bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Monosodium Urate Monohydrate Crystals on Chondrocyte Viability and Function: Implications for Development of Cartilage Damage in Gout
Authors: Chhana Ashika , Callon Karen E. , Pool Bregina , Naot Dorit , Gamble Gregory D. , Dray Michael , Pitto Rocco , Bentley Jarome , McQueen Fiona M. , Cornish Jillian , Dalbeth Nicola 
Published: November 2013

Objective.Cartilage damage is frequently observed in advanced destructive gout. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of monosodium urate monohydrate (MSU) crystals on chondrocyte viability and function.Methods.The alamarBlue assay and flow cytometry were used to assess the viability of primary human chondrocytes and cartilage explants following culture with MSU crystals. The number of dead chondrocytes in cartilage explants cultured with MSU crystals was quantified. Real-time PCR was used to determine changes in the relative mRNA expression levels of chondrocytic genes. The histological appearance of cartilage in joints affected by gout was also examined.Results.MSU crystals rapidly reduced primary human chondrocyte and cartilage explant viability in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.01 for both). Cartilage explants cultured with MSU crystals had a greater percentage of dead chondrocytes at the articular surface compared to untreated cartilage (p = 0.004). Relative mRNA expression of type II collagen and the cartilage matrix proteins aggrecan and versican was decreased in chondrocytes following culture with MSU crystals (p < 0.05 for all). However, expression of the degradative enzymes ADAMTS4 and ADAMTS5 was increased (p < 0.05 for both). In joints affected by gout, normal cartilage architecture was lost, with empty chondrocyte lacunae observed.Conclusion.MSU crystals have profound inhibitory effects on chondrocyte viability and function. Interactions between MSU crystals and chondrocytes may contribute to cartilage damage in gout through reduction of chondrocyte viability and promotion of a catabolic state.
Nurse to Bed Ratio and Nutrition Support in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Honda Carolina Keiko Yamamoto , Freitas Flávio Geraldo Rezende , Stanich Patricia , Mazza Bruno Franco , Castro Isac , Nascente Ana Paula Metran , Bafi Antonio Toneti , Azevedo Luciano Cesar Pontes , Machado Flávia Ribeiro 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundInadequate nutrition support is common among critically ill patients, and identification of risk factors for such inadequacy might help in improving nutrition support.ObjectiveTo determine how often daily calorie goals are met and the factors responsible for inadequate nutrition support.MethodsA single-center prospective cohort study. Each patient’s demographic and clinical characteristics, the need for ventilatory support, the use and dosage of medications, the number of nursing staff per bed, the time elapsed from admission to the intensive care unit until the effective start of enteral feeding, and the causes for nonadministration were recorded. Achievement of daily calorie goals was determined and correlated with risk factors.ResultsA total of 262 daily evaluations were done in 40 patients. Daily calorie goal was achieved in only 46.2% of the evaluations (n = 121), with a mean of 74.8% of the prescribed volume of enteral nutrition infused daily. Risk factors for inadequate nutrition support were the use of midazolam (odds ratio, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.18–2.11) and fewer nursing professionals per bed (odds ratio, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.43–4.57).ConclusionAchievement of daily calorie goals was inadequate, and the main factors associated with this failure were the use and dosage of midazolam and the number of nurses available.
Parents’ Report of Child’s Response to Sibling’s Death in a Neonatal or Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Youngblut JoAnne M. , Brooten Dorothy 
Published: November 2013

Background
Research on sibling death in a pediatric/neonatal intensive care unit is limited, despite many qualitative differences from deaths at home or in hospitals’ general care areas and has overlooked cultural differences.

Objectives
To describe parents’ reports of children’s responses to a sibling’s death in a neonatal or pediatric intensive care unit via qualitative interviews at 7 months after the death.

Methods
English-speaking (n = 19) and Spanish-speaking (n = 8) parents of 24 deceased infants/children described responses of their 44 surviving children: 10 preschool, 19 school-age, and 15 adolescent. Parents’ race/ethnicity was 48% black, 37% Hispanic, 15% white. Ten siblings died in the neonatal unit and 14 in the pediatric intensive care unit. Semistructured interviews in parents’ homes were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with content analysis.

