bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acceleration of cutaneous wound healing by brassinosteroids
Authors: Esposito Debora , Rathinasabapathy Thirumurugan , Schmidt Barbara , Shakarjian Michael P. , Komarnytsky Slavko , Raskin Ilya 
Published: August 2013

AbstractBrassinosteroids are plant growth hormones involved in cell growth, division, and differentiation. Their effects in animals are largely unknown, although recent studies showed that the anabolic properties of brassinosteroids are possibly mediated through the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway. Here, we examined biological activity of homobrassinolide (HB) and its synthetic analogues in in vitro proliferation and migration assays in murine fibroblast and primary keratinocyte cell culture. HB stimulated fibroblast proliferation and migration and weakly induced keratinocyte proliferation in vitro. The effects of topical HB administration on progression of wound closure were further tested in the mouse model of cutaneous wound healing. C57BL/6J mice were given a full‐thickness dermal wound, and the rate of wound closure was assessed daily for 10 days, with adenosine receptor agonist CGS‐21680 as a positive control. Topical application of brassinosteroid significantly reduced wound size and accelerated wound healing in treated animals. mRNA levels of transforming growth factor beta and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 were significantly lower, while tumor necrosis factor alpha was nearly suppressed in the wounds from treated mice. Our data suggest that topical application of brassinosteroids accelerates wound healing by positively modulating inflammatory and reepithelialization phases of the wound repair process, in part by enhancing Akt signaling in the skin at the edges of the wound and enhancing migration of fibroblasts in the wounded area. Targeting this signaling pathway with brassinosteroids may represent a promising approach to the therapy of delayed wound healing.
Randomized placebo‐controlled human pilot study of cold atmospheric argon plasma on skin graft donor sites
Authors: Heinlin Julia , Zimmermann Julia L. , Zeman Florian , Bunk Wolfram , Isbary Georg , Landthaler Michael , Maisch Tim , Monetti Roberto , Morfill Gregor , Shimizu Tetsuji , Steinbauer Julia , Stolz Wilhelm , Karrer Sigrid 
Published: August 2013

AbstractCold atmospheric plasma has already been shown to decrease the bacterial load in chronic wounds. However, until now it is not yet known if plasma treatment can also improve wound healing. We aimed to assess the impact of cold atmospheric argon plasma on the process of donor site healing. Forty patients with skin graft donor sites on the upper leg were enrolled in our study. The wound sites were divided into two equally sized areas that were randomly assigned to receive either plasma treatment or placebo (argon gas) for 2 minutes. Donor site healing was evaluated independently by two blinded dermatologists, who compared the wound areas with regard to reepithelialization, blood crusts, fibrin layers, and wound surroundings. From the second treatment day onwards, donor site wound areas treated with plasma (n = 34) showed significantly improved healing compared with placebo‐treated areas (day 1, p = 0.25; day 2, p = 0.011; day 3, p < 0.001; day 4, p < 0.001; day 5, p = 0.004; day 6, p = 0.008; day 7, p = 0.031). Positive effects were observed in terms of improved reepithelialization and fewer fibrin layers and blood crusts, whereas wound surroundings were always normal, independent of the type of treatment. Wound infection did not occur in any of the patients, and no relevant side effects were observed. Both types of treatment were well tolerated. The mechanisms contributing to these clinically observed effects should be further investigated.
Adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) transplantation promotes regeneration of expanded skin using a tissue expansion model
Authors: Sheng Lingling , Yang Mei , Liang Yimin , Li Qingfeng 
Published: August 2013

