bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulation of human osteoblasts by metal surface chemistry
Authors: Hofstetter Wilhelm , Sehr Harald , Wild Michael de , Portenier Jeannette , Gobrecht Jens , Hunziker Ernst B. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractThe use of metal implants in dental and orthopedic surgery is continuously expanding and highly successful. While today longevity and load‐bearing capacity of the implants fulfill the expectations of the patients, acceleration of osseointegration would be of particular benefit to shorten the period of convalescence. To further clarify the options to accelerate the kinetics of osseointegration, within this study, the osteogenic properties of structurally identical surfaces with different metal coatings were investigated. To assess the development and function of primary human osteoblasts on metal surfaces, cell viability, differentiation, and gene expression were determined. Titanium surfaces were used as positive, and surfaces coated with gold were used as negative controls. Little differences in the cellular parameters tested for were found when the cells were grown on titanium discs sputter coated with titanium, zirconium, niobium, tantalum, gold, and chromium. Cell number, activity of cell layer‐associated alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and levels of transcripts encoding COL1A1 and BGLAP did not vary significantly in dependence of the surface chemistry. Treatment of the cell cultures with 1,25(OH)2D3/Dex, however, significantly increased ALP activity and BGLAP messenger RNA levels. The data demonstrate that the metal layer coated onto the titanium discs exerted little modulatory effects on cell behavior. It is suggested that the microenvironment regulated by the peri‐implant tissues is more effective in regulating the tissue response than is the material of the implant itself. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Efficient One‐Pot Synthesis of Bis(4‐hydroxycoumarin)methanes in the Presence of Sulfonic Acid Functionalized Nanoporous Silica (SBA‐Pr‐SO3H)
Authors: Ziarani Ghodsi Mohammadi , Badiei Alireza , Azizi Masoomeh , Lashgari Negar 
Published: January 2013

AbstractAn efficient and simple method for the synthesis of bis(4‐hydroxycoumarin)methanes has been achieved through a one‐pot condensation of aryl aldehydes and 4‐hydroxycoumarin in the presence of nanoporous solid acid catalyst of SBA‐Pr‐SO3H with pore size of 6 nm. Excellent yields, short reaction times, reusability of the catalyst and simple workup are advantages of this synthetic procedure.
Evolution of the tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC)
Authors: Komm Barry S. , Mirkin Sebastian 
Published: January 2013

AbstractEstrogens mediate gene transcription and signaling of numerous cellular processes in a variety of tissues, including the bone, breast, and endometrium, through binding and activation of estrogen receptors (ERs). Estrogen‐mediated ER agonist activity has shown benefit in conditions related to estrogen deficiency in women; however, these effects have been associated with stimulation of breast and uterine tissues. Due to the complexity of ER signaling, selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) can exhibit ER agonist or antagonist activity depending on the target tissue. A newer approach to menopausal therapy, the tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC), pairs a SERM with one or more estrogens with the goal of maintaining the benefits of estrogens without the stimulatory effects on the breast and uterus. Preclinically, different TSECs have been associated with distinct gene expression profiles compared with each other and with their individual SERM/estrogen components. Studies in cultured breast cancer cells and animal models have demonstrated a lack of estrogen‐induced stimulation with TSECs in the mammary gland and endometrium. In the breast, biochemical analyses indicate that degradation of the ER is an important mechanism by which TSECs exert their antagonistic effects. TSECs have also shown positive effects similar to estrogens in other tissue types, including bone and the central nervous system, although mechanisms underlying these activities are less clear. Overall, preclinical studies have shown that estrogens, SERMs, and TSECs each exert distinct and tissue specific molecular and pharmacologic effects. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1423–1427, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sestrins: Novel antioxidant and AMPK‐modulating functions regulated by exercise?
Authors: Sanchis‐Gomar Fabian 
Published: January 2013