Results
Six themes about surviving children emerged. Changed behaviors were reported by parents of school-age children and adolescents. Not understand what was going on was reported primarily by parents of preschoolers. Numbers of comments in the 4 remaining themes are as follows: maintaining a connection (n = 9), not having enough time with their siblings before death and/or to say goodbye (n = 6), believing the sibling is in a good place (n = 6), not believing the sibling would die (n = 4). Comments about girls and boys were similar. White parents made few comments about their children compared with black and Hispanic parents. The pattern of comments differed by whether the sibling died in the neonatal or the pediatric intensive care unit.

Conclusions
Children’s responses following a sibling’s death vary with the child’s sex, parents’ race/ethnicity, and the unit where the sibling died. Children, regardless of age, recognized their parents’ grief and tried to comfort them.
The western Pacific monsoon in CMIP5 models: Model evaluation and projections
Authors: Brown Josephine R. , Colman Robert A. , Moise Aurel F. , Smith Ian N. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe ability of 35 models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) to simulate the western Pacific (WP) monsoon is evaluated over four representative regions around Timor, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Palau. Coupled model simulations are compared with atmosphere‐only model simulations (with observed sea surface temperatures, SSTs) to determine the impact of SST biases on model performance. Overall, the CMIP5 models simulate the WP monsoon better than previous‐generation Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 3 (CMIP3) models, but some systematic biases remain. The atmosphere‐only models are better able to simulate the seasonal cycle of zonal winds than the coupled models, but display comparable biases in the rainfall. The CMIP5 models are able to capture features of interannual variability in response to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. In climate projections under the RCP8.5 scenario, monsoon rainfall is increased over most of the WP monsoon domain, while wind changes are small. Widespread rainfall increases at low latitudes in the summer hemisphere appear robust as a large majority of models agree on the sign of the change. There is less agreement on rainfall changes in winter. Interannual variability of monsoon wet season rainfall is increased in a warmer climate, particularly over Palau, Timor and the Solomon Islands. A subset of the models showing greatest skill in the current climate confirms the overall projections, although showing markedly smaller rainfall increases in the western equatorial Pacific. The changes found here may have large impacts on Pacific island countries influenced by the WP monsoon.
How Related Are the Prices of Organic and Conventional Corn and Soybean?
Authors: Singerman Ariel , Lence Sergio H. , Kimble‐Evans Amanda 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTCointegration was tested between organic and conventional corn and soybean markets in several locations throughout the U.S. using a unique dataset. Organic prices were found to behave like pure jump processes rather than diffusions. A simple specification for pure jump processes is introduced and used with Monte Carlo methods to compute appropriate critical values for unit‐root and cointegration tests. The findings indicate that no long‐run relationship exists between organic and conventional prices, implying that price determination for organic corn and soybean is independent from that of the conventional crops. This suggests that organic corn and soybean prices are driven by demand and supply forces idiosyncratic to the organic market. For each crop, cointegrating spatial relationships are found between prices at the main organic markets. However, such relationships are generally weaker than the ones for the corresponding conventional prices, implying that organic markets are more affected by idiosyncratic shocks than conventional markets. [JEL Classification: Q130 – Agricultural Markets and Marketing; Cooperatives; Agribusiness Q180 – Agricultural Policy; Food Policy].
Flame‐retardant olefin block copolymer composites with novel halogen‐free intumescent flame retardants based on the composition of melamine phosphate and pentaerythritol
Authors: Zhang Zinan , Lin Bin , Zhou Ning , Yu Fengyuan , Zhang Hongbin 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTA series of halogen‐free intumescent flame retardants (IFR) based on home‐made melamine phosphate and pentaerythritol system (MPPER) including polyamid 12, basic nickel carbonate (NiCO3·2Ni(OH)2·4H2O), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), and expandable graphite compounding with MPPER, were adopted for flame retarding olefin block copolymers (OBC). Flame‐retardant effects and thermal stabilities of OBC‐IFR composites were investigated by limiting oxygen index, vertical burning test (UL‐94), and thermogravimetry analysis along with the analysis of morphological structures of the char residue by scanning electron microscopy. The mechanical properties and the flame‐retardant mechanism of the final composited materials have been also discussed. The loading of suitable amount of IFR can improve effectively the flame retardancy of the OBC with tolerable decrease in mechanical properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40066.
Conditional ablation of Tbr2 results in abnormal development of the olfactory bulbs and subventricular zone‐rostral migratory stream
Authors: Kahoud Robert J. , Elsen Gina E. , Hevner Robert F. , Hodge Rebecca D. 
Published: November 2013