AbstractTransplantation of adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) is a promising method that has been used in regenerative medicine because it has shown the capacity to accelerate wound healing. However, roles ofADSCs transplantation in expanded‐skin regeneration have remained unknown. To clarify the roles, a tissue expansion model was used in this study. The study comprised three groups of 13 rats in each group: theADSCs group, the fibroblast (FB) group, and the control group. The skin regeneration in theADSCs group was enhanced, as evidenced by increased cell proliferation and a higher hydroxyproline content and degree of neovascularization, all withp < 0.05, when compared with both theFBgroup and the control group. Consistent with enhanced cell proliferation and neovascularization, the regenerated skin in theADSCs group was much thicker, which further reduced the retraction ratio of the expanded skin. Four weeks after operation, 5'‐bromo‐2'‐deoxyuridine‐labeledADSCs appeared in subcutaneous tissue, vascular vessels, and hair follicles. The up‐regulation of protein expression, such as epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, primarily emerged in theADSCgroup, with the up‐regulated basic fibroblast growth factor appearing in theFBgroup. Collectively, these results suggest that the transplantation ofADSCs could enhance the regeneration of expanded skin by participating in skin structures and up‐regulating the secretion of epidermal growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor.
Fully automated algorithm for wound surface area assessment
Authors: Deana Alessandro Melo , de Jesus Sérgio Henrique Costa , Sampaio Brunna Pileggi Azevedo , Oliveira Marcelo Tavares , Silva Daniela Fátima Teixeira , França Cristiane Miranda 
Published: August 2013

AbstractWorldwide, clinicians, dentists, nurses, researchers, and other health professionals need to monitor the wound healing progress and to quantify the rate of wound closure. The aim of this study is to demonstrate, step by step, a fully automated numerical method to estimate the size of the wound and the percentage damaged relative to the body surface area (BSA) in images, without the requirement for human intervention. We included the formula for BSA in rats in the algorithm. The methodology was validated in experimental wounds and human ulcers and was compared with the analysis of an experienced pathologist, with good agreement. Therefore, this algorithm is suitable for experimental wounds and burns and human ulcers, as they have a high contrast with adjacent normal skin.
An in vitro wound healing model for evaluation of dermal substitutes
Authors: van Kilsdonk Jeroen W. J. , van den Bogaard Ellen H. , Jansen Patrick A. M. , Bos Charlotte , Bergers Mieke , Schalkwijk Joost 
Published: August 2013

AbstractReepithelialization of skin wounds is essential to restore barrier function and prevent infection. This process requires coordination of keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and differentiation, which may be impeded by various extrinsic and host‐dependent factors. Deep, full‐thickness wounds, e.g., burns, are often grafted with dermal matrices before transplantation of split‐skin grafts. These dermal matrices need to be integrated in the host skin and serve as a substrate for neoepidermis formation. Systematic preclinical analysis of keratinocyte migration on established and experimental matrices has been hampered by the lack of suitable in vitro model systems. Here, we developed an in vitro full‐thickness wound healing model in tissue‐engineered human skin that allowed analysis of the reepithelialization process across different grafted dermal substitutes. We observed strong differences between porous and nonporous matrices, the latter being superior for reepithelialization. This finding was corroborated in rodent wound healing models. The model was optimized using lentivirus‐transduced keratinocytes expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein and by the addition of human blood, which accelerated keratinocyte migration underneath the clot. Our model shows great potential for preclinical evaluation of tissue‐engineered dermal substitutes in a medium‐throughput format, thereby obviating the use of large numbers of experimental animals.
Fundamentals of randomized clinical trials in wound care: Reporting standards
Authors: Brölmann Fleur E. , Eskes Anne M. , Sumpio Bauer E. , Mayer Dieter O. , Moore Zena , Ågren Magnus S. , Hermans Michel , Cutting Keith , Legemate Dink A. , Vermeulen Hester , Ubbink Dirk T. 
Published: August 2013

AbstractIn wound care research, available high‐level evidence according to the evidence pyramid is rare, and is threatened by a poor study design and reporting. Without comprehensive and transparent reporting, readers will not be able to assess the strengths and limitations of the research performed. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are universally acknowledged as the study design of choice for comparing treatment effects. To give high‐level evidence the appreciation it deserves in wound care, we propose a step‐by‐step reporting standard for comprehensive and transparent reporting of RCTs in wound care. Critical reporting issues (e.g., wound care terminology, blinding, predefined outcome measures, and a priori sample size calculation) and wound‐specific barriers (e.g., large diversity of etiologies and comorbidities of patients with wounds) that may prevent uniform implementation of reporting standards in wound care research are addressed in this article. The proposed reporting standards can be used as guidance for authors who write their RCT, as well as for peer reviewers of journals. Endorsement and application of these reporting standards may help achieve a higher standard of evidence and allow meta‐analysis of reported wound care data. The ultimate goal is to help wound care professionals make better decisions for their patients in clinical practice.
Actively triggered 4d cone‐beam CT acquisition
Authors: Fast Martin F. , Wisotzky Eric , Oelfke Uwe , Nill Simeon 
Published: August 2013

