bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of Gi G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Signaling in Osteoblasts Accelerates Bone Fracture Healing
Authors: Wang Liping , Hsiao Edward C , Lieu Shirley , Scott Mark , O'Carroll Dylan , Urrutia Ashley , Conklin Bruce R , Colnot Celine , Nissenson Robert A 
Published: April 2015

ABSTRACT

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are key regulators of skeletal homeostasis and are likely important in fracture healing. Because GPCRs can activate multiple signaling pathways simultaneously, we used targeted disruption of Gi-GPCR or activation of Gs-GPCR pathways to test how each pathway functions in the skeleton. We previously demonstrated that blockade of Gi signaling by pertussis toxin (PTX) transgene expression in maturing osteoblastic cells enhanced cortical and trabecular bone formation and prevented age-related bone loss in female mice. In addition, activation of Gs signaling by expressing the Gs-coupled engineered receptor Rs1 in maturing osteoblastic cells induced massive trabecular bone formation but cortical bone loss. Here, we test our hypothesis that the Gi and Gs pathways also have distinct functions in fracture repair. We applied closed, nonstabilized tibial fractures to mice in which endogenous Gi signaling was inhibited by PTX, or to mice with activated Gs signaling mediated by Rs1. Blockade of endogenous Gi resulted in a smaller callus but increased bone formation in both young and old mice. PTX treatment decreased expression of Dkk1 and increased Lef1 mRNAs during fracture healing, suggesting a role for endogenous Gi signaling in maintaining Dkk1 expression and suppressing Wnt signaling. In contrast, adult mice with activated Gs signaling showed a slight increase in the initial callus size with increased callus bone formation. These results show that Gi blockade and Gs activation of the same osteoblastic lineage cell can induce different biological responses during fracture healing. Our findings also show that manipulating the GPCR/cAMP signaling pathway by selective timing of Gs and Gi-GPCR activation may be important for optimizing fracture repair. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Catalase and ascorbate peroxidase activities are not directly involveded in the silicon‐mediated alleviation of ferrous iron toxicity in rice
Authors: Mbonankira Jean Elysée , Coq Sébastien , Vromman Delphine , Lutts Stanley , Nizigiyimana Aloys , Bertin Pierre 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSilicon (Si) is the second most abundant element in the soil and can alleviate several abiotic stresses in many plant species. However, the mechanisms involved in alleviating ferrous iron (Fe2+) toxicity by Si are still largely unknown, and no study has investigated the role of Si on the Fe2+‐induced oxidative stress and antioxidant system in rice. Four cultivars of Asian and African rice (Oryza sativa L. and Oryza glaberrima Steud) were grown for 4 weeks under hydroponic conditions with or without Fe2+ (250 mg Fe2+ L−1) and with or without Si (250 mg SiO2 L−1). The plants that were treated with Fe2+ suffered Fe2+ toxicity, and Si helped to alleviate the toxicity symptoms. The bronzing index and the Fe concentration in the foliar tissue increased in the presence of Fe2+ but decreased significantly with the application of 250 mg SiO2 L−1. The concentration of malonyldialdehyde, that is commonly used as an indicator of oxidative stress, increased in the foliar tissue in the presence of 250 mg Fe2+ L−1 in the nutrient solution. The application of 250 mg SiO2 L−1 in the plant nutrient solution treated with Fe2+ considerably limited the increase of malonyldialdehyde. However, no significant effect of Si application on the activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and ascorbate peroxidase) and non‐enzymatic antioxidants (total ascorbate, reduced ascorbate, oxidized ascorbate, and the ratio of the reduced to oxidized forms) was observed in the rice plants that were grown in the presence of Fe2+. These results suggest that Si does not act directly on the antioxidant defense system of rice but reduces the plant Fe2+ concentration, which reduces the oxidative stress.
Impact of land‐use changes on soil hydraulic properties of Calcaric Regosols on the Loess Plateau, NW China
Authors: Yu Miaozi , Zhang Lulu , Xu Xuexuan , Feger Karl‐Heinz , Wang Yanhui , Liu Wenzhao , Schwärzel Kai 
Published: April 2015

AbstractVegetation restoration efforts (planting trees and grass) have been effective in controlling soil erosion on the Loess Plateau (NW China). Shifts in land cover result in modifications of soil properties. Yet, whether the hydraulic properties have also been improved by vegetation restoration is still not clear. The objective of this paper was to understand how vegetation restoration alters soil structure and related soil hydraulic properties such as permeability and soil water storage capacity. Three adjacent sites with similar soil texture, soil type, and topography, but different land cover (black locust forest, grassland, and cropland) were selected in a typical small catchment in the middle reaches of the Yellow River (Loess Plateau). Seasonal variation of soil hydraulic properties in topsoil and subsoil were examined. Our study revealed that land‐use type had a significant impact on field‐saturated, near‐saturated hydraulic conductivity, and soil water characteristics. Specifically, conversion from cropland to grass or forests promotes infiltration capacity as a result of increased saturated hydraulic conductivity, air capacity, and macroporosity. Moreover, conversion from cropland to forest tends to promote the creation of mesopores, which increase soil water‐storage capacity. Tillage of cropland created temporarily well‐structured topsoil but compacted subsoil as indicated by low subsoil saturated hydraulic conductivity, air capacity, and plant‐available water capacity. No impact of land cover conversion on unsaturated hydraulic conductivities at suction > 300 cm was found indicating that changes in land cover do not affect functional meso‐ and microporosity. Our work demonstrates that changes in soil hydraulic properties resulting from soil conservation efforts need to be considered when soil conservation measures shall be implemented in water‐limited regions. For ensuring the sustainability of such measures, the impact of soil conversion on water resources and hydrological processes needs to be further investigated.
UPLC‐PDA quantification of chemical constituents of two different varieties (golden and royal) of apple leaves and their antioxidant activity
Authors: Walia Mayanka , Kumar Shiv , Agnihotri Vijai K 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDMalus domestica is the most widely cultivated fruit tree and is well known for its therapeutic value. Apple leaves are known to contain phenolic compounds but the nature of these has not been explored to the same extent as in apple fruit. A simple, rapid and sensitive ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection (UPLC‐DAD) quantification method has been developed. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant activity of golden and royal apple leaves were evaluated.RESULTSFour compounds, namely rutin, 3‐hydroxyphloridzin, phloridzin and quercetin‐3‐O‐arabinoside were identified by UPLC. The separation was achieved in less than 7 min. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were found to be slightly higher in apple golden variety than royal variety. The IC50 values determined by the DPPH assay were 49.94 µg mL−1 for golden apple leaves and 43.89 µg mL−1 for royal apple leaves. IC50 values determined by the ABTS assay were 47.10 and 66.53 µg mL−1 for golden and royal apple leaves, respectively. Antioxidant activity was determined as 24.45 and 21.15 mg ascorbic acid g−1 for golden and royal apple leaves, respectively, by using the FRAP assay.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that apple leaves (both varieties) contain considerable amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids and are also a promising source of phloridzin. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Survey of Health Care Workers Suggests Unmet Palliative Care Needs in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Fox Siobhan , Gannon Elizabeth , Cashell Alison , Kernohan W. George , Lynch Marie , McGlade Ciara , O'Brien Tony , O'Sullivan Sean S. , Sweeney Catherine , Timmons Suzanne 
Published: April 2015

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and previous training of Irish health care workers (HCWs) in palliative care in end‐stage Parkinson's disease (PD). A survey was distributed to HCWs, including neurologists, geriatricians, general practitioners, nurses, and allied health professionals, in acute and community settings in the Republic of Ireland. Three‐hundred and six surveys were returned (32% average response rate). Most HCWs (90%) believed that people with PD have palliative care needs; however, 76% of HCWs also said that these needs are “never” or only “sometimes” met. These unmet needs are reflected in relatively few people with PD being referred to specialist palliative care; 48% of hospital consultants had referred no patients in the previous 6 months, and just 7% had referred more than 10. Just 8% of the HCWs surveyed reported having any training on the palliative care aspects of PD, and 97% expressed an interest in receiving further education. Respondents wanted all topics pertinent to palliative care in PD covered, and many felt that they also needed further information on PD in general. People with PD are seen to have palliative care needs; however, the findings suggest that these needs are not being met. There is a discrepancy between best practice recommendations for palliative care in PD and the beliefs and practices of HCWs. Further education in palliative care in PD is needed to ensure better quality of care for people with PD.
Joint design of large‐tip‐angle parallel RF pulses and blipped gradient trajectories
Authors: Cao Zhipeng , Donahue Manus J. , Ma Jun , Grissom William A. 
Published: April 2015

PurposeTo design multichannel large‐tip‐angle
‐points and spokes radiofrequency (RF) pulses and gradient waveforms for transmit field inhomogeneity compensation in high field magnetic resonance imaging.Theory and MethodsAn algorithm to design RF subpulse weights and gradient blip areas is proposed to minimize a magnitude least‐squares cost function that measures the difference between realized and desired state parameters in the spin domain, and penalizes integrated RF power. The minimization problem is solved iteratively with interleaved target phase updates, RF subpulse weights updates using the conjugate gradient method with optimal control‐based derivatives, and gradient blip area updates using the conjugate gradient method. Two‐channel parallel transmit simulations and experiments were conducted in phantoms and human subjects at 7 T to demonstrate the method and compare it to small‐tip‐angle‐designed pulses and circularly polarized excitations.ResultsThe proposed algorithm designed more homogeneous and accurate 180° inversion and refocusing pulses than other methods. It also designed large‐tip‐angle pulses on multiple frequency bands with independent and joint phase relaxation. Pulses designed by the method improved specificity and contrast‐to‐noise ratio in a finger‐tapping spin echo blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging study, compared with circularly polarized mode refocusing.ConclusionA joint RF and gradient waveform design algorithm was proposed and validated to improve large‐tip‐angle inversion and refocusing at ultrahigh field. Magn Reson Med 75:1198–1208, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A finite element model of shape memory polymer composite beams for space applications
Authors: Bergman D. , Yang B. 
Published: April 2015

SummaryStructures made of shape memory polymer composite (SMPC), due to their ability to be formed into a desired compact loading shape and then transformed back to their original aperture by means of an applied stimulus, are an ideal solution to deployment problems of large and lightweight space structures. In the literature, there is a wide array of work on constitutive laws and qualitative analyses of SMP materials; dynamic equations and numerical solution methods for SMPC structures have rarely been addressed. In this work, a macroscopic model for the shape fixation and shape recovery processes of SMPC structures and a finite element formulation for relevant numerical solutions are developed. To demonstrate basic concepts, a cantilever SMPC beam is used in the presentation. In the development, a quasi‐static beam model that combines geometric nonlinearity in beam deflection with a temperature‐dependent constitutive law of SMP material is obtained, which is followed by derivation of the dynamic equations of the SMPC beam. Furthermore, several finite element models are devised for numerical solutions, which include both beam and shell elements. Finally, in numerical simulation, the quasi‐static SMPC beam model is used to show the physical behaviors of the SMPC beam in shape fixation and shape recovery. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MS3‐based quantitative proteomics using pulsed‐Q dissociation
Authors: Cao Zhiyun , Evans Adam R. , Robinson Renã A. S. 
Published: April 2015

