bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a polylactic acid‐bioactive glass composite for bone fixation devices
Authors: Vergnol Gwenaelle , Ginsac Nathalie , Rivory Pascaline , Meille Sylvain , Chenal Jean‐Marc , Balvay Sandra , Chevalier Jérôme , Hartmann Daniel J. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPoly(lactic acid) is nowadays among the most used bioabsorbable materials for medical devices. To promote bone growth on the material surface and increase the degradation rate of the polymer, research is currently focused on organic–inorganic composites by adding a bioactive mineral to the polymer matrix. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of a poly(l,dl‐lactide)‐Bioglass® (P(l,dl)LA‐Bioglass® 45S5) composite to be used as a bone fixation device. In vitro cell viability testing of P(l,dl)LA based composites containing different amounts of Bioglass® 45S5 particles was investigated. According to the degradation rate of the P(l,dl)LA matrix and the cytocompatibility experiments, the composite with 30 wt % of Bioglass® particles seemed to be the best candidate for further investigation. To study its behavior after immersion in simulated physiological conditions, the degradation of the composite was analyzed by measuring its weight loss and mechanical properties and by proceeding with X‐ray tomography. We demonstrated that the presence of the bioactive glass significantly accelerated the in vitro degradation of the polymer. A preliminary in vivo investigation on rabbits shows that the addition of 30 wt % of Bioglass® in the P(L,DL)LA matrix seems to trigger bone osseointegration especially during the first month of implantation. This composite has thus strong potential interest for health applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 180–191, 2016.
Anti‐Neuroinflammatory Effect of MC13, a Novel Coumarin Compound From Condiment Murraya, Through Inhibiting Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced TRAF6‐TAK1‐NF‐κB, P38/ERK MAPKS and Jak2‐Stat1/Stat3 Pathways
Authors: Zeng Ke‐Wu , Yu Qian , Liao Li‐Xi , Song Fang‐Jiao , Lv Hai‐Ning , Jiang Yong , Tu Peng‐Fei 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTMC13 is a novel coumarin compound found in Murraya, an economic crop whose leaves are widely used as condiment (curry) in cuisine. The aims of the present study were to investigate the neuroprotective effects of MC13 on microglia‐mediated inflammatory injury model as well as potential molecular mechanism. Cell viability and apoptosis assay demonstrated that MC13 was not toxic to neurons and significantly protected neurons from microglia‐mediated inflammatory injury upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Results showed that MC13 markedly inhibited LPS‐induced production of various inflammatory mediators, including nitrite oxide (Griess method), TNF‐α and IL‐6 (ELISA assay) in a concentration‐dependent manner. Mechanism study showed that MC13 could suppress the activation of NF‐κB, which was the central regulator for inflammatory response, and also decreased the interaction of TGF‐β‐activated kinase 1 (TAK1)‐binding protein (TAB2) with TAK1 and TNF receptor associated factor (TRAF6), leading to the decreased phosphorylation levels of NF‐κB upstream regulators such as IκB and IκB kinase (IKK). MC13 also significantly down‐regulated the phosphorylation levels of ERK and p38 MAPKs, which played key roles in microglia‐mediated inflammatory response. Furthermore, MC13 inhibited Jak2‐dependent Stat1/3 signaling pathway activation by blocking Jak2 phosphorylation, Stat1/3 phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation. Taken together, our results demonstrated that MC13 protected neurons from microglia‐mediated neuroinflammatory injury by inhibiting TRAF6‐TAK1‐NF‐κB, p38/ERK MAPKs, and Jak2‐Stat1/3 pathways. Finally, MC13 might interact with LPS and interfere LPS‐binding to cell membrane surface. These findings suggested that coumarin might act as a potential medicinal agent for treating neuroinflammation as well as inflammation‐related neurodegenerative diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1286–1299, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Estrogen Enhances Activity of Wnt Signaling During Osteogenesis by Inducing Fhl1 Expression
Authors: Wu Shao‐Min , Shih Lan‐Hsin , Lee Jing‐Yu , Shen Yi‐Jun , Lee Hu‐Hui 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTEstrogen is a crucial hormone for osteoclast inhibition and for preventing osteoporosis. However, the hormone's role in osteoblast growth and differentiation remains unclear. The complexity of estrogen's role in guiding osteoblast behavior arises partly from crosstalk with other signaling pathways, including Wnt signaling. In this study, we show that the Wnt agonist, LiCl, induced Fhl1 gene expression, which substantially enhanced osteoblast differentiation. Staining with alizarin red revealed that MC3T3‐E1 mineralization was enhanced by overexpression of Fhl1. In addition, Fhl1 promoted the expression of the osteogenic markers, Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN), whereas MC3T3‐E1 cells with gene knockdown of Fhl1 exhibited limited mineralization and expression of Runx2, OCN, and OPN. We further demonstrate evidences from quantitative reverse transcription real‐time polymerase chain reaction and reporter assay that Fhl1 expression was synergistically stimulated by estrogen (E2) and LiCl, but reduced by the estrogen‐receptor inhibitor fulvestrant (ICI 182,780). However, estrogen could not enhance osteogenesis while Fhl1 expression was knocked down. Because estrogen and Wnt signaling frequently interact in developmental processes, we propose that Fhl1 can be an acting molecule mediating both signaling pathways during osteogenesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1419–1430, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Osteoclastic Transmembrane Protein‐Tyrosine Phosphatase Enhances Osteoclast Activity in Part by Dephosphorylating EphA4 in Osteoclasts
Authors: Lau Kin‐Hing William , Amoui Mehran , Stiffel Virginia , Chen Shin‐Tai , Sheng Matilda H.‐C. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTWe have previously shown that PTP‐oc is an enhancer of the functional activity of osteoclasts and that EphA4 is a suppressor. Here, we provide evidence that PTP‐oc enhances osteoclast activity in part through inactivation of EphA4 by dephosphorylating key phosphotyrosine (pY) residues of EphA4. We show that EphA4 was pulled down by the PTP‐oc trapping mutant but not by the wild‐type (WT) PTP‐oc and that transgenic overexpression of PTP‐oc in osteoclasts drastically decreased pY602 and pY779 residues of EphA4. Consistent with the previous findings that EphA4 deficiency increased pY173‐Vav3 level (Rac‐GTP exchange factor [GEF]) and enhanced bone resorption activity of osteoclasts, reintroduction of WT‐Epha4 in Epha4 null osteoclasts led to ∼50% reduction in the pY173‐Vav3 level and ∼2‐fold increase in bone resorption activity. Overexpression of Y779F‐Epha4 mutant in WT osteoclasts markedly increased in pY173‐Vav3 and reduced bone resorption activity, but overexpression of Y602F‐Epha4 mutant had no effect, suggesting that pY779 residue plays an important role in the EphA4‐mediated suppression of osteoclast activity. Deficient EphA4 in osteoclasts has been shown to up‐regulate Rac‐GTPase and down‐regulate Rho‐GTPase. PTP‐oc overexpression in osteoclasts also increased the GTP‐Rac level to 300% of controls, but decreased the GTP‐Rho level to ∼50% of controls. PTP‐oc overexpression or deficient Epha4 each also reduced pY87‐Ephexin level, which is a Rho GEF. Thus, PTP‐oc may differentially regulate Rac signaling versus Rho signaling through dephosphorylation of EphA4, which has shown to have opposing effects on Rac‐GTPase versus Rho‐GTPase through differential regulation of Vav3 versus Ephexin. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1785–1796, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Inhibition of Transforming Growth Factor‐β (TGF‐β) Signaling by Scutellaria baicalensis and Fritillaria cirrhosa Extracts in Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Bokhari Amber A. , Syed Viqar 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTTransforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), regulates cell proliferation, angiogenesis, metastasis, and is an inducer of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). Cancer cells exhibit activated TGF‐β/SMAD signaling pathway and its inhibition is an attractive strategy for cancer treatment. The Chinese Herbs Scutellaria baicalensis (SB) and Fritillaria cirrhosa (FC) have been shown to be beneficial to cancer patients, but the mechanisms by which the extracts of two herbs elicit the beneficial effects are unclear. In this study, we have used human endometrial cancer cells to assess the anticancer efficacy of SB and FC on TGF‐β signaling pathway components. SB and FC treatment of cancer cells resulted in a significant decrease in expression of TGF‐β isoforms, TGF‐β receptors, and SMADs. Both herbs effectively inhibited basal and TGF‐β1‐induced cancer cell proliferation and invasion, which was accompanied with abrogation of Snail, Slug, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), αvβ3 integrin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and p‐FAK expression. An inhibitor of TGF‐βRI blocked TGF‐β1‐induced cell invasion and significantly diminished antitumor effects of SB and FC. These results suggest that SB and FC block endometrial cancer growth by downregulating TGF‐β/SMAD signaling pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1797–1805, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
1,6‐ and 1,7‐Regioisomers of Dicyano‐Substituted Perylene Bisimides: Synthesis, Optical and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Tsai Hsing‐Yang , Chang Che‐Wei , Lin Chi‐Wei , Chen Kew‐Yu 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIn this study, 1,6‐ ad 1,7‐regioisomers of dicyano‐substituted perylene bisimides (1,6‐C and 1,7‐C) were synthesized and successfully isolated from their regioisomeric mixture using conventional methods of separation, and subsequently characterized by 400 MHz 1H NMR spectroscopy. This is the first time that the 1,6‐dicyanoperylene bisimide 1,6‐C has been obtained in pure form. Moreover, the optical and electrochemical properties of 1,6‐C and 1,7‐C were found to be virtually the same. Time‐dependent density functional theory calculations performed on both dyes are reported in order to rationalize their electronic structures and optical properties.
Synthesis of Bis‐spiro Cyclopropanes Based on Meldrum’s Acid by Milling
Authors: Kashani Elmira , Noroozi Pesyan Nader , Tunç Tuncay , Sahin Ertan 
Published: February 2015

AbstractReaction of 2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐dioxane‐4,6‐dione (Meldrum’s acid) with various solid aldehydes in the presence of cyanogen bromide and solid sodium ethoxide (EtONa) leads to the selective and efficient formation of bis‐spiro cyclopropanes based on Meldrum’s acid at the range of 0 °C to room temperature. The products were obtained in good to excellent yields. Structure elucidation is carried out by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT‐IR spectroscopy, mass analyses and X‐ray crystallography techniques. A possible mechanism for the formation of products is also discussed under solvent‐free condition.
A randomized controlled trial of liraglutide versus insulin detemir plus sitagliptin: Effective switch from intensive insulin therapy to the once‐daily injection in patients with well‐controlled type 2 diabetes
Authors: Inoue Yuichiro , Nakamura Akinobu , Kondo Yoshinobu , Hamano Kumiko , Satoh Shinobu , Terauchi Yasuo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of liraglutide versus insulin detemir plus sitagliptin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with a basal‐bolus insulin regimen. In this multicenter, open‐label trial, 90 patients whose diabetes had been controlled well or moderately (glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c] ≤ 7.3%) with basal‐bolus insulin regimen were randomly assigned to a liraglutide group or a detemir group and were followed up for 24 weeks. The primary end point was HbA1c change from baseline to 24 weeks. Of the 90 enrolled patients, 82 completed this trial. At 24 weeks, the mean changes in HbA1c from baseline were 0.1% ± 0.9% versus 0.3% ± 0.8% in the liraglutide versus detemir groups, respectively (P = .46). The “overall” satisfaction score for the Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire changed from 25.2 ± 7.4 to 29.9 ± 5.3 (P < .001) and from 26.4 ± 6.1 to 28.3 ± 6.4 (P = .12) in the liraglutide and detemir groups, respectively. Although the mean change difference in HbA1c between both groups was not significant, switching from a basal‐bolus insulin regimen to liraglutide once daily improved patient satisfaction levels without loss of glycemic control.
Thermophilic biohydrogen production using a UASB reactor: performance during long‐term operation
Authors: FM Braga Adriana , N Ferraz Júnior Antônio D , Zaiat Marcelo 
Published: February 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe efficiency of H2 production by dark fermentation described in the literature is around 50% of the maximum theoretical value and the experiments are mostly carried out over short‐term operations. This present study evaluated H2 production in a UASB (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket) reactor operated at 55 °C for 366 days using a synthetic substrate based on sucrose. The reactor response to an increased organic loading rate (OLR) was assessed by applying three different hydraulic retention times (HRTs): 12 h (211 days), 6 h (71 days), and 2 h (84 days).RESULTSCH4 was observed in the biogas during startup. The highest average values of the molar H2 flow rate (MHFR), volumetric H2 production rate (VHPR), and H2 yield (HY) were achieved at a HRT of 2 h, and were, respectively, 14.00 ± 5.24 mmol h−1, 75.33 ± 24.65 mL H2 L−1.h−1, and 1.73 ± 1.14 mol–H2 mol‐suc−1. Considering only the unstable steady‐state period, HY average at a HRT of 2 h was 2.56 ± 0.84 mol–H2 mol‐suc−1.CONCLUSIONOperational conditions were found to be the main factors responsible for removing methanogenic microorganisms from the system. Increase in the OLR enhanced H2 production and the ethanol pathway proved to be favorable for H2 production. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Contractile properties of the myotomal muscle of sheepshead, Archosargus probatocephalus
Authors: Coughlin David J. , Akhtar Mahfuza 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTSwimming in fishes is powered by myotomal red, white and pink skeletal muscle. Slow swimming is powered by the red (slow‐twitch muscle), fast speeds are achieved by the white (fast‐twitch) muscle and pink muscle apparently serves an intermediate function. In recent years, the physiological properties and molecular composition of red (slow) and white (fast) muscle fibers have been well studied, while the intermediate pink muscle, which falls in a thin sheet between the superficial red muscle and deeper white muscle, has received less attention. The goal of this study is to determine the contractile properties of red, pink, and white muscle and to establish the molecular basis of fiber type variations in contractile properties in a sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus). Isometric and isovelocity muscle mechanics experiments demonstrated a general pattern of increasing contractile speed from red to pink to white muscle, although red and pink muscle did not differ significantly for most contraction kinetics variables. As myosin heavy chain (MyHC) is the most important structural protein found in the muscle fibers, MyHC content was examined through immunohistochemistry. Myosin antibodies suggest a gradient in myosin content corresponding to differences in muscle contraction kinetics. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 169–178, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Across time and space: Effects of urbanization on corticosterone and body condition vary over multiple years in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia)
Authors: Foltz Sarah L. , Davis Jason E. , Battle Kathryn E. , Greene Virginia W. , Laing Brenton T. , Rock Ryan P. , Ross Allen E. , Tallant James A. , Vega Rene C. , Moore Ignacio T. 
Published: February 2015

AbstractAnimals inhabiting urban areas must simultaneously cope with the unique challenges presented by this novel habitat type while exploiting the distinctive opportunities it offers. The costs and benefits of urban living are often assumed to be consistent across time, but may in fact vary depending on the habitat features influencing them. Here we examine the glucocorticoid levels and body condition of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) resident at urban and rural sites over four consecutive years to determine whether these traits, which may be linked to the relative costs and benefits of these respective habitats, are consistent over time. Glucocorticoid levels and body condition varied by year in both habitat types. While habitat alone did not influence glucocorticoid levels, there was a significant interaction between year and habitat, indicating that glucocorticoids differ between habitats in some years but not others. There was no discernable effect of habitat alone on body condition. Overall, these data suggest that the costs and benefits of inhabiting urban versus rural habitats differ substantially from year to year. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 109–120, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sex‐related variation in metabolic profile of two wagtail species
Authors: Elarabany N. F. 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTProgression of the vernal migratory life history stage to breeding presents a number of different behavioral and physiological changes. Long‐distance passerine migrants deposit substantial fat stores to fuel their migratory journey. Many of those migratory birds arrive at their northerly breeding grounds with larger fat stores than other birds. In the current study, plasma metabolites were used to determine refueling rates in two species of songbirds at stopover sites in New Damietta, Egypt and to test the hypotheses that males refuel faster than females during spring. The results showed that males usually refuel in higher rates than females during spring in both species. The results show that sex‐related variations in stopover refueling rate can be a possible mechanism for protandry in spring and faster male migration than females.J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 202–209, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Emerging from the rib: Resolving the turtle controversies
Authors: Rice Ritva , Riccio Paul , Gilbert Scott F. , Cebra‐Thomas Judith 
Published: February 2015

AbstractTwo of the major controversies in the present study of turtle shell development involve the mechanism by which the carapacial ridge initiates shell formation and the mechanism by which each rib forms the costal bones adjacent to it. This paper claims that both sides of each debate might be correct—but within the species examined. Mechanism is more properly “mechanisms,” and there is more than one single way to initiate carapace formation and to form the costal bones. In the initiation of the shell, the rib precursors may be kept dorsal by either “axial displacement” (in the hard‐shell turtles) or “axial arrest” (in the soft‐shell turtlePelodiscus), or by a combination of these. The former process would deflect the rib into the dorsal dermis and allow it to continue its growth there, while the latter process would truncate rib growth. In both instances, though, the result is to keep the ribs from extending into the ventral body wall. Our recent work has shown that the properties of the carapacial ridge, a key evolutionary innovation of turtles, differ greatly between these two groups. Similarly, the mechanism of costal bone formation may differ between soft‐shell and hard‐shell turtles, in that the hard‐shell species may have both periosteal flattening as well as dermal bone induction, while the soft‐shelled turtles may have only the first of these processes.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 208–220, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evo–devo mechanisms underlying the continuum between homology and homoplasy
Authors: Ochoa Carlos , Rasskin‐Gutman Diego 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTThe different manifestations of equivalence and similarity in structure throughout evolution suggest a continuous and hierarchical process that starts out with the origin of a morphological novelty, unit, or homologue. Once a morphological unit has originated, its properties change subsequently into variants that differ, in magnitude, from the original properties found in the common ancestor. We will look into the nature of morphological units and their degrees of modification, which will provide the starting point for restructuring the concept of “homology,” keeping the use of homology as the identity of an anatomical part, and homogeny, as the specific variation of that anatomical part during evolution. We will also show that parallelism has a distinct placement within an evolutionary continuum between homology and homoplasy, whereas the phenomenon of evolutionary convergence is left outside this continuum. We will then provide some epistemological and developmental criteria to justify these distinctions, showing that there is a direct relation between the nature of these concepts and the constraints that developmental mechanisms impose on evolution. Finally, we will propose a hierarchical model that places homology, homogeny, homoplasy, and parallelism, as distinct phenomena within an evolutionary continuum. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 91–103, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Modification of the larval swimming behavior in Oikopleura dioica, a chordate with a miniaturized central nervous system by dsRNA injection into fertilized eggs
Authors: Mikhaleva Yana , Kreneisz Orsolya , Olsen Lisbeth C. , Glover Joel C. , Chourrout Daniel 
Published: February 2015

AbstractUsing RNA interference, we have selectively perturbed neurotransmitter‐related features of the larval swimming behavior of Oikopleura dioica, a tunicate with a central nervous system comprising about 130 neurons. We injected dsRNA into fertilized eggs to knockdown the expression of the genes, respectively, encoding ChAT (choline acetyltransferase) and GAD (glutamic acid decarboxylase), enzymes critical for the biosynthesis of acetylcholine and GABA. These two neurotransmitters have conserved roles during evolution, particularly within chordate motor systems, where they mediate respectively neuromuscular and central inhibitory signals. In Oikopleura, interference with ChAT expression prevented the normal bidirectional, propagating tail movement characteristic of swimming, permitting only repeated unilateral tail bends. Proper swimming was never observed, and the resting period between episodes of activity was lengthened. This phenotype is most likely caused by the reduction of transcription observed for both the targeted ChAT gene and the VAChT gene (Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter), both genes being transcribed from the same operon. Interference with GAD expression led to an uncoordinated version of swimming with a spiral movement trajectory, but with episodes similar in duration and cycle frequency to those of normal swimming. Our results suggest locomotor functions for ChAT and GABA that are more subtle than previously proposed for tunicates and opens the way for a genetic dissection of Oikopleura neuronal circuits, which are likely to be among the most simplified in the chordate phylum. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 324B: 114–127, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.