Purpose:4d cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans are usually reconstructed by extracting the motion information from the 2d projections or an external surrogate signal, and binning the individual projections into multiple respiratory phases. In this “after‐the‐fact” binning approach, however, projections are unevenly distributed over respiratory phases resulting in inefficient utilization of imaging dose. To avoid excess dose in certain respiratory phases, and poor image quality due to a lack of projections in others, the authors have developed a novel 4d CBCT acquisition framework which actively triggers 2d projections based on the forward‐predicted position of the tumor.Methods:The forward‐prediction of the tumor position was independently established using either (i) an electromagnetic (EM) tracking system based on implanted EM‐transponders which act as a surrogate for the tumor position, or (ii) an external motion sensor measuring the chest‐wall displacement and correlating this external motion to the phase‐shifted diaphragm motion derived from the acquired images. In order to avoid EM‐induced artifacts in the imaging detector, the authors devised a simple but effective “Faraday” shielding cage. The authors demonstrated the feasibility of their acquisition strategy by scanning an anthropomorphic lung phantom moving on 1d or 2d sinusoidal trajectories.Results:With both tumor position devices, the authors were able to acquire 4d CBCTs free of motion blurring. For scans based on the EM tracking system, reconstruction artifacts stemming from the presence of the EM‐array and the EM‐transponders were greatly reduced using newly developed correction algorithms. By tuning the imaging frequency independently for each respiratory phase prior to acquisition, it was possible to harmonize the number of projections over respiratory phases. Depending on the breathing period (3.5 or 5 s) and the gantry rotation time (4 or 5 min), between ∼90 and 145 projections were acquired per respiratory phase resulting in a dose of ∼1.7–2.6 mGy per respiratory phase. Further dose savings and decreases in the scanning time are possible by acquiring only a subset of all respiratory phases, for example, peak‐exhale and peak‐inhale only scans.Conclusions:This study is the first experimental demonstration of a new 4d CBCT acquisition paradigm in which imaging dose is efficiently utilized by actively triggering only those projections that are desired for the reconstruction process.
MATHEMATICAL PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS WITH SEVERAL FUZZY OBJECTIVE FUNCTIONS
Authors: KALONDA LUHANDJULA MONGA , JOSEPH RANGOAGA MOETI 
Published: August 2013

In this paper we propose an approach for multiobjective programming problems with fuzzy number coefficients. The main idea behind our approach is to approximate involved fuzzy numbers by their respective nearest interval approximation counterparts. An algorithm that returns a nearest interval approximation to a given fuzzy number, plays a pivotal role in the proposed method. Our approach contrasts markedly with those based on deffuzification operators which replace a fuzzy set by a single real number leading to a loss of many important information. A numerical example is also provided for the sake of illustration.
Right Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction in Young Adults Born Preterm
Authors: Lewandowski Adam J. , Bradlow William M. , Augustine Daniel , Davis Esther F. , Francis Jane , Singhal Atul , Lucas Alan , Neubauer Stefan , McCormick Kenny , Leeson Paul 
Published: August 2013

Background—
Young adults born preterm have distinct differences in left ventricular mass, function, and geometry. Animal studies suggest that cardiomyocyte changes are evident in both ventricles after preterm birth; therefore, we investigated whether these young adults also have differences in their right ventricular structure and function.