BackgroundDevelopment of the olfactory bulb (OB) is a complex process that requires contributions from several progenitor cell niches to generate neuronal diversity. Previous studies showed that Tbr2 is expressed during the generation of glutamatergic OB neurons in rodents. However, relatively little is known about the role of Tbr2 in the developing OB or in the subventricular zone‐rostral migratory stream (SVZ‐RMS) germinal niche that gives rise to many OB neurons. Results: Here, we use conditional gene ablation strategies to knockout Tbr2 during embryonic mouse olfactory bulb morphogenesis, as well as during perinatal and adult neurogenesis from the SVZ‐RMS niche, and describe the resulting phenotypes. We find that Tbr2 is important for the generation of mitral cells in the OB, and that the olfactory bulbs themselves are hypoplastic and disorganized in Tbr2 mutant mice. Furthermore, we show that the SVZ‐RMS niche is expanded and disordered following loss of Tbr2, which leads to ectopic accumulation of neuroblasts in the RMS. Lastly, we show that adult glutamatergic neurogenesis from the SVZ is impaired by loss of Tbr2. Conclusions: Tbr2 is essential for proper morphogenesis of the OB and SVZ‐RMS, and is important for the generation of multiple lineages of glutamatergic olfactory bulb neurons. Developmental Dynamics 243:440–450, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microsatellite markers reveal multiple origins for Italian weedy rice
Authors: Grimm Annabelle , Fogliatto Silvia , Nick Peter , Ferrero Aldo , Vidotto Francesco 
Published: November 2013

AbstractWeedy rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the major issues of rice cultivation worldwide. In Italy, it infests about 70% of the total rice area. Different Weedy Rice populations can be distinguished based on variable morphological and physiological traits; however, little is known about genetic differentiation and origin of Italian weedy rice populations. The objective of this study was to genetically and morphologically characterize and compare different Italian weedy rice populations selected on the basis of different phenotypes. The main Italian rice territory was divided into 10 geographical areas in which 40 weedy rice populations were collected and grouped according to the awn traits. All the individuals of the populations were morphologically characterized according to plant and seed traits. Genetic characterization was performed using 19 SSR markers on all the collected accessions, and several rice cultivars, including some very old (late 19th century), nowadays are no longer cultivated. ANOVA showed that morphological plant and seed traits were significantly affected by the collection area and awnedness group. The importance of the awn morphology was also reflected in the Bayesian clustering where, despite a relatively low genetic diversity, the clusters displayed different awn types. An UPGMA dendrogram confirmed the clusters detected in STRUCTURE analysis and also revealed a grouping of certain old cultivars with the weedy rice, suggesting a common origin.
CD44+/CD133+ immunophenotype and matrix metalloproteinase‐9: Influence on prognosis in early‐stage oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Oliveira Lucinei R. , Castilho–Fernandes Andrielle , Oliveira–Costa João Paulo , Soares Fernando A. , Zucoloto Sérgio , Ribeiro–Silva Alfredo 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of CD44 and/or CD133 immunophenotypes and the associated effects of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) in early‐stage oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) to assess their influence on tumor prognosis.MethodsThe following data were derived from 150 patients: age, sex, primary anatomic site, smoking status, alcohol intake, recurrence, metastases, histological classification, treatment, disease‐free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Immunohistochemical study of CD44, CD133, and MMP‐9 expression was performed on a tissue microarray of 150 paraffin blocks of oral SCCs.ResultsThe predominant immunophenotype identified to exhibit a significant correlation with MMP‐9 was the CD44+/CD133+. Multivariate analyses identified a significant correlation of OS with surgical treatment and with CD44+/CD133+ immunophenotype.ConclusionThis investigation demonstrated the prognostic importance of CD44/CD133 expression, which can help improve the prognostic value of surgical treatment for oral SCCs when diagnosed in early stages. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1718–1726, 2014
Poly‐L‐lactide acid‐modified scaffolds for osteoinduction and osteoconduction
Authors: Bosetti M. , Fusaro L. , Nicolì E. , Borrone A. , Aprile S. , Cannas M. 
Published: November 2013