AbstractOxidative stress results from damage to tissues caused by free radicals and is increased by exercise. Peroxiredoxins (PRXs) maintain the cellular reducing environment by scavenging intracellular hydrogen peroxide. It has been recently noted that physical exercise has a positive effect on the PRX system, exerting a protective effect against oxidative stress‐induced damage. However, other compounds, such as sestrins (SESNs), a stress‐inducible protein family with antioxidant properties, should also be considered in the function of PRXs. SESNs are clearly involved in the regeneration process of PRXs and therefore may also be modulated by physical exercise. In addition, SESNs are clearly involved in TOR, AMPK, p53, FoxO, and PRXs signaling pathways. The aforementioned pathways are implicated in aging processes by inducing an increased resistance to subsequent stress, thus delaying age‐related changes, such as sarcopenia and frailty, and consequently promoting longevity. Likewise, exercise also modulates these pathways. In fact, exercise is one of the most important recommended strategies to prevent sarcopenia and frailty, increase longevity, and improve health in the elderly. Loss of SESNs can cause several chronic pathologies, such as fat accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, cardiac arrhythmia, and/or muscle degeneration. Accordingly, physical inactivity leads to accumulation of visceral fat and consequently the activation of a network of inflammatory pathways, which promote development of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, and tumor growth. To date, the SESNs‐exercise relationship has not been explored. However, this emerging family of stress proteins may be part of the redox‐based adaptive response to exercise. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 1647–1650, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bio‐inspired optimization for electromagnetic structure design using full‐wave techniques on GPUs
Authors: Kilic O. , El‐Araby E. , Nguyen Q. , Dang V. 
Published: January 2013

SUMMARYThe electromagnetic modeling of antennas and radio frequency devices has become increasingly challenging as the applications demand intricate and complex designs, such as fine features embedded in electrically large structures or integrated systems (e.g., antennas on vehicles). Often the design stage is further challenged by the need to find an optimal solution, which results in a numerically intensive problem. The objective of this paper is to investigate the use of graphics processing units (GPUs) in such challenging design and optimizations. Two full‐wave approaches (method of moments and rigorous coupled wave analysis) are discussed along with a bio‐inspired optimization technique, namely the particle swarm optimization. The inherent parallel nature of the GPUs is utilized in implementing the most numerically intensive parts of these full‐wave methods. Furthermore, the independent search mechanism employed by the particle swarm optimization in its agent‐based search renders itself to parallelism offered by GPUs. The paper demonstrates the acceleration achieved by the GPUs in designing a variety of radio frequency structures such as reconfigurable patch antennas and antireflective surfaces. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of utilization of early aneuploidy screening on amniocenteses available for training in obstetrics and fetal medicine
Authors: Rose Nancy C. , Lagrave Danielle , Hafen Brent , Jackson Marc 
Published: January 2013

ABSTRACTObjectiveFirst‐trimester aneuploidy screening has high detection rates and low false‐positive rates. Their use as well as the implementation of non‐invasive prenatal testing may affect specialty training in prenatal diagnosis procedures.Study designDescriptive study of first‐trimester aneuploidy screening and amniocentesis in an obstetric training program. Screening methods were tracked from their introduction in 2004 through 2011. The volume of amniocentesis procedures from 2000 to 2011 was evaluated.ResultsFirst‐trimester screening tests increased from 283 to 1225 between 2005 and 2011, whereas genetic amniocenteses declined from 460 to 168 during the same period. The percent of older women who chose a first‐trimester screen test rose from 12.7% to 44.2%ConclusionFirst‐trimester screening options reduce genetic amniocenteses available for training. Fetal medicine and general obstetrics training programs need to evaluate their clinical experience and determine whether simulation training methods are needed for education. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TNF‐238 polymorphism may predict bronchopulmonary dysplasia among preterm infants in the Egyptian population
Authors: Elhawary Nasser A. , Tayeb Mohammed T. , Abdel‐Ghafar Shereen , Rashad Mona , Alkhotani Abdel‐Aziz 
Published: January 2013

AbstractBronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains as a major and increasing burden in Egypt.RationaleTo determine whether alleles of TNFα‐238G > A affect the risk of BPD or the severity of BPD in preterm infants in Egypt.Study DesignWe prospectively genotyped 220 premature neonates (birth weight <1,500 g and gestational age 26–32 weeks) for the −238 polymorphism, and assessed the clinical risk factors for BPD in our study populations. Infants with BPD were mechanically ventilated.ResultsInfants who developed BPD (n = 120) had a younger gestational age (31.0 ± 2.1 weeks vs. 34.3 ± 1.5 weeks) and lower birth weight (1,490 ± 360 g vs. 1,880 ± 520 g) than infants who did not develop BPD (n = 100). Results of antenatal steroid supplementation, surfactant therapy, or sepsis might affect the genetic modulation of BPD. The −238G > A polymorphism was associated with a twofold risk of BPD (OR = 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.35–3.83). Despite the dominance of the G allele in the Egyptian population, the −238A allele was more common among infants with BPD (23%) than among infants without BPD (15%). The A allele occurred less often in infants with mild BPD (9%) than in infants with severe (39%) or moderate (52%). The AA genotype occurred in 15% of cases but in none of the controls.ConclusionThe TNFα −238G > A polymorphism—particularly the presence of an A allele—should be evaluated as a biomarker to predict the clinical outcome of preterm infants with BPD in Egypt. Even the presence of one copy of this mutant allele appears to be sufficient to influence the severity of disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:699–706. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antifibrotic peptide N‐acetyl‐Ser‐Asp‐Lys‐Pro (Ac‐SDKP): Opportunities for angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor design
Authors: Douglas Ross G , Ehlers Mario R , Sturrock Edward D 
Published: January 2013

Summary

The renin–angiotensin system (RAS) is central to regulation of blood pressure and electrolyte homeostasis.

Angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), a key protease in the RAS, has a range of substrates, including N‐acetyl‐Ser‐Asp‐Lys‐Pro (Ac‐SDKP). The peptide Ac‐SDKP is cleared almost exclusively by ACE, and specifically by the N‐domain active site of this enzyme.

N‐Acetyl‐Ser‐Asp‐Lys‐Pro is a negative regulator of haematopoietic stem cell differentiation and is a potent antifibrotic agent. In this review, the physiological actions of Ac‐SDKP are presented, together with the potential clinical usefulness of raising Ac‐SDKP levels. This emphasizes the possible opportunity of N‐domain‐selective ACE inhibitors or ACE‐resistant Ac‐SDKP analogues for the treatment of fibrosis.
An Examination of Pay‐for‐Performance in General Practice in Australia
Authors: Greene Jessica 
Published: January 2013

ObjectiveThis study examines the impact of Australia's pay‐for‐performance (P4P) program for general practitioners (GPs). The voluntary program pays GPs A$40 and A$100 in addition to fee‐for‐service payment for providing patients recommended diabetes and asthma treatment over a year, and A$35 for screening women for cervical cancer who have not been screened in 4 years.DesignThree approaches were used to triangulate the program's impact: (1) analysis of trends in national claims for incentivized services pre‐ and postprogram implementation; (2) fixed effects panel regression models examining the impact of GPs' P4P program participation on provision of incentivized services; and (3) in‐depth interviews to explore GPs' perceptions of their own response to the program.ResultsThere was a short‐term increase in diabetes testing and cervical cancer screens after program implementation. The increase, however, was for all GPs. Neither signing onto the program nor claiming incentive payments was associated with increased diabetes testing or cervical cancer screening. GPs reported that the incentive did not influence their behavior, largely due to the modest payment and the complexity of tracking patients and claiming payment.ImplicationsMonitoring and evaluating P4P programs is essential, as programs may not spark the envisioned impact on quality improvement.
A novel approach for the detection of early gastric cancer: Fluorescence spectroscopy of gastric juice
Authors: Deng Kai , Zhou Li Ya , Lin San Ren , Li Yuan , Chen Mo , Geng Qiu Ming , Li Yu Wen 
Published: January 2013