Methods and Results—

We studied 102 preterm-born young adults followed up prospectively since birth and 132 term-born control subjects born to uncomplicated pregnancies. We quantified right ventricular structure and function by cardiovascular magnetic resonance on a 1.5-T Siemens scanner using Argus and TomTec postprocessing software. Preterm birth was associated with a small right ventricle (end diastolic volume, 79.8±13.2 versus 88.5±11.8 mL/m
2
;
P
<0.001) but greater right ventricular mass (24.5±3.5 versus 20.4±3.4 g/m
2
;
P
<0.001) compared with term-born controls, with the severity of differences proportional to gestational age (
r
=−0.47,
P
<0.001). Differences in right ventricular mass and function were proportionally greater than previously reported for the left ventricle. This was most apparent for systolic function; young adults born preterm had significantly lower right ventricular ejection fraction (57±8% versus 60±5%;
P
=0.006). Indeed, 21% had values below the lower limit observed in the term-born adults and 6% had mild systolic dysfunction (<45%). Postnatal ventilation accounted for some of the variation in mass but not function.

Conclusions—
Preterm birth is associated with global myocardial structural and functional differences in adult life, including smaller right ventricular size and greater mass. The changes are greater in the right ventricle than previously observed in the left ventricle, with potentially clinically significant impairment in right ventricular systolic function.
Resting-state Modulation of Alpha Rhythms by Interference with Angular Gyrus Activity
Authors: Capotosto Paolo , Babiloni Claudio , Romani Gian Luca , Corbetta Maurizio 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The default mode network is active during restful wakefulness and suppressed during goal-driven behavior. We hypothesize that inhibitory interference with spontaneous ongoing, that is, not task-driven, activity in the angular gyrus (AG), one of the core regions of the default mode network, will enhance the dominant idling EEG alpha rhythms observed in the resting state. Fifteen right-handed healthy adult volunteers underwent to this study. Compared with sham stimulation, magnetic stimulation (1 Hz for 1 min) over both left and right AG, but not over FEF or intraparietal sulcus, core regions of the dorsal attention network, enhanced the dominant alpha power density (8–10 Hz) in occipitoparietal cortex. Furthermore, right AG-rTMS enhanced intrahemispheric alpha coherence (8–10 Hz). These results suggest that AG plays a causal role in the modulation of dominant low-frequency alpha rhythms in the resting-state condition.
Dorsal and Ventral Attention Systems Underlie Social and Symbolic Cueing
Authors: Callejas Alicia , Shulman Gordon L. , Corbetta Maurizio 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Eye gaze is a powerful cue for orienting attention in space. Studies examining whether gaze and symbolic cues recruit the same neural mechanisms have found mixed results. We tested whether there is a specialized attentional mechanism for social cues. We separately measured BOLD activity during orienting and reorienting attention following predictive gaze and symbolic cues. Results showed that gaze and symbolic cues exerted their influence through the same neural networks but also produced some differential modulations. Dorsal frontoparietal regions in left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and bilateral MT+/lateral occipital cortex only showed orienting effects for symbolic cues, whereas right posterior IPS showed larger validity effects following gaze cues. Both exceptions may reflect the greater automaticity of gaze cues: Symbolic orienting may require more effort, while disengaging attention during reorienting may be more difficult following gaze cues. Face-selective regions, identified with a face localizer, showed selective activations for gaze cues reflecting sensory processing but no attentional modulations. Therefore, no evidence was found linking face-selective regions to a hypothetical, specialized mechanism for orienting attention to gaze cues. However, a functional connectivity analysis showed greater connectivity between face-selective regions and right posterior IPS, posterior STS, and inferior frontal gyrus during gaze cueing, consistent with proposals that face-selective regions may send gaze signals to parts of the dorsal and ventral frontoparietal attention networks. Finally, although the default-mode network is thought to be involved in social cognition, this role does not extend to gaze orienting as these regions were more deactivated following gaze cues and showed less functional connectivity with face-selective regions during gaze cues.
The Selective Role of Premotor Cortex in Speech Perception: A Contribution to Phoneme Judgements but not Speech Comprehension
Authors: Krieger-Redwood Katya , Gaskell M. Gareth , Lindsay Shane , Jefferies Elizabeth 
Published: August 2013