AbstractPoly‐l‐lactide acid (PLLA) scaffold has been modified to enhance its osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties in view of a bone tissue engineering application. Two approaches have been followed: (i) coating with laminin or fibronectin and (ii) grafting with arginine–glycine–aspatic acid (RGD) or SIKVAV peptides. Moreover we have added a bioactive molecule 1,25‐(OH)2D3 into the scaffold that shows better cellular interaction to implement osteoinduction and osteogenesis. The two coatings promoted only cell adhesion in the very short term while even if grafted scaffolds had cell seeding efficiency similar to ungrafted PLLA, the grafted ones supported better the proliferation of seeded human osteoblast (hOB) and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) over 1 week of culture. Our data showed that in view of bone integration and bone regeneration, PLLA grafting with RGD can be considered a good substrate to induce hOB adhesion and proliferation but having no significant effect on the osteogenic induction, the scaffold has to be reinforced with osteoinductive molecules. It can be concluded from reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction results, alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization assays that 1,25(OH)2D3 reinforced RGD‐PLLA keeps increased cell proliferation supported by an upregulation of the studied osteogenic markers and induced hMSCs differentiation into osteoblasts demonstrating osteoinductivity and osteoconductivity of the new formulated scaffold. These results can lead to a future application of RGD‐D3‐PLLA as an osteogenic material for bone replacement. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3531–3539, 2014.
Long‐lasting in vivo and in vitro antibacterial ability of nanostructured titania coating incorporated with silver nanoparticles
Authors: Cheng Hao , Li Yong , Huo Kaifu , Gao Biao , Xiong Wei 
Published: November 2013

AbstractAlthough titanium (Ti) implants are widely used clinically, implant‐associated bacterial infection is still one of the most serious complications in orthopedic surgery. Long‐term antibacterial properties and the ability to inhibit biofilm formation are highly desirable to prevent implant associated infection. In this study, a controllable amount of silver (Ag) nanoparticles was incorporated into titanium oxide; or titanium, nanotubes (TiO2‐NTs). The reliable release and long‐term antibacterial function of Ag, in vivo and in vitro, and influence normal bone‐implant integration from the Ag released from Ag‐incorporated NTs in vivo have been studied to make them useable in clinical practice. In the current study, TiO2‐NTs loaded with Ag (NT‐Ag) exhibited strong antibacterial activity against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC43300) in vitro for 30 days, and the ability to penetrate the protein layer well. In addition, X‐ray examination and 2‐[18F]‐fiuoro‐2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose positron emission tomography indicates that NT‐Ag show extremely long antibacterial activity in vivo in a rat model. Furthermore, histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that satisfactory bio‐integration can be expected. Our results indicate that NT‐Ag has both simultaneous antimicrobial and excellent bio‐integration properties, make it a promising therapeutic material for orthopedic application. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3488–3499, 2014.
Osteogenic effect of low‐temperature‐heated porcine bone particles in a rat calvarial defect model
Authors: Go Ara , Eun Kim Se , Mi Shim Kyung , Lee Sang‐Myeong , Hwa Choi Seok , Sik Son Jun , Soo Kang Seong 
Published: November 2013