RationaleIsobaric tagging reagents, such as tandem mass tags (TMT) and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ), are high‐throughput methods that allow the analysis of multiple samples simultaneously, which reduces instrument time and error. Accuracy and precision of isobaric tags are limited, however, in tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) acquisition due to co‐isolation and co‐fragmentation of neighboring peptide peaks in precursor scans. Here we present a MS3 method using pulsed‐Q dissociation (PQD) in ion trap and Orbitrap instrumentation as a means to improve ratio distortion and maintain high numbers of identified and quantified proteins.MethodsMouse brain protein digests were labeled with TMT‐128, 129, 130, 131 reagents, mixed in the following molar ratios 1:1:2:5, respectively, and analyzed using HCD‐MS3 and PQD‐MS3 methods. The most intense fragment ion (termed as HCD‐MS3‐top ion or PQD‐MS3‐top ion) or y1 ion (i.e., lysine‐TMT tag ion; termed as HCD‐MS3‐y1 or PQD‐MS3‐y1) in collision‐induced dissociation (CID) MS/MS was selected for MS3.ResultsCalculated protein ratios obtained in HCD‐MS3‐top ion and PQD‐MS3‐top ion, HCD‐MS3‐y1, and PQD‐MS3‐y1 are accurate and PQD‐MS3 methods resulted in higher numbers of identified and quantified peptide spectral counts and proteins.ConclusionsPQD‐MS3 methods increase the amount of MS/MS spectra collected and number of quantified proteins and are accessible to those researchers with not only an orbitrap but also an ion trap mass spectrometer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two fault‐tolerant control problems for multiple‐integrator networks
Authors: Locatelli Arturo , Schiavoni Nicola 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe paper considers a network of agents with multiple‐integrator internal dynamics, which share partial information on their states according to an arbitrary topology. For this system, two control problems are addressed and solved. The first consists in assigning the dominant closed‐loop poles. The second consists in achieving a specified consensus with arbitrary dominant dynamics. In both cases, the regulator is required to be decentralized, and the controlled network has to result tolerant with respect to faults in the communication apparatuses of the agents. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noggin-Mediated Retinal Induction Reveals a Novel Interplay Between Bone Morphogenetic Protein Inhibition, Transforming Growth Factor β, and Sonic Hedgehog Signaling
Authors: Messina Andrea , Lan Lei , Incitti Tania , Bozza Angela , Andreazzoli Massimiliano , Vignali Robert , Cremisi Federico , Bozzi Yuri , Casarosa Simona 
Published: April 2015

Abstract
It has long been known that the depletion of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is one of the key factors necessary for the development of anterior neuroectodermal structures. However, the precise molecular mechanisms that underlie forebrain regionalization are still not completely understood. Here, we show that Noggin1 is involved in the regionalization of anterior neural structures in a dose-dependent manner. Low doses of Noggin1 expand prosencephalic territories, while higher doses specify diencephalic and retinal regions at the expense of telencephalic areas. A similar dose-dependent mechanism determines the ability of Noggin1 to convert pluripotent cells in prosencephalic or diencephalic/retinal precursors, as shown by transplant experiments and molecular analyses. At a molecular level, the strong inhibition of BMP signaling exerted by high doses of Noggin1 reinforces the Nodal/transforming growth factor (TGF)β signaling pathway, leading to activation of Gli1 and Gli2 and subsequent activation of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling. We propose a new role for Noggin1 in determining specific anterior neural structures by the modulation of TGFβ and SHH signaling. Stem Cells 2015;33:2496–2508
Effect of Visceral Obesity on Surgical Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
Authors: Park Byung Kwan , Park Ji Won , Ryoo Seung‐Bum , Jeong Seung‐Yong , Park Kyu Joo , Park Jae‐Gahb 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundVisceral obesity has been known to be more pathogenic than body mass index (BMI). There have been a few reports about the association between visceral obesity and surgical outcomes in laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of visceral obesity on surgical outcomes undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.MethodsBetween January 2005 and December 2012, a total of 543 patients who underwent laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer and had available computed tomography (CT) scans were included in this retrospective study. Visceral fat volumes (VFVs) were measured in preoperative CT scans from S1 to 12.5 cm above. Patients were divided into an obese group and a non‐obese group according to VFV and BMI. Obesity was defined by VFV ≥1.92 dm3 (75 % value of VFV) or BMI ≥25 kg/m2.ResultsThere were 136 (25.0 %) and 150 (27.6 %) obese patients according to VFV and BMI, respectively. The high VFV group had a longer operative times (165.2 ±  84.4 vs. 146.1  ±  58.9 min; P = 0.016), higher blood loss during surgery (132.5  ±  144.8 vs. 98.3  ±  109.6 ml; P = 0.012), more frequent conversion to laparotomy (5.9 vs. 1.5 %; P = 0.010), and more frequent major complications (Dindo score ≥3; 11.0 vs. 4.7 %; P  =  0.008), whereas there was no significant difference between the high and low BMI groups. High VFV was a significant independent risk factor for open conversion (odds ratio 4.964, 95 % confidence interval 1.336–18.438, P = 0.017).ConclusionsVisceral obesity can be a more clinically useful predictor than BMI in predicting surgical outcomes for laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.
The Influence of Subluxation on the Severity of Symptoms, Disability, and the Results of Operative Treatment in TMC Osteoarthritis with Total Joint Arthroplasty
Authors: Larsen Solveig K. A. , Østergaard Ann Mai , Hansen Torben B. 
Published: April 2015

Background The role of subluxation in staging of the severity of osteoarthritic changes remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of subluxation of symptomatic osteoarthritic trapeziometacarpal (TMC) joint regarding severity of symptoms, disability, and results of operative treatment in TMC osteoarthritis with total joint arthroplasty. Methods We included 172 hands in 137 patients (32 males and 105 females), mean age 59 years (44–74 years), with a combination of radiological signs of TMC osteoarthritis and clinical symptoms in the study. All patients were operated in general anaesthesia where a ball and socket joint implant was used. Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, visual analog scale, grip strength, and abduction deficiency were recorded and subluxation was measured on computed tomography. Results The mean subluxation in males was 5.2 mm (SD 1.2) and in females 5.3 mm (SD 1.3) (p=0.95). We found a weak positive correlation between grip strength and subluxation both at the preoperative examination and at 3 and 12 months after the operation, but no other correlations with subluxation were found. Conclusions This study indicates that radial subluxation may not be an important factor in symptoms and function in patients with symptomatic TMC osteoarthritis without severe scaphotrapezio (ST) joint degeneration. In addition, preoperative subluxation seems not to be important for the result after total joint arthroplasty.
Analysis of Intact Cholesteryl Esters of Furan Fatty Acids in Cod Liver
Authors: Hammann Simon , Wendlinger Christine , Vetter Walter 
Published: April 2015

AbstractFuran fatty acids (F‐acids) are a class of natural antioxidants with a furan moiety in the acyl chain. These minor fatty acids have been reported to occur with high proportions in the cholesteryl ester fraction of fish livers. Here we present a method for the direct analysis of intact cholesteryl esters with F‐acids and other fatty acids in cod liver lipids. For this purpose, the cholesteryl ester fraction was isolated by solid phase extraction (SPE) and subsequently analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using a cool‐on‐column inlet. Pentadecanoic acid esterified with cholesterol was used as an internal standard. GC/MS spectra of F‐acid cholesteryl esters featured the molecular ion along with characteristic fragment ions for both the cholesterol and the F‐acid moiety. All investigated cod liver samples (n = 8) showed cholesteryl esters of F‐acids and, to a lower degree, of conventional fatty acids. By means of GC/MS‐SIM up to ten F‐acid cholesteryl esters could be determined in the samples. The concentrations of cholesteryl esters with conventional fatty acids amounted to 78–140 mg/100 g lipids (mean 97 mg/100 g lipids), while F‐acid cholesteryl esters were present at 47–270 mg/100 g lipids (mean 130 mg/100 g lipids).
Withdrawal of anti-epileptic drugs: A review
Authors: Kulshreshtha Dinkar , Maurya Pradeep , Singh Ajai , Thacker Anup 
Published: April 2015

AbstractAnti-epileptic drugs are the mainstay in treatment of epilepsy. It requires a strong clinical decision in patients who are well controlled on medications to withdraw anti-epileptic drugs. This decision has to be based on the clinical profile, epilepsy type, neuroimaging and electroencephalography (EEG) findings and has to be more individualized as per the patient needs. In the context of drug withdrawal, it is necessary to look into the details of why, how and when to withdraw anti-epileptics. In this article, we critically try to answer such queries and look into the established guidelines with respect to drug withdrawal. We shall look into the chances of recurrence on stopping these drugs. Also, in the end we shall discuss briefly some special clinical scenarios where decision to stop anti-epileptic drugs is a challenging task.