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy of fluorescence spectroscopy of gastric juice for early gastric cancer (EGC) screening.MethodsGastric juice was collected from 101 participants who underwent endoscopy in the Outpatient Endoscopy Center of Peking University Third Hospital. The participants were divided into three groups: the normal mucosa or chronic non‐atrophic gastritis (NM‐CNAG) group (n = 35), advanced gastric cancer (AGC) group (n = 33) and EGC group (n = 33). Fluorescence spectroscopic analysis was performed in all the gastric juice samples and the maximum fluorescence intensity of the first peak (P1FI) was measured.ResultsThe mean fluorescence intensity of P1FI of gastric juice in AGC (92.1 ± 10.7) and EGC (90.8 ± 12.0) groups was significantly higher than that in the NM‐CNAG group (55.7 ± 7.5) (AGC vs NM‐CNAG, P = 0.006 and EGC vs NM‐CNAG, P = 0.015, respectively). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the detection of AGC and EGC were 0.681 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.553–0.810, P = 0.010) and 0.655 (95% CI 0.522–0.787, P = 0.028). With the P1FI of ≥47.7, the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for detecting EGC were 69.7%, 57.1% and 63.2%, respectively.ConclusionsThe enhancement of P1FI of gastric juice occurs at the early stage of gastric cancer. Fluorescence spectroscopy of gastric juice may be used as a novel screening tool for the early detection of gastric cancer.
Seasonal patterns of habitat use by insectivorous bats in a subtropical African agro‐ecosystem dominated by macadamia orchards
Authors: Taylor Peter John , Monadjem Ara , Nicolaas Steyn Jacobus 
Published: January 2013

AbstractWe report on acoustic surveys of insectivorous bats conducted during seven months of the year using ANABAT recordings in two habitats (macadamia orchards and adjacent riparian bush) in a subtropical agro‐ecosystem in northern South Africa. We defined two functional foraging groups of bats based on their echolocation calls: (i) open‐air foragers (family Molossidae) having narrow‐band, low‐frequency, low duty cycle calls; and (ii) clutter‐edge foragers (families Miniopteridae and Vespertilionidae), having broad‐band, higher frequency, low duty cycle calls. Bat activity (number of bat passes) was not significantly influenced by habitat. Total bat activity and activity of both functional groups varied significantly between seasons, being highest in summer and autumn (coinciding with annual peaks in numbers of Twin spotted (Bathycoelia natalicola) and Green (Nezara spp) Stinkbugs, order Heteroptera, family Pentatomidae, and Macadamia Nut Borer moths, Cryptophlebia ombrodelta) and lower in winter and spring. No significant effect of moon phase was detected, either on total activity or activity of the two functional groups. We postulate that the significant pattern of seasonality of commuting and/or foraging activity of bats in macadamia orchards (which is more marked in open‐air foragers) may be driven by the seasonal abundance of pest insects such as stinkbugs and Macadamia Nut Borer moths.
Inflammation in the setting of chronic allograft dysfunction post‐kidney transplant: phenotype and genotype
Authors: Israni Ajay K. , Leduc Robert , Jacobson Pamala A. , Wildebush Winston , Guan Weihua , Schladt David , Matas Arthur J. , Oetting William S. ,   The DeKAF Genomics Investigators
Published: January 2013

AbstractBackgroundChronic allograft dysfunction (CGD) is a common outcome in kidney transplants, but its pathogenesis is unclear. We investigated theCGDphenotype and single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated withCGD.MethodThis prospective study enrolled 2336 transplants from seven transplant centers in North America.CGDwas defined as a >25% rise in serum creatinine relative to a three‐month post‐transplant baseline, requiring a kidney biopsy. We genotyped 2724SNPs in the initial 979 transplants, which form the test cohort.ResultsCGDoccurred 11.2 times per 100 person‐years at a median of 509 ± 387 days from the three‐month baseline.CGDwas independently associated with death‐censored, allograft failure, in an adjusted analysis [HR=20.6 (11.8–35.8, p < 0.001)]. Among 366 transplant recipients withCGD, 91% had inflammation on biopsy scores. 94 (26%) had inflammatory changes consistent with a diagnosis of concomitant acute rejection.SNPs inFM06andFM03,potential drug metabolism genes, were associated withCGD, after accounting for multiple testing.ConclusionCGDphenotype with concomitant inflammation is associated with increased risk of allograft failure.SNPs associated withCGDin novel drug metabolism and transport genes, will be validated in subsequent transplants.
Intra‐specific and inter‐specific variation in specific leaf area reveal the importance of abiotic and biotic drivers of species diversity across elevation and latitude
Authors: Hulshof Catherine M. , Violle Cyrille , Spasojevic Marko J. , McGill Brian , Damschen Ellen , Harrison Susan , Enquist Brian J. 
Published: January 2013

AbstractQuestionsAre patterns of intra‐ and inter‐specific functional trait variation consistent with greater abiotic filtering on community assembly at high latitudes and elevations, and greater biotic filtering at low latitudes and elevations?LocationsArea de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica; Santa Catalina Mountains, Arizona; Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon.MethodsWe measured woody plant species abundance and a key functional trait associated with competition for resources and environmental tolerance (specific leaf area, SLA) along elevational gradients in low‐latitude tropical (Costa Rica), mid‐latitude desert (Arizona) and high latitude mediterranean (southern Oregon) biomes. We explored patterns of abiotic and biotic filtering by comparing observed patterns of community‐weighted means and variances along elevational and latitudinal gradients to those expected under random assembly. In addition, we related trait variability to niches and explored how total trait space and breadth vary across broad spatial gradients by quantifying the ratio of intra‐ to inter‐specific variation.ResultsBoth the community‐wide mean and variance of SLA decreased with increasing latitude, consistent with greater abiotic filtering at higher latitudes. Further, low‐elevation communities had higher trait variation than expected by chance, consistent with greater biotic filtering at low elevations. Finally, in the tropics and across latitude the ratio of intra‐ to inter‐specific variation was negatively correlated to species richness, which further suggests that biotic interactions influence plant assembly at low latitudes.ConclusionsIntra‐ and inter‐specific patterns of SLA variation appeared broadly consistent with the idea that the relative strength of biotic and abiotic drivers on community assembly changes along elevational and latitudinal gradients; evidence for biotic drivers appeared more prominent at low latitudes and elevations and evidence for abiotic drivers appeared more prominent at high latitudes and elevations.
Adolescent predictors and associates of psychosocial functioning in young men and women: 11 year follow‐up findings from the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study
Authors: Derdikman‐Eiron Ruth , Hjemdal Odin , Lydersen Stian , Bratberg Grete H. , Indredavik Marit S. 
Published: January 2013

The aim of this paper was to investigate whether psychosocial functioning in adulthood (e.g., friends support, cohabitation, community connectedness and work satisfaction) could be predicted by mental health, subjective well‐being, social relations and behavior problems in adolescence, and whether gender was a moderator in these associations. Data were obtained from a major population‐based Norwegian study, the Nord‐Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), in which 517 men and 819 women completed an extensive self‐report questionnaires at baseline (mean age 14.4 years) and at follow‐up (mean age 26.9 years). Community connectedness as well as work satisfaction were predicted by subjective well‐being. Cohabitation was predicted by male gender and frequency of meeting friends in adolescence, and friends support was predicted by frequency of meeting friends. Gender had a minor effect as a moderator. Frequency of meeting friends and subjective well‐being seemed to be the strongest adolescent predictors of psychosocial functioning in young adulthood. These findings may have implications both for prevention and intervention in adolescence, as well as for future research.
Tight Gas Reservoir Appraisal and Development Challenges for New LNG Supply from Australia
Authors: Al Kindi Azhar , Soh Martin T 
Published: January 2013

Abstract
The contemporary challenges operators face in appraising the next tranche of Australian gas reservoirs for liquefied natural gas supply is presented. These reservoirs are typically characterised as ‘tight’, with encountered permeability &lt; 1 mD, and were considered ‘stranded’ resources under legacy gas pricing arrangements. Case study data will be presented to demonstrate the inadequacies of traditional reservoir appraisal approaches. Instead, creative and innovative methods are required to understand the degree of intra and inter reservoir connectivity and structural/stratigraphic compartmentalisation. Operators must now accept increased development cost and risk, in order for these projects to be sanctioned for development. It is clear that the era of easy gas supply from Australian giant gas fields is over.