AbstractThe current study was designed to investigate the chemical and physical properties of porcine‐derived xenografts of different crystallinity (low and high) and to evaluate their osteogenic potential. Porcine femur bone underwent a heat treatment process at 400°C (P400) and 1200°C (P1200) and was then milled into particles of 1 mm or less. In X‐ray diffraction, P400 exhibited a low crystallinity compared with that of P1200, as indicated by the relatively wide diffraction peaks. Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller analysis revealed that P400 also had a wider surface area than P1200. In micro‐CT scan analysis of specimens in a rat calvarial defect model, bone mineral density of the P400 group was significantly higher than that of the P1200 group (p < 0.01). New bone formation was also remarkably higher at 8 weeks in the P400 group, which showed more new osteocytes in the lacuna compared with the P1200 group. In this study, low crystalline bone particles were obtained at low processing temperature (at temperature of 400°C) and achieved superior new bone formation compared with the high crystalline bone particles created at a higher process temperature (1200°C). It can be concluded that lower process temperature bone particles might provide a more effective graft material for enhancing bone formation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 102A: 3609–3617, 2014.
Comparison of classification methods for the divisions of wet/dry climate regions in Northwest China
Authors: Geng Qingling , Wu Pute , Zhao Xining , Wang Yubao 
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACTTwo distinct approaches can be employed in the classification and divisions of wet/dry climate. The first is the rule‐driven strategy with predefined threshold values representing climate division boundaries, which is usually performed by Aridity Index (AI). The second is an automated method in a data‐driven fashion, avoiding the direct specification of classification rules while utilizing some forms of cluster analysis. However, various methods for climate classifications raise issues on their applicability and quality. Therefore, evaluation and comparative studies are needed to handle such issues first, in order to analyze their performance and second, to better understand climate characteristics in a region. This article makes a comprehensive analysis and comparison among five classification methods, including four rule‐driven methods based on different categories [Penman‐Monteith (PM), Thornthwaite, Holdridge, Sahin's method] and one data‐driven method (factor‐cluster analysis). With the meteorological data for long‐term period (1981–2010), the wet/dry climate divisions were performed for 191 meteorological stations in Northwest China (NW). The results indicated that the overall climate regimes were in agreement for five classifications, but boundaries of wet/dry climate divisions in a data‐driven fashion showed a better consistency with topographic features. PM classifications displayed more arid climate types in NW, while the Thornthwaite approach showed an underestimate in arid environments. All wet/dry climate types corresponding to Holdridge and Sahin's classifications were represented in NW, but Holdridge classification is more easily affected by topography and elevation. Complete comparisons among rule‐driven methods are difficult to conduct due to different class definitions and low coincident classes. Class definition of climate types for different rule‐driven classifications thus needs further investigation. This article highlights the importance of acknowledging the limitations and advantages of different classification systems as well as the dry and wet climate conditions in NW in hope to provide a reference for a similar geographical region.
Enhanced biomass delignification and enzymatic saccharification of canola straw by steam‐explosion pretreatment
Authors: Garmakhany Amir Daraei , Kashaninejad Mahdi , Aalami Mehran , Maghsoudlou Yahya , Khomieri Mortza , Tabil Lope G 
Published: November 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn recent decades, bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biofuel (ethanol and biodiesel) has been extensively investigated. The three main chemical constituents of biomass are cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin. Cellulose and hemicellulose are polysaccharides of primarily fermentable sugars, glucose and xylose respectively. Hemicellulose also includes small fermentable fractions of arabinose, galactose and mannose. The main issue in converting lignocellulosic biomass to fuel ethanol is the accessibility of the polysaccharides for enzymatic breakdown into monosaccharides. This study focused on the use of steam explosion as the pretreatment method for canola straw as lignocellulosic biomass.RESULTSResult showed that steam explosion treatment of biomass increased cellulose accessibility and it hydrolysis by enzyme hydrolysis. Following 72 h of enzyme hydrolysis, a maximum cellulose conversion to glucose yield of 29.40% was obtained for the steam‐exploded sample while the control showed 11.60% glucose yields. Steam explosion pretreatment increased glucose production and glucose yield by 200% and 153.22%, respectively, compared to the control sample. The crystalline index increased from 57.48% in untreated canola straw to 64.72% in steam‐exploded samples.CONCLUSIONSteam explosion pretreatment of biomass increased cellulose accessibility, and enzymatic hydrolysis increased glucose production and glucose yield of canola straw. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry