict lek abundance and estimated 236 leks (CV = 0.138, 95% CI = 177–306 leks) for our sampling area. Our results suggest that managing landscapes to maintain a greater percentage of grassland and shrubland on the landscape with a greater ratio of grasses to shrubs in the northeast Panhandle should promote greater lek density. Furthermore, increases in paved road and active oil and gas well densities may reduce lek density. This information will be useful for future conservation planning efforts for land protection, policy decisions, and decision analyses. © 2013 The Wildlife Society
Synthesis of Molecularly Encoded Oligomers Using a Chemoselective “AB + CD” Iterative Approach
Authors: Trinh Thanh Tam , Oswald Laurence , Chan‐Seng Delphine , Lutz Jean‐François 
Published: December 2013

A library of eight sequence‐defined model oligomers, whose sequence is based on a (0,1) binary code, is prepared through chemoselective repeating cycles of amidification and copper‐assisted alkyne‐azide cycloaddition reactions from a non‐modified Wang resin. This library is constructed from two AB (A = acid, B = alkyne) building blocks, i.e., 4‐pentynoic acid and 2‐methyl‐4‐pentynoic acid acting, respectively, as non‐coding (0) and coding (1) monomer, and 1‐amino‐11‐azido‐3,6,9‐trioxaundecane as complementary CD (C = amine, D = azide) spacer building block. In particular, encoded triads are synthesized by consecutive covalent attachment of five building blocks (i.e., three coding/non‐coding monomers and two spacers). In this communication, optimal protocols for the synthesis of the targeted oligomers are reported along with their full characterization by 1H NMR, MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry, and size‐exclusion chromatography. It is found that all possible encoded triads (i.e., eight possibilities) could be synthesized using this approach. Indeed, monodisperse sequence‐defined oligomers are prepared and characterized in all cases.
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Bilinear Model for the Size‐Dependency of the CYP3A4 Inhibitory Activity of Structurally Diverse Compounds
Authors: Buchwald Peter , Yamashita Fumiyoshi 
Published: December 2013

AbstractA quantitative structure‐activity relationship analysis of the inhibitory activity of structurally diverse compounds on recombinant human CYP3A4 is presented using a bilinear approach based on our previously developed LinBiExp model. Using only two main descriptors, molecular size and an indicator variable for the presence of triazole/imidazole moieties, this approach can account for close to 65 % of the variability in the inhibitory activity of more than 70 compounds and provides clear evidence that molecular size plays an important, but nonlinear role. Strongest inhibitory activity is likely to occur for compounds close to an optimal size, which is roughly that of the well‐know CYP3A4‐inhibitor ketoconazole. The activity‐limiting role of size was also confirmed on a large dataset of 3438 compounds (PubChem Bioassay AID 884). This model provides a simple, intuitive interpretation and can serve as the starting point for more complex descriptions of the CYP3A4 inhibitory activity.
An elastoplastic constitutive model for rockfills incorporating energy dissipation of nonlinear friction and particle breakage
Authors: Liu Mengcheng , Gao Yufeng , Liu Hanlong 
Published: December 2013

SUMMARYA new elastoplastic model is developed for rockfills within the general critical state framework incorporating the state parameter. Two state functions are proposed to characterize the evolution of volume dilation and strain softening of rockfills, and a modified breakage index based on the concept of Hardin's relative breakage is defined to describe the progressive crushing of rockfills. The nonassociated plastic flow rule is derived from a state dependent dilatancy equation, and it incorporates energy dissipation due to intrinsic nonlinear friction and particle breakage upon shearing. Thus, their couple effect on the plastic deviatoric and volumetric deformation of rockfills is taken into account in the current model. The numerical analyses are carried out for a series of drained triaxial tests on the modeled rockfills at various consolidation pressures and stress paths. The volume dilation/contraction and strain softening/hardening of rockfills are accurately predicted by the proposed model, and the particle breakage and nonlinear critical state shear strength of rockfills are also well captured. The research findings indicate that the current model is applicable to represent the complex stress–strain–volume change behavior of rockfills in general. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role of Birds in the Settlement of Shahr‐i Sokhta (Sistan, Iran) During the 3rd Millennium BC
Authors: Gala M. , Tagliacozzo A. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTArchaeological excavations at the site of Shahr‐i Sokhta yielded many bird remains. The excellent state of preservation allowed for the identification of 2875 specimens attributed to 43 different species. The avifaunal assemblage is mainly characterized by aquatic species, such as the Eurasian coot (Fulica atra), representing 60% of the identified remains, and the Anseriformes. The presence of cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), see‐see partridge (Ammoperdix griseogularis), black‐bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis) and spotted sandgrouse (Pterocles senegallus) suggests that near the urban center there were also some very arid and semi‐desert areas. The bird remains of Shahr‐i Sokhta confirm the existence of environmental and climatic conditions that can still be found in central and northern Iran, near the Caspian Sea. With the exception of the Suliformes, Pelecaniformes and Accipitriformes, there is evidence that most species were hunted for their meat. Furthermore, eggshell fragments found at the site suggest that eggs were collected and used as food. Taphonomic analysis showed that the Gruiformes and the Anseriformes were eaten, while the other species were exploited for non‐food purposes. The use of bird bones as raw material is indicated by the presence of anthropic marks on the ulnae of large birds. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solar cell efficiency tables (version 43)
Authors: Green Martin A. , Emery Keith , Hishikawa Yoshihiro , Warta Wilhelm , Dunlop Ewan D. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTConsolidated tables showing an extensive listing of the highest independently confirmed efficiencies for solar cells and modules are presented. Guidelines for inclusion of results into these tables are outlined, and new entries since July 2013 are reviewed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A prospective study of cognitive function in men with non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors
Authors: Wefel Jeffrey S. , Vidrine Damon J. , Marani Salma K. , Swartz Richard J. , Veramonti Tracy L. , Meyers Christina A. , Hoekstra Harald J. , Hoekstra‐Weebers Josette E. H. M. , Gritz Ellen R. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectiveLongitudinal neuropsychological assessments were performed to determine if adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with cognitive dysfunction in men with non‐seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT).MethodsPatients with NSGCT status post‐orchiectomy that either received adjuvant chemotherapy (n = 55) or did not (n = 14) were recruited. Patients were tested before chemotherapy, 1 week post‐chemotherapy (or 3 months later in the surveillance group) and 12 months after the baseline evaluation.ResultsCompared with the surveillance group, patients treated with chemotherapy had higher rates of cognitive decline at 12 months (overall cognitive decline: 0%, 52%, and 67% in the surveillance, low exposure (LE), and high exposure (HE) group, respectively), greater number of tests that declined (mean of 0.1, 1.4, and 2.0 in the surveillance, LE, and HE group, respectively), and more frequent worsening in motor dexterity (0%, 48%, and 46% in the surveillance, LE, and HE group, respectively). Compared with the surveillance group, patients receiving more cycles of chemotherapy demonstrated worse psychomotor speed and learning and memory. Younger age was associated with greater incidence of overall cognitive decline at 12‐month follow‐up.ConclusionsMen with NSGCT that received chemotherapy demonstrated greater rates of cognitive decline in a dose‐response manner. Reductions in motor dexterity were most common. Decline in learning and memory also was evident particularly at later follow‐up time points and in men receiving more chemotherapy. Men that receive chemotherapy for NSGCT are at risk for cognitive decline and may benefit from monitoring and referral for psychosocial care. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of age‐dependent amyloid accumulation and γ‐secretase inhibition of soluble and insoluble Aβ in a transgenic mouse model of amyloid deposition
Authors: Parkinson Joanna , Ploeger Bart , Appelkvist Paulina , Bogstedt Anna , Dillner Bergstedt Karin , Eketjäll Susanna , Visser Sandra A. G. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAccording to the “amyloid hypothesis,” accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain is linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease. The aims of this investigation were to develop a model for the age‐dependent amyloid accumulation and to quantify the age‐ and treatment‐duration‐dependent efficacy of the γ‐secretase inhibitor MRK‐560 in the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of amyloid deposition. Soluble and insoluble Aβ40 and Aβ42 brain concentrations were compiled from multiple naïve, vehicle, and MRK‐560‐treated animals. The age of Tg2576 mice in the studies ranged between 3.5 and 26 months. Single doses of MRK‐560 inhibited soluble Aβ40 levels in animals up to 9 months old. In contrast, MRK‐560 did not cause significant acute effects on soluble Aβ40 levels in animals older than 13 months. Absolute levels of Aβ variants increased exponentially over age and reached a plateau at ~20 months. In the final model, it was assumed that MRK‐560 inhibited the Aβ production rate with an Aβ level‐dependent IC50.The age‐dependent increase in Aβ levels was best described by a logistic model that stimulated the production rate of soluble Aβ. The increase in insoluble Aβ was defined as a function of soluble Aβ by using a scaling factor and a different turnover rate. The turnover half‐life for insoluble Aβ was estimated at 30 days, explaining that at least a 4‐week treatment in young animals was required to demonstrate a reduction in insoluble Aβ. Taken together, the derived knowledge could be exploited for an improved design of new experiments in Tg2576 mice.