AbstractSeveral accounts of speech perception propose that the areas involved in producing language are also involved in perceiving it. In line with this view, neuroimaging studies show activation of premotor cortex (PMC) during phoneme judgment tasks; however, there is debate about whether speech perception necessarily involves motor processes, across all task contexts, or whether the contribution of PMC is restricted to tasks requiring explicit phoneme awareness. Some aspects of speech processing, such as mapping sounds onto meaning, may proceed without the involvement of motor speech areas if PMC specifically contributes to the manipulation and categorical perception of phonemes. We applied TMS to three sites—PMC, posterior superior temporal gyrus, and occipital pole—and for the first time within the TMS literature, directly contrasted two speech perception tasks that required explicit phoneme decisions and mapping of speech sounds onto semantic categories, respectively. TMS to PMC disrupted explicit phonological judgments but not access to meaning for the same speech stimuli. TMS to two further sites confirmed that this pattern was site specific and did not reflect a generic difference in the susceptibility of our experimental tasks to TMS: stimulation of pSTG, a site involved in auditory processing, disrupted performance in both language tasks, whereas stimulation of occipital pole had no effect on performance in either task. These findings demonstrate that, although PMC is important for explicit phonological judgments, crucially, PMC is not necessary for mapping speech onto meanings.
Using the Back Propagation Neural Network Approach to Bias Correct TMPA Data in the Arid Region of Northwest China
Authors: Yang Yanfen , Luo Yi 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
Scarcity or unavailability of precipitation observation creates difficulties in hydrologic modeling of mountainous sections of the arid region of northwest China (34°–50°N, 72°–107°E). Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) precipitation products may be a potential substitute, but they should be evaluated and corrected with ground observation data before application. In this paper, two TRMM Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) precipitation products were evaluated by gauge observations, using indices such as frequency bias index, probability of detection, false alarm ratio, relative mean bias, Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency, and correlation coefficient. Terrain variables were extracted from a digital elevation model, and their rotated principal components were determined to establish a stepwise regression model to adjust TMPA precipitation. Additionally, a back-propagation (BP) neural network was established to correct TMPA precipitation. The results showed that TMPA had an unsatisfactory detection ability in the study area for both precipitation occurrence and amount. TMPA precipitation corrected by a stepwise regression method showed some improvement, but only the results for TRMM 3B43 on a subregion scale were acceptable. The BP neural network method showed better results than the stepwise regression method, and both TRMM 3B42 and TRMM 3B43 corrected by the former method on a subregion scale could be acceptable. Both methods were spatial-scale dependent and showed better results on a subregion scale than on a larger scale.
Congenital dyserythropoietic anemias: molecular insights and diagnostic approach
Authors: Iolascon Achille , Heimpel Hermann , Wahlin Anders , Tamary Hannah 
Published: August 2013

Abstract
The congenital dyserythropoietic anemias (CDAs) are hereditary disorders characterized by distinct morphologic abnormalities of marrow erythroblasts. The unveiling of the genes mutated in the major CDA subgroups (I-CDAN1 and II-SEC23B) has now been completed with the recent identification of the CDA III gene (KIF23). KIF23 encodes mitotic kinesin-like protein 1, which plays a critical role in cytokinesis, whereas the cellular role of the proteins encoded by CDAN1 and SEC23B is still unknown. CDA variants with mutations in erythroid transcription factor genes (KLF1 and GATA-1) have been recently identified. Molecular diagnosis of CDA is now possible in most patients.
PARP-1 regulates expression of TGF-β receptors in T cells
Authors: Zhang Pin , Nakatsukasa Hiroko , Tu Eric , Kasagi Shimpei , Cui Kairong , Ishikawa Masaki , Konkel Joanne E. , Maruyama Takashi , Wei Gang , Abbatiello Brittany , Wang Zhao-Qi , Zhao Keji , Chen WanJun 
Published: August 2013

Key Points
PARP-1 controls TGF-β receptors on T cells. PARP-1 regulates Treg generation.